Poker Taught Me How To Deal

By C. Collins

1. You can still win at poker if you’re dealt a bad hand. It’s the same with life.

2. In Hold ‘Em, a player is dealt two cards. You can decide to fold right away, or
wait to see if these cards bring with them any advantages. Too many people fold right
away. The better choice is to wait to see what those particular cards bring.

3. You never know what others are holding in their hands in poker, and that’s what
makes the game – like life – interesting. Someone might have a gift or talent you never
expected.

4. Sometimes you have to make a big sacrifice in order to come out ahead in
poker (and in life). Is it a bad strategy to refuse to raise even if you know you have a
great hand? Not if doing so will cause people to run and leave you with a mediocre pot.

5. It is not cool to cheat in poker or life. Nobody likes a cheater, and in the end
they always lose.

6. You only need one chip to win.

7. Too many times in poker - and life – people pay too much attention to
themselves instead of those around them.

8. People can win at poker and life with nothing but luck. Some people are
popular, successful, admired, wealthy, educated, etc. for no good reason. Sometimes
dumb luck just strikes and someone makes it who just doesn’t deserve it.

9. Be aware that not everyone has good sportsmanship. Some winners gloat and
squeal and rub it in your face, and some losers blame it on you and cry that the game was
rigged or demand their money back. Instead of complaining or making others suffer, take
responsibility for your choices and move on.

10. Many times in poker as in life, you think you won because you had a good
hand – only to have someone beat you.

11. In poker and life people win – and lose – who don’t deserve it. There is no
rhyme or reason to it; it just happens. You’re up, and you’re winning, and all of a sudden
you’ve lost it all. Or maybe you’re down and out – again – and then, suddenly, when you
think your luck will never change, you’re on a winning streak.
 12. Poker and life both share the necessity to plan ahead and weigh your risks.
You may be holding two diamonds but if there’s no diamond in the three card flop,
there’s no way you’re going to catch a flush.

13. Sometimes people bet too low for what they have. This happens in poker and
in life. So many people have an abundance of skills and talents, but they just don’t put
them to use.

14. Aces can teach perspective: They are both the lowest and highest card. How
happy you will be all depends on how you look at yourself and your situations. You can
choose to see the positive or negative in everything.

15. Sometimes you can will yourself to win…

16. …However, you only have so much control over your hand. You make your
choices based on possible outcomes and probability and God and fate control the rest.

17. You will get through poker and life easier if you learn how to be empathetic. A
good player can be happy about other people’s winnings and feel for other people when
they lose.

18. When you take yourself too seriously, you have to remind yourself that poker,
like life, is only a game. You never really lose anything because you were born with
nothing.

19. It always hurts to remind yourself of your losses and failures. You just have to
focus on the next hand.

20. There are no qualifications to play poker or to live. You just have to accept
that some people don’t know how to play. It’s a waste of your valuable time to brood over
what others do, so only focus on your own hand.

21. It’s okay to take time out to rest. If you’re facing a losing streak in poker or
life, it’s perfectly acceptable to sit out and observe for awhile. It may be better to go get
something to eat, change games, take a nap, or just go for a drive. Being away from the
table (or situation at hand) can be the best way to gain some perspective about what is
really going on.

22. Don’t think about what could’ve, would’ve, or should’ve happened. Events
such as changing your seat, folding, or leaving the table do not magically change cards,
just as being somewhere or thinking something does not magically change situations. You
get what you were meant to get.

23. You can bluff sometimes, but if you make a habit of it, people will expect that
from you.
 24. Be careful of your “tell,” an unconscious habit you do when you’re nervous. If
people can read you too easily in poker or life, they can anticipate your next move. It’s
better to keep people guessing.

25. You have to prepare for the worst case scenario and plan accordingly. Think
about the possibilities before you act.

26. Do not bet more than you can afford to lose.

27. Keep your cards close to you – don’t let anyone see them and don’t discuss
them. Poker and life both have a funny way of changing very quickly.

28. If you enjoy what you’re doing at the poker table or in life, everything
becomes a whole lot easier. Stop playing or make changes if it is no longer fun.

29. Power includes great opportunity and responsibility. The dealer gets to call the
game, but must make sure everyone antes up and puts into the pot in order. People who
have power or authority must be responsible in their positions or they will be removed.

30. Always take care of your table. You may be surprised to see the allegiance
others have to you when you are tipping the dealer and sharing drinks or chips with other
players after a big win. In life, too, you benefit by sharing what you have with others.

31. Pay people back who help you out. Karma remembers.

32. If you do something dumb in poker or life, people will remember. So,
although it would feel good to sweep all the chips and cards off the table or knock the
dealer out, it just isn’t a good idea if you want to play again.

33. You have to find your style and decide on your limits in poker and life.

34. Wait your turn.

35. Practice makes you a better player. Even the best players make mistakes, but
they understand those errors and try to learn from them.

36. Sometimes cards just seem to follow you. When this continues to happen, bet
on it.

37. Do what your instincts tell you. If you want to call fives wild, don’t call nines.
This will nearly guarantee you will get a good hand with fives.

38. Observe what others are doing and keep mental notes. People tend to continue
in their habits.
 39. Don’t judge someone you just meet at the table or in life. Beginner’s luck can
be very disarming and even experts have bad luck.

40. Betting high just because your chips are up is a good way to ensure you lose.

41. Keep your hands on the table. In poker and in life, it is better to be honest. If
you are forthcoming and true in all your dealings, then your integrity will prevail if
something goes sideways. If you lie or cheat once, people will always automatically
accuse you even if you are innocent.

42. Never argue over money. A pit boss would rather lose a few chips on one
wrongly argued hand than lose the client.

43. Keep in mind that you are being watched. Don’t do anything can come back to
haunt you later.

44. Be wary if you suddenly have a whole lot of new friends as soon as you win a
big hand. These people will not be around when you need someone.

45. Sometimes you just have to fold. The next game will be better. If not, the one
after that. It’s against the laws of probability to always lose.

46. Reaction: be deliberate. You may actually have the best hand.

47. Be direct: don’t heistate or beat around the bush

48. Lead…or follow

49. Decisions are hard to make. You can’t predict the future

50. Play your heart out. You can’t be tentative or too cautious.

51. Don’t be a jerk.

52. Check when others check

53. Pay attention to what’s called, and remember

54. Keep your temper out of the game.

55. Be careful who you tell your personal information to.

56. If you lend money, expect that it’s a gift.

57. It’s difficult to be as happy than you lose as when you win, but try.
58. It’s only money.

59. Not losing is the same as winning.

60. You will get better if you practice.

61. Follow your instincts