THE WORLD'S #1 POKER MANUAL - Card Games

Poker Book, Club Poker
movements he sat with fingertips joined and stared silently at the "action spot" on the table. The
conversation at the table diminished as the players began casting glances at him and then at one
another. John knew they were worried about his behavior.
His total withdrawal gave John Finn a two-way advantage: First, it allowed him to shut out
interference and distractions from the other players so that he could concentrate, learn, think, and
plan strategy. Second, since the other players were reluctant to pressure or intimidate him because
they were nervous about his behavior, John had the solitude and time to think and act
deliberately, thereby decreasing his confusion and errors.
But this technique, being a short-range tool, needed constant reinforcement as new players
entered the game and as other players became tired of John's behavior and began challenging it
with intimidation. For example, after a profitable hour of this silent playing, John bowed his head
as a portly player entered the game and sat beside him. The stout man began chatting with other
players. After two hands, he noticed John's silent, mechanical-man behavior and jabbed John's
shoulder several times while blurting, "Hey, man, you alive? You some kind of a robot? Say
something so I know I'm not playing against a computer."
Without moving or looking at the man, John kept staring at the table while answering in low
monotones, "Doctors at state hospital make me like this ... to control myself. They keep accusing
me of being paranoid . . . they keep lying about me. They keep accusing me of being violent. This
way I stay controlled and peaceful."
Several players shuddered. But the portly neighbor pressed on, "Hey, man, what hospital? Who's
your shrink? I need someone to make me stay controlled and peaceful. I need someone to make me
quit gambling and eating. Man, how do I get committed to that hospital?" He punched John's
shoulder again.
John Finn jumped up, pointed a stiff finger at the man's face, and shouted, "Don't bug me! Don't
bug me or I'll lose control!"
The stout man picked up his chips. "No ... no offense, sir," he said. "I'm leaving. See, I'm leaving."
He stood up and left.
Everyone became silent. Another player abruptly stood up and left. John played two more hours
in peace while winning $100. As other players left, new players entered the game. Gradually the
players became hostile toward John because of his mechanical behavior. So he decided to
reinforce his act again at their expense.
The opportunity came several hands later. Before the draw, John had the last bet and raised the
maximum on his two pair--jacks and fours. He drew one card and caught the third jack for a full
house. He knew his three opponents held weak hands; they would check and probably fold on any
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