Smile! You're a Winner

There are few things I enjoy more than sitting down at a new poker table and announcing my presence to the players.

First, you have to understand the mentality of most poker players. They have been taught by their friends to keep a poker face. Don't talk -- you might reveal something about the way you play. Be serious and don't laugh. Poker is a serious game for serious money. And on and on.

Well, excuse me but I have to disagree.

Poker is a social game. Yes, money is involved and I agree that the object of the game is to win that money. But it doesn't hurt to have fun in the process of winning.

The other evening at BestBet Casino in Jacksonville, FL., I sat down and told the players, 'this is the table my mother warned me about, but I'm here against her advice.'

The dealer smiled as he mixed the cards. The other players barely glanced up from their chips.

After taking my seat and buying in for $100, I asked the dealer where he was from. He said South Dakota. I told him I had been to Wall, S.D. and wrote a story about Wall Drug Store, where the owner had become a millionaire by giving away free ice water.

One of the other players smiled and looked at me.

"I've been there," he said. 'Great place."

Another player said, "You mean the owner became a millionaire by giving away free ice water. How did that happen?"

The table opened up. People began talking. The game became social and fun to play. And, yes, I won. By directing the conversation and taking the initiative, I placed myself in charge of things and it paid off.

I have played poker against Oklahoma Johnny Hale, the king of poker story tellers. Johnny will talk about anything. His motive, of course, is to take the minds of the other players off the game and cause them to listen to his stories.

Most of Johnny's tales have a humorous touch. That causes the other players, at least some of them, to smile. Others are irritated by the small talk and still others are basically seething with subdued rage.

One exploded. 'Damn it," he bellowed, "are we here to talk or play poker?"

Johnny gave him a mild look. "I've been wondering about that myself," he said. "You've been there like a frozen mummy. I thought you were dead.'

The table exploded with laughter. Smile. Johnny left the game that night a big winner. He controlled the outcome by directing the conversation.

Poker should be a game of smiles, laughter and conversation. You won't always win, but when you win and even if you lose, you'll have a good time.

After a table broke up, a dealer came over to me.

'I like the way you loosen up a game," he said, shaking my hand. "It makes it fun. Keep it up.'

Life and poker are more fun when you smile. Remember that and you will always be a winner.

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 ).