Sam Braids, physicist and author of The Intelligent Guide to Texas Hold'em Poker, has for decades studied, researched, and played poker and chess. His poker experience is widespread, including time in West Coast cardrooms, Mississippi riverboats, and Atlantic City casinos. He holds a doctorate in physics and teaches advanced physics and mathematics. His technical proficiency includes a great deal of expertise with computers and the Internet.

Cash Game Freerolls - I have a deal for you! It’s a no-lose investment opportunity. The worse that can happen is you get your money back. But, there is a significant chance of doubling your investment or more if things work out. Want to buy in? ... read more

Counterfeit Cards - A counterfeit bill is one that appears real but is actually a worthless fake. In poker a counterfeit card is one you hold that appears to have great value, but in reality the rules of the game do not allow the card to even play. Often counterfeit cards are less than worthless because their glitzy appearance will cause the unwary to invest good money in dead hands. . ... read more

Learning to Create Luck -Poker enthusiasts have long debated the role of luck in poker. Clearly poker involves both luck and skill. If the game did not require skill you would not see consistent life-long winners. Luck alone cannot explain multiple World Series bracelets for players such as Doyle Brunson, Phil Helmuth, and Johnny Chan. But, skill alone cannot explain players such as Chris Moneymaker who parlayed a $40 entry into an online satellite tournament to a $2.5 million payout as the 2003 World Series of Poker Champion. How much of poker is luck and how much is skill? .... read more