Before my first trip to Las Vegas, I was probably the more confident of the poker players of 21 years of the planet. Of course, I quickly returned to Earth after hearing all remarks to which I was expecting other regular players of poker 10$-20$ with whom I played. This is something that I would be well spent. I was hoping not to have to hear the "I said you" after my first trip to Vegas. And as this first trip was a failure, I knew I was going to hear about it.
But I quickly had to return to my duties rather than isolate myself at home until everyone forgets. Why should I let me? I was me not and that's what counts. This is what my experience taught me.
So I had 21 years and my ego was really huge compared to my poker skills, what is the worst combinations. However, my trip to Vegas was an experience that made me more humble and allowed better swinging at me ego/skills.
Anyway, I finally decided to deal with my poker club and things have not been so evil than I would have imagined. Fortunately, the other players were full of respect towards me. They had the perfect opportunity to spend a whole bunch of comments and they have not done. They realized that I wasn't the first nor the last poker player to fail in Vegas.
I have already said in previous articles how it was important to not let your ego take you and I cannot stress enough on this point. I see often of people make bad decisions about poker and I believe that it is often due to their ego. Even today, I am leading a battle of all times with my ego. In the background myself, I always want to play better than everyone else, but if I let my ego take the decisions, I will be in serious difficulties.
Playing poker for a living can be a very unstable profession. With unexpected events often arrive and can influence your bankroll, leaving you less money for play - this may go a long losing sequence for car repairs. You shouldn't be ashamed of a losing series because you're not the first person to have lived it and you absolutely will not be the last either. Therefore, how to protect themselves and don't end up penniless? It may seem simple, but it is not that much.
When I see a pro who plays usually at 30$-60$ play at 15$-30$, I doesn't not look it negatively. In fact, I'm proud of it! Pass over his pride to do what there is more wise can be very difficult and especially difficult for the ego. Instead of risking to be penniless to 30$-$60, the pro decided to return to a previous step to inflate his bankroll before returning in force and comfortable more than its regular limit.
Of course, while he is seated at the tables $ 15-$30, he will hear at least 100 times: "Why play you 15$-30$ today?" There's more than one way to answer this question. 'I am a little tired today'... "I am leaving soon"... "I'm on a bad roll for some time and I try to regain my confidence... "This is a very good limit to play"... yadayadayada. And, of course, there's the truth: 'my bankroll does me not for the moment.
No matter how you choose to respond, you say as the business person, apart from you. If you feel more comfortable find you an excuse, go ahead in creativity. And ultimately you will be wiser than other players who play at 30$-60$ without having the means. They ardently wish to have a very lucky day and don't end up broke at the end of line.
I was lucky that the players with whom I played are also understanding, but it may not always be the case for you. There are people who will only wait the time where you will fail to be able to laugh at you. Try not to pay attention to them; they have a serious problem if they are so interested in your results. Always keep head up and continue to work hard. Before you report, you'll be returned to your last limit. Oh and do not be one that laugh you at the bad times of the other players. Maybe you say you that this can never happen to you, but it would be naive on your part.
Daniel Negreanu
