I was feeling a few ounces lighter. I certainly wasn’t losing weight as a result of my eating during the holidays. Then I figured it out. I’d lost my balls. It happened during a No Limit Hold Em ring game when I couldn’t make myself call an all in bet. I was almost positive I was in the lead, but I was having a good night and my stack was healthy. If I called and lost, it would decimate me. I played it safe, or more like a wuss, and folded only to be shown a hand weaker than mine. My opponent smiled as he raked in a $500 pot.
What happened to me? I used to be as aggressive as they came. I used to be THAT guy. I know you have to be aggressive. That’s how I play. Or at least I thought I did. Sure, most of my early, highly aggressive play was in online SNGs, but certainly, that must translate.
All I really knew was that I needed my balls back.
When you’re looking for something, it’s always best to retrace your steps. Â Go to the last place you saw it and look there. So that’s what I did. I went online to the Full Tilt Super Turbo SNGs. Cheap ones. $14 +$1.
I chose the Super Turbos because they are all about aggression. Win fast or lose fast. All in or nothing. I played a bunch.
Promptly turned $100 into $0. Felt good, too. For the first time in a month, I was playing with confidence again. It actually felt better to lose with confidence rather than book a few puss-played wins. I wasn’t the timid little mouse that got bullied in the NLH ring game. At least now I had a little fight in me.
So in the end, it cost me $100 to get my balls back. A bargain at twice the price. Way cheaper than the $500 neuticles I got for my dog.
I guess sometimes I play poker to re-learn lessons.
Why do you play? Let me know at stories@whydoiplaypoker.net
