Reject Regret
How often do online poker players whine about a hand they folded that would have won had they played it? Every poker player has experienced this woeful situation – it is part of the game. Winning at poker is based on correct decision making, and that means folding most pocket hands. Folding 6-8 when under the gun is the right thing to do, even though the flop brings 8-8-6. Yes, it’s regretful, but the fold was the best decision to make on the information available at that moment, which was none.
Poker is a game of foresight – being able to predict your opponents’ possible moves – but no one can foresee what cards will come. You must base your decisions on your position and what you know about your opponents.
Regret about your decisions can put you on tilt. Just let it go and move onto the next hand. Recently, in a first hand at a final table of ten, short stacked and up against several monsters, I folded pocket 5s under the gun. Sure enough, a 5 came out on the flop; the turn and river were both Aces, and two players went all in. Those pocket fives would have tripled up my short stack. But, it seemed like the right decision to make at the time considering my opponents’ chip stacks and their aggressive styles. I didn’t want to be the first player out at the final table. I shook it off, and eventually placed third for good prize money.
Don’t dwell on your regrets. Make your decisions based on the situation and data available to you at that moment. And please, don’t ask to chase the rabbit card when you do fold. If your long shot card comes up, you will only put yourself on tilt and annoy the other players. Move on, the hand is over.
