Last Wednesday, Rick Hurckes, a resident advisor, put together a workshop for the aspiring young poker players of DU.

Robert Hannum, a DU statistics professor was the guest speaker for the evening.

Hurckes said, “There are a lot of residents in Halls who were playing poker.” This inspired him to put together a program to help them “improve their game.”

About 15 students showed up for Hannum’s presentation. “I like winning at Poker and it doesn’t always happen,” said Josh Schaer, a freshman.

Ten years ago Hannum put together a course in Las Vegas, and another one in Aruba to teach students the “interesting applications of statistics.”

He has concentrated most of his research in the mathematics of gambling and works consulting gaming industries.

Hannum’s programs are also found at DU. “Special Topics: The Art and Science of Poker” is offered during the summer interterm. It is a standard four-credit statistics course that covers the mathematics, theory and culture of poker. Hannum said that the class will help students improve their game.

Hannum said that poker can be “a metaphor for life.” It can be applied in business deals and in communication with others.

He proved, through a graphical presentation, that poker is not just chance, it takes a lot of skill.

The number one piece of advice Hannum gave his audience was to “pick up a book or two,” because learning basic poker strategy is “not easy.”

The number one mistake he said most poker players make is playing too many hands. Ideally, one should only bet on 30 to 40 percent of their dealt hands.

Poker, though, is more than math skills, it is reading other players, being able to bet high and taking risks.

When asked if he always wins at poker because of his experience and knowledge, Hannum said, “absolutely not.”