Fishing, Poker and the Art of Zen

                                                     

     If you want to improve your game of poker ( NL-Omaha, Stud, etc) I suggest you start taking some lessons from good fishermen and practice a little Zen philosophy and meditation. These two things will especially help if are a beginner; but, I believe, they can also enhance an advanced player.

     Think about fishing. Like in poker where there are many kinds of games, in fishing there are many types. You have Deep Sea Fishing, Lake or Pond, Fly (my favorite) Ice Fishing and many more. Each type of fishing requires a certain set of skills and specific techniques to succeed. Even more important, an adequate amount of planning and preparation must go into the sport to achieve optimal results. I know, you might say the comparative attributes of good fish and poker with a dash of Zen can apply to a slew of activities and sports, but I think good fishing, the art of Zen and good poker are a uniquely matched.

      Good fisherman will always know some characteristics of the fish they attempting to catch. They will generally be well rested and would never think about going without proper bait, hooks, and poles. They have to exhibit Zen-like patience for success.  Unlike novels like Moby Dick or Jaws, they never take things personally, another sound Zen recommendation.  Yes, many good fishermen imbibed, but rarely to the point on impairment, but more to the point of enlightenment.

     Now poker players- even good players- will often fall short these valuable attributes which are so essential for success. And if you closely at very successful players, you will always find them.

1. Know the characteristics of your opponents like the fisherman knows his fish. Whats' he inclined to do under what circumstances?
2. Don't go to the table tire or underfunded. Few fishermen run out of bait.
3. Cast and wait. Yanking at the pole, boisterous behavior often scares fish away. Patience prevails in fishing as it will in poker.
4. When the time is right, don't hesitate to act.
5. Never take things personally. It always clouds your judgment. And bad beat stories are like the "big one that got away" who really wants to hear it?
6. Imbibe to the point of enlightenment, not impairment.

    Well, good fishing, poker, and meditation.