Confidence Always Wins

It is Friday morning, Sept. 14 and I am watching Hurricane Florence batter the beaches and towns of the Carolinas.

Having lived with my daughter and grandchildren in Charleston, S.C. for over a year, I know the nature of the people. I know how they think and how they react to adversity. They are tough. They are survivors.

While the governors and other elected bureaucrats ordered an evacuation of the storm-ravaged area, many people chose to stay and protect their property. Good for them! I have always believed the American people are smarter than their elected leaders and nothing the bureaucrats have done has caused me to change my belief.

The people of North and South Carolina and that includes my beautiful daughter Rossana, who chose to stay have confidence they can beat Florence. They realize there will be some harrowing moments, but they are willing to take the risk rather than join the fleeing hordes on the highways leading to higher ground.

Confidence is a winner. It works in all aspects of life, from your performance on the job to gambling.

There is nothing like walking into a casino brimful of confidence.

The confidence you fill will help you play better. If you expect to win, regardless of the game, you will probably walk out of the casino with more money than when you entered.

The reverse of that, of course, is to enter a casino that makes your spine cringe just a little bit with fear. I have gone into such casinos and it is not a fun experience.

If you have suffered a bad beat...

...in a poker room or casino and that memory is with you, I strongly urge you to avoid that place until you lose your fear. The risk just isn't worth it.

As I write this, I am packing for a drive to Albuquerque, N.M. where the Sandia Casino is located. The Sandia has one of my favorite poker rooms in the United States.

It is located in a lovely area just 10 miles south of the ski slopes. The food is well prepared and includes some of my favorite Mexican recipes. The low limit mixed games are perfect for my style of play. When I sit down at a poker table, I do it with confidence.

Now I realize some of my readers may challenge me on this premise. That's okay. I welcome your letters whether you agree with me or not. You are entitled to your opinion even though ... heh, heh ... mine is the more authoritative one. Just kidding.

Play with confidence because confidence rarely loses. Good luck.

Let the games begin.

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 ).