just as I’m miserably about to fold my cards, a gentleman to my left intervenes. “What? Are you going to let him get away with that?” I laugh nervously. “Come on, you have to call. He’s bluffing, can’t you see?” The table all chimes in, confirming my duty to call, and I, putting aside everything I’ve learned, do so. The hedge fund guy turns over aces, and my first live poker tournament is at an end. I wander away, hating myself. I knew better than to do that.
