crj4

1. when did you get started playing and what was the reason?
he really started playing in 2001 texas hold em that is. but as far as gambling he started very young getting introduced into gambling by his family at yearly events such as christmas parties where they would play 7 card showdowns for a couple dollars. but as far as real serious poker playing he started playing because a few of his friends were playing a tournament which he played and won. he saw how fun and challenging it was and the money he won just made it sweeter.

2. how often do you participate in poker games? and what types of games do you play?
he plays between 3 and 5 times a week. typically he will play the texas hold em tournament on sunday afternoon at motor city casino but he also plays the cash games texas hold em is the only game he plays.

3. do you have an obsession with poker? if so why?
he has a strong obsession with poker. he loves the challenge it brings looking at a another player and trying to figure what he is holding. and then raising him with a weak hand and watching him throw away his hand. its also about the competiveness.

4. what are your thoughts on internet gambling? do you play online?
he doesnt completely trust a computer that he feels can contol who is going to get what cards and essentially win online. he is still a little skeptical however you can find him playing every now and then in a low money amount tournament at the pokerstars web site.

5. do you feel you have a gambling problem?
next question

6.do you prefer an easy game or a tough game?
he would rather play in a easy game with loose players, that means people who play more hands than usual. however he says you can run into some problems in those games when people play so much you can run into someone having a hand you wouldn't expect to see in some situations which could burn you in some big pots.

7. what is behind the quick growth of the game of texas hold em?
he said he feels the large growth in popularity is due to the large payouts and the fact that anyone can win on any given day. also the large amount of tv time for poker events is a big attion drawing tool.

8. have you traveled to play poker and where have you been?
he has been to las vegas a few times and to atlantic city once. his most significant trip to vegas was when he played in the world series of poker. it was a 5000 dollar buy in tournament. he got alot of good experience out of the tournament, which was his first major game. he plans to attend one of the world series events this year and has been on top of his game lately.

9. what goes on in your head while your sitting at the table?
basically he just tries to pay attention to the other players. he watches thier eyes and body language in order to try to get a read on what cards his opponent is holding. other than that he is trying to keep his own personal emotions in check to not reveal the strength of his own hand.

10. would you like to play poker professionally?
it might be something he would like to attempt in the future. he would have to be at a point in his life where he could afford to do nothing but play poker. the best part about that would be getting sponsors to pay for his tournament entries.

11. do you think poker is just a fad or will it keep getting more popular?
he thinks pokers popularity is still on the rise but will eventually level out. he cant see poker loosing popularity in the future.

12. whats the most you have ever won in a session of poker?
one time he won 3000 dollars when he split a tournament with 7 other people. there were other times when he won 2000 dollars but 30000 is his biggest win while playing a cash game at the casino.

this person i interviewed is curt. he is in his mid 20s and has a wife and newborn baby. he is your average poker player like any other player he is always trying to improve his game. he reads some of the professional players books and has even let me borrow a couple to read and improve my skills. he considers himself a good poker player well above average but knows there is are always improvements that can be made to your game. he is a person who is confidant in what ever he does including poker. he is interesting because i dont know too many other people that have one as much money as he has. he is very interesting to talk poker with. he is outgoing and lets you know what he thinks at the poker table. he tries to wear a lucky sweatshirt eveytime he plays. he like a lot of poker players because they are gamblers, many gamblers are superstitios.

crj3

the poker room like usual was packed. its about 12 pm and just about every table is filled with players and a dealer. not only are people sitting and playing but there are people comming and going waiting to get on tables. there is a board posted with a list of games and the waiting list that people check to see when they will be up. most of the players are casually dressed but a little warmer today as the weather is rediculously cold today. most people are wearing their coats still and some with sweatshirts on. about a third of the place has their sunglasses on as not to allow their opponents to see their eyes. thats a big part that makes poker unique because you try to disquise your hand by not giving away tips, or tells by your eyes or any other movement. the talk around the room is about sports, poker, even political news. there is a very traditional way of talking poker. its like a language of its own with quick ways to tell what cards you had like ace king is said as having big slick. i could see this being very confusing to someone who was not into poker and i might be able to clear some things up in my long essay.
i guess i dont have any questions. about my topic currently.

crj2

the topic i am going to use is texas hold em poker. this is a very interesting topic to me along with most of the american public as well as the world. there are many forms of poker games being played world wide, but the most popular is no limit texas hold em. just about any casino you go to you can find a game but sometimes, depending on where your at it can take up to a couple hours to actually get on a table. some possible things to explore in my topic include how to play, what the rules are, different variations of the game, and types of people that play. the sport of texas hold em is probably the fastest growing game in the country. every year its popularity expands much greater than anyone could have expected over just the last maybe 6 or 7 years. it is so widespread you can play almost anywhere at anytime. i could get online right after i finish my research proposal and instantly find a game. you have many poker websites to play on or find a local homegame. i cant get enough of the game. although i have been watching poker on tv, which you can usually find daily, i have had my share of live action. it is incredible what kind of money and payouts are involved. in the world series of poker held once a year in las vegas, the first place payout for the main event has been over five million dollars over the last 3 years and growing. its a game that takes a minute to learn but a lifetime to master. that is what intrigues me so much about it. on any given day anyone can win, but its usually the professionals who come out on top. i will be doing my research at the local casinos in detroit where all players are at least 21, but other than that it doesnt matter what color your skin is or what your sex is or even age. poker is a game anyone can play and most of them do. my topic is important because although most people might have heard of texas hold em, they might not understand the extreme skill and patience involved. my observation plan includes going to the casino sometime this week and examining everything that goes on around me.