Nice Try, Big Guy

"So, how old are you, anyway? 'Bout forty-something?", says the guy next to me in the 6 seat. I was seated in the lucky 7 seat that night and had been joyfully stacking 90% of the pots I played. Some nights it just happens like that, you can do no wrong. The better hands hold up and all is right with the world. Your button play of 7/8 sooted turns the straight against two limpers, one holding pocket A's and the other pocket Q's, with the Q's hitting their set and the A's unable to lay down. I had tripled my $100 buyin in less than two hours at a 3/6 limit table. I was on a rush and the feeling was awesome.

Then, out of nowhere, this guy makes a comment about my age. "No, I'm 33." I answered his inquiry with a look of 'are you even serious?'. He tells my husband, who was sitting to my left, that I looked much older than he did. Russ took on the same confused expression as myself and asked the guy if he'd been smoking crack in the men's room. The guy then turns and stares at me for a moment, "Yea, you need a facelift or somethin'."

Now, while I do have confidence and high self esteem, I am still a woman. Most women do not take well to being told they look older than they actually are. All men know this, it's not a secret. It's our weak spot, like men's is a receding hair line. I mucked an A/J and walked to the restroom in a daze. Why would a total stranger say that to me?

Had new lines and wrinkles taken a surprise attack over my face and aged me ten years in the few hours I'd been sitting at the poker table?? I checked the mirror. No, it was the same face I had when I awoke that morning. Wtf was this guy's problem? I went into a stall, sat down and lit a cigarette. As I sat there smoking, I thought about that jerk and his comment.

He was about my age and a fairly good player. Being medium-tight/aggressive, he was one of the better players at the table. He didn't play a any-face-any-place game and he showed down good cards, but he hadn't been catching the flops very well and had made the minimum rebuy twice. He'd smirk, "Have you lost a pot yet?", to me nearly every hand I won. He was on tilt and he wanted me out of the game. Then it dawned on me, (duh) he was accomplishing that goal as I sat cowering on the pot in the ladies room worried about stupid age lines that I didn't even have!

Nh, sir. You almost got me. Luckily, while I may be semi vain, I'm not a dim- wit blonde. I went back and sat down at the table. He mumbled an apology to me a little while later as I dragged another pot. "I don't know why I said that.", he says to me, "I just dumped a big pot to ya. We even now?" I told him to keep dumping pots to me and I'd think about it. Dumbass.

The point is that some people will say anything and everything to you at the table to try and knock you off of your game. The recreational players couldn't care less, as they're getting what they need from the game win or lose, but the serious players will come after you if they feel threatened. They'll insult you, cuss you, belittle your play and try their best to make you feel uncomfortable and out of place. I've seen this done to other players, but it was the first time it had happened to me. It will happen to you, if it hasn't already. When this happens, keep your emotions in check and never let anyone make you doubt yourself. You must have the backbone and presence of mind at all times to keep them out of your head. If you let them in, they'll never leave.