The Trouble With War

I read a lot. Everything from fictional mysteries to nonfiction psychology books. In the course of all this reading, I frequently come across something that might also be seen as applying to poker, even though the concept occurs in a totally different context. This is the next in series of columns that will illustrate how something from another area might be applied to poker.

I came across the following quote: “The trouble with war is that it frequently consumes the things you are fighting for – justice, decency, humanity!” I’m not sure where I saw it or who said it, but I thought that, since poker is like a mini-war, it certainly had implications that poker players should be aware of.

A lot of people chose poker as a career because they are searching for freedom (A quest for freedom is also frequently given as a reason for war or revolution). Someone is dissatisfied with their life as a student or a factotum in some big corporation. They have to take orders from people in power, people they may not like or respect. They realize that they have a facility for poker and that they are making enough money to live on their winnings. They abandon their normal occupation and become poker players. Many, of course, aren’t talented or disciplined enough. These people eventually go back to their old type of work. There are also those who manage to win enough to survive. Note that survival is not flourishing or getting rich. It is eking out a win rate that barely beats the minimum wage.

Instead of freedom, these players may find themselves playing long hours every day, seven days a week. They don’t get the benefits that come with a regular job (health care) and they don’t get an annual cost of living increase. Those who specialize in tournaments find their lives are consumed with long trips to a variety of venues. They have to search for cheap flights and low cost rooms. On days when things go well, it is common to finish 12 to 14 hours after starting to play. During those hours, you must take breaks when they say break and you can eat when they say eat. Not much freedom in all that. Maybe being a doctor or an accountant and spending the weekend on the golf course isn’t so bad after all.

Poker also takes its toll on your emotions. Even very emotionally-balanced players who go through the high of a winning streak followed by the low of a losing streak become manic-depressives. Periodically, a player may need to borrow money or get staked, and many of us find this humiliating or debasing. Don’t get me wrong, poker is a great game, but the transition from game to profession is often difficult, and contains many trials and tribulations. ♠

Steve ‘Zee’ Zolotow, aka The Bald Eagle, is a successful gamesplayer. He has been a full-time gambler for over 35 years. With two WSOP bracelets and few million in tournament cashes, he is easing into retirement. He currently devotes most of his time to poker. He can be found at some major tournaments and playing in cash games in Vegas. When escaping from poker, he hangs out in his bars on Avenue A in New York City -The Library near Houston and Doc Holliday’s on 9th St. are his favorites.