A lesson in character

I am really hoping Eric Lindgren will continue to battle his way to the final table of the WSOP Main Event.

What he has done so far is incredible and should be a lesson to us all, in both poker and life.

How many of us would have given up at the end of day one when we were down to 3,700 out of a starting 30,000, especially a big name pro who has already accomplished so much. Well E-dog didn’t and he bagged up his hand full of chips, and I remember him tweeting something like “Good news is I am coming back for day 2, bad news is I am down to 3,700”. He has now battled his way to day 7 and the final 57 players. He has over 2 million(but that’s still kinda short).

I know most people get upset with every downturn and get anxious to immediately get back what they had so they will feel better, instead of saying “I am still in and what’s the best way to continue to stay in?”. That is the number one mistake I think both Pros and armatures make when playing the WSOP Main Event.

This year I was down to 10k (two 5,00chips) shortly after the second level and ESPN was giving me the vulture treatment even telling the dealer to hold up and call the cameras over when I went all in, which I found amusing as I had no intention of giving up and throwing my last two 5,000 chips in the pot, without a hand, anytime soon. They gave up after a couple hours. I got a couple hands at the very end of the day and finished with 44,000, but went out after building up to almost 100,000 on day 3(badbeats of course).
I have been watching the live action on ESPN and like many of the players, but i think E-dog winning would be a great story of strong character and perseverance.