Every player knows that luck will play a part in a poker game and many curse the poker gods when fate takes a nasty turn against them.

Because so often after a bad beat, oaths of varying aptness and discretion are directed at the player who now has all your chips, and mutterings under the breath attribute this turn of fate to the poker gods, I had to know; is there just the one supreme poker god or are there several poker gods?

I pondered who are the poker gods that tease our senses, testing our guile and wit with every chase that ends successfully on the river. Which poker god is responsible for giving you a straight when your opponent's two pair turns into a full house.

After some extensive research and a few beers I have uncovered the major culprits in the poker god world.

In no particular order the gods of poker are Hapi, Apuleius, Fortuna, Jude Thaddeus, Athena, Apate and Dolos, and Dagon.

There will be more... they can run but they cannot hide. Like a basset hound, I am on their trail and will sniff them out.

I have just cause; I need to know which poker god whispers to my opponents "Yes, this is your chance to play 73 off suit from under the gun, I will bring you luck and will flop you the nuts."

To date I have merely chiselled at the edge of the poker gods powers that influence our game and sway chance for and against us. In time I hope to better understand and expand on all the exceptional persuasions on the game from the gods of poker.

I hope with this guide, you will know the sort of luck you are playing against... or with.