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Event Horizon of a Poker Session

by Steve Zolotow |  Published: Jan 16, 2019

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First, I want to compliment the Bellagio which allowed some conversation when pots were heads-up during its recent poker tournament. I played in the seniors event and found that the short discussions were entertaining and created a friendly ambiance.

Evolutionary psychology discusses thoughts and behaviors that tended to help our ancient primate and homo sapiens ancestors survive and reproduce. Obviously, we are descended from those who reproduced. One of the most important elements of survival is food. A typical hunter-gatherer had to find food regularly to survive. This entailed being extremely persistent in the search for sustenance. Success depended on continuing each day’s search until food had been gained. Thus, we are evolutionarily programmed not to quit when we haven’t succeeded. This behavior probably still works well for salesmen, but it is horrendously counter-productive for poker players. Yet, almost all cash game players at all levels follow their biological programming.
They go in to play a session of poker. If they start winning, their biological programming kicks in. Their quest for food has been fulfilled, and they can quit for the day. If they are losing, however, they continue until they are a small winner or completely buried. Players who keep accurate records find that they have more winning sessions than losing ones, but their big losses are bigger than their big wins. Not only are their biggest losses bigger than their biggest wins, but their big losing sessions are much longer than their big winning ones. Their behavior has been formed by their ancient forager ancestors.

When is a player most likely to be winning? When he is playing well, and the game is good. When is a player most likely to be losing? When he is playing poorly, and the game is bad. This means you aren’t putting in enough hours in the former case, and you putting in too many hours in the latter case. You are playing your longest sessions when the game is bad. You are playing your longest sessions when you are playing badly. The fact that you are losing, and may even be tilting, while your opponents are winning and avoiding tilt, makes this pattern even more destructive.

Let us now leave biology and enter the realm of physics. A black hole is a huge object with a massive gravitational pull. The force of gravity is so huge that anything that comes close is sucked in, and nothing, not even light can escape. This point of no return is known as an event horizon. I think that for many players, a losing session can become a black hole. At some point they pass the event horizon and they can’t escape having their money sucked away. In their desperate attempt to escape, they may go on complete tilt trying in vain the create a situation that will allow them to get even. They suddenly become willing to take huge risks with relatively little chance of success. They play too many hands. They bet, raise and bluff recklessly.

To avoid this, try to focus on making the right play. Think of your result as a long-term indicator of your ability. One day or one session makes only a minor contribution to your annual winnings. If you think you are approaching your event horizon, quit. Don’t allow yourself to be sucked into a black hole. It is much better to accept a small or even a medium loss and avoid a total meltdown. Take some time to relax and/or to study poker. Return another day. Hopefully, you will be playing better and they will be playing worse. ♠

Steve ZolotowSteve ‘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.