BELIZE CITY, Belize, Jan. 18, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- According to Chad Flood, a junior at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, it took patience and a level head to out play more than 25,000 students from 2,400 schools around the world to win the 2005 College Poker Championship(tm) and earn the $41,000 grand-prize scholarship. Flood, an economics major, stresses the importance of managing investments and reading your opponents among his top 5 lessons learned while playing for the title.
Chad Flood's Top 5 Lessons Learned while competing in the second annual College Poker Championship include:
1. Manage Your Money Wisely -- With poker, as in life, it's
important not to waste money on unnecessary things or bad
investments. Don't throw away money on longshot draws when
you're not getting the correct pot odds to make them.
2. Be Patient -- It's not necessary to play every hand. Wait
for the right situation to make your moves.
3. Assess Your Opponents -- It's essential to read people and
try to anticipate their next moves; this will keep you one
step ahead of your competitors. Study their wagers and antes,
just as you would pay attention to mannerisms and facial
expressions at the poker table.
4. Stay Calm -- Having a short fuse or a bad temper can be
a problem in poker just as it is in everyday life. People
with bad tempers often find themselves playing on tilt and
too recklessly due to the previous hand.
5. Express Yourself -- Sometimes it isn't possible to sit back
and wait for aces. If you begin to get short stacked, you may
have to make a move with a less than premium hand. Otherwise
the blinds will eat away at your chipstack.
Students can put Flood's strategies and their own to the test in College Poker Championship III, which is currently underway. More than $200,000 in scholarships and $10,000 in charity donations are on the line in the third annual tournament. Weekly qualifying tournaments are held on Sundays at 6:00 p.m. EST with practice tournaments on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. EST.
About the College Poker Championship
The College Poker Championship(tm) www.collegepoker.com is open to registered college and university students worldwide to determine the World's Best College Poker Player. Entry into the tournament is free of charge, with all events being played with tournament chips. No purchase is required. College Poker Championship supports students' educational endeavors with scholarships worth $200,000, charity donations and champions the use of poker as a strategic learning tool.