Poker And Philosophy: Master Yoda's Wisdom
by Bodog Poker | Oct 28 2010
Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. - Yoda, Star Wars: Episode I
The past week, we've seen quite a bit of grandstanding and name-calling among professional poker players against each other, the fans and anyone else who happens to get in the way. I'm not going to name names, but if you follow any of the poker blogs, you're likely to know exactly of whom I am speaking. While some of it is just natural high-spiritedness from the games and another portion is likely connected to table images, part of me wonders if nerves are being struck and players that would normally know better are finding themselves…afraid and lashing out?
Fear is a natural human emotion, but poker players should learn to control it for the very reasons that Yoda elucidates in one of the best bits in the otherwise fairly forgettable children's movie of the Star Wars series, The Phantom Menace. When you are playing the game, you should be aware of the situation, certainly. You should be able to assess your risks and realize when you are in a situation that is less than tenable. You should listen to the voices in the back of your head when someone pushes you a certain way, but you certainly shouldn't be afraid.
Poker is psychological, and bluffing is very close to the sort of sturm und drang that warriors throughout history have depended on for a psychological advantage. Whether it is hoisting a sword (or lightsaber) up and declaring that ten foes will fall before they do or pushing chips into a hand where there's only one or two ways that they could defeat the other, becoming an aggressor and pushing the opposition is a natural part of battle, be it at a table or in a war-torn valley. Many players, particularly new ones, have trouble realizing that the opposition bluffs, too and that their fear is unwarranted. However, one can and shouldn't assume that every push against them, even if they're holding a fantastic hand, is a bluff.
And even if you do feel that the opposition could have a better hand, that they may have more troops on their side, folding and then discovering that you have been bluffed should not lead to anger. Poker is person and skill based game, yes and even in online poker, there's a great deal of social interaction that needs to be taken separately from the game itself. You should respect your betters and attempt to learn from them, not fear them and be angry when they beat you.
It takes a strong player to admit when someone has the better of them without rancor. It takes a Jedi warrior to learn from the experience and become a better player for the bad beat they receive or the bluff that pushes them out of their hand. Learn to think of every hand you play as a learning experience and you can push the fear down and replace it with an emotion rarely spoken of at the poker table: hope.
