By Bernard Chapin

No, the poker boom has not ended. Each year, publishers and writers attempt to take advantage of a sizable minority of readers interested in poker and gambling. Occasionally, among the strategy tomes and memoirs, is a book which tells you the basics. Kelli Mix’s recently released, The Game Day Poker Almanac Official Rules of Poker, purports to do exactly that.

BC: Kelli, nice to meet you and congratulations on the almanac. Can you explain why this book would have any appeal for an experienced poker player? In other words, what do you offer them that they don’t already know?

Kelli Mix: Experienced players often understand basic rules such as: an over chip with no verbal action constitutes a call, not a raise.  Most, however, do not know the intricacies of the rules and how they change depending on location and game format.  I commonly hear experienced players make inaccurate comments such as, “Show one show all,” when a player reveals one card at the end of the hand, or “He cannot play his hand face-up – his hand is dead.” Or a favorite controversy in many games: “You cannot ask to see my called hand if you were not in the hand.”  It is a lot of information to remember. This book is a good reference for decision making and pointing out that yes, he can ask to see your hand – it is an etiquette violation, but not a rule violation.

BC: Much of this is based on Robert’s (Bob Ciaffone’s) Rules of Poker? How much here is original? If a player already has Mr. Ciaffone’s book then why should he buy yours?

Kelli Mix: Robert’s Rules of Poker provides detailed rules, but not actual instructions.  It is one instrumental piece of the pie.  It was a great grocery store that we converted to a Super Walmart.  The Game Day Almanac Official Rules of Poker provides step-by-step instructions on how to set up a cardroom, select a game in a cardroom, deal and play each game of poker.  Robert’s rules are the guidelines (in live games) to follow AFTER these other steps are established. In addition, we added TDA rules, WSOP rules and about the most extensive etiquette and glossary sections you will find. One stop shopping for rules.

BC: You have a section on the World Series of Poker rules. For those readers who only know that version of the game (due to their watching the event on ESPN), what differs between it and your average tournament?

Kelli Mix: The average tournament is much different than what is shown on television.  The standard poker tournament table consists of ten players rather than the six shown at the final table of a televised event. Less players at the table increase the number of hands played and induce aggressive action at the table. This combined with the fact that hours and hours of dull play is heavily edited to only show action hands, leads to a misperception about poker that is very costly to the inexperienced player.

BC: There’s a section on poker etiquette here. Most of us think that is certainly needed. At any rate, do you think manners have declined in recent years? If so, how much is due to the effect of television?

Kelli Mix: More people are playing poker than ever before and most of them are novices to the game. Lack of poker etiquette is usually the mark of an inexperienced player, not a regular player, so no, manners are not declining - the number of new players is rising.  Those new players need to learn proper poker etiquette through books and table time.  While it can be annoying when players act out of turn or school others on how they should have played a hand, I watch them, laugh with them, sometimes grit my teeth, but ultimately I take their chips.

BC: You cover a plethora of games in this text. Which others, apart from hold’em, are in ascendance? Also, which games are practically extinct?

Kelli Mix: All of the games played at the World Series of Poker (denoted by an * in the book) are played in most casinos – some games more than others.  Hold ’em and Omaha are by far the most popular right now.  Any version of community card poker could become popular because it allows for more players at the table, making it more profitable and space efficient for casinos. For home games high/low declare games are popular and more players are learning to play Chinese poker, while waiting for the table to fill.  As far as extinct games – you would be hard pressed to find draw games such as five-card draw, though ironically it is the first form of poker most people learn.

BC: In your opinion, what is the breakdown between skill and luck in poker? Furthermore, which games are most skill dependent and which ones are most influenced by luck?

Kelli Mix: Poker is game of strategy that involves timing, patience, mathematics and psychology.  Those players who study, practice and master these skills (yes skills) will prevail. In my opinion, games with multiple betting rounds are more skill dependent.  I also find games such as Seven-Card Stud that add memorization of cards to the strategy heavily dependent on skill.  Really any additional decisions a player has to make adds to the level of skill needed, for example, no-limit games force players to decide what to bet - that is an extra decision not needed in a limit game.  Mixed games such as H.O.R.S.E are absolutely the most skill dependent because players must be able to strategize and adapt their play for each game.  As far as luck goes, I know of no form of poker that does not require some element of skill.  Even in the simple form of Indian poker with only one betting round, the player with the best psychological read and bluffing ability will win most of the time.

BC: Why is it more states don’t follow California’s example and make cardrooms legal? Could it be due to the fact that most people still think of poker as being a casino game of chance? One that’s little different from roulette and blackjac

Kelli Mix: Well, that is the magic question…I wish I had a magic answer.  I believe there are several factors involved, but I do not believe it is a “game of chance” issue.  The ever-growing popularity of The Lotto simply refutes that theory.  I live in the south and what I see and hear is opposition to change and the fear of legalizing something that has been illegal for so long. The banning of cardrooms and online poker is ironically creating an influx of illegal activity…more underground games are popping up and attracting criminals who are robbing games at gun point and taking advantage of the law, knowing players will not call the police.  Legalize poker, provide a safe outlet, then tax it – it’s a win/win.


BC: As a player, do you think online poker remains profitable in America? Do you think the government’s stance will ever reverse?

Kelli Mix: Yes it is still profitable, but of course with the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, profits have declined for online sites, financial institutes, as well as for players.  I believe government will absolutely reverse their stance on this issue. The fact is 75% of Americans are opposed to banning online poker and billions of dollars in tax revenue is being lost…it is not logical to ignore those figures. 

Bernard Chapin is the author of Women: Theory and Practice and Escape from Gangsta Island. He can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .