Let This Concept Rule Your Game

Hi. Come on in. I've prepared healthy fare for us today – my grandma's split pea soup. It has good taste and good fiber.

It's been quite a while since we talked about a winning poker concept that's near and dear to my heart. There are now many thousands of new poker players who can benefit from this thought.

Ask a few dozen poker professionals for their best advice on winning poker and you'll get a few dozen different answers. (I know, because I've done it.) They all have good advice. Ask me that same question and I'll give you an earful about Roy's Rule No. 1. It's quite probably the most important poker-playing advice I can give you.

It is something I've discovered about myself, and I believe it has universal application. Ignoring it could be hazardous to your bankroll, and to your peace of mind.

Most players are looking for specific tips and information on how to play the game of poker. Anything else is of little interest to them. If you are one of these players, reconsider. Be interested. Listen up.

A while back I referred to Roy's Rule No. 1. I said, "It is of paramount importance to feel good about playing – or don't play." I thought that said it all. Apparently not. I've had many requests to expand upon that thought. OK, but first I'm going to shorten it.

Roy's Rule No. 1: "Play happy or don't play." This is truly one of my major considerations when playing poker. You've seen players get angry – cursing and throwing cards. Obviously, they are in no condition to play, but they remain in the game while their proficiency deteriorates. They think they are playing as well as ever, but they aren't.

This condition has several terms: "going on tilt," "getting your nose open," "steaming." It most often happens when a player is losing. When it happens to you, you should leave the game. You should – but you probably won't.

"Play happy or don't play!" That doesn't mean you have to be joking or laughing, and slapping people on the back. But you should be able to approach the game with a pleasant attitude. If you are unhappy about your situation, why do you stay in it? To get the money? Fat chance! When you're unhappy while you are playing, you aren't playing your best game, especially if you're unhappy because you're losing.

You start reaching – playing low-quality hands – or chasing, most often against a player who has beaten you. You're going to show him a thing or two about poker. Most likely, unless you get very lucky, he's going to show you another winning hand and take even more of your money.

He is probably quite happy and playing his usual, steady game. You're the one who is chasing with inferior hands against his good starting hands. And while his head is on straight and he is playing his best game, your mind is too busy being angry to play as well as you know how.

You're not alert. You miss things you should see. You don't necessarily have to be in a towering rage for your emotions to affect your play; just being grumpy will do. Sitting silently while your guts are churning, waiting for your chance at revenge, will bring you to the same place.

Getting angry at the dealer will be of no help, either. Your anger is an attempt to make him feel guilty. He won't. He has dealt a thousand times more hands than you have ever played, and each hand had at least one loser. He knows he's not responsible for the cards you get, or how you play them.

The other players didn't do anything to you, so forget revenge. They simply played the cards they got, the best way they knew how, trying to win the money – just as you were doing.

Release the anger and the desire for revenge. How do you do that? By realizing that your anger, and its effects, are in the only place they can be – within your mind, and nowhere else. And the only person they are affecting is you!

You have a misperception that someone did something to you unjustly. He didn't. He was just leading his own life. By correcting this misperception, you will release the anger. With no anger, you will have peace of mind. With a peaceful mind, you will play better. And when you play better, you will win more. You're welcome.

Yes, it is great soup. It does my heart good to see you eating something healthy for a change. Maybe we'll have something greasy next time. Now I tire and require repose. Take a bowl of soup with you and kill the light on your way out.

Editor's note: Roy West, author of the bestseller, 7 Card Stud, the Complete Course in Winning (available from Card Player), continues to give his successful poker lessons in Las Vegas to both tourists and locals. Ladies are welcome. Call 1-800-548-6177 Ext. 03.