What does 'play the hand you're dealt' mean exactly?

[kevxu]

Originally Posted by croftylot24

Hmm..know I get it.

But couldn't one argue that at some point you just gotta 'cut your losses' and leave the game?

I'm relatively happy in life but following this analogy, almost everyone would agree that its insane to stay and play a game that is clearly going south, so IMO either leave the game or take out the dealer and/or your opponents.

I think post #3 gives your the best explanation, which is what you asked for, an explanation.

Now you are taking things a step further, and debating whether it is good advice. I my book it is an "okay" metaphor, but if you take it seriously you could end up where you have in what I have bolded above.

Bottom line, life is not a card game, so taking the metaphor to the point you have is logical only in terms of the metaphor, but a load of crap as far as living a life is concerned.

[ClaraC]

I think this saying actually originated with the game of Bridge, not poker. With poker, the saying would be best translated "know when to get out of the game", which isn't what the saying means.

For those who play bridge, you know you can be dealt a really crappy hand and you can succeed with it by being observant and flexible in how to help your partner, and be observant and smart in how you can play defensively to "set" your opponents.

You can be dealt a hand with very few high card points, for example, but a very long suit. Plan to strategize with your long suit. Et cetera.

It's kind of a sad statement if you're thinking poker - because you would be foolish often to play the hand you're dealt. You're usually smarter to fold at some point and cut your losses.

[Lovehound]

Folks, it's a metaphor taken from playing cards and applied to life:

"It means make the best of any situation even if it's a bad one."

You are making too big a deal out of it. Thaifood had it right in one sentence in post #2.


Another similar metaphor: "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade."

[oregonwoodsmoke]

OP, it means that sometimes things aren't what you want and there are things about a situation that perhaps makes it difficult, but what you have is all that you are going to get and you do the best that you can do under the circumstances.

I think it applies mostly to things that can't be changed. If you have a bad job, you don't have to play with that hand; you can get a better job. If your father, however, is an alcoholic, you can't change fathers; you must play with the hand (cards) you were dealt and make the best of it and work your life around the alcohol problems that come with your father in the best way that you can.

[Izzie1213]

You got to know when to hold - um, know when to fold - um. Know when to walk away, know when to run.

https://youtu.be/Jj4nJ1YEAp4

Just a little analogy /song regarding life/poker/card game.

Sooner or later this song would come to mind for some.