CHAT ROOM: BARRY SHULMAN, Poker player

By Andy Friedlander
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Barry Shulman doesn't consider himself a professional poker player --"I've never made my living playing poker," he says -- but he has beaten the pros at their own game, winning nine major tournaments and earning a coveted World Series of Poker bracelet. Clearly, the 58-year-old retired real estate developer knows how to play the game with the best.

Shulman, who owns Card Player magazine and operates CardPlayer.com, shares some of that knowledge in his first book, 52 Tips for Texas Hold'em Poker, a guide to the game that has become a big hit among players and television viewers.

What's the appeal of poker on TV? It's only been in the past couple of years that they've used the technology of the cameras to make it a lot more interesting. To view it on TV, you have to see the players' hole cards. Then you can have the commentary. Otherwise, you're just kind of sitting there watching people doing ... nothing. There was no spectator-sport aspect to it previously. It was like watching a football game and not knowing who has the ball.

What makes a great poker player? They're good at making decisions. They're good at controlling their emotions. And, from a financial standpoint, they're not afraid to put their money on the line. It's the same as becoming a good businessman.

Where do you start when giving tips? I assume the average guy knows nothing. ... I've been selling poker books ever since I bought the magazine, and I think they are much too complicated. ... If you follow our tips, you will win at every single level, except for the big championships. I don't mean you'll win in every single sitting, because nobody does. But you'll win in the long run. As a general proposition, at every level, including the championship level, the people who make the fewest mistakes win. If you don't make a mistake, sooner or later, the other guy probably will. Being cute in poker is not a good idea.

Can a good player overcome the cards and the chance element? In the long run, 100 percent, because the chance element equals out. It's all statistical stuff as far as the cards are concerned. It's all numbers. There are only 52 cards in the deck, and each one is equally likely to show up.

What's the latest in poker? The really new thing that's happening is the resurgence of no-limit poker. For decades, almost forever, people would play limit poker. No-limit is how the major championships are played, and no-limit is what they show on TV. So that's what people want to play. Because it's far more exciting to see someone bet all his money and it's $1 million than to see him bet $14. There's a lot more drama in it.
-- Andy Friedlander, (817) 390-7760

afriedlander@star-telegram.com