Some people have life all figured out, others scrape by just through luck alone. But after some thinking I’ve come to realize something. Life’s basically a game. It can be a board game, you know… because everyone loved Candy land as a kid. But more specifically, Life is just one big game of Texas Hold’em. Now, before you groan and give your forehead a slap, hear me out.

You see, it all begins as soon as you pick up your hand. Now, some people get all the luck and land something really juicy right from the get-go. These people may not know the game or maybe they’re old time pro’s, but they’ve got something good. You, on the other hand, you might have some junk cards and your stomach twists and turns into big ol’ knots. So, the blinds are thrown in, people place their bets or check, and the game really gets going.

The dealer’s about to throw down the first three cards, but the thing is… the dealer’s got to do one thing first.

He’s got to dump a card. Now, the card being thrown out, you have no idea of what that is, and will never know. That card he’s throwing off to the side could very well be the thing that could win you the game. That could give you a trip-five. Hell, you know, it could even be the card that gives your wreck of a hand a Flush. It’s a wasted opportunity, your luck being thrown down the chute.

Now, when those three first cards are laid down in front of you… Well, some people get lucky right off the hop. Most people aren’t. Most people are looking at their hand fighting a scowl and maybe a few choice curse words. Most people would be more inclined to fold and step away from the table.

That’s most people… Some people on the other hand know they have little, they can accept that they were dealt a shitty hand but they don’t fold. These people play to win. They could have a two of hearts and maybe a four of clubs, and there isn’t anything out on that table that’d give them a sure-shot at winning.

But they don’t fold, they play on.

These people put on that poke face and they throw in their chips with absolute confidence. They lay their hearts, wallets and even life on those two ill-fated cards… And some people, the ones with the One Great Hand, they can get scared. It happens. It could be a sure win for them by the time they get to the Turn. But what happens when people get scared? Well, as we’ve already discovered, they fold. One after the other, these careful Gamblers fold; and it wasn’t their opportunity or luck dumped. That leaves one person victorious.

There are always winners and losers in this world, but every gambler knows there’s one big truth to living: you can’t win if you don‘t play.