NEGREANU ON POKER Columnist brings game to the masses

The career leader in professional poker tournament winnings wants you to be a better player.
THE VINDICATOR
With an estimated 60 million regular players in North America, the poker craze is going strong.
Every weekend, people gather round the table and deal the cards.
The Mahoning Valley is no exception. The game has us in its grip. Win or lose, it's always a thrill.
But admit it: it's more fun to win.
So, how to improve your game? How to learn the finer points of the game, the nuances that can turn a donkey into a rounder?
Well, you can take the advice of poker pro Daniel Negreanu.
Beginning Friday, Negreanu, one of the most successful poker tournament players in history, will share his expertise with Vindicator readers. His column, "Negreanu on Poker," will run on the UpNext page every week.
"The column targets the everyday-game player, not the big-time pro," Negreanu told The Vindicator in a call from his Las Vegas home. "It's for mainstream U.S.A."
Information
In the column, Negreanu doles out valuable information and nuggets of wisdom that can take anyone's game to the next level.
Advice on playing several games, including 7 Card Stud and Omaha, is included, but most columns will focus on Texas Hold 'Em. "It's the most popular and recognizable game," he said.
Negreanu, who writes in an easy-to-understand style, said his goal is to make everyone a better player so that they can get more enjoyment out of the game.
In his weekly column, he offers a "poker nugget" that can be put to immediate use, either in a home game or in an online poker room.
He also shares personal stories that help support the lesson of the week, and dissects common myths about Hold 'Em. Negreanu covers a wide array of topics, such as the importance of table position, aggressive play vs. conservative play, and how to quickly calculate pot odds.
Biographical
A 31-year-old native of Toronto, Canada, Negreanu has been making his living as a professional poker player since 1992.
He took up the game at age 17. By age 23, he was consistently winning high-stakes tournaments in Las Vegas, earning the moniker "Kid Poker."
He has won more than his share of pots. In fact, his $6 million in prize winnings from tournament play ranks Negreanu as the career leader in professional poker tournament earnings.
Negreanu also operates a Web site, www.fullcontactpoker.com, which is a one-stop poker community.