Low pocket pairs. Easy to muck yet the key to a goldmine. Most books rightfully put them on the list of unplayable, or marginal hands. Yet time and again you'll find people playing them, raising them, and somehow making money from them.

In another article we mention that KQo is not a particularly great hand (well, KJo actually, but they're about the same). This comes as a surprise to many players, in particular newer players.

Poker seems like an easy game. There isn't much equipment involved and the structure is simply a matter of deal, bet, deal, bet, and so on. Still, the apparent simplicity of poker is deceptive.

If you could define an expert poker player with just one word, that word would be patience. A good player has to wait a lot, remain calm at all times, and be satisfied with the gradual path. These are all aspects of patience.

They sit there, fearful of the pot. Bets and raises are flat called with monster and marginal holdings alike. When they do finally show their hand you'll shake your head thinking, "Why didn't he take more money from me?" These are the timid players.