While you can learn the game of poker by playing online for free, no-cost poker seminars held in casinos to teach new students about poker are often unheard of. The world’s largest card room, Los Angeles’ own Commerce Casino, is looking to change that notion.
On November 4th, Commerce Casino will open the doors to its “Commerce Casino University of Poker” (CCUP). The genesis of the idea came from incoming calls to the Commerce, which features all disciplines of poker spread over its 260 tables. “Our switchboard receives at least a handful of calls every day from people asking if we will teach them to play poker and asking what it costs,” Dave Mosikian, the Commerce Casino’s Player Relations Manager, told Poker News Daily. “Since people want to learn the game, we decided to offer instruction to them for free. At our University of Poker, the Commerce Casino mixes first-class instruction with laughs and there is no intimidation whatsoever. Come learn and have fun!”
The University will feature poker comedian Roger Rodd – to provide a little levity to the proceedings – but will also be an intensive training course for newcomers to the world of poker as well as those intermediate players who need a little brushing up on their skills. Rodd is no stranger to the poker world; known as Hollywood’s “Instructor to the Stars,” Rodd has taught the game of poker to Hollywood’s brightest personalities and also served as poker coach for the movie “Lucky You,” which featured Eric Bana and Robert Duvall.
On Tuesdays, classes will be held for newcomers to the game. Commerce has called this its “No Beginner is Too Green” session, which will be primarily for those who want to learn about poker. Rodd will explain all aspects of the game, from the ranking of hand values to an explanation of fundamentals and blind basics of Texas Hold’em. By the end of the two-hour seminar, Rodd will have taught newcomers all the nuances of the game using visuals, lecture, Q& A, and classroom mock poker games, and then reward students with a special freeroll tournament. Prizes will be awarded and the winner of the freeroll will walk off with the distinction of being the CCUP Valedictorian.
Wednesdays are the days for the intermediate players to step to the felts. Called “Time To Step Up Your Game” by Commerce, this session is designed for those who are more than familiar with Texas Hold’em, but are not reaching their full potential at the tables. Categorized by the four basic situations of poker – Limit, No Limit, Tournament Play, and Live Game Play – each class will focus upon the singular and common aspects of that format. A comprehensive menu of necessary elements for winning play will be closely detailed and examined, as will specific strategic situations.
As Mosikian notes, CCUP wants to educate Intermediate players on how the pros play “top set against a double double, an overpair in the two hole, and a donkey playing an airball who just picked up color with one to come.” The end of this two hour session will also feature a student-only freeroll tournament and the champion will be crowned the CCUP Graduate Student Valedictorian.
The weekly classes will be held in an area free from distractions. Enrollment is limited to 25 students each night and is free of charge. So for those that would like to learn the game of poker or just need a refresher course to get back on track, the Commerce Casino’s University of Poker may be just what you need.
