Steaming At The Poker Table: Big Mistake

Just got back from one of my favorite cash games in New York City and as usual, it was a blast. The table was made up of talented folk from all over. We had players from pretty much all over with styles of play that varied as much as their backgrounds.

It did not take long before one could figure out how each of these guys liked to play. There were a few exceptional players at the table, you definitely had to be paying attention or you could get killed. It was really a great game.

A few of us did well and a few of us did not so well. What became evident however, was that a cardinal rule was about to be broken by a couple of our table mates. It would appear that two of the gentlemen we were playing with had a tendency to take the game very seriously. One of my competitors realized this early on and began changing gears in late position to introduce virtually any two cards into play. He had a real Sam Farha quality to him. He was a good player and very likable.

As it turns out, this kind of play gradually became increasingly infuriating to the other two, more temperamental gentlemen I was referring to. If either of them were in a hand with the Farha guy, they would rage with every move. They couldn't put a bet out without an angry explanation. Often their actions were directed at him. They seemed to be determined to nail him. I imagine a lot of their play and anger stemmed from the fact that he managed to get each of them with a late position variation type play. Both occasions I believed ended with one of them saying "How can you play cards like that? You are some kind of crazy person!" Crazy like a fox I would say.

This whole experience continued to emphasize to me the importance of getting away from the steam play. These two guys were steaming so heavily after they got hit, you could iron shirts on their foreheads. Half of their plays afterwards were huge mistakes. As a witness to most of those moments I had to fight back the urge to suggest counseling or even a short break. Let's face it. You got guys like that at the table, you don't want them going anywhere. Otherwise, they were nice guys but hey, this is poker.

If there was ever a lesson in steam management this was it. When you feel the steam building you got to release it. You can't make decisions at the poker table while steaming. Most of the time you will make mistakes and a couple that I saw were huge.

When you feel the steam coming on, there's nothing wrong with taking a break. Have a Kit Kat. Do something else to get your head back on straight. Whatever you do, don't make it personal with anyone at the table. Just try to play your best game. You will learn a lot more that way about your opponents and your game. I know I did.

If anyone has other suggestions about dealing with the steam, let's hear it.