It is never too early to make your New Year's resolution.
Although the first day of 2018 is still three weeks away, I decided to put on my thinking cap and make resolutions to improve my life and increase my winnings at the gambling tables. I might add in these complex and ever changing times, that may be a formidable task, but I feel I am up to it.
I am sure many of my readers have made New Year's resolutions in the past that they failed to keep. Shame on you! The power of choice is one of God's gifts given to all of us and anyone who falters in that department will not be invited to my house for coffee, tea, tequila or a glass of organic wine.
We are all creatures of habit and some habits, frankly, can get us in trouble. One of my habits that manifests itself at the poker table is to play 2-3 with two other cards, hoping to catch a low hand in Omaha High-Low. This is not only a bad choice, it is one guaranteed to deplete your bankroll.
RESOLUTION NO. ONE: NEVER PLAY 2-3 IN OMAHA HIGH-LOW UNLESS YOU HAVE TWO OTHER LOW CARDS LIKE 4-5 OR 4-6 THAT COULD IMPROVE YOUR HAND TO A WHEEL.
Another bad habit that needs to be resolved in my life is to call raised pots with iffy hands. For example I have A-5 suited along with J-9 suited. This hand does not win very often and in a raised pot, it is virtually useless. Nevertheless stubborn me, the Taurus bull, will add extra chips to the table in a raised pot and then silently curse when the flop does not go my way.
RESOLUTION NO. TWO: DO NOT CALL A RAISED POT WITH AN IFFY HAND. IF YOU DO, YOU SHOULD BE CANE-WHIPPED AND MADE TO STAND IN A CORNER REPEATING 100 TIMES, 'THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT.'
Poker players do have many weaknesses at the table. One of my worst ones is to get upset with another player. There can be many reasons to upset me (I was born under the Zodiac sign of Taurus and am Italian-Serbian by heritage). The other player may have out-played me, check-raised me, or made a magical catch on the river to win the pot. That, of course, makes me seethe with concealed anger and I will lie in wait for said player hoping to decapitate him with the nuts.
RESOLUTION NO. THREE: NEVER SINGLE OUT ANOTHER PLAYER FOR PUNISHMENT AT THE POKER TABLE. IT'S BAD KARMA, IT WILL RAISE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE, AND IT COULD DESTROY YOUR BANK ROLL.
Dealers sometimes err at the poker table. Hey, we are all human and dealing is a tough job that demands concentration, skill and mental strength. If a dealer loses these powers, the only solution is alcohol, drugs or a long cruise to calm down his troubled spirits. I have been known to challenge dealers in the past because of something they did or a decision they made against me at the table. It will not happen in 2018.
RESOLUTION NO. FOUR: TREAT ALL DEALERS WITH LOVE AND RESPECT, INCLUDING THE ONES YOU DON'T LIKE.
Alcohol can be a friend or an enemy, depending on how much you drink. When I first started playing poker, I did drink a lot as did my friends. It was part of the game. But the years have made alcohol treat me in an unfriendly way when I abuse it. That's why I sharply curtailed my imbibing several years ago.
RESOLUTION NO FIVE: EXCEPT FOR MEDICINAL PURPOSES AND TO IMPROVE MY GENERALLY PLEASANT NATURE, I WILL REFRAIN FROM DRINKING IN A CASH POKER GAME OR TOURNAMENT.
When a poker player is short on money, it affects his judgement and game. I have played with a short money stack in the past and while I sometimes prevail, I generally find myself on the losing end of the stick. That will never happen again.
RESOLUTION NO. SIX: NEVER GAMBLE OR PLAY POKER WHEN YOU ARE PRESSED FOR CASH. USE THE MONEY TO PAY YOUR BILLS AND WAIT FOR ANOTHER DAY TO RIDE THE TIGER.
Poker players often go to a casino when they are in a troubled frame of mine, physically ailing, tired, or after they have fought with their significant other. This rarely turns out to be a good decision as I have discovered from past play.
RESOLUTION NO. SEVEN: ALWAYS ENTER A CASINO REFRESHED WITH A SMILING FACE. GREET THE VALET ATTENDANTS WITH A JOKE, TRY TO MAKE A FLOOR MAN OR A COCKTAIL WAITRESS LAUGH, TIP ONE OF THE ATTENDANTS OR BRUSH PEOPLE WHO WORK HARD TO MAKE A LIVING. THEN SIT DOWN AT THE TABLE AND WIN.
Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.
(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).
