dealt, Blade is first to act, and he bets $20. People start to fold
their cards, Blade is telling them that they can't call.
I have not looked at my cards yet, but I puff up and retort, "I
guarantee I won't call, Blade."
In my mind, I'm either going to raise or fold.
It's my turn.
"I raise, sixty straight." I don't think he can call.
After the player between us folds, Blade makes the $40 call. The total
in the middle is $122.
The flop shows 6 of hearts, 10 of diamonds, Jack of hearts.
"I check."
Blade checks behind me.
Turn, 3 of hearts.
"I check."
Blade stacks up his remaining chips and pushes them forward. Two
hundred and twenty one dollars.
I turn over a card, showing only an Ace of hearts.
Normally I'd do that to watch the reaction of my opponent; does he fear
a call, but I'm not even looking at him.
I believe Blade has two hearts, he's winning, holding a flush.
I should fold instantly, I have to call $221 to win $342, and if I do,
I'll lose 7 out of 8 times.
But I'm not thinking about odds or correct play, I'm thinking a single
heart on the river, overcoming odds, the thrill of victory, a sick
satisfaction of being rewarded for doing something wrong.
A gamble.
It's most of my remaining chips, "I feel a gamble. Call."
I have Ace of hearts and Queen of spades. I need a heart.
Blade shows a 3 Jacks. There is one more heart for me in the deck.
A slightly better chance for luck to smile.
The last card is not a heart; it's Blade who smiles and reaches for the
$563 pot.
One of the worst things in this game is believing you've won, and then
having someone 'slow roll' you; turning their cards over after you think
you've won, savoring defeat on your face as they show you the best hand.
I suppose it's not much different than Blade believing he's won, only to
realize he's misread the situation, slow rolling himself in his mind;
the King of clubs gives me a straight and the win. I've been in his
situation many times, mumbling the mantra, "That's poker."
Ship it.
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