I've lately been frustrated at the tables.  As one who respects the guys who take a "bad beat" with dignity, it's difficult to write when I'm unhappy.  For this I apologize.  I will write as often as is possible, or practical, win or lose.  No more 5 weeks off.

The colloquial term "variance" as it's used by poker players, simply put, means "luck," or more precisely, BAD LUCK!  A few years ago, while playing in the Iowa County Poker Club's league game, I had a run of ass-kickings that was incredible.  No matter how I played Pocket Aces- Limp, Preflop Raise, Check Raise, Trap, three or four bet,  I lost thirteen times in a row.  This is verified by witnesses who were there as each hand occurred.  Somehow I lost every hand.  Now that was clearly BAD LUCK and, I suppose, good reason to pout. But I didn't

Lately, I've been acting like I should win when I'm ahead, expressing my anger when I get the second nut hand after hand and tourney after tourney.  It's like I feel that the "percentage fairies" should be on my side, just 'cuz I play "right."  Well, the fact is that the odds are the same every time no matter the players involved.  Expressing anger only does one thing- shows your opponent that you're weak, emotional, and tilting.          

Last week, I was taken out by a guy who usually plays with an awkward style.  He's an Ace every time I've pocket kings and he calls after I raise, and he pairs his Ace.  Wednesday he Kicked my ass with a well-played set of Q's and rather that get angry, I told him that it was a helluva play, because it was.  I played poorly! 

If I can do anything to improve my game, it's gonna be to better control my behavior, and the manner I express my anger.  How unnerving would it be to other players to show zero emotion after getting rivered on a one-outer for half your chips.  That rock is unreadable!  New goal.
 


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