~ P O K E R A R T I C L E S ~
Losing Like a Winner
Yesterday I told myself I was done with online poker. Enough was enough. I was done with the fish and the calling stations and the ridiculous suckouts and miracle draws that would seemingly never end. In a few hours of limit Hold'em I saw my Kings go down to a runner-runner flush, my set of 7's lose to a rivered set of Aces, and then my set of Aces manage to find the muck after somebody's gutshot straight filled in. Sure I won a few small pots here and there, but not nearly enough to make up for the countless cold cards and bad breaks. By all means, it was just one of those days.
Well approximately twenty-four hours after swearing off online poker forever, you can probably guess what I was doing. Yes, I was back at the same tables that had driven me into a fit of frustration, and of course, I was losing yet again. I really couldn't have asked for better starting hands: suited connectors, suited Aces, premium pairs, and A-K, A-Q and the like. So many playable hands and yet so few were coming through in the clutch. The flops would tease me with four-flushes and open-ended straights, but ultimately the pots would seemingly always slide over to the guy playing hands I wouldn't even check for free with from the big blind. In retrospect I probably would've faired a lot better with the easily foldable hands, as I wouldn't have wasted so many small bets, not to mention those brief moments of hope that I might actually win a hand.
Obviously we all know that luck is a very significant aspect of poker, especially in limit games where the art of bluffing won't get you much more than a free card. And while everybody loves when lady luck is on your side, a lengthy streak of bad luck, or even just the absence of good luck, can wrack the nerves of the calmest and coolest poker players. It seems a bit ironic then, that in order to be a profitable player, it is vitally important to handle all the losing sessions with poise and self-control. It's one thing to flop the nuts, only to fold on the turn or river, when it's clear you're beat. Being able to do so time after time requires much more patience and discipline however, and is what prevents a moderate downswing from turning into a declaration of bankruptcy.
Personally, I don't consider myself a good poker player, mainly because I am still relatively new to the game and have yet to play the hundreds of thousands of hands that give more experienced players an edge. Also, as a relative beginner, it's still a bit early to be figuring out how many big bets I'm raking in per hour, just as it would've been a bit early to calculate a cumulative grade point average after my first semester of college. But even after a two-day dry spell I find myself wondering about my true poker abilities. It would be one thing if I was tilting uncontrollably, but I honestly believe I played my usual tight and straightforward style from hand to hand, easily ditching inside draws, weak pairs, and the almighty Ace-high. And of course there were those hands I wish I would've just loosened up and chased one of my few outs, cashing in like a true fish, but I stuck to my guns nonetheless. Still I wondered. Am I doing something wrong? Am I playing too tight or giving my opponents too much credit for their bets? Should I move to a different table? Am I just not cut out for the mental strains of poker? Did I offend the poker gods when I bought a clay composite chip set, and if so should I sacrifice said chip set in my front yard? Clearly, the answers are hard to come by... although some more than others.
Specifically concerning losing sessions, I had even more questions. Is it better to get solid hands that ultimately fail to hold up, or would it be better to be constantly dealt trash or miss flops completely. In terms of money the relative answer is simple mathematics, but psychologically which case would you prefer? Given that lady luck will inevitably have occasional scheduling conflicts when you want to get a few hands in, is there a way to lose your bankroll while retaining your confidence and composure, or is it simply a matter of waiting for an upswing? Surely even the best professional players have losing days, weeks, months, and even years. So how is it that they can blow thousands upon thousands of dollars and still walk away feeling like a champ, while I'm stuck pondering my basic logic skills after one bad night at the low limit tables? Perhaps this difference is a big part of what makes them the pros, and me the ranting poker writer.
As I wrap this article up I see I've left myself, as well as all you readers, with a handful of unanswered questions. However, if there's one thing I've learned in my continuing poker experiences, both good and bad, it's that poker is a game of constant uncertainties. Whether you're unsure your pocket Kings are still good after an Ace flops, or you're unsure of your playing ability in general, sometimes the only way to find out is to keep putting your chips in the middle. As for me, I think I'll see if the third time's the charm at those limit Hold'em tables. If not, next week's article may end up being another sacrifice to the poker gods.
Best of luck in flopping the nuts, but more importantly, best of luck in keeping them.
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