Cleaning up

You've probably done it, I've definitely done it, my soon-to-turn-pro housemate has regularly done it. Think we've all said the words "I hate poker". Most often this is because of someone laying a terrible bad beat at the river, or maybe some clever dick hiding AA in the BB and trapping a poor unwitting fool for the majority of their stack (yes, that fool would indeed be you). I however had cause to say this for an entirely different reason, and I'd like to tell you why.
For the majority of those who play poker regularly and win consistently (ie the fortunate minority), I think poker is a double-edged sword within our lives. Furthermore, I believe it is highly analogous to an addiction, and it is for this reason that I recently found myself cursing poker and wishing (albeit briefly) that I'd never started to play. The road so far has been tough, but the occasional glimpse of the promised land through the breaks in the cloud can make the struggle seem insignificant. When you're losing, your mood slips and you focus only on why and how to reverse this trend. When you're winning, you feel confident, content and usually quite generous! The problem, however, lies not in the trials and tribulations of the journey, but in the fact that life outside of that journey no longer seems quite as much fun.
With an obsession (or hobby if you prefer) as interesting and deep as NLHE, the acclaimed Cadillac of poker games, it is perhaps not surprising that alternative pursuits pale in comparison. It is a game that requires every ounce of your mental ability, judgement and concentration, it never offers identical scenarios, and it can never be perfected, only practiced. I can think of no other pursuit that is even remotely similar.... except perhaps warfare, where the stakes are greater by far! I just resent the fact that since I have chosen to be the best poker player possible I find myself forgetting that life outside the game still exists. Since I devote as much of my time and effort as possible to achieve my poker goals, I find myself stunned when I receive the occasional reminder that there is a world outside of poker. A world where you can feel good without winning a massive pot. Where you don't feel angry or depressed because you were out-played/drawn. Where you can interact with people in a non-competitive environment. A world where you can enjoy good clean fun without financial risk, and enjoy the simple and numerous pleasures that this life has to offer. I urge you to get out now and enjoy some yourself.

Of course, I've had 24 years living in that world, so for now, I'll just see you at the table ;-)

Table Name Hand ID Game Stakes
Psycho Beach Party 10475142-18772 Holdem No Limit $2/$4
[Aug 15 09:59:53] : Hand Start.
[Aug 15 09:59:53] : Seat 1 : greenteaguy has $534.50
[Aug 15 09:59:53] : Seat 2 : obelix has $412.85
[Aug 15 09:59:53] : Seat 3 : Sub_Zero has $354.75
[Aug 15 09:59:53] : Seat 4 : imabout has $368
[Aug 15 09:59:53] : Seat 5 : sonogong has $66.75
[Aug 15 09:59:53] : Seat 6 : bryan300 has $94.50
[Aug 15 09:59:53] : bryan300 is the dealer.
[Aug 15 09:59:53] : greenteaguy posted small blind.
[Aug 15 09:59:54] : obelix posted big blind.
[Aug 15 09:59:54] : Game [18772] started with 6 players.
[Aug 15 09:59:54] : Dealing Hole Cards.
[Aug 15 09:59:54] : Seat 3 : Sub_Zero has 6h 6s
[Aug 15 09:59:57] : Sub_Zero called $4
[Aug 15 09:59:59] : imabout called $4
[Aug 15 10:00:02] : sonogong called $4
[Aug 15 10:00:02] : bryan300 folded.
[Aug 15 10:00:05] : greenteaguy called $2
[Aug 15 10:00:06] : obelix checked.
[Aug 15 10:00:07] : Dealing flop.
[Aug 15 10:00:07] : Board cards [6d Qh 5s]
[Aug 15 10:00:12] : greenteaguy checked.
[Aug 15 10:00:14] : obelix checked.
[Aug 15 10:00:27] : It's your turn.
[Aug 15 10:00:27] : Sub_Zero has 10 seconds to respond.
[Aug 15 10:00:29] : Sub_Zero checked.
[Aug 15 10:00:35] : imabout bet $16
[Aug 15 10:00:38] : sonogong folded.
[Aug 15 10:00:40] : greenteaguy folded.
[Aug 15 10:00:41] : obelix folded.
[Aug 15 10:00:44] : Sub_Zero called $16
[Aug 15 10:00:45] : Dealing turn.
[Aug 15 10:00:45] : Board cards [6d Qh 5s 3d]
[Aug 15 10:00:55] : Sub_Zero bet $25
[Aug 15 10:00:56] : imabout called $25
[Aug 15 10:00:57] : Dealing river.
[Aug 15 10:00:57] : Board cards [6d Qh 5s 3d Kh]
[Aug 15 10:01:05] : Sub_Zero checked.
[Aug 15 10:01:08] : imabout bet $64
[Aug 15 10:01:21] : Sub_Zero called $64 and raised $75
[Aug 15 10:01:31] : imabout called $75
[Aug 15 10:01:32] : Showdown!
[Aug 15 10:01:32] : Seat 3 : Sub_Zero has 6h 6s
[Aug 15 10:01:33] : Seat 3 : Sub_Zero has 6h 6s
[Aug 15 10:01:33] : Sub_Zero has 3 of a Kind: 6s
[Aug 15 10:01:34] : Sub_Zero wins $377 with 3 of a Kind: 6s
[Aug 15 10:01:43] : Hand is over.