A Kinder and Gentler Poker Nation

While most poker players (especially players in Minnesota) are pleasant company at the poker table, we all have been around players who seem like they would rather be having a root canal.  There are also those players that take the game so seriously they suck all the fun out of the room.  I think it's time to  bring the fun back into poker, and I also think it's good for the game.  The more fun people have, the more people will want to play, even if they happen to be losing players.

Wil Wheaton

Wil Wheaton (You may know him from the movie Stand By Me, as Wesley Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation or  The Big Bang Theory as evil Wil Wheaton) coined  a phrase a few years a go that became known as Wheaton's Law.  Its simple but powerful.

Wheaton's Law: Don't be a dick

This was originally coined for gamers, but I think it applies equally and maybe more importantly to poker.  Poker has become much more competitive over the last several years, and even the bad players have gotten much better.  People are feeling more stress at the poker table as the games have become more competitive.  And while we all look for that last little edge, it's important to remember that poker is a game.  It's meant to be fun and exciting.  That's where Somsky's Law comes in. (I know it's a little pretentious to name a law after myself, but Poker's Law didn't seem to have the right ring and I don't really mean it or expect anyone to call it that anyway.)

Somsky's Law: Don't be a dick at the poker table

We've all seen players that look miserable playing at the poker table.  And I'm not even talking about the brutal losing streaks that are inevitable in this game.  I've seen some players that were winning look like they'd rather be eating dirt.  But if we want the game to grow, we need to play for the love of the game.  The poker table should be an inviting place, where people go to enjoy themselves and spend their discretionary income.  It shouldn't be an intimidating place where people fear getting berated for making sub-optimal plays

That's even more important if you are trying to make money playing poker.  Remember the poker rooms aren't paying you a salary to play (even if you are earning comps or rake-back).  In fact poker player's as a community pay for the poker rooms to keep the lights on, pay staff, and get those fancy chips.  So where does the money come from to feed the poker community, to play professional poker player's salaries?  It comes from recreational players.  And that brings us to the corollary to Somsky's Law.

Corollary to Somsky's Law: Don't be a dick at the poker table especially if you are trying to make money

Now one nice thing about poker is every poker player thinks they are better than they really are (especially me).  But most know they don't make any significant money and are playing it for recreation.  They play to have the fun of taking down that big pot.  But if the atmosphere at the table becomes to hostile they'll take their discretionary income elsewhere.

In order for the poker industry to grow the game must be fun.  I've heard some poker pros state that part of their game is putting other players on tilt and needling them so they spew chips off.  But  in my opinion this is a short-sided approach.  You may win that players money today, but cost yourself the opportunity to win more in the years to come.  If players aren't making money and they aren't having fun, why would they keep coming back?

Personally, I love the game.  I enjoy my time at the table, and I've met some great people.  I'd like to eventually play in some of the bigger tournaments, but I really just want to share this great game with everyone I know. I consider myself a poker cheerleader or evangelist trying to let people know about this great game.

I know poker can be frustrating, especially when you get two outed on the river, but we really need to stop berating each other at the poker table and learn to have fun.  There are several Minnesota players that have awesome attitudes at the poker table.  Jay Philips is one of the nicest women I've ever met and a pure joy to play with at the poker table.  (Although she will take all your chips given the chance.)  Josh "Rooster" Oien is another great example of a friendly demeanor at the poker table.  While it is true that he can be loud, obnoxious and a little vulgar at the poker table, I've never seen anyone have more fun.  And I've never sensed anything mean in anything he does or says.  For him the poker table is  a party and he plans to have fun and tries to make sure you do too.

In fact if you follow Minnesota poker, Team Poker Joker (#teampokerjoker)  and Team Hammerdong (#TeamHammerDong) are excellent examples of what we need in poker.  Both teams have are very competitive and have some big egos, but in the end they all really love the game of poker.  And they keep their rivalry fun and cordial and I believe they respect each other.

I know I am far from perfect.  I can be a little introverted and maybe have too much of a "game face" some of the time.  I've also had my share of frustrating days where I probably wasn't the most pleasant person at the table.  But in general I try to be kind and courteous to other players as well as the dealers and staff.  I want everyone to smile and enjoy themselves and I win all their chips.

And maybe if we all stop being dicks at the poker table, we can all have more fun.  So crack a smile, don't take it all so seriously and have fun!

Minnesota Poker Player Twitter List

I've been working on following what's going on in the Minnesota poker scene ever since I became the ambassador for Ante Up Magazine.  In order to help with this I've been creating a list of all of the twitter accounts that I know of for Minnesota poker players.  https://twitter.com/PokerGeekMN/minnesotapoker is the list.  It currently has 231 people on it.  Feel free to follow it yourself, and let me know if you or anyone else should be on the list.  I'm hoping to make it a fairly complete list of Minnesota poker players that have twitter accounts.

July 2013 Ante Up Magazine Article

July's article covers John "JohnnyGStaks" Hayes win of the Northern Lights Casino MSPT event.  It also covers Running Aces decision to make Erick Wright the ambassador and card-club pro for Running Aces Harness Park.  And despite published proof in a competing publication, Tristan Wilberg did NOT call Erick Wright the best poker player in Minnesota.  After all those would be fighting words!  Although I don't think anyone would argue that he is definitely one of the best.
http://www.anteupmagazine.com/featured-column/hayes-wins-northern-lights-poker-tournament-43k.htm