Lucky Dog Poker by Russ Scott

Many poker players apply math and people-reading skills at the table. The better they do at both, the greater chance they have to beat the game.

But what, in return, has poker given them?

At a recent charity hold 'em tournament, I asked 10 players this question: "What have you learned about yourself, and about life, from being a poker player?"

Here's what they said:

— "I've learned you have to watch yourself closely to avoid giving tells and be aware of what's going on," said Mark R. of Moline, Ill. "In day-to-day life, poker has shown me I'm not attentive enough to the details." He said poker came easy "because I knew I was competitive."

— For Marlene T. of Davenport, Iowa, poker's lesson was "finding out I'm not as much of a risk-taker as I thought I was. I play pretty tight." After learning the game five years ago from her son, she said, "I'm not as shy as I once was."

Success at several Midwest tournaments has helped her realize that although she's heavily outnumbered by males at the tables, "I'm not afraid to play anymore."

— "The biggest thing I've learned is not to take anything for granted," said Dave N. of East Moline, Ill. "Always take a second look, whether it's your hole cards or when crossing the street. Now I prepare to play poker just like I prepare before umpiring a game."

— Cory B. of Clinton, Iowa, has a mixed connection with poker. "I'm not a social guy at the table. I don't give anything away and don't interact," he said.

That all-business approach somehow meshes with: "I'm in it for fun. I'm not looking to get rich."

— Bob A. of Illinois City, Ill., said: "Patience is the No. 1 thing I've learned. Poker also teaches you a little bit about your personality and what your level of gamble or risk is. You must learn to control your instincts or else you'll get in trouble."

— Bob's wife Vicki, who nearly made the championship round as a new player, said: "I'm extremely competitive, and I don't want to be stupid. I want to know what I did and why I did it. I've learned I can stay in with the rest of them, even as a woman player."

— For Damen J. of Bettendorf, Iowa, the lesson has been to "wait for things to come to you. Never count on luck. Poker's not gambling; it's a game of skill." To back that up, eight hours later Damen placed second in the tournament.

— A similar message came from Jeff K. of Davenport. "I've learned to be patient in everything, thanks to poker," he said. "Don't make rash decisions, and don't overreact when things go wrong."

— Sandy C. of Rock Island, Ill., said, "Poker has taught me not to get so angry in life and to be more patient." A longtime player, she's learned that "sometimes you make your own luck, and sometimes you mess up your luck."

— Dennis D. of Davenport credits poker with teaching him "how to feel out situations and how to react. It's a sport that I find challenging, and it's important in my life." —

How would you have answered the question?

E-mail your poker questions and comments to russ@luckydogpoker.com for use in future columns. To find out more about Russ Scott and read previous LuckyDog Poker columns, visit creators.com or luckydogpoker.com.

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