In live poker, confrontations are almost inevitable. While poker is a fantastic game that unites millions, not all players get along. Online, you might only deal with a cheeky poo emoji from Vivi Saliba, but in live poker, you’re face-to-face with your opponents. This means that sometimes you’ll have to navigate not just the game, but also unpleasant personalities at the table.
For context, let me share a moment from the WSOP Main Event, where the confrontation was particularly vivid.
Tilting Will Never Help
I was sat at a table in the WSOP Main Event, and right to my side was a guy wearing a MAGA hat. Initially, he was polite and friendly—just the kind of person you want to have at a big event. However, things took a turn when I noticed the lock screen on his phone: a trophy-hunting picture.
Now, I can tolerate some differences in political views, but trophy hunting is something I just can’t condone. Things escalated when the same guy, the trophy hunter, announced that he had a video of himself hunting and killing a mountain lion. Without any regard for the game or my concentration, he reached across me and handed the phone to the player on my left to watch the video.
I calmly asked him not to reach across me and to stop playing videos while I was in the middle of a hand. He apologized, and I was able to focus on finishing my day strong, pleased with how I handled the situation both mentally and at the table.
The truth is, for him, it wasn’t even a confrontation. I barely said anything and didn’t escalate it further. I kept my focus on my game, because that’s the best way to deal with such things.
The Best Revenge is Playing Well
Confrontations at the table can sometimes get worse, with players still sitting across from each other after a heated exchange. This creates a meta-game where you might be thinking, Are they going to bluff more now that we’ve argued?
The best move, unless you know how their behavior will affect their ranges, is to not adjust your own strategy. Stick to what you’ve studied and what you know works. Use nut blockers to bluff, and call with solid bluff-catchers. If your opponent changes their strategy based on the argument, they’re likely to crash into your solid range.
But sometimes, the confrontation might end with you being knocked out by the same person who’s been difficult at the table. That’s tough, but the only way to handle it is by being mentally prepared. The mindset I apply here is the same as in life: visualize all the potential outcomes.
Visualizing All Eventualities
I learned this the hard way when I went to Rozvadov and ended up losing $15,000. I had already pictured this possibility and prepared myself mentally for it. By doing that, I was able to stay calm and keep making good decisions even after a frustrating loss.
So, if you find yourself facing a difficult player at the table, make sure you’ve studied your game thoroughly beforehand. Be confident in your decisions and mentally prepare yourself for the possibility of being eliminated by that player. It’s something you’re bound to experience if you play long enough, and being ready for it will help you manage your emotions better.
And if you know you made the best play you could against that opponent, you’ll feel a lot better about it, regardless of the outcome.
