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His name was Joe. I don't remember his last name and can't recall if he ever gave it to me. He was a poker player.

We played against each other at Binion's Horseshoe, the Union Plaza and The Orleans. Joe was a good limit player who generally won more than he lost. Sometimes when we cashed in, we would go to the bar and share a few drinks and stories.

Sometimes we would compare notes on poker strategy. Joe was an aggressive player who knew the power of the raise and who often used it. I wasn't as strong on raising as he was, but after watching him for a while, I began to learn.

I hadn't seen Joe in a couple of years when I decided to visit Las Vegas. While I was seated at a table in the Orleans poker room, someone tapped me on the shoulder. It was Joe and we hugged each other.

After some warm-up chit-chat, I asked him how he had been doing. He started to answer, then shrugged.

'Terrible,' he said. 'I have been on a bad losing streak. It's been so bad; I'm giving serious consideration to retiring from poker.'

I shook my head.

'Joe, you're a good poker player.' I said. 'I wouldn't do that.'

He smiled. 'I was just kidding about giving up poker. But I am seriously going back to the basics. I am gathering some good books on poker strategy and plan to re-educate myself on how to play this damn game.'

'You're not playing today?'

'Nope. I am just here to absorb, ask a few questions, and drink in the atmosphere. When I feel I am ready, I will be back. No question about that.'

Joe makes good sense. If you get into a losing pattern, you should do the same thing. Read and study the books by the best pros .like Doyle Brunson and Daniel Negraneau to learn their tactics. A poker player never knows too much.

Discipline is one of the most important rules a poker player can follow. If you don't possess it, you had better learn it quickly, or you will fall by the wayside and wonder what hit you.

Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.

(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).