So you've decided you're ready to start College at Poker U? It's fortunate for you that our acceptance policy is very liberal, because I noticed you didn't do very well on your WPT's or your WSOP's last year, and your academic record doesn't include any game theory classes at all. Don't worry, we're a great school if you study hard, and many of our graduates are making a fine living. Job security is quite good within the field and you get to choose many of your own instructors. You'll also get every class you apply for. The only downside is that you will never graduate, you must continue your education forever, no matter how much success you have in your field, or you will just be a dropout.

We'll start with your general classes:

Getting to Know Poker - This class will help fill in the holes of some of your basic poker knowledge and help you to see the game more clearly. An understanding of all the basic concepts and how to apply them at the tables is something we find nearly every new student lacks. This class is a sort of orientation to the school and is required for all incoming students. Required reading includes Caro's Fundamental Secrets of Winning Poker by Mike Caro and Professional Poker by Mark Blade. Students are encouraged to engage in social activity within the framework of the class including speaking with other players about their views on the game. Becoming a member of an online forum and interviewing a professional or semi-professional player are required for completion of the class. Additional requirements include a 900 word essay entitled "Why I Play Poker."

Poker Theory 101 - Required reading is David Sklansky's seminal work Theory of Poker. Students will be required to read this book twice, understanding each concept before moving on to the next chapter. Recommended reading also includes Holdem Poker by Gary Carson and The Mathematics of Poker by Bill Chen and Jarod Ankenman. This will provide a basic foundation for understanding how the game works and this class is a prerequisite for many of our more advanced classes. This class is recommended for all students, and while it may be the toughest class you take, it will also be the most rewarding.

Tilt Control 101 - This class requires the student to learn about themselves and describe their own problems controlling their emotions in poker related situations. Students who believe that they do not need this class are actually at high risk and should consider taking it twice. Required reading is Your Worst Poker Enemy by Dr. Alan Schoonmaker. Reading all of Dr. Schoonmaker's work is recommended, as is The Poker Mindset by Mathew Hilger and Ian Taylor. No poker psychology book that we know of is detrimental, so reading everything available on the subject earns the student extra credit.

The World of Poker - This class will introduce the student to some more advanced poker concepts as well as provide some lighter reading. Consider it a blow-off class where you actually learn a few things by reading at least two of the following books - Ace on the River by Barry Greenstein, Positively Fifth Street by James Mcmanus, The Professor the Banker and the Suicide King by Michael Craig, Poker Face by Katy Lederer, Poker Gaming and Life by David Sklansky and How I Raised, Folded, etc. by Annie Duke. Finding at least one poker player's blog to subscribe to and read regularly is also required for completion of this class.

Developing Mental Acuity - This class will focus on increasing your mental abilities and keeping them in good shape. Required course work will include the student developing an understanding of how nutrition, good health and exercise can improve brain function as well as learning about nutrients and supplements and working with mental exercises which increase brain function. At Poker U, we believe that a slow-thinking and lazy poker player is a broke poker player. Possible texts for this independent study class are too numerous to mention, but students are urged to study all the aforementioned ways of increasing mental acuity and develop a plan for honing their own mental skills and keeping them sharp. A one-page written summary of this plan is required for a passing grade and the necessary credit for graduation.

Poker and Life - This class will require the student to examine their own life, coming up with a plan to succeed in the world of poker. This includes researching reasonable win rates, as well as doing independent research on your financial requirements and the games that fulfill those requirements. Students will also be required to discuss a decision to potentially play poker as a significant portion of their income with their spouse, children, friends and family. Requirement to graduate is a two-page document, summarizing the game they will play, the win rate that they can reasonably expect to achieve, and the bankroll requirements to play their chosen game. By the end of this class, the student should have a basic plan in place to achieve his/her poker goals and an estimate of how long this may take and how to reach various steps along the path to success.

This ends the list of required General Poker Education (GPE) classes. Upon successful completion of all GPE classes the student will earn a Certificate of Completion which indicates completion of the basic study required to understand the world of poker and begin serious study in a specialized field. This is equivalent to a two-year degree at a standard university, but we couldn't get accredited, so we call it a Certificate of Completion. Students should print themselves a fancy certificate, pat themselves on the back, and take a week off.

Once the course work has been completed, the Certificate earned, and a hiatus of at least one week has been completed, the student may choose to enroll in any of the four specialized majors to be outlined in the next article. -- < Poker College (Part 1) < Poker College (Part 2)

I'll see you at the final table.
Chris Fox Wallace

* Check out Fox's new site at pokerwhip.com

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Scouting Report for Fox

In April 2005, Chris "Fox" Wallace wrote his very first article for PocketFives. He would go on to become one of the most respected internet poker authors in the world and has contributed quality, entertaining content that has inspired many players to give online poker a try. His Basic Bankroll Management article is among the most popular in this site's history and won the 2005 Presto Award for Article of the Year.

Fox is currently an instructor at www.pokerxfactor.com, where he specializes in cash game instruction. He is also the editor of pokerwhip.com. Although he doesn't play online tournaments as much these days, he still has a Dec '08 final table appearance in the Full Tilt Poker $90k Guaranteed for $5,600.

Related Articles

Vote for Poker 2008 Nov 02, 2008
Chris Wallace to Attend PPA Fundraiser at RNC Sep 01, 2008

Articles by Fox

Poker College (Part 2) Aug 10, 2009
Poker College (Part 1) Aug 03, 2009
Taking the Plunge Jun 23, 2005
Wax On, Wax Off Jun 14, 2005
A Damn Fine Week for the Fox Jun 06, 2005
A Quick Update Jun 02, 2005
Thanks to Beanie and Annie May 27, 2005
Killing the Single Tables May 17, 2005
Playing Multiple Tables May 12, 2005
Meeting Beanie and Feldliss May 09, 2005
Still Chasing Bonus Dollars May 06, 2005
A Frantic Week May 02, 2005
Party Bonus This Week Apr 22, 2005
I Learned Something Today Apr 16, 2005
Put On Your Tin Foil Hat... Apr 12, 2005
Whipping the Entire Field Apr 08, 2005
Introduction to Fox Apr 05, 2005

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