Last year I was sitting in a poker tournament, about two hours deep, when I was dealt a suited King and Queen. I went in with a raise, hoping to get some spades on the flop. Four others called me, and the flop comes out-a King of hearts and 7 and 8 of spades, so I’m sitting on a good draw hand with top pair. Everyone checked to me, so I made a small raise to keep the action going without scaring anyone off, and everyone called.

The turn comes out and it’s the Ace of spades. I’m playing it cool, but inside I’m doing cartwheels. Look at the community cards, checking for a possible full house, but there’s no chance, so I’ve got he best hand out there. The first bettor raised, and two players called, so I re-raised, and everyone called again…at this point I’m salivating over the pot in front of me, and I can’t wait to rake it in.

The river is dealt-4 of diamonds, and everyone checks to me. The card was no help to anyone, and I’m sure that I’ve got it so I go all in, hoping to grab a nice big chunk out of the chip leader’s stack. The chip leader called, and the others folded, and he showed his cards before me-a Jack-10 of spades. I stand and slap my cards on the table with a triumphant grin…until I saw that the King and Queen were, in fact, clubs.

Lesson learned: Take a break from reading everyone else to look at your own cards once in a while. Else you’ll lose you head and in more in the world of poker.