We’ve all been there. Â You sit down at the poker table next to a guy
who has a comment about everything. Â Someone makes a routine fold.
“Sometimes you can’t fight ‘em.” he says. Â No. Â Sometimes you can’t
fight ‘em. Â He’s right. Â He’s also going to ruin my night with this
bullshit. Â Usually I try and be nice and humor him on the first few
comments. Â I don’t want to be a total dick.
“It’s good to get out” he says. Â Christ dude. Â You might as well just
say “I’m lonely” Â or “I haven’t slept with a woman for years.” Â That
would be interesting. Â At least then I could find out why the medicine
for the psorias isn’t working. Â Oh yeah, this guy is leaving
disgusting skin flakes on the felt every time he reaches for his
chips. Â Which he never does because he is strategy is to bore everyone
into giving him their chips. Â With every skin fleck I”m reminded I
should’ve stayed home and played online.
“What’s good on the menu?” he mutters. Â Before I can say “I think the
pad-thai is okay” the iPod headphones are on.
Loud.
Even thought this guy is harmless, probably even nice, he’s starting
to affect my game. Â I’m spending too much energy on tuning him out and
not enough on tuning into what the other players are up to. Â He’s
worse for my psyche than a maniac on my left. Â There’s only one thing
to do.
“Table change please”
As I get up, the guy cluelessly jokes, “Was it something I said?”
“No” I lied.
I’m sure the poor guy found some other unwilling sap to
talk to about the weather.
I usally play poker for interesting conversation.
