We're So Glad You Could Attend

Welcome back, my friend, to the show that never ends.

We're so glad you could attend; step inside, step inside.

Indeed, and what a show it is. I mean, are any of you as amazed by all of this as I? "All of this" is, of course, the incredible popularity that poker is enjoying right now. The World Poker Tour is the most watched show on the Travel Channel. The World Series of Poker coverage is wildly popular on ESPN. Positively Fifth Street – Jim McManus' extraordinary tale of the WSOP and a sensational criminal trial – was briefly No. 2 on Amazon's top 100 list, behind only some story about a wizard kid and his school.

Poker books in general, and mine specifically (Winning Low Limit Hold'em), are leaping off the shelves; they're holding positions on Amazon that any of us would have thought impossible six or 12 months ago.

And I can't tell you the number of people being introduced to poker by all the TV and media interest. My wife teaches singing, and recently one of her students, a 16-year-old girl, saw one of my poker books sitting on the piano. "Oh – poker!" she exclaimed. "I watch that show on the Travel Channel every week – I love it; it's so exciting!" OK, I'll admit it right now: I never thought of teenaged girls as being part of the poker demographic.

"OK – what does that have to do with me?" you're asking.

Everything. And here's why: because this opportunity to create more poker players is not going to last. No, something else will come along and catch the fickle public (and even more fickle media) eye. So, while we have the media (and thus public) attention, we have to get as many people hooked on poker as we can. Why? Well, if you want to be mercenary, it's because it will make the games better. Oh yes, think of all those new poker players, who haven't read the books – or, maybe only read the books and have never played in a real poker game. Heck, I'll bet somebody is going to play a bunch of online poker and then think he can go to Las Vegas and compete in the WSOP, never having played a real live tournament. Oops – bad example. But you get my point – lots of new players means better games.

But there's more to it than that. More players simply means more poker: more games in casinos; more games online; more home games; games at senior citizen centers and family reunions. When you talk about poker at cocktail parties, people won't give you a blank stare and turn away; they'll, they'll … tell you a bad-beat story! OK, another bad example.

So, what can you, one poker player, do? The answer is easy: Welcome them in. There are thousands (millions?) of people out there who are simply intrigued by the game. They want to learn to play (or play better), but they're scared. Cardrooms and online games can be pretty intimidating. And here's where you help. If a neighbor or a work buddy asks about poker, don't tell him a bad-beat story. Sit down at the kitchen table and show him how to play hold'em or stud (do not teach him Omaha yet). Sit with him during the WPT broadcasts and explain what's going on. Host a game at your home, and follow standard cardroom protocol so that people can see that it's not all black magic. Show them how to put out their blinds, how to avoid splashing the pot, how to protect their cards, and so on. You'll have a blast, they'll have a blast, and the poker community will have gained more members.

Go to the senior citizen center and host a game – not because those people are likely to end up in your cardroom or online game, but because you'll be giving a wonderful gift to some folks who deserve a wonderful gift.

And here's the big one: If you play in a public cardroom, be warm and welcoming to the new players. I mean it – no more treating them like they're sheep to be sheared and sent home. I'm not suggesting that anybody bend rules in their favor. I mean, get them a cup of coffee, introduce yourself, shake hands, all that civility and manners stuff. Gently remind them when it's their blind or their turn to act. Do your very best to tolerate the bad beats they put on you (and bad-beat you, they will). Do not joke with your fellow poker veterans about how poorly the novice plays. He (or she) is already nervous and trying not to look the fool. If you chase him off, you are the fool, not he. When he busts out (and he probably will), explain that it happens to the best of us (and it does). Tell him that the game never ends – and he'll be welcome the next time he comes back.

For those of us with more recognizable faces or names in the business, the mantle of responsibility is even greater. That fellow who approaches me may have just bought my book (or be thinking about buying it). He's the guy who watches the show that pays Mike Sexton's salary. I don't think we have an obligation to spend any significant amount of time with these fans, but I do believe we have a responsibility to be courteous, warm, and welcoming. A simple, "I'm glad you liked my book," or, "How cool that you saw me on TV," is all that's necessary. And, again, we've grown the poker community. If you're not sure about how to do that, just watch Linda Johnson; she sets the standard for being a wonderful ambassador for the game.

OK, here are two quick asides:

First, there's a fellow by the name of "Galen." I don't even know his last name. I think he might be a military veteran. Sometime in 1990 or 1991, he welcomed me into a $1-$5 hold'em game at the Tropicana in Las Vegas. He wasn't a prop or a dealer or anything. Actually, I think he propped at the Riviera. Whatever – he welcomed me, a total novice, into that game, taught me the ropes, and helped me get started playing poker in public cardrooms in casinos. I never got a chance to thank him properly. If you know Galen, would you please show him this column and tell him I said thank you. The poker world needs more Galens.

Second, as you can see, I'm back at Card Player and delighted to be here. I'll be writing mostly about hold'em, but I just had to comment about the astonishing popularity that poker has right now, and my thoughts about what to do with it.

Until then … Come and see the show, come and see the show!