AUTHOR: Jerry "Jet" Whittaker TITLE: Poker mailbag brings a plethora of questions DATE: 6:15 AM ----- BODY: The mailbag this week brings players' questions from Texas, Wisconsin, Iowa
and Illinois. * Hey, LuckyDog: I see your column in the Dallas Morning News,
and I have two questions. How can I spot "tells" at the table? And, isn't it
amazing how often players call bets in no-limit cash games with top
pair/little kicker or just ace high? --Steve U. in Dallas Well, Steve, I
think spending a lot of time and energy trying to read players' tells is a
mistake. For most games, it's enough to know the basic tells -- acting
strong when weak and vice versa, nervous shaking when strong and acting
disinterested when strong. Remember, only weaker players will provide such
clues to the strength or weakness of their hands. In a game with good
players, you could fall victim to false tells and your observant efforts
will backfire. Poker boot camps with instruction on tells might be fun, but
chances are you know enough already. Most of the time, not giving tells
yourself is more important. To answer your second question: Yes, it's a
little amazing, but it's not surprising. Much of a good player's profit in
no-limit cash games comes from playing solid hands with strong kickers,
avoiding ace-rag hands yourself and knowing when to fold. I believe a
tight-aggressive playing style works best in no limit. Because so many
players stay in with marginal hands, you have to stick with the best
starting hands and punish those who don't. * Hi, Russ: It sounds like you
had some exciting action in Tunica, huh? I sometimes read poker tips and
don't know if they pertain specifically to limit hold 'em, no-limit or both.
Can you explain? -- Bob B. of Manitowoc, Wis. The World Poker Open in
Mississippi was a blast, Bob. Since I was there during the first week in
January before most big-gun players arrived, I was the only reporter at the
media table. Tournament Director Johnny Grooms and his staff treated me
great! My coverage is posted at uckydogpoker.com. No-limit cash and
tournament games are a lot different than low-limit hold 'em action. Because
the bluff plays a much bigger role in no limit, you really have to get a
feel for your opponents and their betting patterns. But that's just one
element. Because your entire stack is at risk each hand, every facet of the
game is magnified. Trapping is more important. Position is critical to your
decisions. Stealing the blinds can be crucial to boosting your chip stack
(although not so much in the early levels of a tournament). Tolerance to big
chip swings is vital, and you need to be able to switch gears in how
aggressive you're playing.

Limit hold 'em is less complicated and risky. One key goal is saving bets:
Don't limp in with marginal hands that can't stand a raise, fold if the flop
misses you, and don't chase slim draws. These tips also apply to no-limit,
but the game's dynamics change in no limit because of the power of the big
bet to force a fold.

* Hi, LuckyDog: I tried to make a deposit on an electronic funds transfer
service but canceled the transaction when I saw there was a fee. The deposit
posted to my bank anyway, and they charged the fee. I'm trying to get my
money back, but they say the new U.S. law is creating problems returning the
funds. What can I do? -- Matt M. of Davenport, Iowa

You probably just have to be patient, Matt. Neteller, the world's largest
independent online money transfer business, stopped accepting deposits from
U.S. customers on Jan. 18 in the wake of the Unlawful Internet Gambling
Enforcement Act signed into law by President Bush in October.

The company is publicly traded, operates in 160 countries and moves billions
of dollars electronically each year. It's unlikely you will lose your
deposit, but Neteller said recently it will take about six to eight weeks
for customers to receive their funds because of the heavy run of
transactions.

* Hey, Russ: Where can people go for nonsmoking places to play poker? Also,
are there any poker clubs or private games around the Quad-Cities where
people can get together and play? -- Tom B. of Moline, Ill.

Actually, Tom, the only poker rooms I've been to in the past two years that
allowed smoking were some one-table and two-table rooms at taverns in
Bozeman, Mont. All major card rooms have gone nonsmoking, as far as I know.

I'm sure there are plenty of home games in the Quad-Cities, Ill., but
usually they're just friends and relatives gathering for a casual game of
cards. Typically, to be invited you have to know one of the game's regulars. --------