On A Wing And A Prayer

Belief in superstition is common amongst gamblers.

Poker players generally believe in the poker gods. Piss off the poker gods and your penalty is a seemingly never ending run of bad luck. Of course it is impossible to know just what a person does to piss off the poker gods but there are those who think it has to do with not routinely tipping the dealer after each winning hand while others believe the gods get mad when you make life hell for your fellow gamblers by being a loudmouth, a shyster, a cheater or some combination of all three.

I dont do any of that but, judging from my cards over the past couple of days, I certainly have pissed something off, poker god or otherwise.

To remedy this, Ive been praying fervently to the poker gods. Unfortunately I think Ive picked the wrong one to pray to. Rather than proselytize before the almighty who could easily change my fortunes, it appears I have, instead, been praying to the god of the perpetual second best hand.

This is some nasty stuff. There is nothing worse than perpetually having the second best hand. Even bad players can hang on for quite awhile, after all, blind squirrels find a nut or two eventually. If, however, you are cursed with the luck of the perpetual second best hand, you are likely to get crucified and not in a kindly fashion either.

I had three hands like this in three straight tournaments. In all three, I was in fifth place at the time in tournies that paid four places. In all three, I was knocked out of the money with hands that I should have won.

The first one came with me sporting KK in my hand. Very strong. I bet it, going all in. I get one caller who goes all in with me. The winner is not only gonna be in the money but also have top stack against the other three players. Our cards are turned over and I see my opponent has 10 10 (this comes up in another example). I am, by far, the odds on favorite. Flop comes and nothing changes. Turn card (fourth card) comes and nothing changes. I am already counting my chips. River card comes (last card) and it is a 10. I am history.

Ok. that happens.

The very next tourney, there I am in fifth place again, one place out of the money. I am dealt AA in my hand, the strongest possible starting hand. This time I decide not to go crazy but try to trap someone so I raise but dont go all in. Again I get one caller. Flop comes 4/7/10. Looking good. My opponent bets small, I raise just enough to make him think. He calls. Turn card comes (fourth card) and it does nothing to change anything. I bet again, he raises me, I go all in, trying to blast him out. He calls and turns over 10 10. The only card which can help me on the river (final card) is an ace. Of course one doesnt fall. This particular beat follows me to bed as I play it over and over again. About the only thing I could have done different was give in on his raise and fold but I was not about to fold pocket rockets when there is no real apparent danger. I sigh and go to sleep.

Last night I find myself again in fifth place, one spot out of the money. I am dealt AQ suited, no less which is a very powerful starting hand. I throw caution to the wind and go all in. It's a strong play and feels even better when I get one caller who also goes all in and turns over A3. There is only one card which can beat me in this scenario and only if it is the only card that pairs up. I am such a favorite in this situation that it isnt even funny. Once again I am counting my chips and congratulating myself on the end of a bad streak. Flop comes blah/blah/blah and my smile grows. The turn card is another blah and I am already figuring out which of my remaining opponents is going to get hammered next by the iron fist of Mr. Helpful. There are only three cards out of 45 that can beat me. Guess what card falls on the river. Yup...a 3 of something or other. I cant remember the suit, I was too busy picking up my computer and heading to the window with the intent to make it fly. I wasnt even gonna open the window first.

At this point I am the saint of the perpetual second best hand. In the tourney so far tonight, it hasnt gotten any better.

Poker is a cruel game. This just flat sucks.

UPDATE: @#!@##@@#@!#@#@##%^$$##$#$%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Mr. Helpful at July 24, 2003 06:17 PM