A Distracted Soldier

It is said that "a distracted soldier is a dead soldier". Anyone that has been watching "The Unit" on CBS has had this mantra ground into them to some degree. And I would have to agree, for at the poker table, if you're a professional poker player and not focused, you're going to bust out early.

I've never understood why those poker all stars bring a crossword puzzle, or a book, or whatever with them to the poker room. I somewhat get eating at the table, however, this too can be a distraction. Cocktails or beer can cloud your mind when you need your mental energy the most. I'll drink either water or coffee. Mostly coffee to produce a hand shake at an opportune time, as most of the books on tells state that a shaky hand is a strong hand, as opposed to a nervous one.

But I digress.... At the casino I play at most of the time, they have horse races running constantly on the big screen, as it's connected to a race track. Yet another level of distraction, as this includes betting and gambling as well. I haven't really decided if the cocktail waitresses are cuter than the bet runners, however, being distracted by beautiful women when you're making a decision for all your chips on the bubble in a poker tournament with a marginal hand is not my idea of a good time.

So, my conclusion is simply this: I come to the poker room to play poker. If you're there to do anything else like read, think about getting a celebrity poker players autograph, or listen to music, then I think you should save yourself some time and a lot of headache, and simply hand your money directly to me.

More on this when it comes up again.

72 and sunny in Redondo Beach.See you next time.

"Matches Malone"

Editor's note: Matches Malone has been writing for us for a couple years now, and you can read his blog notes at PokerAllStar.com

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