Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a champion
Gary Clarke, 20/11/08 | Print this article
The first lesson every player should learn before they walk in a poker room should be on poker ethics. Sure, poker is a game and we all want to win but players are responsible for their conduct while sitting at the tables. The manner in which player’s conduct themselves is something which should concern them. It is not something which should be abandoned if you start losing. Conducting yourself reputably and being ethical at the table should be of prime importance. Stu Unger once said “show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser”. Interesting.
What one may delve from Unger as a poker player is entirely different from that of his behaviour. They were two altogether different entities. A fabulous player no doubt, but a pig when it came to manners. Spitting at dealers, swearing at floor-staff, calling people names and generally behaving like a brat were all parleyed in the 2005 Nolan Dalla biography of the three time WSOP main event champ. Your behaviour at the table speaks volumes and should be monitored closely. It is not too difficult to conduct yourself in a diligent manner for a day’s play yet so many players seem to disregard it.
For example if you look at Scotty Nguyen in this summer’s WSOP H.O.R.S.E event. His behaviour was not that of a true champion. He was rude and obnoxious and that was just the edited version. Nobody can aspire to be like this. Potential champions cannot look at his performance as an example of success as he did not win in a reputable manner. A trophy that was dedicated in memory of Chip Reese was sadly marred by the style in which Nguyen won. His behaviour was unacceptable as a role model. He has even resorted to issuing apologies such was the damage caused.
This is not a one-off incident by any means. There is a lot of it going on at the poker tables around the country. Players seem to lack basic manners. There is absolutely no need for the tomfoolery and yelping when you win a pot. It’s disrespectful and its often at the expense of the guy who’s tournament has just came to an end. Then you have the “One-time” brigade. This made-for-TV catchphrase is about as pathetic as it’s philosophy. It is quite incredible how people actually believe and place hope in what they are saying. How many one-times can there be? Leave the screaming and whooping for the craps table. You’ll fit in a lot better there acting like a monkey.
Doyle Brunson and Chip Reese are two of poker’s strongest hall of fame members. They have got their through hard work on their poker games and careful professionalism spanning over 50 years. They were not simply great poker players. They became the absolute best because they conducted themselves amicably and honourably too. These will be remembered in American poker not solely on their victories but for being the gentlemen of the game also.
In conclusion it is clear that not all players are saints in their behaviour at a poker table. Nor do they claim to be. But poker is a long drawn out game and for the hours we spend beside each other across the felt why not make the affair pleasurable? Don’t scream out if you suck out. Don’t try angle shoot in order to win the hand. Don’t yell and scream and clap when you win. Spare a thought for the other player. Be a Chip Reese not a Stu Ungar. Be a Doyle Brunson not a Scotty Nguyen. Be gracious in success and defeat. Remember, we will all have to endure both within our time in poker.
Gary Clarke can be contacted at gary.clarke@pokerireland.ie
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