Poker is the DEVIL.. Easy does it kids. Easy does it.
POKER "You know - You never know you know.."
Poker - I tell my players; "Poker...it's the devil." Because at times POKER "IS" the DEVIL. It's the BEST way to explain HOW this great game can be at times.
Poker, for some, can be like a caged animal that needs to be held on a
very short leash. This is the REASON for this poker-blog today.
Poker is super fun to poke around with in the beginning (small stakes) - but sadly, is a BEAST that can snap your neck quicker than a dry twig in the woods. Poker MUST be contained. Controlled. Balance. In poker and life.
What am I talking about? (Big Daddy - Please Explain)
Over the years of watching all too many poker players, A whole lot of players.. from both back room games as well as the regulars in Atlantic City and Vegas etc.. I've seen it all.. (well.. not all POKER is like that, 90% for sure) From close friends wasting pay checks week after week - to players playing who should never have even taken that first seat, having serious life issues or conditions
(mental health wise) that had them CONSTANTLY on the edge of the bridge... ready to jump.
One of my close poker friends Jimmy D actually called me from the hospital not once
but "TWICE," Jimmy lost it all! Family, great Job, everything. Hell - He had it all going for him too - Not something I'd wish on anyone. So sad. Jimmy was only 30, 31 I believe... When he started his mega loss. (Not sure where Jimmy is today - He just drifted away) Jimmy, if you are out there.. I hope you turned it around buddy.
Not all of the devilish details from the dark side of the game are as bad as Jimmy's.. Let's just say the truth, that players not keeping their action in check will be hurting a lot of people. I've had calls from wives.. girlfriends/boyfriends and parents.. OTHER PLAYERS..
YOU CAN SEE WHY the media stays away from such topics - it's not going to help the bottom line. Not going to make poker so easy to fall in love with for the newbies watching ESPN and NBC.
Big Daddy will give it to you straight. I'm not a BOTTOM line (only) kind of guy.. If it's not good for my players (I warn them) If it is good (I share with them) In other words.. PLAYERS! If the
fire is too hot in the kitchen.. I'll suggest you stay out of the kitchen... If you are bothered or stressed by the high heat anyways..
Here is the thing, poker is super fun at the beginning - players get the bite, ("OMG! - Poker is so much FUN!") at this point of the action the infection starts, and all is still going WELL, ALL is STILL fine. ("OMG! I'm having even more FUN! This game never gets boring especially when you really start to study it's finer components") You can run fine for years without a hitch. Then BOOM! The next lever of poker sneaks up on you... Then the next, and so on.
Many of you know what I'm talking about - You know a friend or family member that can't stop.. They can't stop going for the next big win, even if it means losing their last chip. Some will blow their gas and toll money for the trip home. These players need action and FOR some - The only good move is to QUIT poker all together. (Easier said then done - I'm sure.)
As I always say, Poker is a great hobby (for most of us) that pays you back at times (Sometimes, in those "special games" - PAYS US LOTS!) But, try to keep your game in check at all times. Play smart, not hard.
The trick as Big Daddy sees it... Is keeping this super charged "vehicle of fun" under control at all times... Poker is a game that starts out like a mini-bike, but can end up a high speed rocket ship.. Faster for some.. never for others. We can all drive cars right? (Well most can) but you won't see Big Daddy running a top fuel dragster any time soon.
I played football like a madman when I was a child - running around ANY field and in any back alley or lot - getting creamed by all the local kids and.. LOVING IT I might add.. However,you won't see strap on a helmet and stand on the front line of an NFL pro
football team.. I'd get myself killed.
Poker is a double edged sword.. One side - super sharp fun. The other - Super sharp PAIN. (For you and sadly everyone who knows you. Your loved ones should not be put through hell for a card game folks) Think of these people in your life FIRST "before the action" - and do your best to make smart choices. KEEP POKER FUN! Balance.
Now.. I'm a lover of poker since 1991. I've been around my share of action. I'm not here to ruin any ones fun here, "really I'm not!" Actually - this is an attempt to save some of you players. From horrors you might not see coming. (Sad things I've seen too many times) I'd guess some never knew these traps were out there in the first place. A small number of you.. I'm just going to flat out suggest that you NOT play poker.. Just STOP. Stop any gambling games of chance for that matter - like Black Jack or craps. People who have a problem setting limits - need to avoid these sometimes high octane games.
Poker - starts out small and stays small for 90% of the players - problem is, Some rounders choose to go right after the bigger stacks, the big money games (many with little or much skill) jumping up in class as soon as their wallet allows. You know the type.. Action junkies who always press the bets - go for the long-shot.. go for the GOLD..Chase that old man river card. They might even HIT BIG for the short term - which will only have them yearning for more... More what?
Action!
These are the players we need to pray for. These are the players Big Daddy is trying to help.
Bigger question might be - Can these players be helped? (I dunno for sure - I'm Big Daddy, not a Dr.)
Poker is a gamble that gives you a pretty major edge over any others players that are clueless. With poker WE are not playing the house. (except w/low limit poker's rake.. Hard to beat that) The problem is... Poker adds all sorts of variables that the other games of chance do not. Sorta like WAR. Desperate times = desperate measures... (Yep. At the poker game too)
You might get in an iffy hand and have to super aggressive players lobbing grenades at the pot. Poker is hand to hand combat. Man/woman vs. or Vs. many men/women.. (Some of them nuts, BONKO about action)
Poker is a people game. (Play the PLAYER!!!) Player vs. player - "NOT" player Vs.HOUSE. (Casino) As you climb the buy in ladder - the stress meter goes thru the roof.. until you figure it out. (some never figure it out..More for some than others) The larger, higher stakes games have many super
skilled players - bank on it.
Kids living with parents have outs.. (How many thousands of 15-20 year old's are looking to be the next Cada?) It's OK for them to JUMP I guess.. They have a soft landing and a place to fall back on. (Mom and Dad) People who have family depending on them might be a different story - These poker players do not always have such a cushion. **It's not always possible to go to friends and family for a hand out if you're donking off you pay check in poker games** My advice; DO NOT ever put your
poker game before family, health, mortgage and the electric bill, etc..(If you do.. Remember I told you not to do it.. I stopped saying I told you so's long ago) Seen too many poker players crash and burn. I'm burnt out from seeing it. I usually just listen to their poker story and try and get them to see - Things can always get better.
OK - Where to begin.
Small ball poker seems about right. 2/4 limit, 3/6, 4/8. Low limit Stud, etc are Super fun to play. Low buy-ins and hours of action - Even on the worst days many of us can just equate our poker sessions to an afternoon or evening of great entertainment.. These games are much cheaper than many of the "regular activities" people choose to take part in. (Like say, a day skiing or maybe playing golf.. Hell, a Day at the Movies..WHY DO MOVIES COST SO MUCH???) Even if we lose.. Many times we STILL WIN... especially when it comes to friendship and just plain getting out of the house or a day away from the grind.
Anything larger, poker buy in wise - Well, I can only speak of 1/2 NL and 1/3 Pot limit. If you are an average income earner or even if you are doing a little better than average - these limits can cost you big. Don't be fooled by the players coming from mega-rich families (Trust fund babies) or people that are worth millions. The games are not the same for such people. It's the NEVER play poker with scared money line. BE CAREFUL!
What are you going to do? Do you have friends playing too deep? Are you? Come play with me (Low stakes poker) on
FULL TILT POKER - Search for "Bigtime Loser"
(with the space) Or hit the link below and visit us on the XFP forum.
This was a long post - I hope it reminds some of you to keep it simple, avoid the traps poker sets, reminds you BALANCE is a key.. and taking care of yourselves & your family.
