Poker: What they don't show you on tv.

The World Poker Tour on discover Chanel is one of the biggest factors in growth and popularity poker probably second only to the internet poker sites. People don't seem to realize that what you seen is edited for maximum entertainment value and not the tournament in it's entirety. What you see on is basically like a NFL highlight real. A major poker tournament like the WPT is a multi-day event with an average 500 of players. What you get to see are the highlights of the final day and final table edited into a 2 hour episode. What you do see: What you don't see is hand after hand being folded. You don't see much of the boredom and frustration on the player's faces as they sit their hour after hour waiting for a hand and not much else happing. You don't see many of the hands that unfold in a predictable way (i.e the stronger hand beating the weaker hand). You don't see everyone folding to the blind. That wouldn't make very good television. The ability to deal with the boredom and avoid the temptation to play more handset than they should, even with threat of ever increasing blinds and antes, is the mark of a seasoned pro. A pro is usues this time to absorb information about their opponents to use as ammunition later in the tourney. Most of the players in a WSOP or WPT final event are season poker pros. Newbies can get lucky and make a final table but that's the exception not the rule. When they make those crazy plays they do so for a reason. For example when Doyle Brunson calls an all-in bet with a pair of threes in the video below he is drawing and decades of experience. People inspired by televised poker often play well above their heads by trying to make some of the fancy plays they see the pros make. They lack the experience to know when to bluff or slow play a hand. Of course you won't make the same mistake but you can profit from those who do. Poker Resources Featured Poker Rooms: Absolute Poker Full Tilt Poker UltimateBet Learn to Play Poker Profitably the right way: Sit N Go Pro Outstanding Poker