I'm playing great. It's the other players that suck!

I'm playing great. It's the other players that suck!
By Rich Wilens

I want you to relate to my story. Bad beats stories you have not heard before (yeah right). I am not angry, anymore. Yes, I shouldn't let it affect me, but I do. This is a tale of woe. It happens to everyone who takes this game seriously. It's a horrible run of luck, and I knew it was bound to happen. I have read about it and have seen it happen to other players. I dreaded the day it would come. It is here and I am sick. It seems I can't win a hand. It's not my fault. Some cheese, please.

Normally, I am not one to blame anyone for this situation. I know you have to get the cards. The flop has to be kind to you. You have to know when and what to play, how much to bet, raise or fold. You can't manage what you can't control. I cannot control this group of players. I have had enough. This time it is you. I am saying this almost lovingly. Yes, you...I can't stand the play of the RIVER RAT. The "PLAY ANYTHING" RIVER RATS. The "I DON'T CARE ABOUT MY MONEY" RIVER RATS. Yes, I am talking about you, RIVER RATS.

Mr. 2, 7 off suit. Miss K, 4. MS. 2, 5. You know who I am talking about. Before I get a little cheese with my wine, I feel I have to explain. Like you do when you stay in with a 5, 8 off suit. Oh, Those are my favorite cards. I always play those. They have been lucky for me. I play those to the river. I had a feeling. I know I should have went out. I am sorry. When I play good cards I lose, so I am playing crap. Damn. Damn, damn.

Yes, they have read the books. They know better. They see what loses most of the time. They lose most of the time. Low limit players know better. They just don't give a damn. These are folks that don't care about money. To lose a hundred or two is no big deal. I can't stand to see an undeserved pot go to someone else.

It is a big deal to me. I hate to lose. It is even worse when you lose to a hand that shouldn't have been in the game. Here is my wine, whine. I am playing A, K suited. Flop comes A, K, 9. Turn 5, river 5. Guess what wins? 9, 5 off suit. Q, Q for me and the flop comes 8, 8, 4. Turn J, river 9. Yep, 8, 4 offsuit.

Another one. Ok, A, 10 suited. Flop comes 10, 10, and 9. Turn is 7, river is 6. Winner is 8 duce. Player who wins slaps down his cards and says, "Ship it."

Should I go on? Ok, one more. No, I won't. Forget it.

Position? It doesn't matter. Early, late, middle it doesn't matter to some players. The money doesn't matter to some players. The most dangerous player is the one who says "I am just here to have fun. This is my hobby. I don't care if I lose a hundred. I am just killing time until I get into a different game."

I thought it was just in the ring games. I said to myself, "Self, just play the tournaments. The quality of play must be better."

Playing in a small buy in tournament, it happened again. I am betting A, K like I got the nuts. Flop comes Q, J, 4, turn 9, river 8. I raise, call, bet, call, bet, and call. I turn over A, K; player under the gun turns over a pair of fives. He says "Sorry, I just wanted to get rid of my chips."

I have seen players get angry. Players calling names, berating the play. Throwing cards at the player or dealer. I just do the slow burn. I try to control myself. I hate to lose. I want to strangle the idiot who played those cards. This game is causing me to have an ulcer. I hate this game. Wait a minute. What am I doing? I am a good player.

Am I just a sore loser? A loser, but not a sore one. I said what I had to say. I have read and re-read what I have written. It's not the RIVER RAT'S fault. It is my fault. I am blaming myself. I am angry. I was angry. I am not angry anymore. It has stopped raining. I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I have just realized what is beating me. It's my attitude. It is not the other players who suck. It is me. I am beating myself up. I have found the cure to break the curse.

ATTITUDE. A good attitude. A take-control attitude. I can't let things bother me.

It is time for that check up from the neck up. I cannot blame others for horrible play. One person's bad play is another player's good play. I say whatever wins, wins. How profound. I can only blame myself for horrible play. I can only play horrible and blame myself when I lose.

BOTTOM LINE: I will still play good cards. I will not succumb to the attitude of stinkin' thinkin'. I will not say "Well, the good cards don't work, so I'll play lousy cards. I will wait it out. Persistence ends resistance. I know my money won't run out. I hope my money wont run out. Patience, Persistence and practice playing quality cards will win in the long run. I just have to remember the casino will be open tomorrow. There will always be a game.