Sunday, March 30, 2008

National Sportsmanship Day

We play a game where angle-shooting, trash talk and generally being a giant asshole are not only "acceptable" strategies...they are glorified on television. Every day online, most of us who play are insulted, cursed at and denigrated. As an excuse, people interpret bluffing to equate with lying...and if lying to your opponents is OK, then anything goes, right? Any excuse to take their money. Today, in thousands of schools across the United States and many other countries, our children will learn about the importance of sportsmanship. Lessons will be taught about being civil to each other in the field of competition, understanding our opponents are the same as us, with the same intent and desire to win. The game of poker would be better off if we all took those lessons to heart. Understanding sportsmanship allows us to keep our goals in better perspective, prevents tilt, and generally guides us in who we are before, during and after our time at the table.
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