Purpose

I've been playing Texas Hold'em in various "home games" for about 8 years and I've been playing online for about 4 years. I enjoy playing the game not because I get a thrill from gambling, but rather I enjoy the strategy involved in the game. One thing I miss while playing in both home games and online is discussion of the hands as they are played, a sort of post-mortem of the hands. I suppose the idea appeals to my analytical nature. Time constraints usually inhibit discussion of the hands, or sometimes there is no discussion out of deference to the loser of the hand.

The purpose of this blog is to discuss interesting hands I have seen, whether at my home game, online, or on television. I want to discuss every aspect of the hand. How it was played pre-flop, on the flop, turn, and river. What was the position of the players in the hand, their chip stacks, and the size of the pot. I want to discuss why the hand played out the way it did, and how it could have been played differently.

It is NOT the purpose of this blog to be critical of anyone's play, or style of play. Everyone makes tough decisions accounting for a number of factors, including but not limited to: experience, chips stacks, pot odds, and "gut feelings." I may state there is a better play, or a better result may have been achieved, but that is only my opinion - and I am often wrong.

This is not a teaching blog. I assume the reader has a basic understanding of the rules and strategy of Texas Hold'em. If you want to learn to play Texas Hold'em, there are a number of books and websites I can direct you to. I am not a professional poker player. You will NOT be a better player just by reading this blog. My hope is that the reader and I will develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of this wonderful game.