Play enough hands of poker, and the following things will happen. I guarantee it.
- Somebody playing suited cards will catch a flush - on the river.
- Someone calling your all-in with King/Five because they like Elvis records and Terry Labonte's Nascar team, will crack your Aces
- Someone playing Jack/anything because they like Jack Daniels will match the pot on the river, and catch their gutshot straight draw to beat you.
- Insert your own story . . . it'll happen.
How you respond to events like this will mean a lot over time. Obviously, these are situations that can lean you a little. Some folks might even let it tilt them.
And then they go and make one of the biggest mistakes they can.
They berate their opponent for poor play because it helps them vent. It shows their superior poker knowledge, kindof.
Remember the Rounders line . . "If you can't spot the sucker in the first fifteen minutes . . ." Well, you've certainly found your sucker. So now what are you going to do? Insulte him, tell him to be on the look out for you because you obviously know more about the game. Or make him so embarassed for (temporarily) winning that he leaves? Oh, and he takes your chips with him.
That's probably the worst play you can make. Now instead of those being your chips, in his stack, that little burst of unkind words turned them into what used to be your chips that are finding a new home as cash in his pocket on its way out the door.
Even if you only put in a needling comment, you'll change the atmosphere of the table. Putting everyone else on a higher state of alert. Now, they've seen you sizzle. And, your less-knowledgable foe looks at you as someone to be wary of.
That's not the best approach to getting those chips back.
A little kindness will go a long way in the moments following a disappointing beat. If you can sincerely congratulate a player on their luck, you might be at the top of the game as far as understanding the situation at the table. Some of the most successful friendly-game poker players I know are also the most charming and likeable. And they smile at other all the while taking chips from them, or setting themselves up to take chips later in the game.
Even if you can't be kind, at least be slient. For your sake and for the sake of the other players at the table waiting to hook the fish you've found. You had your turn, and unfortunately he got off.
Either way, lashing out can take a juicy game and dry it out in a moment, so think twice before letting your tongue loose. You'll be glad you did.
This page was last updated on November 17th, 2006.
