I’m coughing, sniffling, sneezing and walking around in a sort of daze with that stupid-confused look on my face that people with a cold have. I’ll live, of course, but right now I mostly just want the use of my nostrils back.

Poker-wise, yesterday was one of those nights where the cards had conspired against me, and I wasn’t going to make money no matter how well I played. Add to this the fact that I have a cold, so chances are it wasn’t my A-game I was playing, and you have yesterday’s disaster.

But here’s an observation.

What kind of people is it that get so upset and rant and rave about “stupid plays” and “morons” and “fish” every time they lose a hand to bad luck (and not entirely seldomly, bad play)? Being a bit pissed off is understandable. Being disappointed that you had to lose that particularly large pot to a 3-outer is perfectly fine. But since it happens every so often, the people who get so upset must either

a) have serious issues, or
b) not play a whole lot of poker.

I can’t find the energy to get worked up about having my set of aces busted to a gutshot straight on the river. It happens too often, I’m used to it. Anyone who plays a lot should be. Thinking about it logically helps too, of course. If I have a hand that is the nuts right now, but there are cards that will make it not so - like with the set vs. the inside straight draw on the turn - then 92% of the time, the money will belong to me. But once every 11 times this hand comes up, he will win it.

If you walk through life building up rage (coupled with a clear case of Tourette’s) over an event that you’re likely to repeat many, many times, then maybe - just maybe - you should not play this game.

/FP

Tip of the day: When you get raised on the turn, re-evaluate the situation. What could your opponent have that he would suddenly raise with? Does that hand beat you? Consider his pre-flop play and his actions on the flop. Decide what is his most likely holding, and act accordingly. Don’t be afraid to re-raise him if you think you have the best hand. Folding or re-raising correctly on the turn will save or make you a lot of bets in the long run.