There are thirteen levels of losing at the poker tables

 Thirteen levels for losing at the Poker Table

While most pots won by poker players are forgotten, the scars left behind by big losses can be very difficult to forget. I have won thousands of hands in poker, possibly tens of thousands. But most of those winning poker hands fade from my memory, blurring together into one warm, happy glow. I am still haunted by the memories of past events. I think most players share the same selective memory.

Poker players are well aware that losing is part of poker. They learn how to deal with losses calmly. However, some losses can be more devastating than others. Some can leave you feeling numb. Some make it so you have to recline on your back and cover your eyes. Some tear your spine and tie it in knots before putting it in the garbage disposal. Emerson stated that it was important to "win as if your were used to it" and "lose as if we enjoyed it for a change".

ESPN's Bill Simmons (The Sports Guy) has compiled a classic list of 16 Levels for Losing in Sports. This lists 16 types losses that range from disappointing to deeply traumatic to heartbreaking. Poker is no different. There are many ways to fail. With that in mind, and with a tip to the Sports Guy: Here's my breakdown on the 13 levels of losing at the Poker Table.

Level 13: The Ice Storm

After hours of waiting, you finally sit down at the table to play poker and aren't dealt any cards. The Poker Gods and the dealer seem to be envious of you. Sometimes you do get good cards. But the flop doesn't help and your draws don't improve. Most ice storms occur at limit hold'em tournaments or at limit hold'em table. You set up a stack of chips, wait, wait, wait, and then your stack shrinks. Everyone thinks that you're the most sloppy, uninteresting player at the table. Perhaps you do try to mix it up or bluff, but your hands get re-raised so you must fold. You lose slowly for hours and don't get entertained.

It's similar to Chinese water torture: no one thing hurts too much, but the constant drip-drip, drip-drip of losing gradually pushes you over that edge. Many people get into Ice Storm but then slowly lose their minds and do something stupid or reckless that makes them sink deeper.

Level 12. The Head-Shaker ("I would win?")

You have a poor hand. At some point, you must fold. After you've mucked all your cards, bets and raises are made between the remaining players. The showdown is when two junky hands are flipped. The pot is won by someone who has a third pair or a high hand. These hands can make a player impatient and reckless. This usually leads to them losing bigger pots, such as with middle-pair hands or top pairs with terrible kickers.

Level 11. Level 11.

Similar to The Head Shaker, but worse. It's a multi-directional hand. You're involved in a lot of action. Sometime you might consider making a difficult call. Sometimes, this is with a pocket pair, a draw to an straight or a flush. Finally, you reluctantly muck up your cards. You are then dealt the next card, the card you chose, one that would have given either the nuts or a monster hand. This card is worse than the rest. Everyone starts raising and betting, and everyone is suddenly shoving in their stacks. It is hard to look at the mountains of chips you would have won, if only luck had prevailed.

Personal example: I was playing an all-night game at home with friends a year ago. The game was late so there were many re-buys. I was successful, having built up a decent stack and maybe three or four buy ins. I was there on the button with two 8-bit blacks. I raise to 3. Another player raises to $6. I think about it for a while, considering all three of our big stacks, and I might be paid off if my set is lucky. But, after thinking, I decide to fold because I'm up against bigger hands. The flop is Q-8-4 Rainbow. The first player wagers $20. The second player takes it to $40. The two players are now all in and the pot is at $400. I sit calmly but my head is racing. After the dust settles player one flips over the aces. Player two shows 44 for player three. My set with eights would have won the entire thing. I would have made about $400 with the extra nine dollars. We often say that poker is a funny game but it's not funny. How to Become Better Poker Players - Your MUST Do