In Texas Hold’em the worst hand one can be dealt is a 2-7. Statistically it is the hardest hand to win from. However, with the right amount of skill and with some luck one can bluff their way to a win even with that hand. Having the best hand definitely gives one the advantage, there is not doubt. But it takes more than having the best hand to win. For those who know this they can bluff, push and pull until they win the pot.
Life is not the pretty image displayed for us on the screen. Many times we end up with the 2-7 hand and we have to figure out what to do with it. Many times, most of the time rather, we will simply fold. We are dealt then fold, dealt then fold – folding on a 2-7, fold on a suited 9-10, fold on a pair of 10s, even fold on a pair of Jacks. We are waiting for that elusive pair of Aces. But life is not like that and on most things life cannot be folded.
Over the years I have seen many people talk the talk but end up not knowing what the heck they are talking about. Their lack of knowledge ends up blowing in their face and they come out barely saving face. I on the other hand do not like to talk about things I know nothing about. I like to be as informed as I can so I never find myself having to save face. However, my need for an informative view can sometimes go to the extreme. Often I will not engage in conversations simply because I don’t know the subject, feeling like I have a 2-7 while they have a pair of Kings. So, for fear of getting embarrassed in the end I shut myself out of meeting new people.
I am slowly learning though, that many times I actually have a suited 8-9 and they have a pair of 10s. With 5 more cards to be played I should never count myself out. And neither should anyone else. You never know what hand the other person is holding, in fact you may be holding the better hand. Or even if you are holding the 2-7 don’t count yourself out right away. Just as in poker you play the player not the hand so do we in conversation. Not to say we are at battle with others but you never know how much they actually know or are bluffing themselves. And even if they know more let it be a learning opportunity. Engage, don’t disengage (and I speak strongly to myself here).
Life is tough, there is no denying it. Sometimes we are dealt a 2-7 that we cannot fold, we have to play it. So let’s play that hand with all we have, with all the muster of the biggest bluff. Forget what we perceive as our shortcomings, push aside those fears of inadequacy and not fold. Let us rather bluff our way to the next hand, and then the next, and the next until we got the pocket Kings. Because sometimes we have to fake it until we make it.
Attempt it. Chance it. Try it. Get to It!