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Poker is a Life Extension

By Donna Blevins

It's Sunday morning in early November. We're lounging on our lanai - which is what they call a screened porch here in Florida.

Mom is reading the newspaper. Greg is kicked back just enjoying his family and catching a few rays. Our oldest Jack Russell Terrier, Russell, is curled up on my lap. The other two are prancing around telling us it's time for breakfast.

At 76, Mom gives us so much joy. This is the first winter she's been able to spend with us away from the blistering cold of the Virginia mountains. She is curious, and openly shows her appreciation and delight when she experiences new things, like: growing a vegetable garden in late fall, early winter; watching rodeo practice at the county arena in comfort on a sunny, November afternoon; and joking while reading our daily horoscopes aloud.

This sunny Sunday morning, I'm preoccupied with writing my next article. I keep putting off going to the computer since I can't quite decide which article to edit and finish. Besides I'm enjoying my fam this lovely, winter morning.

Mom comes to my horoscope and reads it aloud: Be careful in whom you place your trust. Things could go awry by relying too much on unknown qualities. Depend only on those who have proven themselves.

It sounds just like a poker lesson. My poker mind wanders . . .

Be careful in whom you place your trust.

Even the weakest player can catch a strong hand. Occasionally, even the table bluffer will have real cards. You just can't trust some players at all.

Things could go awry by relying too much on unknown qualities.

Making snap decisions about a player before you have had enough time to observe them can be very costly. Always take the time to study a new player before you make your move.

Depend only on those who have proven themselves.

A rock is a rock . . . is a rock . . . is a rock. When a player, who has demonstrated he is careful and conservative, unexpectedly raises, beware. Confronted with his raise, you are generally wise to fold a mediocre hand.

Sure, he may bluff, but it is infrequent. Be confident he has calculated each of his moves using all the tools at his disposal - such as, pot odds, position, and other players' style. Instead of bucking heads with a known rock, save your bets and get out of his way.

As I come back to reality this fine Sunday morning, Mom and Greg are laughing and joking with each other. She is reading Greg's horoscope: Do not be timid in your involvements today. By the same token, don't be pushy about going after what you want. There is a fine line between modest action and being overbearing.

This poker lesson rings loud and clear:

Don't let the table bully push your around. However, don't challenge him if you have absolutely nothing. This two-part lesson can be very expensive.

It was brought home to me in southern California a few years ago at a Hollywood Park, limit Texas Hold'em tournament. I was sitting across from the table bully. He was the type of flamboyant, irreverent player who figuratively pushes your nose in it when you fold a winning hand. He had set me up perfectly.

He was the big blind, and I was on the button. Everyone folded to me. I looked down and discovered two face cards. Time for a raise.

The small blind folded, and the table bully quickly came over the top of me with a reraise. Confident he was just trying a heads-up bluff, I capped it.

The flop, turn and river brought five unconnected, unsuited blanks. Three times he bet out, appearing to disregard the board. Each time without hesitation, I stubbornly reraised. Of course, he capped it.

As I pushed in the remainder of my chips to call his last raise, my mind seemed to clear. What had I done? I realized I was beaten before he turned over his pair of Aces.

Rather than play the player, I was reacting to him. He had set me up perfectly and played me like a cheap fiddle.

Mom reads on:

Be wary of someone at work today who has never supported your efforts in the past, but has now suddenly become an enthusiastic ally. Chances are s/he has a selfish, ulterior motive.

Hark! Another poker lesson as clear as day:

The quiet, nondescript player sitting on your right suddenly becomes a chatterbox and wants to be your new best friend. Be wary. He may be setting you up by developing this false camaraderie.

He may be hoping you will refrain from raising him when you have a very strong hand. At the same token, he might also be planting another seed designed to protect him from you when he does bluff. Since you and he are now such good friends, (he hopes) you know he'd never attempt to bluff you. He is hoping that when he does bluff, you will fold.

Mom reads yet another poker lesson masked as a horoscope: Emphasizing self-interests to the detriment of others today may give you momentary gain, but down the line these same people will find a way to make sure you'll never receive an edge again.

Without a doubt, this poker lesson is about check raising:

Frequently, check raising may seem like the best way to play your hands. However, other players will not consistently fall for check raising when you over do it. In fact, check raising often serves to create more ill will and enemies than it is worth.

Check raising can cost you more bets in the long run than you initially gain. When you tick off players, and they play at you, it's difficult to maximize your winning hands.

There is a time and place for check raising. It is generally position-driven, at the final betting round of a hand, and calculated to add a bet or two to your winning pot.

It looks like I can't seem to get away from poker lessons. Everywhere I turn, I see or hear one. It's a cinch. The more you look for poker lessons in your every day life, the more you will find.

To me, poker is a life extension. Every time you sit down at a poker table, you practice your life skills. Every time you sit down to play poker, you get a fresh chance to start all over again.

Life is lived one day at a time. Poker is played one hand at a time. When you screw up a hand, you have the chance to start all over the very next hand. When you have a bad outing, you have the chance to start fresh with a clean plate the next time you sit down.

You sometimes get worn out in your every day work and need a vacation in order to be more effective. You may sometimes get rattled at the poker table. When you do, get up and take a break . . . ditto, ditto, ditto. The parallels go on and on.

As I sit, warming myself in the mid-morning sun this beautiful, November Sunday in south-central Florida, I ponder over all these life lessons evident in my daily world . . . I wonder which article I should finish today . . . certainly, it'll come to me when I finally get to the computer . . .

Until next time, when you play poker, only call when you are prepared to raise. Hmmm. I wonder how that translates to every day life!

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