OK, it is almost the new year and it is time for my little (yeah, right) tirade about manners and all that is good and not so good with the world. Why do I keep talking about this? Well, because until everyone gets it, it needs to be discussed ad nauseam.
I have played in cardrooms that tolerate bad behavior and ones that do not. It is a no-brainer as to which ones I prefer to frequent. I hate the war zone atmosphere of some rooms, and regardless of the action, I choose to play with ladies and gentlemen. Recently, I was playing in a cardroom that has a very strict policy about abuse. Down the street, there are other cardrooms that are not so tough on abuse. The players were discussing how great the action is down the street, yet here they were playing where I was! Why? Because they, too, were sick of the attitude and anger that was flying around down the street. Yeah, maybe the action was really great down the street, but you know what? It was really great where we were playing, too, and we weren't wasting time every few hands having to untangle silly fights at the table or run down new setups that were being requested. We were hanging out, and we were playing poker. Moreover, it was great; the action was great, the food was great, and the lighting and air were great.
Why do we play poker, anyway? We all play for our own reasons, and there are as many of those as there are players or ways to play A-Q offsuit before the flop. I play for several reasons. Primarily, I play to make money, and secondarily, I play to have fun and enjoy myself. Not only can I not do that when I am playing in a game where the players are acting insane, I do not want to try to do it. It aggravates me no end to see players go off on dealers, other players, or floorpersons for any reason. That's right, for any reason. Think about the poker business and what players expect. They want perfection, and they certainly are entitled to as much of it as is humanly possible. But therein lies the problem. Cardroom employees are human, and mistakes will be made. Yes, dealers may burn and turn prematurely, and floorpersons may make less than perfect rulings, but you have to learn to deal with it. It is the same as when you go to your favorite restaurant and order your steak medium-rare, and when it arrives at your table, it looks like shoe leather. Do you go off on the waiter? Do you throw the silverware, and swear, holler, and go nuts? No, of course not. You politely ask that your steak be cooked the way that you ordered it. Generally, the waiter returns it the way you ordered it, and with an apology. Sometimes, you even get the meal comped or cocktails thrown in. So, why can't we poker players treat cardroom personnel and our fellow players the same way? Until the end of time, I will not understand it.
And let me tell you something. When you act up at the table, you are not cool, it does not impress the girls, and no one likes it – that's right, no one. It isn't macho, it isn't endearing, and it isn't cute. It is more like seeing a baby have a tantrum, and the majority of us are flat-out sick and tired of it. OK, for the new year, please stop the madness.
I'll now get off my high horse long enough to tell you that all is not bad with the poker industry – in fact, far from it. The game is growing with the widespread computer age and cardrooms offering lessons and novice tourneys. Many new cardrooms are open, and most of them are wondrous places that offer much to the card enthusiast and his family. How can we players help to stop the madness that has taken over some places? Talk to management, talk to the players who are the offenders, or tell the floorperson or shift manager. Bad behavior is a virus that is spreading, and it must be stopped. 2003 is as good a new year as any to end it. Let's all make a conscious effort to be good poker citizens this year, and always.
I would be negligent in my "lessons" if I didn't remind you of the importance of keeping good records. The beginning of a new year is a good time to get off on the right foot and keep your journals up to date. Do not record only your winning sessions – record them all. You will learn a great deal about your play this way, and it may help to teach you of your shortcomings. OK, I've finished my ranting. Welcome to the new semester. Class dismissed.
Please contact me with your poker questions and comments, and if you would like info about poker cruises, please go to www.cardplayercruises.com.