John, on a serious note, let me try to explain a few basics to you.

First of all, the game is usually played with 9 players (in this case I understand each table will have 11 players which will alter all the odds.) In any case, each player receives two cards and then the first round of betting commences. After that, the dealer spreads 3 cards in the middle of the table which are called community cards (played by all persons still in the game) At this point, each player had a total of 5 cards. (2 in his hand and 3 on the board.)

Going back to the first round of betting, before the 3 community cards are spread, remember each player has 2 cards in his hand. The first question now is what are the good starting hands?

An easy way to answer that is the following: Assuming you know how to play blackjack (otherwise known as 21.)

Play ONLY the following hands:

1. Natural Blackjack hands. i.e. and ace and a picture card.
2. Any pair that total 20. i.e. two 10's, 2 jacks, up to and including 2 aces.
3. Under certain circumstances, depending upon position (which gets a little technical) you may consider playing a King-queen. and if you really want to gamble, you might want to include a king jack.

But it is best just to play #1 and #2. Forgo the temptation to play anything else.

After the flop (that is when the first 3 community cards are dealt) another round of betting occurs. Then another card is dealt in the middle (making a total of 4 cards up and 2 in your hand. Bets are then made again, and then the final 5th card is dealt as a community card for a total of seven cars. 5 in the middle and 2 in your hand. The final round of betting occurs and you play the best 5 out of seven cards.

DO NOT CHASE AFTER CARDS. If you don't think you have the best hand after the flop, throw it away and wait for the next deal. The most important ingredient in any card game is PATIENCE. the second and third most important thing to remember in any card game is again patience. Just like location is to real estate, patience is to card games.

With these basics in mind, you can participate in any game. I read this advice in the "Card Player magazine" a while ago given to a novice girl, and would you believe it, but she won the whole darn tournament and never played any kind of poker in her whole life.

I truly wish you good luck John and would like to shake your hand and congradulate you when you come out on top.