Men Tips

posted by mmedia2011 on Feb 19

Whenever you play a game of any nature, it is important to be a good sport. What is meant by this is that you play the game with some sort of grace. That you respect your opponents in the same way you wish to be treated. You are courteous and regardless of the result don’t turn into some sort of ogre. If you can do this than you will respected and liked by all.

Because of the nature of poker, being a good sport here is even more important. Where lots of money is involved, people’s lives can be changed based on the flip of card. It is hard enough to be able to come to terms with this without someone being a very bad sport. While you may win the hand, you will do your reputation undue harm.

So what does it mean to be a bad sport? It means to get up and celebrate wildly when you win a hand, especially a hand you win on the river. Dealing with sudden changes of fortune is part of poker and unless you come to terms with it you aren’t going to last very long. Instead of celebrating like some insensitive person you should appreciate what your opponent is going through because one time that is also going to be you.

On the flipside you also need to be a good sport when you lose a hand. Even if you have bad blood or dislike one of your opponents you should still be a gentleman if they beat you. This means shaking their hand and congratulating them. Win or lose, this is what being a good sport is all about.

The thing about being a good sport is that it’s only for your own good. In any event, karma has a way of making sure that good sports are rewarded although some would say this didn’t happen in the case of Jamie Gold. Gold won the World Series of Poker Main Event in 2006 despite many people upset with his antics. They didn’t like the fact he spoke a lot during hands and one some occasions even showed opponents his cards. People also found his cocky and arrogant attitude quite abrasive.

Yes he may have won the tournament but he isn’t that popular in poker circles and that it because of the perception of his sportsmanship. Someone who is on the other site of the spectrum is Daniel Negreanu. The Canadian player is wildly successful but this hasn’t stopped him from being one of the most popular poker players there are. People love his convivial and fun nature and ability not to take everything real seriously.

That is the thing about poker. You will meet a lot of people who take themselves too seriously. They think they are God’s gift to poker when in reality they are anything but. They should take a leaf out of the book of Negreanu who really is good but conducts himself like a true gentleman.

Louis Garrick is a freelance writer who writes about Cash Bingo, Poker and Online gaming. He has recently been a guest writer at 2-4-1bingo.com’s Bingo Blog where he comments on his gaming successes.

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