Don't Tap on the Glass

I've played live poker for a little over 10 years now and during that time I've seen many changes. When I first sat down at a casino poker table, I was often the only woman player. Don't get me wrong. There were a few older women playing 7 card stud, but in Hold'em, in Mississippi anyways, I was usually it. The Hold'em table was one of the last male bastions. Now, with regularly televised games, there has been a huge influx of new players both men and women. From the "I saw this on TV, it doesn't look that hard" type, to the "I've read Super System and watched Rounders , and will be a pro in less than 6 months" dreamer. Forget percentages, pot odds, or good starting hands; anything plays today. This is due to the new breed of poker, which I call "Slots" poker: Just throw your money in the pot, pull the handle, and hope you win.  With the greater number of new players, the number of "bad beats" has increased exponentially. More importantly the negative reactions of the experienced players to the suck outs have become detrimental to my expected hourly rate. Although, most women and many men fall into the first category, the second category is usually restricted to men, and these guys usually show their inexperience by berating the play of those in the first group. These ignorant rants tend to run off the easy marks and seriously reduce our win rate.

These rants are particularly abusive to the women beginners. They know little about the game. They are in a situation quite alien and somewhat hostile to them under normal situations. The last thing they need is the added stress of a heckler calling them "stupid." You want these new players at your table. They add money to the pot virtually every hand. J2 off suit is playable because it contains a face card, 94 of hearts because it is "sooooted." Although we have all seen them win with these hands, let them have their moment of triumph, it keeps them coming back for more. The problem lately seems to be Mr. "I've read all the books." He doesn't seem to understand that the game doesn't always follow the books and has not grasped the concept that these calling stations are the contributors that make poker profitable. Personally, if the game was as predictable as a book, I think I would lose interest very quickly and go play in the World Series of Scrabble. They are losing money already don't do anything else to scare the fish. ...more

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