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His name was Joe. I don't remember his last name and can't recall if he ever gave it to me. He was a poker player.

We played against each other at Binion's Horseshoe, the Union Plaza and The Orleans. Joe was a good limit player who generally won more than he lost. Sometimes when we cashed in, we would go to the bar and share a few drinks and stories.

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Sometimes we would compare notes on poker strategy. Joe was an aggressive player who knew the power of the raise and who often used it. I wasn't as strong on raising as he was, but after watching him for a while, I began to learn.

I hadn't seen Joe in a couple of years when I decided to visit Las Vegas. While I was seated at a table in the Orleans poker room, someone tapped me on the shoulder. It was Joe and we hugged each other.

After some warm-up chit-chat, I asked him how he had been doing. He started to answer, then shrugged.

'Terrible,' he said. 'I have been on a bad losing streak. It's been so bad; I'm giving serious consideration to retiring from poker.'

I shook my head.

'Joe, you're a good poker player.' I said. 'I wouldn't do that.'

He smiled. 'I was just kidding about giving up poker. But I am seriously going back to the basics. I am gathering some good books on poker strategy and plan to re-educate myself on how to play this damn game.'

'You're not playing today?'

'Nope. I am just here to absorb, ask a few questions, and drink in the atmosphere. When I feel I am ready, I will be back. No question about that.'

Joe makes good sense. If you get into a losing pattern, you should do the same thing. Read and study the books by the best pros .like Doyle Brunson and Daniel Negraneau to learn their tactics. A poker player never knows too much.

Discipline is one of the most important rules a poker player can follow. If you don't possess it, you had better learn it quickly, or you will fall by the wayside and wonder what hit you.

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