Just Ask Scobe and AP

Dear Scobe and AP:

I have been playing kitchen-table poker with my college buddies for a few years now and I have decided now that I've reached 21 years old to play in the casinos, ultimately to become a professional player. Do you have any advice?

J.C.

Dear J.C.:

Have your head examined.

Specifically you'll want to look to see if, inside your head, you can understand the mathematics of what hands to play and what hands to discard and when. You'll want to know if your head fully understands how where you sit at a table affects how you should play given hands. You'll also want to look deep inside your head and see if you possess the insight to read not only the cards but your opponents. Then you'd better check your bank account and make sure you have enough money to back your play. Even at low-limit games, long losing streaks, even for the best of players, are par for the course. In the end, of course, the very best of players will be ahead of the game. The rest of us won't be. So, have your head examined before you make that first bet.