Don't be Such a Nit! - Part II

In the last issue, I promised to share with you the worst case of nitty behavior I've ever seen. For those of you who missed my last column – shame on you! Seriously, though, in my last column, I gave a little description of a nit, as well as his negative characteristics.

In a nutshell, a nit is usually a tight, selfish, unfriendly professional player who will do whatever it takes to get an extra edge over his fellow professional players. Rather than think in terms of what's best for the game, a nit couldn't care less about how his fellow co-workers perceive him. He's like the roommate who never cleans up around the house, yet enjoys living in a clean environment that you provide. A nit is like someone who will eat the food you prepare each night, and leave a pile of dirty dishes in the sink, expecting you to "take care of them."

In poker, nits take care of their own business and don't care if the game breaks. Nits will sure play in a game that you've already started, but they wouldn't dare help out by starting a shorthanded game to get things going. Anyway, now that you are up to speed, let's get back to the story. As promised, here is the worst case of rude, nitty behavior I've even seen.

Back in 1999, I dropped by Bellagio at about 3 p.m. There were two good $30-$60 games going, which was the norm for Bellagio at that hour of the day. There was a long list for the $80-$160 game, so I decided to play in one of these games for a while. I sat down in one of the games to make it ninehanded. After playing for about 30 minutes, it was clear that there were two tourists in the game who played very poorly. They were limping in every hand and were going to the river regularly.

Well, eventually their money ran out, and they both simultaneously decided to quit, which left the game sevenhanded. These two friendly gentlemen hadn't left their seats yet, as they were gathering their things. Well, I expected the game to continue without any delay, even though the seven remaining players were locals. The player in the No. 4 seat didn't take his blind; OK, fine. Then the No. 5 seat didn't, the No. 6 seat didn't … it came all the way around to me on the button, and I posted my blind! I was in complete shock that these locals could be so rude and irresponsible. What message were they sending the two tourists? I remember being that tourist, and if a game had broken up just because I quit, it would have left a bad taste in my mouth. Am I wrong to think this way?

It wasn't as though the game wasn't going to fill up, as there were always people walking in and out of the room at that hour. What were they planning on doing, sitting there and waiting for a guy to walk in the room with a tattoo on his forehead that read, "Live One"? How good was that guy going to feel? He'd think, "Hmm, these people are all willing to play eighthanded, but nobody will play sevenhanded? Maybe I should find a better game."

What nits fail to realize is that sometimes you have to sacrifice "some" equity in order to gain more later. So what if they were all going to be close to break-even players for an hour. It wasn't the end of the world.

While game selection is, of course, an important part of being a winning player, obsessing yourself with it isn't healthy. If you are a regular player in a game, you really shouldn't take unfair advantage of your fellow professionals. You may be helping your hourly rate some, but you will lose the respect of your peers -peers who in fact help you make your living.

Do your part. Help start a game once in a while. Keep a game together when it gets short. Make the tourists feel welcome; don't just chew them up and spit 'em out. At least wait until they are out of the room before you decide to quit. When they speak to you, don't just ignore them. They are there to be entertained, so entertain them! Unless you are playing online for a living, part of the job description is to entertain. If you scratch your fellow pros' backs, they will be more likely to return the favor. Each and every one of you should be willing to sacrifice for the good of the game once in a while. To expect the game starters to do all the work is just ignorant.

Actually, Bellagio's top section is a great place to play, and was also a great place for me to learn how I was expected to behave in the future. I learned, as should everybody, what being a professional is all about. From Danny Robison and Mori Eskandani to Lenny Martin and Mickey Coleman, there are more than a few examples of pros who know how to treat their fellow professionals, as well as tourists.

You won't see these guys berating players, and you won't see them break up a game because it's become a little dead. What you will see is Mickey hustling up a game. What you will see is Lenny introducing himself to a new player and engaging him in friendly conversation. What you will see is Danny Robison making everybody laugh, thus creating a much more enjoyable atmosphere for all.

It isn't these players' duties to do this, but they understand how the poker world works. So, do yourself and the poker world a favor, and think about what you can add to your regular game. What can you do to help improve the environment in which you work? How can you show your fellow players that you respect them as co-workers, and are willing to do what's best for the game? "Ask not what your regular poker game can do for you; ask what you can do for your regular poker game!"

To hear more of Daniel's recent trials and tribulations, go to www.fullcontactpoker.com to read his weekly diary, as well as past columns you may have missed.