Resolutions

Another year has come and gone; where does the time go? It seems like only yesterday that we were all so worried about Y2K and how to program our computers for a new century. So much has happened in the poker world in that period of time, as well. Cardrooms have opened, closed, expanded, and cut back. Many have gone nonsmoking, or returned to being tobacco-friendly (if there is such a thing) venues. New big events have sprung up and some tried-and-true events have gone by the wayside. The World Series of Poker (WSOP) has grown to astonishing numbers that no one would have believed a few years ago, and Internet poker has exploded. How did all this happen?

You have to give a large amount of credit to the World Poker Tour (WPT). It not only brought poker to the living room of many homes across the United States, it also encouraged others to join forces and create other made-for-TV poker shows. There is no shortage of poker on TV these days, nor viewers to skyrocket the Nielsen ratings. Poker is here to stay, that's certain. Internet poker, which has boomed in the last few years, also grew by leaps and bounds this past year. It is my belief that this is due, in large part, to increased awareness that poker exists as a result of substantial advertising for it on television. I don't know how many homes have computers and Internet access, but I am willing to bet that huge numbers of "average Joes" are now logging on to one of the many Internet poker sites and playing poker regularly. They are people who never knew these online games existed until recently. What is great about that? It is my opinion that the majority of these new players eventually find their way into brick-and-mortar casinos and play poker against real people! Many of them were too timid to try it before first getting their feet wet on the Internet.

As the new year quickly approaches, it might be time to make some resolutions about your poker game. Have you let your game get stale? Have you read the latest books, watched poker videos, and studied your heroes? Have you done what it takes to get and keep your game on the cutting edge for success? Are you willing to do what it takes to be the best that you can be? No, I am not suggesting the military, but I am proposing that you step back and reassess your poker knowledge, where you are now and where you want to be weeks, months, or a year from now. Poker is a game that takes moments to learn and a lifetime to master. Have you become the best that you can be? Or, perhaps more importantly, have you done what it takes to become the best that you care to be?

Each of us plays for different reasons. Not everyone plays to win. That is evidenced by the huge amount of gamble that some players possess. They are the players I want to see at my table. They are the competitors I want to see stay in the game and return night after night because they had fun. They may not particularly care if they win, but they do care about having fun. For many, poker is entertainment. They have jobs and retirement benefits. They really don't need the money. They want to have fun. Perhaps it would be good resolve to make a conscious effort to see to it that these players do have fun when they play, so they'll continue playing and continue to make the games great.

And speaking of great games, 2003 might go down in history as the best year ever for poker, with its quantum leap in participation. I don't know of any tournament or cardroom that has not grown in business. Remember to be a partner of the cardroom where you play, and help it cater to those who want to gamble it up. Remember, not everyone cares about the bottom line like you and I do! Have a happy new year, you have graduated! Class dismissed.

Please contact me with your poker questions, comments, and column ideas. I look forward to hearing from of you. Also, please visit www.cardplayercruises.com for your poker cruise enjoyment.