It’s Better to have had Pocket Aces and Lost, than Never to have had Pocket Aces at all

Perhaps I’m being philosophical tonight. Maybe it’s because I haven’t played poker in 4 days, maybe it’s because my girlfriend and I just broke up, or maybe it’s just that this catchy phrase came to mind and I had to immediately blog about it before someone else used it! But you have to admit, this age old adage applies perfectly to our beloved game of poker.

Oh those sweet, sweet aces!

Those of you who know me also know that my cheesiness is unbounded. But what of this playful reference? It’s a romantic notion, but one I feel is very appropriate for the beginning poker player (and every pro who has a moment of weakness). Let’s set the scene…

You get dealt Rockets
Your pulse starts to race, you glance briefly left and right through your oh-so-predictable sunglasses, to check if anyone saw your reaction. You hold your hand to your throbbing neck to prevent any signals being sent out to your opposition (based on an assumption Jack Bauer occupies seat 4). Safe.

But how to play it? I won’t get deep into how you should play Pocket Aces here, that tale has been told a million times over. But what I will say is this. Play it with all your heart, because you never know. This may be the only chance you get to do it right, to put everything you have on the line, for that one hand that meant the most to you and made your heart beat like a teenager receiving a smile from “the one”.

Yes, you may lose, and you may look like a fool. But risks and epic romantic gestures are pretty much all we have to make life interesting.

Play your cards well sir, and never look back…

- Scott