Anxiety on First Day of Las Vegas Trip

Hi. Come on in. Let's do some laps in the pool while we speak of our favorite game – poker.

Today's subject will be of interest mostly to those who go to Las Vegas temporarily for some fun and excitement – tourists. You locals can go about your business (unless your curiosity demands that you know what I'm going to tell our visitors – maybe a secret strategy on how to win big from you at the poker tables).

I myself was a frequent visitor to Las Vegas before I became a resident more than 20 years ago. About 50 times, I drove or flew from Southern California to play stud poker, which at that time was not legal in California. On only a few of my trips did I lose money, although it often took a good win on the last day of my stay to show a profit. This occurred mostly on my first dozen or so visits. Then, I finally spotted a pattern that had developed. I'd lose about a third of my bankroll for the trip on the first day. The second day, I'd win back the money I'd donated on day No. 1. The third day, I'd book another win and show a nice profit, and it would continue for the next three or four days before I headed home.

While driving across the desert on about my 15th poker trip to Las Vegas, I began pondering this phenomenon. Out in the desert about 25 miles from Las Vegas, Interstate 15 suddenly topped a rise, and off in the distance I could see the city.

I was getting close. What an exciting sight, especially at night with the colorful electric brilliance sparkling like an oasis in the surrounding darkness. There it was, beckoning across the desert night. My adrenaline flowed and my heart tripped a bit faster as anticipation climbed into my throat. The car, seemingly on its own, increased speed by 10 miles an hour, as I wanted to be there – now! And my anxiety level rose, along with everything else.

I could see myself walking into the nearest poker room, hoping there wouldn't be a wait for a seat. I didn't want to be delayed getting into action.

Fortunately it was on this trip that the light bulb went on inside my head and the reason for those first-day losses became clear. I was too eager to get there and get into a game. And then I realized that by the time of my arrival, my eagerness would become anxiety, and a state of anxiety is not a good condition in which to play poker.

I thought about the time I had flown into this desert community, and how I had stationed myself in the front of the plane so that I could be among the first to get off, and how I almost ran through the terminal to the baggage area and then stood there fidgeting while I waited for my bags to catch up with me. I recalled dashing for the taxi line, taking an impatient ride into town, throwing – literally throwing – my bags into my room, and rushing to the poker tables. By the time I got there, I was easy pickings for the players who were already in the game. I played too many hands, and called too many bets. My judgment and discipline were almost zero. I had no chance. I'd play until sunrise, lose my money, and fall exhausted into bed.

As I motored along I-15, reviewing this sequence of events, a stab of fear came into my being. In the stillness of the Nevada night, I began to think – and to plan. For about another 30 minutes, I continued my drive, staying within the speed limit while cars sped by me at a hundred miles an hour. When I arrived at the hotel, I went to my room and unpacked. On previous visits, I had never done that until my second day in town. I lay down for a rest, allowed myself to become calm.

In about an hour, I freshened up and strolled slowly to the poker room. You already know the rest. I played relaxed, and scored a nice win – the win I usually achieved on my second day, after I had relaxed.

I guess I don't have to spell out the moral of this tale. There's no need to draw you a picture.

You Nevadans who are still with me can apply my lesson to your game, too, when it's been a while between playing sessions, or when you go to Southern California to play poker. And as for you tourists, the next time you visit us, make your first day as relaxed as your second and third. You do come to Las Vegas to have fun and relax, don't you? Good. Come back soon.

Doing all of those laps has tired me out. I shall now retire for a period of repose. Kill the light on your way out.

Editor's note: Roy West, author of the best-seller 7 Card Stud, the Complete Course in Winning (available from Card Player), continues to give his successful poker lessons in Las Vegas to both tourists and locals. Ladies are welcome. Get his toll-free 800 number from his ad on Page 103.