THE WORLD'S #1 POKER MANUAL - Card Games

Poker Book, Opponents
use his savings or to borrow money, he keeps playing in a vain attempt to recover his losses. An
occasional win gives him enough encouragement to hold him in the game.
Ironically, a winning player can also get financially involved and entrapped if he becomes too dependent
on his poker income. He can even turn into a chronic loser if a series of losses disrupts his income. How
does that happen? If his temporary loss of poker income causes a loss of objectivity, then the quality of
his play will deteriorate. If that cycle of decreased objectivity and increased deterioration continues, his
future losses will be assured. Memories of past winnings will then sustain him through heavy losses.
John Finn and Quintin Merck bet only when they judge the odds to be in their favor; they are not
gamblers. But the other players in the Monday night game are gamblers.... Each one is
emotionally and financially involved as shown in the following chart:
John
Finn
Quintin
Merck
Scotty
Nichols
Sid
Bennett
Ted
Fehr
Emotional Involvement Financial Involvement
(minimum involvement) Receives substantial income.
Supports ego; finds companionship; relieves
boredom.
Avoids drinking problems; escapes business
disappointments.
Hides insecurities; finds companionship;
releases tensions.
Satisfies gambling compulsion to hurt himself;
escapes domestic problems.
XVII
Exploitation (84)
Receives moderate income useful
for boasting about his poker skill.
Tries to regain his past winning
form.
Seeks hot streak to recover past
losses.
Hopes for big win to parlay on the
horses.
Once players are involved in the game, the good player can take greater advantage of them through--
● their personal weaknesses
● their play of cards
● their betting and raising
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