posted 05-15-2003 03:37 PM            

I'm reminded of the local who was walking in New York, and was approached by a tourist.

"How do I get to Carnegie Hall?' asked the tourist.

"Practice man, practice." responded the New Yorker.

But, on the serious side. Any act of physical dexterity requires a great deal of practice. If you haven't performed the 'riffle' that the casino dealers perform, try it with the cards. It's very awkward at first, but is easy to learn and perfect.

Now, for a bit of unsolicited advice: Don't even learn to shuffle the chips! It is one of the best 'tells' in poker. Yet, it's not well known, or published as a 'tell'.

The hands of the player tell a better story than does the face. The chip shuffle becomes a subconsious crutch, and it will reveal the strength of your cards.

Start watching. You will see slow-relaxed, slow-thoughful, fast-anxious, tense-fast, tense-slow, and many other manifestations.

When you know you have a fix on the players thoughts, let's say after he wins a hand, and is waiting for his next round of cards, look at his chip-shuffle. Keep watching, and try to associate the change in the stress of his shuffle, as his mood changes. Unfortunately, the information that you gain, cannot be transferred to another player. But, whenever and wherever you play against a chip shuffler, watch closely, and he will eventually reveal some of his cards.