Poker is by far the most popular card game to date with millions of enthusiasts around the globe. Novice and experienced players love to learn new skills and strategies to improve their game on a regular basis.

Unluckily, many sources prevent you from grasping the essence using overwhelming jargon to touch both the basics as well as the complexities of this fascinating game. You want to absorb useful insights in a clear and compelling way with perspectives you can easily relate to: your knowledge and experience in business life.

Discover this different and exciting approach exclusively at RoyalFlop.

Today, we celebrate the official launch of our web site. You're invited, so join the party and stay tuned to:

• Advance your game and skills in a playful way
• Beat your competition by outclassing in style and win buy-in
• Connect with a rising society to grow your network

Passion for Poker - a Classic Amateur's Story

In 2005, I stumbled across this show on Dutch television with grungy looking people playing a card game in a shabby UK basement. The top right corner of my screen displayed a logo that said Late Night Poker. I never really enjoyed watching a live poker game because most of the time, players opted not to show their (hole) cards after winning an uncontested pot. Just before I decided to zap, something suddenly grabbed my attention ... a tiny table camera revealed the players' cards in advance, finally making all of us true spectators of the action!

Each player peeked at just two cards dealt face down. I tossed the remote aside and continued watching to figure out this poker variation by keeping a close eye to these pocket cams. Quite a revelation, literally. Despite this innovative view, the game denoted as Texas Hold'em still puzzled me. I felt pretty sleepy after a long return-of-investment (ROI) discussion in the office, but jumped up curiously to visit web sites of the sponsors.

Virtual Practice to Measure Up with Real Life Virtuosos

A welcome surprise appeared right on my monitor: free software to play and learn online without investing or risking any real money, sweet! Within five minutes, I created my account and downloaded the program, ready to explore the game over the Internet.

The next months, I also bought books about poker in addition to my usual business orders. My bookmarks grew rapidly with links to poker strategy articles. Together with friends, we started organizing monthly tournaments at home. Lately, we watch movies like Rounders and taped recordings of annual World Series of Poker (WSOP). We discuss passionately about notable players and interesting hands while we play to learn, improve and ultimately master the game.

Growing Community Open to Everybody

Regular visiting friends evolve their game that way constantly and invite newcomers to join in the fun. My buddies bring their pals or colleagues and pleasing new friendships arise. Everyone helps out beginners by playing plenty of hands with cards open and explain certain situations, reveal successful strategies and write down the basics. They pick up the game with a steep learning curve considering the diversity of all our skills and backgrounds.

Within a year, the monthly home tournaments consisted of players with occupations ranging from executive- to police officers. Bright consultants and brave soldiers, from young students to retired business owners, social workers, clever engineers, shrewd sales reps and capable managers. Distinct men and women each with unique professional expertise, yet all sharing the same passion for poker: the birth of the RoyalFlop society.

Nice (hi)story, now what about the future?

You might find an overpowering amount of poker information in the media, but virtually none really appeal to your mind. Experience the new and engaging approach to advance your business talent into poker and vice versa, right here at RoyalFlop. We remix all classic ingredients which most amateur's story touches:

• Watching analyzed videos, enhanced with insightful perspectives
• Interacting with your fellow society members
• Navigating your way through strong competition

Welcome and GoodBuy - Enjoy the Sweets in Style

Say 'GoodBuy' to entry fees by winning quarterly contests. RoyalFlop sponsors your buy-in to ever challenging events together with partners. Help spreading the word and take or develop Academy classes. Participate in hand analysis discussions or submit your own.
Get started now and within a 2-3 years road map, we want to see you succeed in major tournaments without investing a dime, sweet!

After all, shabby basements and ditto players are passé - the era of stylish poker players with class just begun.

Upcoming articles

Soon: Hatching the Golden Egg to Advance Poker Amateurs
Next: Office Tourneys - 10 Reasons to Hire at the Poker Table
Later: Tap Into Your CFO Skills for Healthy Bankroll Management

About the author

Hi, I'm Mike van Zandwijk, founder and editor in chief of RoyalFlop to help people learn and improve their business and poker strategy. Professionally, I'm all-round consultant and entrepreneur at my own company [more]