Poker News

Jennifer Matiran

Dear Jen,

I just read your article in the poker player, and I have to admit that it did make me think. I am a young aggressive poker pro that sometimes gets hot under the collar at a player when he calls when there is no good reason. I especially like the comment they (novice\reckless\just dumb players) make, ” Well I thought u had (a hand better than theirs) but I decided to call u all the way thinking I was beat? What does that mean? I have no clue and that really upsets me. But with the more hands I see and the older I get the less frustrated I get. But I really like your article and I for one have never took my winning or losing outside of the casino to any of my friends or family. I read that you want to play tournament poker. That seems that to me that you might be pretty serious about the game. How do you deal with those hands that every poker pro gets when they feel they did everything in their power to get the weaker players out of the hand but they call you down to their last out? Just smile?

-Thank you, Michael

Thanks for your letter, Michael. Please DO NOT smile. In my opinion, there’s nothing worse than a fake smile, laugh or hug. I’ve given your letter much thought and my average human brain came up with a couple reasons as to why you, we, everyone encounters the dreaded “River Traveler.”

Table Limit. I know how to play (so I think), I know what cards should be played and which cards I should muck and when. If I play, let’s say the 2-4 limit, I’ll go in with anything thinking, “who cares its only two bucks.” Feel your players, if your opponent is careless and travels to the river with no regard, the table limit may mean only peanuts to him. He thinks he can bluff you out. If that’s the case, and you know, the rich, River Traveler can be used to your advantage. This individual is a great tool for building a large pot, chasing out people who have a better hand than you and for increasing your winnings (like raising or re-raising when you’re certain you have the nuts after the river. You know he’ll call)

Gambling. Gamble according to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary means to bet on an uncertain outcome. The outcome is never certain; I think if you always remember this you will play cautiously. Play only with what you could afford to lose. If you’re having bad luck continually, stop playing for a while. Read a couple books about Poker, there are great ones out there. If you’re not enjoying the sport, don’t play. I know it’s easier said than done. But take a break, otherwise, you’ll become an energy drainer nobody wants to be around, in or outside the casino. It kills me when someone beats a great hand on the river, especially if that someone wasn’t me. But sometimes when I’m the one, who wins on the river that win’s…the most exhilarating, like no other…feels like an adrenaline pumping roller coaster. Just when you think it’s over, you end up coming in first place. The underdog coming out on top, it’s the American dream, is it not?

I have been as you say one of the (”novice\reckless\just dumb players”) and pro or no pro everyone has at sometime or other…Don’t deny it. The reason why? I think, is because it felt so great that one time when it did hit at the end, that sometimes the voice inside says “do it, do it again, go for it, what the hey, it could happen, dreams do come true sometimes.” Until next time, always believe that…”Hope, sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible.”…and sometimes when your river-bound it gets you the exact card you need…)

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