Alright so someone asked in my comments thread about how i got to where i am today, and what separates me from other poker players lower down on the food chain. Basically it comes down to one thing, and i know i am one of many (though far from a majority) of very successful poker players that suffer from this to some extent, i suck at life. No i am not going to write some long drawn out emotional tirade about how i hate life and suck at it, but i seriously believe this is why i am where i am today with poker. I have actually always been quite happy to just suck at life in my own weird way.
Basically i have always been a very quiet person, i suck with girls (though it is interesting how money can change that), i'm often akward socially and am just introverted overall. I also have always enjoyed things where you can progress in skill level, thats why i mountain bike, bmx, ski, snowbaord, sail skateboard etc. You can keep learning new things and progress which i always enjoy. So if you look at it, poker was something where i didn't need to be put in awkward social situations, i got to progress in skill (and in level of play) and with the chance of huge--tho i far surpassed what i orginally thought was "huge'--financial returns. So basically poker meshed perfectly with my personality, and i became very motivated. So motivated infact that i didn't spend a single dollar of it until i had about $60 000 american, which when i look back is a little absurd.
I also have a very even temperment, and don't get angry (tilty) easily, which was very important to my success. Not spending also allowed my skill level to correspond (rather than exceed) my bankroll; so many new players cash out at 25nl while making 10 dollars an hour, when if they save for a bit they can be making hundreds an hour at higher levels.
I really don't believe i am that much more of a "natural" player than most people. I have always been good at card games and the such, but this advantage only played a minimal roll in my success. It was my motivation to progress, my personal traits and discipline that made me succeed. Its not neccesarry to suck at life to be good at poker, but doing so certainly allowed me to focus on poker more than a "normal" person would.
cheers,
bmxicle
Basically i have always been a very quiet person, i suck with girls (though it is interesting how money can change that), i'm often akward socially and am just introverted overall. I also have always enjoyed things where you can progress in skill level, thats why i mountain bike, bmx, ski, snowbaord, sail skateboard etc. You can keep learning new things and progress which i always enjoy. So if you look at it, poker was something where i didn't need to be put in awkward social situations, i got to progress in skill (and in level of play) and with the chance of huge--tho i far surpassed what i orginally thought was "huge'--financial returns. So basically poker meshed perfectly with my personality, and i became very motivated. So motivated infact that i didn't spend a single dollar of it until i had about $60 000 american, which when i look back is a little absurd.
I also have a very even temperment, and don't get angry (tilty) easily, which was very important to my success. Not spending also allowed my skill level to correspond (rather than exceed) my bankroll; so many new players cash out at 25nl while making 10 dollars an hour, when if they save for a bit they can be making hundreds an hour at higher levels.
I really don't believe i am that much more of a "natural" player than most people. I have always been good at card games and the such, but this advantage only played a minimal roll in my success. It was my motivation to progress, my personal traits and discipline that made me succeed. Its not neccesarry to suck at life to be good at poker, but doing so certainly allowed me to focus on poker more than a "normal" person would.
cheers,
bmxicle
on June 15, 2007, 8:40 am
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