Good Loser Versus Sore Loser
I’d like to talk about a concept I think is crucial to winning in the casinos: a good loser versus a sore loser.
It might seem strange to think that a good loser can actually end up a winner. But after years of gambling I have found that the difference between winning and losing doesn’t lie in the number of times you win but in how you lose. Let me explain.
The more I play the Benson systems, the more I realize that the systems work only with the correct discipline. Correct discipline means taking advantage of winning streaks and avoiding losing streaks. This simple formula is part of all of our systems and can be found in our departure rules.
So how do you become a disciplined player? Simple. Discipline comes with the right psychology and attitude. It comes when you finally understand that casino gambling is nothing personal. It is a business, and in order to succeed you must be a good loser and accept the small defeats.
I know "good loser versus sore loser" sounds simplistic, but think about it. We have all seen sore losers in our lives. What are the characteristics of such individuals? Well, I’ve made a list of these characteristics. Let’s take a quick look.
- Sore losers hate to lose. They will not accept defeat even if it ruins them.
- Sore losers play with an all-or-nothing attitude. They think if they can’t win they will risk it all. There is no middle ground.
- Sore losers take their play personally. Every loss is a challenge to their worth as a player.
- Sore losers are envious of others. They are quick to see if other people are winning.
- Sore losers will never admit defeat. Even when it is clear they lost, they will find a reason why it really wasn’t a loss.
- Sore losers usually look to win big. Winning a little is not enough for the times they were defeated.
- Sore losers like to boast about their wins, but they rarely mention their losses.
- Sore losers always lose more than they win.
Need I say more? How can a sore loser or a player with this attitude ever win? Every characteristic of a sore loser leads to defeat. Now compare the characteristics of a sore loser to a good loser. A good loser is a player with an attitude that understands the ups and downs of casino gambling. He accepts small losses and knows he can win big another day.
I leave you with this final thought told to me by Dr. Morton Jacobs, creator of Power Numbers Blackjack, “Show me a winner and I will show you a good loser.” He was so right. Until next time.
