Player Profile...

NAME - Dave

When did you start playing poker?

I played for play money about 5 years ago, graduating to real money 2 years later. I got taught a lesson very quickly, and only clawed back my losses a year later. Ever since then it's been a bit of a whirlwind, and i've turned a nice profit, something I wanted from the start, but didn't realistically expect. I've been very lucky...

What first attracted you to the game?

There are so many things I like about poker. It combines human psychology, maths, courage and patience, in equal measures. I also have a short attenion span, so the fact that every hand in isolation is completely different, means it beats working on a factory production line!

Do you play other games as well as Texas Hold 'Em?

Omaha is probably my favourite. Discovering it really transformed my Hold'em game. It enabled me to loosen up my range, and improved my hand reading skills. I would recommend playing it to any Holdem players stuck in 'ABC' mode.

What 3 words best describe your game?

Mad. Crazy. Fish.

What have been your biggest wins to date?

My biggest win was $15,115 for coming 2nd in a $270 buy in tournament with 402 runners. I won the ticket in a $1.28 satellite.

What's the biggest mistake(s) you've made in poker (or shall we say 'learning experiences')?

I always regret a bluff when it doesn't get through. It's a big improvement i've had to make in my game as i've progressed. You cannot bluff calling stations, and identifying them as soon as possible is essential whenever you sit at a new table.

What do you feel are the main differences between 'people who play poker' and 'poker players'? (i.e. beginners and serious players)

Beginners play their cards too much. As you progress you learn to play your opponent, position and stack sizes. It's the one major difference I think.

Tell us a little bit about your recent trip to Vegas...

It was undoubtedly the best two weeks of my life. I went with PKR who put on a party in the $40,000-a-night Hugh Heffner Sky Villa at the Palms Hotel. Complete with Bunnies, celebrities and Professional poker players, it was a great night that I felt very lucky to be a part of. I also feel like I improved my game a lot. Going from Online to Vegas is a big step, and there's a lot to learn. I felt like I did though, and i'll be back every year from now on until I win the Main Event...

What's the plan - going to splash the cash you've won or continue to build the bankroll?

Both! I've had an amazing year since becoming a winning player, spent most of the winnings but kept a sensible bankroll for the stakes that I play at. I'm pleased to say it's still well intact and my game and results just keep getting better and better...

Do you have any advice for new players e.g. strategy, bankroll management etc?

How long have you got? There are a lot of resources out there these days that will help you with your game, and I would definitely recommend using them. I'd probably stay away from the older books, i.e Harrington and Super System as I believe the game has evolved a great deal since they were written. They are still great resources for new players to learn the game, but there are so many strategies and counter strategies these days that you need to be always learning to keep up.

I would recommend joining an online training site like Cardrunners or Bluefire, and reading the 2+2 forums regularly. My success has come from watching how winning players play, and understanding their thought processes during a particular hand. If you know why they made a particular move, you can apply it to your own game, even though the situation may be completely different.