Free poker seminar held in Oroville
By Randall Rapp
Some of the biggest names in poker were handing out advice at the Gold Country Casino in Oroville on July 28 and 29. Speaking on a variety of topics and answering questions at these free seminars were Jan Fisher, Kenna James, Linda Johnson, Mike Sexton, Marsha Wagner, and Robert Williamson III.
Johnson, the former publisher of CardPlayer magazine and current studio announcer for the World Poker tour, is the ringleader of this band of poker Johnny Appleseeds. “Harry Taylor (Gold Country Casino general manager) and I have known each other almost 30 years,” she said when asked what brought her to Oroville. “He believes in providing education for his players if they want it. He called me and said ‘would you gather a panel of people? We’d like to have a couple of seminars.’ And the promise of a good home-cooked barbecue helped too!”
Fisher added, “Any time we’re invited to give poker seminars and give some education, give something back, we love doing it. We want people to feel that they can go to anywhere in the world and play poker.”
Some of the topics covered during the seminars included Wagner discussing how to cope with losing. She pointed out that you’re always a favorite to lose in a tournament (there’s only one winner) and recommended that you always plan something fun to do when it’s over.
Sexton went over concepts involved in short-handed and heads-up play, while Fisher discussed how much to bet in different circumstances. James gave a brief overview of how to go about winning a tournament and compared the three main stages of a tournament to a moon mission. “You start off with a big ship, then end up with just a lunar module, and then the return capsule.”
Johnson talked about the differences between cash games and tournaments, recommending that players, “Select the game you can beat, not the game you want to beat.”
The festivities concluded with a big tournament on Sunday afternoon. With a $180 + $20 buy-in they had sold out the available 152 seats long before they began and had an alternate list of over 60 more. Everyone seemed to have a great time, which is exactly what Sexton says most of us are there for:
“The object of the game at any level, whether it’s a small limit game, a big limit game, a tournament—is to win,” he said. “Everybody wants to win. But enjoying yourself, having a good time—that’s the primary motive for many people playing poker. Believe it or not, it doesn’t matter whether they win or lose at the levels they play, everybody says they want to win, but in truth, it’s just enjoying the game and having fun. That’s what they like.”