::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
::
|
|
Poker Lesson: Bad Beats
(July 11, 2006)
You’re dealt a pair of aces and the flop still keeps you in the driver’s seat. Your pocket rockets are looking great and you stand to collect tidy little pot when out of nowhere your opponent flips over a better hand. Unfortunately, you have just suffered a bad beat.
A bad beat occurs when your hand is the clear favorite to win the pot but, due to some extraordinary good fortune on the part of an adversary, you lose. Most likely the turn and/or the river improved tremendously on a hand which your opponent should not have even been playing in the first case. This is what makes a bad beat so hard to swallow and is a source of anguish for all poker players.
But simply put, bad beats are an essential part of poker. They happen to every player regardless of ability and, therefore, should not be blown out of proportion. If you are the victim of one or more bad beats and noticeably shaken up by them, it may be a good idea to step away from the table for a couple of hands and take a break. Many players dwell on bad beats and recount their occurrences for others at any given chance. This is entirely counter-productive, not to mention very boring for others to hear - don’t do it, it happens to everyone!
Bad beats are often completely unexpected, but they shouldn’t be. Many amateurs fail to consider which hands can beat theirs, especially when poised to win a pot. You should always be aware of the board and don’t let your enthusiasm cloud your vision.
Bad beats are an unavoidable part of poker, but it is important not to let them faze you. Remember, there’s always a chance that next time you might be on the other, positive, side of a bad beat!
|
|
