Lessons Learned

A few of the lessons I've learned during my five or so costly years of poker apprenticeship, some from those far wiser than myself, others which dawned on me as I watched my chips being pushed far away from me. Enjoy.

• Just because you got dealt pocket aces and he got pocket kings don't make you Doyle Brunson.
• There are people who just refuse to be bluffed. Don't try.
• They push the chips to the winner after the river; anything before that is just pretend.
• The older the player, the higher the kicker.
• Just like at the movies, when you walk into the room pay special attention to where the exits are and don't hesitate to use them in an emergency.
• You're supposed to be having fun.
• If you're having an awful session and are down to your last $20 or so, before you piss it away in disgust remember that those chips will buy you a pretty decent meal in whatever casino you happen to be in.
• If you can think of even one mistake you made during the hand, then it wasn't really a bad beat.
• Get up. Go for a walk. Get some air. That idiot who just sucked out on you will still be there with your chips when you get back.
• And finally: If you're drawing dead, try not to get there.

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