Go online to improve poker odds

I learned how to play poker a long time ago -- first playing with my dad (for fun) as a kid, later as a teen, with friends on rainy days at a place called Dietz Lake (for pennies) and now at casinos or on cruise ships (only at dollar ante electronic games). Of course, back then we played Five Card Draw or Seven Card Stud and more recently a version called Caribbean. But today it's all about Texas Hold'em.

It seems to be everywhere. "WPT (World Poker Tour)" is televised on the Travel Channel; the "World Series of Poker" on ESPN; "Celebrity Poker" on Bravo and other channels, as well as "Late Night Poker" and the "Showdown at the Sands" seen on Fox Sports.

If this sudden sweep of poker play on TV has inspired you to dust off your deck and get in a game, the Web can help teach you strategy and improve your odds. The most important thing to learn is that poker, like life, deals you a number of interesting hands. How you play them is up to you.

•  www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/poker/poker.html . If you're looking for a solid introduction to the general game of poker, the "So You Wanna" site is a good place to start. The basics are all here including the values for various hands and the rules for some of the many versions of play.

•  www.thenutzknocker.com . A strange name for a pretty good poker site. Not only can you get great advice about betting (or not) on your starting cards, this site also includes a number of free downloads including a game encyclopedia and three different versions of Texas Hold'em to help you learn as you play. One is a three-dimensional game, another you watch play from a bird's-eye view and the third includes video players around the table as well as their hands they are dealt.

•  www.flopturnriver.com . This is a great read even if you have no interest in playing yourself and a must read if you do. According to Tyson Tanaka, who created this teaching site, it is intended for "all non-professional no-limit Texas Hold'em poker players -- specifically for low stakes no-limit players." The coolest thing here is the personal diary that accompanies the lessons. For sure you'll want to read and follow Tyson's "the Proof is in the Profit" section in which he lists his own wins and losses.

•  www.learn-texas-holdem.com . If you're really serious about playing Texas Hold'em, I'd recommend this site above all others. Not only will you learn the basics, the guide to advanced play and advice for playing like a pro, you'll also find sections on mistakes everyone makes, ways to (and not to) bluff, personal tells to avoid, stories from everyday players and a collection of tips and hints that will help you win big and lose small.

•  www.largie.com/poker.htm . This is an outstanding collection of links with descriptions for dozens of poker-related sites. You'll find online rules and basics as well as advanced advice on play. There are suggestions for card game software to buy and online play to invest in. The top Internet casino sites are rated and you'll find excellent strategies for "reading your table."

•  www.pokerbargains.com . As the name implies, you will find all kinds of poker accessories at extremely reasonable prices. Plus, if you check at the bottom of the left column you'll find a link to a list of poker terms and definitions that will make you sound like a pro when you play.

Jan Perry is a Kentucky-based poker player and freelance writer. She welcomes your questions, comments and suggestions. Send them to SiteSeer2K@aol.com .