Barry Greenstein on Coping with Bad Luck in Online Poker

Barry Greenstein, a renowned cash game poker player known for his significant charitable contributions, has shared his insights on coping with perceived unfairness in online poker. Greenstein, who has donated over 7 million dollars in tournament winnings to various charitable funds, is also the founder and co-owner of the website PokerRoad.com.

The term 'underhanded RNG' is used when players feel they are being unfairly dealt with in several consecutive hands. This phenomenon can lead players to suspect that the software is rigged, especially when they experience multiple bad beats in a short period. Greenstein advises players to understand probabilities and not to blame the software for bad luck.

Greenstein suggests that players should focus on the next hand rather than dwelling on past losses. He draws a parallel from his experience in golf, where a good player must concentrate on the next shot rather than the previous one. This mindset helps players maintain their composure and avoid tilting, which can lead to poor decisions. If the perceived unfairness affects a player's performance, Greenstein recommends taking a break or even quitting for the day.