Poker players do not always win and it is difficult sometimes to understand the fickleness of the cards when they are playing poker.
When my daughter "Oklahoma Sarah" sings at the poker events that I host, I always request that she sing to the poker players one of my favorite poker songs- -"Luck be a Lady Tonight," and I request that she always sings as well in sign language- "You have to know when to hold them and know when to fold them" (Yes, OK Sarah will sing at "The Oklahoma Johnny Open Poker Tournament" in Tulsa. (This event will be at the Cherokee Casino and Resorts on April 6-9, 2006).
When poker players ask me, "Do you always win?"-I usually respond, "No, I put my pants on one leg at a time, just like you." Some of the young whippersnappers, who have not used up all their luck, may just run and jump into their pants and tell you that they win all the time. Then I tell them, "You really just have about three chances to be a successful poker player..."
#1-You must pick your parents very well, and if you miss that one, you must...
#2-Marry well. And if you miss that one, you must...
#3-Play like HELL. But I use a little of my writer's privilege and make that read "Play like HALE." Now, here is the "OK-J" Poker Player's Code to live and play poker by.
A poker player should go quietly amid the noise, smoke and clatter of chips in the poker room and be at peace while he takes his seat at the poker table.
The poker player should remember what peace there is in silence and as far as possible without surrender to be on good terms with all the other poker players. The poker player should speak the truth quietly and clearly while he carefully listens to others. And agree that even the dull and the ignorant poker players have the right to speak their story. Avoid loud and aggressive players because they can be vexatious to your poker playing spirit. If you compare yourself with these poker players you may become vain and bitter.
Remember that there will always be greater poker players with more skill and ability than you! But there will be lesser poker players with less skill than you! Keep interested in how you can improve your own poker playing skills! It will be really important and valuable to you and will cause you to count more or less money when you go on home to count your poker bankroll.
Exercise caution in how you play each poker hand, for the other players are trying to learn all of your poker playing tells.
Be yourself-do not feign affection- you came to play poker.
Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture your strength of spirit to shield you in the sudden misfortune of a bad beat.
Do not distress yourself with imagining or calculations of the number of outs that you had working for you-or how lucky they were to outdraw your hand and hit that one-outer (the only card that they could possibly win the pot with). Many poker fears and loses are born of fatigue and loneliness. Be of a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself and like yourself, or no one else will like you. Therefore be at peace with the poker gods-whatever you conceive them to be.
With all its sham, drudgery and losing hands, poker is still a beautiful game. Strive to always be happy as you play!
Until next time, remember to Stay Lucky!
