Do It Again

The mind is a curious thing. It absorbs what a person is doing, observing or thinking, but it leaves room for more to happen.

At least that's my belief after many years of watching sunsets, sunrises and other things unfold in front of my fascinated eyes.

Take movies. I have watched many forgettable films that meant little or nothing to me. But when I discovered the work of Federico Fellini and other European masters of the cinema, I found myself wanting to watch their creations again...and again...and again.

For example, I have seen all of Fellini's masterpieces at least 10 times. Seriously.

With interesting companions, a bottle of wine, and maybe some great cheese, I have viewed 'La Dolce Vita,' 'City of Women,' and 'La Strada' over and over again, and got something new each time I watched the movie unfold.

The mind retains only so much. There is always room to add more.

The same thing is true of a great book, play, or a concert by one of your favorite rock groups like Bruce Springsteen or the Rolling Stones. Such concerts never get boring.

A friend of mine named Ace, who was from Canada, was once bar-hopping in Phoenix, AZ. We found an Indian bar where several Apache Indians were well into their tequila and mescal. When the bar closed at 2 a.m., they decided to continue the party in the desert. Since they had a couple of attractive girls with them, Ace and I decided to join the party.

One of the Apache girls and Ace hit it off, and they disappeared from the rest of us. In the morning, Ace described how they had made love standing up next to a giant saguaro cactus plant.

'Now I know why the Apaches won all those wars against the white soldiers,' said Ace, a blue-eyed, blond-haired Canadian. 'Every time we finished making love, she would say, 'Do it again...do it again.' He smiled and shook his head.

Do it again. Repetition. It works in many different parts of life, including poker.

Poker players need to make the same correct plays time after time in order to stay ahead of the game.

I find it essential to study my books on poker even though I know what I am supposed to do. Often I study right up to the time of a poker tournament or a cash game. It nearly always pays off.

Things happen fast in a poker game and you often need to make instant decisions on whether to call, raise or fold a hand. That is when the 'Do it again' training kicks in.

You should work to become an automatic poker player. Remember the adage 'He who hesitates is lost,' and act accordingly. The thinking comes before the game starts. Once the game begins, it's all action and reaction.

Today I am heading down to the public library to rent a couple of films. Fellini, of course. Always Fellini or some other European master whose creative genius never grows old.

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 ).