George Epstein

Boosted by the numerous presidents who have played the game, many people consider poker as our national pastime. Going back to George Washington, our first president, U.S. presidents have much enjoyed playing poker. Many presidents and political leaders made poker an important part of their lives.

Behaving a certain way at the poker table and — perhaps even more importantly — NOT behaving in certain ways at the poker table have a direct correlation to how well you fare at the felt.

Our Senior contributor George Epstein lists some of the right and wrong types of behaviors you should have when playing poker.

Our Senior contributor George Epstein explains the concept of being counterfeited in poker, and how you need to be wary of — and do your utmost to prevent — it from happening.

Flashing your hole cards accidentally puts you at a complete disadvantage at the poker table. Our Senior contributor George Epstein discusses this, and whether it’s right to take advantage of an opponent who flashes their cards in your field of vision.

Our Senior contributor George Epstein explains how the strategy of checking on the river might be appropriate in one poker discipline, but not necessarily the other, when comparing limit Texas Hold’em to 7-Card Stud

Chasing cards that will give you the winning hand can be tempting, but in poker it has to be a worthwhile gamble.

Our Senior contributor George Epstein examines a few such situations such that you can learn whether it’s prudent to give in to or resist the temptation to chase.

Predictability can be a death sentence at the poker table, as your opponents will know precisely how to play back at you. Our Senior contributor George Epstein discusses the pitfalls of predictability – and how to avoid them – in his latest strategy piece.

Our Senior contributor George Epstein shares what he calls “the greatest tell concept”, namely looking to your left. Getting into that habit at live poker tables is something that’s likely to save you and make you a good amount of money in the long run, and it’s a critical lesson for poker beginners.

Our Senior contributor George Epstein discusses what it means to be playing in a GOOD poker game and why that’s so important.

You’ll encounter all types at the poker tables, whose who buy in for the minimum, those who buy in for the maximum, and those who fall somewhere in the middle.

In this article our Senior contributor George Epstein discusses the repercussions of buying in for the minimum (and strongly recommends against it).

Our Senior contributor George Epstein explains his favorite kind of bluff, the Esther Bluff, named after his granddaughter.

It can be particularly difficult to maneuver in poker games that feature a maniac with unpredictable tendencies.

In this article, our Senior contributor George Epstein warns of the perils of such loose aggressive games.