(Poker) Prayers of Serenity

For every ailment under the sun

There is a remedy, or there is none;

If there be one, try to find it;

If there be none, never mind it.

Imagine waking up on a Monday morning and preparing for work. You read the weather report in the newspaper as you sup your Cheerios and sip your coffee. The weatherman says here's a 10% chance of scattered showers. Later, on your way out the door, you  forgo bringing a raincoat and umbrella to work. Only a 10% chance of rain, you think, why bring all that bulky rain gear with you?

As you arrive at work, it begins to rain. By the time you're halfway across the parking lot, the sky has opened up and it's pouring. You are soaked all the way to the skin as you enter your office building. You can't believe your luck. You shake a fist at the sky, shouting at the rain gods. Why does it rain only on those days you leave the umbrella at home? Why is my luck so bad? Why me?!?

When learning poker, you need to focus on making the best decisions you can, and try not to think about the outcome.  You have complete control over the former, but almost none over the latter. You're dealt Kings and get all your money in the middle pre with the best of it against pocket nines. Even better, the flop is Q-J-T, giving you an open-ender and a blocker to the opp making a set. You have a better than 90% chance of winning.....

...ah, but the villain runner-runners quad nines to take down a monster pot that should have been yours. There was less than a 10% chance of rain after the flop, yet it still came down in bucket fulls on your head. You shake your fist, shouting at the dealer and the poker gods. Why do the fish always suck out on my big hands? Why is my luck so bad? Why me?!?

(Poker) God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can,

And wisdom to know the difference.

All-in for now...
-Bug