Poker Consolation

The trouble with poker is that even if something has an extremely small chance of happening; it still can.
I've read the books. I've played the hands. I know the odds and I understand much of the nuance of the game.

However, despite all of this, there are times when you're going to lose - Today was one of those days.

I sat down with some friends for a no-limit Texas Hold'em poker tournament. 15 people - $50/person. Top 3 positions get paid.

Two and half hours later, I was driving home with 7 players still going strong...

Now, I have to tell you that I hate to lose. $50, $100, bottle caps. It doesn't matter. Losing means that I was outplayed.

So of course driving home, I was irritated. I kept telling myself that I played the cards perfectly today and these things happen. But I was still pissed...

The bottom line is that very soon, I'll be soothed with the knowledge that I played as well as I could have, but that consolation just isn't very comforting right now.

In the meantime, I can just grip about how I was only able to win 1 hand in 2.5 hours. How I saw 25o FIVE times in 10 hands. How I never saw an Ace with more than a 7.

So after 2 hours, I had been blinded down to just over half of my chips and the blinds were at a point where I could only go around 2-3 more rounds before I made a move. Lo and behold, I get a wired pair of 10s in middle position and I figure I've got to make my move.

Of course! The chip leader has a pair of jacks and I get an early ticket home.

Well, what can I say. I could have waited for a better hand, but it was pretty obvious that today wasn't my day. Maybe next time the karma will come around for me.

In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy the long weekend.