One of the oldest games in the country is also one of the hottest. The name of the game is poker. Thanks to tournaments on TV and poker saloons online, and millions of Americans of all ages are playing again.

Poker is HOT in casinos, at college, even in kitchens across the country. The popularity led us to find the best player in the tri-state area.

Cyndy Violette/PROFESSIONAL POKER PLAYER:

"I knew right away when I started playing poker that I loved it."

Cyndy Violette started playing professionally 20 years ago.

"I love the whole lifestyle."

In May, she won her first tournament bracelet at the World Series of Poker that carried a purse of over $130,000 dollars, turning her into an overnight celebrity.

"Making appearances, doing TV, making DVD's all kinds of things are happening."

She's even designing her own website outlining her career and offering self help tips. She says poker is popular because anyone can win, no matter your experience. Rick Williams bit the bullet and sat down and played with Cyndy.

"I'm going to call."

"Wow you got me."

"Good hand."

"This is fun actually."

The game is contagious, and it's all about strategy. Poker is about making decisions and to make the best decision you should come in feeling the best that you possibly can. Whatever that means for you. For Cyndy, that means mediating, listening to positive tapes and visualizing the win.

"When I haven't prepared and I run out the door in a hurry and try to get into a game without preparing I've paid my price."

When she's playing Cyndy prefers to sit at the end of the table so she has full view of the action. She focuses on division. Yes folks, basic math.

You're holding two Jacks, three cards are up in the flop. What are the odds that a Jack will come up next? You divide 2, the number of Jacks you haven't seen, by 47, the number of total cards you haven't seen. Which is 4.3%

Bluffing can make you a winner even if you don't have the hand.

Cyndy: "Hey I got ya."
Rick: "You beat me."
Cyndy: "If you bet again you probably would of bluffed me and I wouldn't have called ya."
Rick: "Really?"
Cyndy: "Yea." And of course you need a poker face.

"Did I give away? Obviously I gave it away. Yeah definitely."

"When you first got your cards you were very excited."

Cyndy also suggests staying AWAY from alcohol while you play to keep a clear head. Still I think I did okay.
Cyndy "You going all in?"
Rick "I'm going all in".

Rick: "Did I win?"
Cyndy: "You won".