Poker and Ego

I played in a poker tournament today at the Venetian and 3 different people at my table claimed to play poker for a living.

Now there's this rumor going around that I play poker a living. And that may or may not be true. But I sure didn't believe these guys did. And for the sake of this entry lets say that I'm wrong.

Lets say these guys really do play poker for a living. What I don't get is why any professional would want to share this information. This isn't some 10k tourney. It's $150 on a weekday at noon.

Saying that they're a pro isn't going to intimidate anyone. If anything it only helps players like me who know that I can steal from them. After all it's these "pros" who are supposed to know how to fold.

To add to the comedy, a few minutes later I fumbled my chips when betting and one of the "pros" made fun of me for obviously being a beginner.

I could have listed my resume. But instead I played along and said in my most sarcastic tone "Yeah I bet so smoothly from all of my years of practice."

I'm happy to be the tourist.

Soon after, during a big hand, one player called time on another. The player who was taking too long said he needed extra time because he's a pro and not some tourist on vacation.

To which the player who called for time responded "I may be dressed like a tourist but I'm not a tourist either."

Wow that made me laugh.

And I may have even made a joke.

But no one heard me.

They were too busy telling each other how they were all professionals.