Bubbles and Steam.
I truly believe that most of the world has gone totally nuts...definitely not a good thing! Listen to the news about rage, the vengeance, fighting, and the unthinkable. Everyone seems to be steaming-and not from the heat! (By the way, that's why I love Poker Player newspaper, just good oldfashioned poker articles.
When I play poker at a land-based casino, no matter the game, most players are courteous, friendly and truly entrenched in the "fun of the game." Yes, of course, we all want to win! But I have never been subjected to ridicule, called names or experienced any unacceptable behavior. This is truly a credit to not only the players but to those who manage the poker rooms.
Playing online can be a totally different picture. This brings me to half of the subject of this article...steam!
Some players hide behind their online screen names to unmercifully "vent." Those inconsiderate players, with little regard for the game, call players everything in the book, e.g., white trash, stupid, ignorant, ass, idiot and some even find a clever way to use expletives that are prohibited. They complain about the site; how a competitor plays a certain hand; that other players are "stalking them" because one sits down at "their" table and on and on ad nausea.
Would they really do all this sitting face to face? And, if they are that miserable, why are they at the table? We all must seek to make our world a better place. How about at the online poker table for starters?
Okay...on to bubbles!
Kojif has been up to the neck in tournament bubbles! As a kid, blowing bubbles was fun...when playing online tourneys bubbles are the absolute pits! Yep, up to my neck in bubbles! The reason? Well, we'll get to that later. Based on my recent tournament play, I should rush to buy a lottery ticket with every number ending or beginning in four!
Maybe it was spring fever; perhaps the summer heat; might have been the fact that too many things were happening while I was playing. You know, mowing the lawn between hands, the honey-do list, the dogs, cats or kids wanting to play, or friends calling just to "chat." I wish I could blame someone else but, alas, no can do.
Bad beats? Of course. Two hands ago, had trip nines rolled up...lost to trip aces. Fold? I have a very, very hard time mucking trips-even though I had the gut feeling I was holding the losing hand. Guess where I finished? Yep, bubbled!
Okay, the reason for me seeing, breathing, and smelling bubbles? My lack of focus!
Card players, when you sit down to play poker, focus on playing poker, for each and every single hand. Forget everything else you believe you may need to do, should or could do. Just let it be your time at the tables! And focus! You'll find the odds are more in your favor!
Check out this issue of Poker Player for land-based and online poker sites. If your favorite room doesn't advertise 7-hi-lo tourneys, email or contact the poker room manager and ask: "Hey, how about it?"
Be it spring, summer, winter or fall, my absolute favorite trip is a cruise for card players ...poker cruises! I'll fill you in on the fun next time!
And just a reminder... every single day...BE NICE! See you online at the 7-hi-lo tables!
