Blog-semi-crosspost: Tourette's

Skipping the part where I'm whining because I'm sick:

What kind of people is it that get so upset and rant and rave about “stupid plays” and “morons” and “fish” every time they lose a hand to bad luck (and not entirely seldomly, bad play)? Being a bit pissed off is understandable. Being disappointed that you had to lose that particularly large pot to a 3-outer is perfectly fine. But since it happens every so often, the people who get so upset must either
a) have serious issues, or
b) not play a whole lot of poker.

I can’t find the energy to get worked up about having my set of aces busted to a gutshot straight on the river. It happens too often, I’m used to it. Anyone who plays a lot should be. Thinking about it logically helps too, of course. If I have a hand that is the nuts right now, but there are cards that will make it not so - like with the set vs. the inside straight draw on the turn - then 92% of the time, the money will belong to me. But once every 11 times this hand comes up, he will win it.

If you walk through life building up rage (coupled with a clear case of Tourette’s) over an event that you’re likely to repeat many, many times, then maybe - just maybe - you should not play this game.

Click to expand...

There was something I wanted to add, but I didn't want to go and edit the blog entry as it was. What I wanted to add was this (aiming this at the yellers at the tables):

Not only do these bad beats happen so often that you should be used to them by now, but how exactly do you reason when you get upset with your opponent? Let me get this straight: You want him to fold a worse hand than yours? How exactly do you plan to make any money playing this game? By sucking out on others?

No, my friends, the secret - and not much of a secret, either - to poker is that you make money when your opponents make bad decisions. A bad decision is one where they don't have the odds to make a call. If your opponent has three outs when he calls three bets cold on the turn, shouldn't you be jumping with joy? He's practically giving away his money!

And, those 8% of the time that he does hit his hand, what kind of sense does it make to be pissed off with him? What, you want him to stop making bad decisions? Do you hate money?

Be upset with the deck of cards. Be upset with the way the universe has it in for you. All understandable. All okay. But don't yell at the poor player, because he's giving you his money, and you should be damned greatful for it.

For this reason, claiming that you would be better off playing with better players ("who respect raises") is complete bollocks. One thing is true, you'd win more pots if you played stronger players. But those pots would be smaller. And you'd lose a whole lot more in the pots you didn't win. Be careful what you wish for.

/FP, sick and crabby.

Good call...

I couldn't agree more. I think it's understandable that people get upset when this happens -- they're upset they lost money, they can't blame themselves because they played the hand properly, so they lash at the person against whom they're playing for his/her non-optimal but lucky play. However, that doesn't make it sensible. As you say, not only is this "part of the game" and we should be used to it now, but it's pretty necessary to have some crazy call stations in order for anyone serious to beat the rake.

Good call...

Never understood the whining myself....they do exactly what you want them to do (call with worst hand) and they hit their cards (lucky). No need to be mad at them.