AMA: TwiceT

Originally posted by EmanuelC16

Originally posted by jbpatzer
Well if I'd known that.......

You didn't pay for the coaching...

I paid for it in blood, sweat and tears......metaphorically.

TT, what do you think about talent and poker?

I`ve been playing poker for a bit now, I have @400.000 and I`m only now going to get a look at NL20, i withdraw quite a bit(BI`s wise @110) since i played nl10 for several months. Started at NL2 with 50$ and now I`m getting close to a 30BI NL20, bottom line: my win rate is not great at all, i do put in the hours for studying and I put in like 25Kh/month.

When i read or watch videos about guys like Victor Bloom, Tom Dwan or Phil G. who just destroyed everything in their way to the highest limits I`m starting to question how big of a deal is talent in poker, and if I have any. I had really great academic results, and I got my engineer diploma this year, I don't want to go as far as saying I was extremely strong at math... but i was very good... but non of that helps.

I know the majority of guys who destroyed everything in their path started or they all ready were good regs when the poker boom started in 2006, we all know the story how there was nothing easier in the world but making money out of poker... but still.

You are one of the most respected members of this community, i would like to know... how was your "flight" through the limits? How much has to do with it your talent and your hard work?

I know poker is not that easy, but should`t it feel a bit easier at these limits? Shouldn't i be able to grind my way through the limits faster a bit easier if I`ll ever be able to make any serious money out of poker? or i might have a misconception about how poker works and i should keep my nose in the forms and at the tables?

I`m really eager to hear your opinion and some advice.

Robert who feels things are moving too slow

Listen to the interview. Phil the great about talent in Poker: http://jaredtendlerpoker.com/radio-podcasts/the-mental-game-radio-show/interview-with-phil-galfond/

I would argue, that there is a basic level you need to have in order to stand any chance: basic math skills, ability to process data in your head fast enough etc etc. Anybody finishing high school should have those capabilities.

From there on, my personal belief - as somebody who is not particularly smart or talented, but surely solid average - is that hard work outperforms any initial advantage and talent somebody might have. This however, is only true for the top 95% in any area. I don't think you can become top 5% without innate skills that are superior to your competition. (btw, maybe not being super smart and blessed with innate skills is even an advantage - my work ethics are probably a result of me not having an IQ of 200. If I was super smart, I might never have become such a fighter ... just a thought, not sure about that but sounds reasonable to me)

Some of those skills are not visible in the beginning (e.g. I was a major tiltbox destroying tennis racket after tennis racket when I was young. So my strong mindset wasn't developed, wasn't visible. But xtremely hard work made me develop what I consider a top 1% business and poker mindset. It was similarly with public speaking where I was so bad when I was young (in school) that I decided lol this is too fishy, I need to work on that. It turned out that rhetoric became one of my biggest interests. Similar with business (management) - there was no initial talent visible but the more I work on my skills, the more it turns out that there might be some talent. I also consider Poker similar, as I dont necessarily think I got any special talent. I havent beent playing any game before (not gaming, not chess, no nothing). I developed skills over many years of hard work and by now I am very happy that I can make a solid amount of money on the side with all the experience and knowledge I could accumulate over the last years.)

I think it's important to do a lot of different things in life, cuz that's the only way to find this one area where we have the particular "innate talent" that enables us to become top 0.1% and maximise EV, FUN and FULFILLMENT.

I listened to the interview before I made the post.

Thank you for your quick and complex answer

Originally posted by TwiceT
Listen to the interview. Phil the great about talent in Poker: http://jaredtendlerpoker.com/radio-podcasts/the-mental-game-radio-show/interview-with-phil-galfond/

I would argue, that there is a basic level you need to have in order to stand any chance: basic math skills, ability to process data in your head fast enough etc etc. Anybody finishing high school should have those capabilities.

From there on, my personal belief - as somebody who is not particularly smart or talented, but surely solid average - is that hard work outperforms any initial advantage and talent somebody might have. This however, is only true for the top 95% in any area. I don't think you can become top 5% without innate skills that are superior to your competition. (btw, maybe not being super smart and blessed with innate skills is even an advantage - my work ethics are probably a result of me not having an IQ of 200. If I was super smart, I might never have become such a fighter ... just a thought, not sure about that but sounds reasonable to me)

Some of those skills are not visible in the beginning (e.g. I was a major tiltbox destroying tennis racket after tennis racket when I was young. So my strong mindset wasn't developed, wasn't visible. But xtremely hard work made me develop what I consider a top 1% business and poker mindset. It was similarly with public speaking where I was so bad when I was young (in school) that I decided lol this is too fishy, I need to work on that. It turned out that rhetoric became one of my biggest interests. Similar with business (management) - there was no initial talent visible but the more I work on my skills, the more it turns out that there might be some talent. I also consider Poker similar, as I dont necessarily think I got any special talent. I havent beent playing any game before (not gaming, not chess, no nothing). I developed skills over many years of hard work and by now I am very happy that I can make a solid amount of money on the side with all the experience and knowledge I could accumulate over the last years.)

I think it's important to do a lot of different things in life, cuz that's the only way to find this one area where we have the particular "innate talent" that enables us to become top 0.1% and maximise EV, FUN and FULFILLMENT.

+1

True Words,

Like Your posts,
John

Hello twice!

I'm playing NL10 speed at the moment. Lately I haven't been working on my game, just pure grinding. It's time to do something on my game too. I found old videos from cardrunners from NL10 to NL400 from 2008 year on. Do you think things they speak of there can still be successfully applied today? Or should I rather just watch videos from 2010 on?

Poker took big steps in the last 3 years. Do you think I should rather watch old NL50+ videos and apply things I see there or is it better to just watch micro videos? I'm aware speed poker is a bit different that regular SH format but still I have to learn from somewhere.

I flew them over but I have 50+ videos so can't get the right feeling.

Thanks in advance

Originally posted by yaxkukmian
Hello twice!

I'm playing NL10 speed at the moment. Lately I haven't been working on my game, just pure grinding. It's time to do something on my game too. I found old videos from cardrunners from NL10 to NL400 from 2008 year on. Do you think things they speak of there can still be successfully applied today? Or should I rather just watch videos from 2010 on?

Poker took big steps in the last 3 years. Do you think I should rather watch old NL50+ videos and apply things I see there or is it better to just watch micro videos? I'm aware speed poker is a bit different that regular SH format but still I have to learn from somewhere.

I flew them over but I have 50+ videos so can't get the right feeling.

Thanks in advance

Videos have 2 purposes:
1) Entertaining and studying very general principles of the game. Getting inspired for general ideas.
2) Focusing on your specific game, on your very limit and game format. These videos should help you developing your personal approach to beat the games you are playing.

ad 1) There is nothing wrong watching old videos. PS, CR, DC, Leggo have a ton of great videos. Get inspired with ideas and get entertained. Watch them while grinding, while doing something else, you dont need to be 100% focused.

ad 2) Watch the latest videos you can find on any training site. Watch videos for exactly the game / limit you are currently playing or the one you plan on moving to. Be focused when watching and dont do other stuff on the side that could potentially distract you.

The games are constantly changing. Within the last years I changed my NLHE SH game (which you are playing I suppose) three times fundamentally. (tight-abc at first, laggy pre later, now tight pre and smart post). The game will always be evolving and you have to keep up with your competition, hence watch recent training videos imo.

Anyway, own work on and off the tables >>>> any training video. Be open for ideas, but develop your own game.

so which car did you choose?

Originally posted by stripofbacon
so which car did you choose?

Limo obv., he needs something to strech over his monitor setup as a background.

no decided yet. still thinking about e-car but that would mean lowrolling with TT for another year and getting one 2014 .... we'll see

not a random citroen e-car ofc ♦ more like a tesla model s or roadster ....

Do you still offer private coachings?
What are the rates for nl smallstakes?

Originally posted by everyoneissolid
Do you still offer private coachings?
What are the rates for nl smallstakes?

Originally posted by Berliner1982

[...]

FAQ for Member and Private Coaching Interests

5. What are the requirements to advertise my own Private Coaching?
--> To be eligable as a Private Coach on PokerStrategy.com you have to be an active coach (Live-Coach, Videocoach or professional handjudge) for this community. This way every interest student has some kind of quality insurance, since our coaches proved them self already in front of the community.

[...]

Just contact me in private for details, ty

sorry, will add you on skype

Hi,

is a weak game beatable, eventhough it has high rakes?

I have played the 1$/3$ cash game at the crown casino.
Buy In ranges from 50$ - 200$.
Rake is 10%, 12$ cap.
Also you have to pay 5$ to sit down at the table.

The game is really weak, average V$PIP is 43%, PFR is 8%, some really bad plays, for exsample calling 25% of your stack with J6off.

Many people told me it's mathematically not possible to beat this game, i was playing the standart SSS with 20BB.

I appreciate your help,
Puppetmaster.

Originally posted by ThePuppetmaster
Hi,

is a weak game beatable, eventhough it has high rakes?

I have played the 1$/3$ cash game at the crown casino.
Buy In ranges from 50$ - 200$.
Rake is 10%, 12$ cap.
Also you have to pay 5$ to sit down at the table.

The game is really weak, average V$PIP is 43%, PFR is 8%, some really bad plays, for exsample calling 25% of your stack with J6off.

Many people told me it's mathematically not possible to beat this game, i was playing the standart SSS with 20BB.

I appreciate your help,
Puppetmaster.

I will forward this question to our math pro I cannot imagine you can beat this game with a 20BB SSS.

€: If the game is rly so soft, forget SSS imo and play as deep as you possibly can. That's definitely +EV