THE WORLD'S #1 POKER MANUAL - Card Games

Poker Book, Expansion
3. Raising the Morale of Losers (114)
The good player raises the morale of losers whenever possible. Sympathy and understanding properly
offered can keep losers in the game indefinitely--or until they are bankrupt. Yet, after suffering sharp
losses, some players develop attitudes that could decrease the good player's profits, such as demanding a
slower betting pace or lower stakes. A good player can often change those attitudes by talking to the
losers in private about their troubles. Private "little talks" usually have comforting and therapeutic
effects on big losers.
New player Mike Bell is a valuable financial asset to John Finn. After losing several weeks in a
row, Mike becomes discouraged. Fearful that he may quit, John moves to boost his morale. By
leading him into several winning pots, he carries Mike to a winning night. Then with the following
dialogue, he further boosts Mike's morale:
"The way you're winning, you'll break the game," John says. "How much you ahead?"
"A few big bills," Mike says as he splits a high-low pot with Quintin. Suddenly he looks up at John
and grins while adding, "I've been lucky."
"Lucky? The way you caught that full house--I call that skill," John remarks while adjusting his
voice to a deeper tone. "Why'd you throw your ace and keep the ten kicker?"
"The other three players drew one and two cards," Mike replies in a gloating tone. "They
probably were going for low hands--so they'd be holding aces rather than tens. My chances were
best for drawing another ten." Mike Bell then glances around. Bored expressions cover all faces
except John's--he listens with an open mouth while slowly nodding his head up and down. Mike
leans toward him and says in a low voice, "I drew the ten to catch the full house, didn't I?"
"Right," John replies. "Pretty smart thinking."
"Ban Mike from the game!" Sid cries. "Smart thinking is illegal in this game."
"Don't listen to him," John says as he puts his hand on Mike's shoulder. "We respect a man who
plays good poker."
"Look who's talking about good poker!" Sid cries again. "You win lowball games with full houses.
You hear about that one, Mike?"
"Sure did. Scotty told me all about it," Mike answers. He then shakes his finger at John. "Don't
ever pull that on me. I'd call you from my grave."
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