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7:56pm: Everyone has a different way of dealing with frustration. Some people take a long walk, some people go for a drive, some people punch a wall, or even worse: some people take it out on the ones they love. We’ve already established poker as being extremely cruel sometimes. Changing your perspective on the negativity when things turn south can help you not only become a better player, but also a better person.
First thing you need to do that often helps is to change your perspective on bad luck — through word association. When something bad happens, don’t refer to it as bad luck. Instead, call it adversity. If somone’s bad play was rewarded, don’t refer to them as donkeys. Instead, call them clients. Whatever doesn’t kill you in life will make you stronger, and as long as you’re playing within your bankroll you can almost always take the negatives and turn them into positives.
Whatever you do or however you twist it, don’t let poker affect your relationship with those who love you and always try to keep things in perspective. Although there is money attached to it, at the end of the day it’s just a game. Don’t lose track of what’s really important to you in life, and if you find yourself shifting your priorities to suit your poker lifestyle, consider switching them back.
Many a poker player has ruined perfectly good relationships by putting poker in first place and life in second. Don’t be that guy. Always remember where you came from and what got you there in the first place. Life has a funny way of always reminding you that no matter how bad things get, they could always get worse.
The sooner you realize this, the sooner and deeper your appreciation for those things that you may or may not take for granted will grow.
Start a Clean Slate at a New Room, a New Sharkscope, and Keep HFL Free in the Process
