Buzz Gnosis

Maybe it’s a product of a guy having no one else to talk to at home, but there seems little worse than sitting down at a live poker game next to the guy who just doesn’t know you don’t want to be his next best friend. More than commenting on hand by hand with their own analysis, which is a whole other kind of irritating, these guys want to talk about where you’re from, what you do for a living, what you’re in town for, and anything else that might pop into their mind.

Now, I’m not against socializing at the poker online table. I like to joke around and talk a little from time to time. But for me, playing cards is relaxing, a time to turn off my mind from everything else throughout the day and just zone in to the rhythm of the table. The last thing I do, and maybe this is just me but I sense not, is have a session long conversation with the guy next to me about anything but cards.

One of the ways I handle this when I find myself next to the guy that can’t shut up is to bring an iPod or walkman with me to the casino online. Even if I’m not going to listen to music, I can put earphones in and represent the idea that I’m not there to listen, I’m there to play.