Dear Ace,
I've recently won a bunch of poker tournaments in a row-with the last prize being a six-figure sum. It's been a wild ride. Women are suddenly all over me. I haven't lost a game in I don't know how long, but I don't think I can keep this lucky streak up forever. What if my luck runs out?-Don't Know When To Fold 'Em
Dear Don't Know When To Fold 'Em:
I appreciate your concern. It can be difficult when exceedingly good things happen in one's life. It's actually rather common for hard times to follow what seems to be a lucky experience. But I assure you, my friend, that fear of sudden loss of prosperity after a wave of luck is more than just a plotline on Lost.
The idea that we're allotted only a certain amount of luck is a common view-one that even I have fallen prey to. I remember a day not too long ago when I pulled into Starbucks during the morning rush and found a spot right out front. I knew that if I accepted this reward, I'd risk the rest of my day being even more bitter than my black coffee with Splenda. I opted to park at the far end of the lot just to be sure.
But the truth is that there's no predetermined amount of happiness waiting for me or you or any of the ladies who are after you. It's clear that you feel apprehensive about the stability of your current state, and your fears are not misplaced. By all means, enjoy the ride, but now is the time to start preparing yourself for what's to come. Most poker authors suggest being properly bankrolled to get through losing streaks and mentally prepared to deal with the disappointment when your day at the casino is a bust. Take this wave of good fortune for what it is, and plan wisely to avoid wiping out later! There's this great new thing called a savings account. I highly recommend harvesting a comfortable amount of your winnings for safekeeping.
As for the attention you're getting, people tend to come out of the woodwork when they smell success. My dad calls such folk fair-weather friends, but they remind me more of vultures and I prefer to avoid creatures that feast on the dead ... But don't go all-in on my advice.
WHAT WOULD JOKER DO?
Ditch the doom complex. You're as bad as Ace with her parking-lot theory. You make your own luck; it's as simple as that. As far as women go, you might not want to get too attached to your newfound stud-status. Think of these girls as having expiration dates on their foreheads to remind you that they probably won't last. If you're able to sustain hope for a future with one of these high-maintenance girls, be upfront about your financial anxiety- it may turn out that their bark is worse than their Botox.
Ace is a 27 year old pokerbrat with a knack for the written word and a self-proclaimed ability to tell it like it is. If necessary, she is also willing to provide character references from several Facebook friends. She credits at least half of her savoir-faire to her father, a well-known aficionado of all things gambling. Joker is a long-time friend of Ace. You may not ask directly for advice from Joker, but whether you admit it or not, most people have, at one time or another, wondered W.W.J.D? If you're in need of advice on any topic, you've come to the right place. Direct your questions, comments and complaints to DearAce@pokerplayernewspaper.com and who knows, you may be the next lucky contender to see your advice inside the pages of Poker Player.
