Some Words of Wisdom...

From Mr. Matusow,

I understand I have strayed a bit from making general entries and I have been writing about poker a lot these past few days. Once again, this blog is pretty much my diary and my thoughts at the time.

Anyways, on to Mike...

Mike Matusow, probably one of the most recognized faces on televised tournament poker, was griping about the swings that come along with the game in a interview during the 2005 World Series of Poker. He did say something that interested me and I want to elaborate on it

"If there is anyone out there thinking about playing poker for a living...Don't Do It. It takes a sick, compulsive person to do this for a living."

OK, Mike. I think you might be right, to a certain extent. Playing poker professionally, or gambling in general, does take a particular personality and mindset. The swings that go along with the game can be disconcerting, stressful and tedious. There are many other aspects to the game that can determine ones success and outlook while playing professionally. It is important to understand the different ways Hold-Em is played and how playing professionally is different in each circumstance

Most of the poker broadcast on television is tournament play. These tournaments, especially some of the larger ones, have hundreds if not thousands of players entering. Regardless of the caliber of player one may be: Buying into a large tournament is effectively purchasing a very expensive lottery ticket. Of course, the good player will always have a edge and has a better chance of success than a novice but the cards will always fall the same way. One mistake can be end your tournament career. These tournaments, generally, pay out to a designated number of people depending on the number of entrants. The amount awarded always depends on the position one finishes, the buy-in for the even, and the number of players that entered. In essence, a player whom chooses to make there living playing in tournaments will see bigger swings and has to devote much more time into their occupation.

Poker is not limited to tournaments. The cash games held at the same casinos are full of bad players. These cash games allow for a player to sit down with a set amount of real money and play for stakes that range from $1/2 - $50/100 and higher. These games are usually profitable for a good player. Poker takes practice and patience and when playing cash-games, most likely, one mistake will not be detrimental to a career. These cash games allows the player to sit down and leave at there convenience.

Getting back to Matusows original comment about swings and the grueling nature of playing professionally: Poker does not have to be as grueling as Matusow makes it seem. Granted, these "live" poker players have larger swings and do not make as much money as as the good online players, in my opinion.

The reason why I think Online is superior to playing "live" is obvious.

1) Hand Per Hour:You play 40 hands per hour live, maybe. Online, Shit. At least 800 with more than one table running.

2) Table Selection: Lost of fish in the cash games and the tournaments. All the sites are different but they all have their own advantages. Regardless, if one learns proper table selection, profits sour immensely.

3) Comfort. You play how and when you want. I play best when I am comfortable; sometimes, this means I am playing in my bed on my laptop, on my desk, or at the Dynasty headquarters.

Either way, I disagree with Matusow because he play well most of the time. He makes good decision in most of the poker tournaments. Matusow suffers because his mindset make him believe that he is behind or about to lose. We are all gambling. We all Win. I think Matusow abuses his skill and does not apply it correctly.

I have met and became friends with too many online professional poker players. None of them, or myself, will ever say that poker is not emotional or swingy. It is.

How one takes the swings is all in the mindset.