THE WORLD'S #1 POKER MANUAL - Card Games

Poker Book, Increasing the Edge Odds
money. His careless behavior is a planned act.
b. Relaxed (49)
A relaxed atmosphere lulls opponents into decreased concentration, which diminishes their playing
abilities and increases their readability. Contributing to a relaxed atmosphere are--
● a suitable location.
● good food and beverages
● a comfortable setting with proper table, chairs, and lighting.
To maintain peak concentration, the good player denies himself the effects of comfort and relaxation.
c. Pleasant (50)
A pleasant atmosphere holds weak players in the game and attracts new players. The good player creates
a pleasant atmosphere by--
● being congenial (when advantageous)
● preventing unpleasant remarks and unfriendliness among players
● displaying a sympathetic attitude toward losers.
Most players gain pleasure from feeling accepted and belonging to the group. But the good player gains
pleasure from his ability to win money and control the game.
Whenever the Monday night game gets serious, the players think more clearly and make fewer
mistakes. When serious, everyone plays tighter and is less prone to John Finn's influence. So he
keeps the game carefree and careless by behavior such as described below:
A newcomer, playing in the high-stake Monday game for the first time, is nervous and is playing
very tight. He shuffles . . . the cards spray from his trembling hands and scatter all over the floor.
Finally he deals five-card stud. John gets a pair of aces on his first two up cards. Everyone drops
out except big loser Scotty Nichols. "Haven't won a pot all night," he says and then gulps. "I ...I
gotta win one." John makes a few small bets. Scotty stays to the end and loses with his wired pair
of queens. The pot is small, containing perhaps $35.
With quivering lips, Scotty slowly turns his cards over. Suddenly John shoves the whole pot across
the table and into Scotty's lap while laughing, "Don't be so miserable. It's only money.... Take it
all."
The newcomer's mouth snaps open. "What a crazy game!" he exclaims. "I've never seen anything
like that!"
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