Today I thought that I might discuss one of the most frequently asked
questions that constantly seems to pop up in poker circles. The question
is, "Which are the best seats to sit in and why?"
Some poker gurus think that you should sit behind the loose, weak
players, because you will win most of your bets from the players in front
of you. It also is said that you should sit in front of the tough, tighter
players, because - actually, I forgot the exact reasons. I really have
never paid that much attention to the style - loose, tight, weak, or
strong - of the players in the game I am getting a seat in. I usually
concern myself with things that I never read about when the experts are
discussing seat selection.
The experts probably will dismiss my thoughts on the subject, because
my thoughts were not attained in a scientific manner. It has been more
like I looked back one day, and it all became clear.
Probably the worst seat to sit in, bar none, is the seat to the immediate
right of the dealer; usually, it's seat No. 9. At first I thought it was just
my imagination, but over the years, it has been borne out to be
absolutely true. I have had more bad luck sitting in that seat than all of
the rest put together. Seat No. 9 is, as I said, to the immediate right of
the dealer and right next to the drop box. I don't know how many times
I have gone home with bruised and cracked knees from sitting in that
seat.
One night, as my theory was in the early stages of development, I
couldn't wait to get home and run it by my wife. When I got home, I
explained my theory to her, and at first she said, "You're just being
superstitious. What proof do you have?" I pulled up my trousers and
showed her the big red welt on my knee. She weakened a little and
said, "Well, maybe." I have come to the conclusion that the casinos and
card clubs look for the biggest, strongest-looking, clumsiest people they
can find, and assign them the job of emptying the boxes. Nothing gets in
the way of the people assigned to get those drop boxes. They are on a
mission.
There are other unlucky seats at the poker table. In California, where
you can eat at the table, I have learned to choose a seat where I have
plenty of room in which to eat my meal. Sometimes they put the tables
so close together that you can barely get in or out of your seat - let
alone try to eat a meal there.
Once again, I came to my conclusion in a painful manner. It seemed that
every time I sat in a seat where there was another chair a few inches
behind me, more often than not, I ended up with soup spilled all over
me, or my dinner tray knocked over before I finished eating. Obviously, it
won't be the same seat number at every table, so as you're waiting to
get in the game, you should make a mental note of the dangerous seats.
It also has been unlucky for me when I have chosen a seat that is next
to a "homesteader." I'm sure that you all know about homesteaders.
They come in all sizes and shapes. They are easy to recognize. They are
people with three drink holders (all filled), a pack of cigarettes, a
paperback novel, a $1 bill folded in half, and, of course, a couple of
good-luck charms.
Again, I will say that my thoughts are not based on pure science. It just
seems to me that I lose more often than usual when I sit next to one of
these pack rats. I think it's because I spend so much time making sure
that he is not hiding a card or two under his garbage that I forget to pay
attention to the game.
I always try to monitor a game before I get into it. I pay attention to see
if there is a "talker" present. I try not to sit next to talkers. They, once
again, seem to keep me from having the necessary focus. Sometimes
this problem is unavoidable. There are those times when the only seat
open is next to the talker, and no one will change seats with you.
Obviously, the first thing to do is ask for the first available seat change.
Then, do what I learned to do a few years ago - that is, to reach into my
little case and come out with my Walkman and, of course, my earphones.
Usually, the talker will find a different target and will leave me alone.
Last but not least, another very important part of seat selection,
especially if you are a sports fan or a sports bettor, is to get a seat with
a good view of the television. You must be one step ahead of the crowd.
When you first sit down, rollerblading may be on the television and the
game may be hours away, but if you don't think ahead and you let
yourself forget about it, you may wake up at game time and not be able
to see your team in action. You will be much luckier in the poker game if
you don't have to stretch your neck out of joint or keep asking your
neighbor what happened on the last play.
For what it's worth ...
questions that constantly seems to pop up in poker circles. The question
is, "Which are the best seats to sit in and why?"
Some poker gurus think that you should sit behind the loose, weak
players, because you will win most of your bets from the players in front
of you. It also is said that you should sit in front of the tough, tighter
players, because - actually, I forgot the exact reasons. I really have
never paid that much attention to the style - loose, tight, weak, or
strong - of the players in the game I am getting a seat in. I usually
concern myself with things that I never read about when the experts are
discussing seat selection.
The experts probably will dismiss my thoughts on the subject, because
my thoughts were not attained in a scientific manner. It has been more
like I looked back one day, and it all became clear.
Probably the worst seat to sit in, bar none, is the seat to the immediate
right of the dealer; usually, it's seat No. 9. At first I thought it was just
my imagination, but over the years, it has been borne out to be
absolutely true. I have had more bad luck sitting in that seat than all of
the rest put together. Seat No. 9 is, as I said, to the immediate right of
the dealer and right next to the drop box. I don't know how many times
I have gone home with bruised and cracked knees from sitting in that
seat.
One night, as my theory was in the early stages of development, I
couldn't wait to get home and run it by my wife. When I got home, I
explained my theory to her, and at first she said, "You're just being
superstitious. What proof do you have?" I pulled up my trousers and
showed her the big red welt on my knee. She weakened a little and
said, "Well, maybe." I have come to the conclusion that the casinos and
card clubs look for the biggest, strongest-looking, clumsiest people they
can find, and assign them the job of emptying the boxes. Nothing gets in
the way of the people assigned to get those drop boxes. They are on a
mission.
There are other unlucky seats at the poker table. In California, where
you can eat at the table, I have learned to choose a seat where I have
plenty of room in which to eat my meal. Sometimes they put the tables
so close together that you can barely get in or out of your seat - let
alone try to eat a meal there.
Once again, I came to my conclusion in a painful manner. It seemed that
every time I sat in a seat where there was another chair a few inches
behind me, more often than not, I ended up with soup spilled all over
me, or my dinner tray knocked over before I finished eating. Obviously, it
won't be the same seat number at every table, so as you're waiting to
get in the game, you should make a mental note of the dangerous seats.
It also has been unlucky for me when I have chosen a seat that is next
to a "homesteader." I'm sure that you all know about homesteaders.
They come in all sizes and shapes. They are easy to recognize. They are
people with three drink holders (all filled), a pack of cigarettes, a
paperback novel, a $1 bill folded in half, and, of course, a couple of
good-luck charms.
Again, I will say that my thoughts are not based on pure science. It just
seems to me that I lose more often than usual when I sit next to one of
these pack rats. I think it's because I spend so much time making sure
that he is not hiding a card or two under his garbage that I forget to pay
attention to the game.
I always try to monitor a game before I get into it. I pay attention to see
if there is a "talker" present. I try not to sit next to talkers. They, once
again, seem to keep me from having the necessary focus. Sometimes
this problem is unavoidable. There are those times when the only seat
open is next to the talker, and no one will change seats with you.
Obviously, the first thing to do is ask for the first available seat change.
Then, do what I learned to do a few years ago - that is, to reach into my
little case and come out with my Walkman and, of course, my earphones.
Usually, the talker will find a different target and will leave me alone.
Last but not least, another very important part of seat selection,
especially if you are a sports fan or a sports bettor, is to get a seat with
a good view of the television. You must be one step ahead of the crowd.
When you first sit down, rollerblading may be on the television and the
game may be hours away, but if you don't think ahead and you let
yourself forget about it, you may wake up at game time and not be able
to see your team in action. You will be much luckier in the poker game if
you don't have to stretch your neck out of joint or keep asking your
neighbor what happened on the last play.
For what it's worth ...
Unlucky Seats
By Vince Burgio
By Vince Burgio
