Beginner Series Part 1 - Off to the races.....
Inside: At the starting line - Our beginner series kicks off, 2026 WSOP points year starts with a bang, 2025 WSOP around the corner... and more.
5.21.25
Where to start?
Note: This is a new series for those beginning their poker experience. This series will approach the game of poker from most every angle. We will try to evaluate the game from in game strategy to the existential. This is my first attempt to discuss the game from a comprehensive beginner angle. I implore you (especially those of experience and skill) as my readers to check me if you think I am wrong, point out things that you would like to add, and let me know what I am missing. This series will be in approximately 12 parts.
Here you are reading about poker and, assumedly, how to get better. This information alone should tell you that you have figured out this isn’t a game of pure luck. To be sure, it isn’t a game of pure skill. Like most games, it’s a mix.
There are pure games out there. An example of a pure skill game is Chess. An example of a pure luck game is Roulette, War (the card game), and coin tossing.
Poker falls into the mix game category. To be sure, that is why it is so popular. Games like Poker, Bridge, Backgammon, and Parcheesi have a big luck factor but in the long run, the better player(s) will win. The fact that the inferior player wins sometimes is what keeps the game fun. It’s also what keeps the ecosystem alive.
Take Chess for instance. By all accounts, it is a beautiful game. And the better player will win over 99% of the time. This sounds great for the studied player until you realize that entering a tournament that has even 1 player with a better rating that yourself, basically nullifies you chance to win. Poker players are accused of being masochistic but chess players are on a whole other level when playing an open tournament.
So yes the luck keeps the game going. But humans want a puzzle to figure out too. We want to believe we can survive, compete, and win. Our ego demands it from many of us. Once we master a game or level, we want to see how we can do at the next. It’s true in video games, crossword, sudoku etc.
I, for one, love the game of poker. It has improved facets of my life away from the felt. I am a better decision maker, money manager, and I have a better grasp on my emotions because of this game. On top of this, I am much more nuanced in my judgement of the world. Everything is a lot less black and white when you feel like you could debate either side of the argument.
I’m going to stop trying to convince the people who are already reading. Thank you for exploring this game in the coming months as we delve into this beginner series!
A Growing Game
A big thank you to all who have recruited more players this year. Special thanks to Dave Paukovitz, Joe Schwenk, Jeff Johnson, Shawn Rogge, and whomever else I am forgetting that have brought new souls aboard.
Our “opening day” was a record breaking tournament of 35 players. I don’t expect that every week but we are definitely growing and in a way that is sustainable and organic. It’s going to be a great year!
WSOP
The 2025 WSOP is just around the corner and we will have some club members showing up this year. We are all waiting to hear what our official representative, Dave Paukovitz, is going to be up to this summer. But in the meantime, Ryan Conner (JungleBoi), Joe Schwenk (JerzeJoe), Chris McNeese (MackJacks), Adrienne Culpepper (AdrienneEC) and Myself (TennesseeRat) have all made plans to make an appearance. Follow our Facebook page for updates from these players as we weave through the summer!
Tip of the Cap goes to….. Chris Lannoye for binking not one but two of the first three tournaments of the season. Watch out for this Toy Collector!
Closing on a somber note, Marty’s (WeaselClown) wife Julie is not well. Please keep the entire Kunz family in your thoughts and prayers.
2026 Points Race leaderboard:
Chris Lannoye 8
Brian Gogle 4
David Paukovitz 3
John Hetrick 3
Moody Freudberg 3
Mikie Culpepper 3
Let me know what you think of the new format and any changes you would like to see.