Stewart Reuben on a much misunderstood card that is distancing itself from its
cut-throat reputation

Poker may be the most popular sporting activity in America. Yet it is little known, and even less well understood, in the UK. Here, like backgammon, it is regarded as a gambler's game. This has the advantage that, for winners like me, the wins are not liable to tax.

Since the game is subject to the Gaming Act, a poker event cannot be staged for money without a gaming licence. Play at the Mind Sports Olympiad will be for medals.

The World Amateur Poker Championship is unique. It was successful last year and attracted players who would not consider playing for money.

Many myths surround poker - it is pure luck; it is all about bluffing; you have to know a great deal of probability theory in order to be successful; it is played only at night in shadowy dives with blood-stained banknotes: everybody cheats; the richest player always wins; it is an expensive hobby. All of these assertions have some measure of truth.

There is considerable skill involved, but the better player will not necessarily win in the short term. He may have to wait for the odds to even out. Whenever I suffer the anguish of being out-drawn, I try to reflect on those occasions where I have got lucky. Good money management is vital. Do not play with money you cannot afford to lose. Chess is more analytical and bridge also requires a heuristic approach. Neither is as reliant on assessing your opponent.

The extent to which players bluff varies enormously. Some are extremely aggressive and represent many good hands. Others seem never to bluff. How they ever get called beats me. One of the joys of all the great mind sports is that what is right for one player may be completely wrong for another.

Most of the information about probabilities is available from books. Only recently I had a hand with which I would win with 19 of the 38 cards left that I had not seen. Thus I was even money to improve. But what if my opponent received an even better card? Then he would end up beating me. A computer program would be essential to establish the true probability. I had only seconds in which to make my decision. I had 2/1 for my money and called. On reflection, passing is probably more accurate.

I have played in dives in the early hours of the morning and sometimes I have suspected that those red marks were not paint, but nowadays most poker is played either in private homes or salubrious casinos.

Unfortunately, a certain amount of cheating does go on. However, poker players divide into two interesting groups. Those who are absolutely honourable and among the most trustworthy people you will ever meet; and those who believe anything goes in a poker game and would be surprised if you considered their actions unethical. Even then, few would dream of knocking you over the head to get your money.

Poker is invariably played for "table stakes". That is, you are only liable for the funds you have on the table. The myth of the rich player presenting the mark with a bet he cannot possibly afford to meet is just that. Weight of money is an advantage, but only if coupled with good play.