Welcome to my F.A.Q. section. It's built on the questions that people usually ask me when the conversation turns to poker, as well as the type of stuff I imagine you might want to know. So, if you find some of my answers boring, or I'm writing on something you couldn't possibly care less about, just assume that somebody else asked the question, and skip down to the next section. I certainly won't be offended, and I'll do my best to resist the urge to tell the person who did ask it that you found their question boring. So without further ado...

Q: Do you wear sunglasses at the table?

A: I used to. I used to think I focused better with them on. They put blinders on horses so they won't be distracted by... I don't know, low flying planes or something. Same theory. I felt that looking through frames confined my attention to the action at the table. Also, I thought I looked more intimidating with them on. My game has changed a bit now. I talk more at the table, especially in live games, and the early stages of tournament play. I also don't like anything in front of my eyes mediating the information I take in. I still wear them in select situations, but it's rare.


Q: Do you have a poker nickname?


A: I have a few nicknames, but nothing relating to poker. There was a time I thought I might like to be called "Iceman" on account of the fact that I'm usually drinking ice water at the table. Also, I thought my play was a bit like the way they described the flying of the Top Gun character - cheesy, I know. I'm a firm believer that no-one should be able to make up their own nickname, so I never tried to put that one out there. Please don't start calling me Iceman.


Q: Are you superstitious?

A: No.


Q: Have any special card protectors or pieces of table flair?

A: Nope. I think they're silly. I always protect my cards though. I drop one chip on them as soon as they're dealt to me. Ain't nobody mucking my cards but me. Sometimes I'll use a stack of chips, but that almost never happens until I'm past the point of playing a serious game - usually after 3am.

I admit I rejoice a little bit when someone shows up with a gaudy card protector or "table buddy." Usually they're weaker players who like to gamble more than they should. I consider it added information before I ever see them play a hand.
*I consider Doyle Brunson's "Casper" an exception to this rule.


Q: Have a favorite hand?

A: Having a favorite hand is a great way to lose money.


Q: How would you classify your play?

A: Variable. Depends on who I'm playing against. I change gears a lot. In general though, I start out a session playing tight-aggressive, but once I get some chips in front of me, look out. I will say this though: In the games I've been playing in lately, implied odds are everything.


Q: Best poker session?

A: It's a tie. I probably played my best game on the way to the final table at my first big tournament win. June 16, 2008. I made some crazy good plays. Don't worry, there will be a post about it shortly.


A few years ago, I had a good session in San Diego. I tried to make the jump to 5/5, up from 2/3. Turns out it was a Friday, and I didn't know it before hand, but on Fridays and Saturdays at that time was really a 5/10. I sucked it up and played. I played well for about an hour at the "must move table." When I got moved up to the main game, I was seated immediately to the left of this man, a regular at the card room, and ended up heads up with him in one of the first hand I played there. I flopped a pair, made a queen high flush on the turn, and he spiked a 4th heart for a no-pair king high flush on the river. One good flush deserves another, and I flushed my $700 buy in down the drain.

I know what you're thinking. How can this be your best day?

Well I'll tell you. I took the last $200 I had in my pocket, bought into the first 2/3 game I could. Over the next 17 hours, I got back up to even twice, only to lose both times by flopping a set, and losing to a flush on the river. I walked out of there at 7:30 in the morning, $300 to my name, and feeling proud. It was a real turning point for me. I proved to myself that night that I could endure some serious bad beats, lose a ton of money, and not go on tilt. I proved I could stay focused, determined, and play well through adversity, big money swings, and lack of sleep. I proved to myself that I could play.

Q: How do you get through writer's block?

A: Write often. That seems to be helping. Barring that - there's nothing that gets the creative juices flowing quite like 45 minutes of hard peddling on the eliptical machine down at the gym. A little effeminate to be sure, but when you find something that helps with writer's block, it's best not to question it.