This is not a post about bad beats. It really isn't. I know it happens to everyone, but what I don't understand is how the better players deal with it. My online poker experience pretty much always goes like this. I play for a while really seriously and then go through a few weeks of bad beats. I get so down I stop playing for a while and then forget about it and try again. Then the same thing happens again and again.

This past weekend I have been on the wrong side of 95% of the bad beats. Just last night I was in about 10 games. Twice in sit and goes I was heads up with from 2 to 4 times chip leads. Between the two of them I got my money in 6 times for wins and each time I was a favorite. A few times a big favorite. 100% of the time I lost.

I was then in three big multi's and each time was in the top 20 in chips. One time my AA lost to 99 at a crucial time. The next time my AQ lost to A7. And the last time I was behind all-in with A9s vs. AT. Flopped an A and a flush draw so I look good. He goes runner, runner straight to knock me out a few tables from the money.

I assume all of the online pros go through this. I just don't know how you guys get through it. Any advice?

I haven't watched much poker on television lately but do have my TIVO set for Monday's premier of season 3 of high stakes poker. God how I love that show.

I have recently discoved the weath of cool poker videos on youtube. A great one that I highly recommend is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4du3EAZoT4&NR

It's just one quick hand, but it's not to be missed. It showcases actor/poker player James Woods in not his most shining moment. Anyway, there's a good lesson to be learned from the video so be sure to check it out.


Another good one to see -- for entertainment value -- is a 3 part sequence from the new show Poker After Dark. It's a typical Phil Hellmuth blow up, but it's definitely one of the more entertaining ones. He has a decision to be made and the guys at the table continue to talk while he is trying to make it. It's pretty fun to watch them playfully egg him on. Check it out at:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kHkdjmssus

Notice that after the hand is over, Steve Z and the others egg him on further by saying that Annie had A8. Very funny stuff.

Don't want to rant here but this online poker BS is really getting me down. Sure there are plenty of places to play, but it just isn't the same anymore. I love playing at Party but can't anymore. Full Tilt is all right but I'm just not comfortable there. I have played pokerstars sometimes, but I never seem to win there.

It just feels different too. Almost like I'm doing something illegal. Do you get that feeling now? Even my girlfriend keeps on asking me how it feels to be breaking the law. I tell her that I'm not doing anything wrong, but it's hard to explain. Maybe with the Democrats winning back the house and senate things will take a turn for the better. I sure hope so.