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Editorial
January 7, 1919
The Daily Banner
Cambridge, Dorchester County, Maryland
What is this article about?
An editorial dismissing the concept of 'bad luck' as superstition, arguing that success in poker and life stems from skill, knowledge, patience, and a positive mindset rather than premonitions or charms. Attributed to James Hay Jr. in McClure's Magazine.
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PUT "BAD LUCK" IN DISCARD
When the Game of Life Is Analyzed,
There Is No Such Thing to
Be Found.
There is no such thing as "bad
luck." The belief in it is a gross su-
perstition. It is claimed that there is
a lot of luck in poker. My observa-
tion has been that the man who wins
at poker consistently is merely the
best player of poker. There are some
who have a run of luck." But if
the "run" lasts three minutes the op-
posite "run" generally lasts equally
long. If the good luck holds up for a
year, the bad luck appears during the
next year. Any habitual card-player.
unless he is a very poor player or
an unusually good one, will tell you
that his winnings and losses just
about counterbalance.
In poker, as in life. the final deter-
mining factor is skill. knowledge of
the game, patience, taking advantage
of opportunities. If you have a pre-
monition that you are going to fail
in an undertaking you are promising
yourself disaster in advance, you are
merely saying to yourself: "I know
I am not equal to that. I'll fall down
on it, sure."
Dismiss the premonition
Throw away the "charms" and talis-
mans.
Get on the job.-James
Hay,
Jr., in McClure's Magazine,
When the Game of Life Is Analyzed,
There Is No Such Thing to
Be Found.
There is no such thing as "bad
luck." The belief in it is a gross su-
perstition. It is claimed that there is
a lot of luck in poker. My observa-
tion has been that the man who wins
at poker consistently is merely the
best player of poker. There are some
who have a run of luck." But if
the "run" lasts three minutes the op-
posite "run" generally lasts equally
long. If the good luck holds up for a
year, the bad luck appears during the
next year. Any habitual card-player.
unless he is a very poor player or
an unusually good one, will tell you
that his winnings and losses just
about counterbalance.
In poker, as in life. the final deter-
mining factor is skill. knowledge of
the game, patience, taking advantage
of opportunities. If you have a pre-
monition that you are going to fail
in an undertaking you are promising
yourself disaster in advance, you are
merely saying to yourself: "I know
I am not equal to that. I'll fall down
on it, sure."
Dismiss the premonition
Throw away the "charms" and talis-
mans.
Get on the job.-James
Hay,
Jr., in McClure's Magazine,
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Bad Luck
Superstition
Poker Skill
Self Fulfilling Prophecy
Positive Mindset
What entities or persons were involved?
James Hay Jr.
Mcclure's Magazine
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Rejection Of Bad Luck As Superstition
Stance / Tone
Dismissive Of Superstition, Advocating Skill And Positive Mindset
Key Figures
James Hay Jr.
Mcclure's Magazine
Key Arguments
Belief In Bad Luck Is A Gross Superstition.
Consistent Winners At Poker Are The Best Players, Not Lucky Ones.
Runs Of Good And Bad Luck Balance Out Over Time.
In Poker And Life, Success Depends On Skill, Knowledge, Patience, And Seizing Opportunities.
Negative Premonitions Lead To Self Fulfilling Failure.
Dismiss Premonitions, Discard Charms And Talismans, And Focus On The Task.