Great plans oft go astray. As if we didn’t already know that, it is witnessed almost hourly in a poker room. The plan is to take a seat, win, chuckle all the way to the cash out window, and take your newly acquired funds home with you. It seldom works that way. Generally it takes a lot of sheer determination, strength of will, and a mind that can release the turmoil created from looking at bad hands for hours as you struggle to win the big bucks from the limit you are playing in.
On that note, I watch tournament players come in at the beginning of a big tournament, filled with hope and determination, ready to play satellites, tournaments, and cash games – whatever it takes, to cover expenses and put some cash back in the BR. While TV has been a boon to poker, it also makes it looks so easy. You never witness the hours it takes for the one hand that someone wins and the other player goes broke in.
And to make matters worse, there’s always the Bubble! That’s about the size of it…you were right there, almost within reach of taking home prize money, and the bubble blew up in your face. You’re out of the tournament, one out of the money, and in general – out – out – out!
That old saying, ‘it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game’ could never be more apropos. If you ‘play’ the game, not just sit through session after session but actually ‘play’ the game, and play your best game while you’re doing it, you will end up in the + column over a period of time – no matter how bad you’re running right now. You have to give every session your best effort. No whining! Just play the damn game.
Wow! I’m really glad I got that out of my head. For some reason, it just seemed to be hanging there, needing to be said or written. I’ve listened to so many tales of woe lately about bad beats and dreaded suck outs that I felt everyone needed a refresher course on the play of the game. And I also needed to say it, read it, and think it. I need a refresher course now and then.
Off on another note, Mark (from CO) and his friends, Jason and Gavin, were in about a week ago. I managed to clock out and meet them for a brew in the Sport’s Book in the early a.m. – when it was quiet and no one was around to interrupt our chip/card chatter. They listened to me – I listened to them as the tales unfolded of their $10-20 NLH play. At one point Jason stated that he was sure I heard enough poker stories and saw enough that I didn’t need to hear anymore. On one count, he was right. I do see and hear poker on a daily basis. But it was so much fun just kicking back with them that their side of the stories was the best part. They were animated, excited, and happy that they’d moved up from the $2-5 NLH and all of them appeared to have had a great time. Thanks for sharing guys. And Mark, keep up with the posting – great read.
And back to this weekend, it’s going to rain Bloggers on Las Vegas because Bloggers reign. I’m hustling to put phone numbers into my Treo, trying to make sure I can contact some of them anyway…it’s like a daisy chain. Somehow, someway, we can all find out what the next guy/gal or group is doing and where they are going to meet. It’s going to be a great time. I spent an hour chatting with Michael Craig on the phone – and not only is he going to speak at our ‘meet and greet’, he’s going to play in the tourney. My camera will be armed and aimed, at anyone and everyone. Yoo hoo. Fun is afoot.