Originally posted by CheckBop
If you were starting out in poker right now with no previous knowledge or playing experience would you take poker on and try and make it a proffesion and which games would you play and why?
I would definitely play PLO. The game has less information out there and there's more fish. I also wouldn't play a table unless there's one obvious fish.
Has there ever been a moment in your poker carear where you considered quitting the game altogether, if so, whats was it and what remotivated you to continue playing?
I never thought of quitting. However, there's a story in my book when I went through a massive downswing losing $10,000+ almost every time I play for about two weeks. What gave me confidence back was I asked a really good player what he thought of my game and he said, "Downswings happen to everyone. It's rough but you have to overcome it."
The reason I got my confidence back is he was considered the best player at that time and if the best player has to lose sometimes, then maybe what I'm going through isn't so bad. Maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Then I went on a heater haha.
Who in your eyes is the best player in the world right now and what do you admire most about this players game and approach to the game?
I don't play these games but through talking with friends, Phil Ivey is the best by far. The nosebleed players I talk to are in awe of his ability to adjust to his opponents' strategies. I like Ivey's tenacity and focus at the table. All he seems to care is winning and leave all the BS away from the table.
My favorite instructor is Galfond. He isn't afraid to challenge the status quo out loud.
My favorite players are isildur1 and durrrr. I always have admiration for people who love poker and have a huge tolerance for risk.
Continuing from above - what balance/ratio do you consider accurate for the make up of this/such a player; natural ability against work ethic (dedication)?
I'm pulling numbers out of thin air but I would guess work ethic is about 70%. You don't get to the top without letting the game consume you.
CTS, Townsend, and Sauce123, all who I have the greatest respect for, approach the game analytically and work very hard away from the table. But more importantly, they're great people.