I would be interested in seeing a book version of this article. But not about why poker is good, but practical examples of how poker skills relate to regular life.

DUCY?

Loved this part

"Poker players quickly learn that a bad play can have good results and vice versa, but that making decisions with positive, long-term expectation (EV) is the key to success. If you make enough negative EV plays, you must lose. If you make enough positive EV plays, you must win. It is just that simple."

I think someone has to fully know and understand the game, perhaps have even played professionally to understand that it is a skill game. I think 90% of the tools that I play with regularly in home games and casinos would tell you 'truthfully' that poker is a game of luck.... everyone who loses says its luck, they never say they suck.

So people who don't play or just have an explained-to understanding will never see the skill aspect.

http://www.twoplustwo.com/magazine/i...od-for-you.php

agreed... poker is a great game for anyone willing to play smart

Nice read.

Great Article A+

Really great article, enjoyed the read

Still, poker is good only for winning player. But how many poker player aren't winner and lose money, way more. So i am not sure about if poker is good or not (Even if for me, it's obviously good ^^)

Completely agreed, should be good for poker.

I don't agree with this at all. When I started watching the WSOP, WPT and PPT on television, it didn't take me long to catch on. I should say that I didn't even know anyone that played poker, or that there was such a thing as live poker in the city where I live. I had no background at all.

I was watching one day and it occured to me how many brainiacs there were in this game. The announcerers mentioned a couple PhDs that were playing. One was Chris Ferguson, and the other was Michael Binger.

I figured that if those guys took the game seriously enough to pursue it as a career, there must be something to it.

The more I thought about it--well, I like games. I'm a nerd. I bet I could do that!

I've been playing poker both online and at live tournaments, since i'm not a poker pro, but i'm learning what it is to learn about poker and the progress and development is ascending. -That's good for me..

The only problem back then is that California hasn't been yet legalizing poker but just last month California now legalized online poker so i don't have to worry about playing with real money in it besides poker is now a skill game and not literally gambling.

I’ve always maintained that Poker is more about skill than money. You need to strategize and for that you need brains.

You are "mindlessly" pro Poker = Gambling...
And, I'm sure, cannot be "reasoned" with.

In sharp contrast...
Most civilized societies limit gambling...
For specific, rational reasons.

Degenerate gamblers are not "victimless"...
They cause significant harm to their society...
And every modern, responsible government..
Tries to limit the number of Gambling Degens...
Not unlike their duty to limit number of Drug Addicts.

It has NOTHING to do with religion.

I thought it would be interesting to get the opinion of someone who is intelligent, well-read, and more or less fits the profile of a 2+2er--but who has never played poker.

My father is bit older than Doyle Brunson. I don't know how he would be as a poker player, but I don't think I ever beat him in Scrabble. I was always, to use a poker term, dominated.

He was a tech guy before there were tech guys. I grew up listening to the news on BBC and Radio Moscow (short-wave radio). My father and I got our ham radio licenses at the same time. I think that it was the only FCC license in existence that he didn't have (he was a broadcaster for over 40 years). My father had blogs before there was such a thing. He called them "online newsletters".

That's just a little background, so that you don't think that my father is some grumpy old man that's "lost it", or "doesn't get it".

I was pretty surprised at this, but here was his response to the article:

Clif ...
Because my mindset is so very different from that of poker players, my reaction is probably just as different. I wonder if there are universal cries of "Yes! These guys understand how my mind works and how poker works for me." Have you heard other reaction?
Being painfully honest and cynical, I'd put it in the box with the pop psychology and pseudo-spirituality that I fooled around with for 40 years or more. I'm tempted to write a post for my "goofy church stuff" blog, " FindingGod at the poker table." It does remind me of all the self help formula books. Does poker work, does it turn on the light bulb, does it change lives for the better for some persons? Certainly. Does God play poker with the angels when He has nothing else to do? How doI know? Why not?

Wow, Amazing article. Please continue your contribution with these articles. Love them so much.

Good article

uhuh,

Good article

good stuff here i like it

I like the article.
In my opinion, poker is excellent for you IF you try to play it properly. It teaches you to try to control your emotions. It teaches you probability. It teaches you money management. Come on, what else can u ask for!

Good read.

Poker is a great and healthy game but only for those who are naturally stable emotionally. In my case, tilt has lead to many sleepless nights and much lost money. Despite my efforts, it is still hard to remain calm and confident in a losing streak. Perhaps poker can help reduce this problem over the long-term but it is certainly painful in the short-term.

the article has a tragic flaw; it glosses over the activities the poker-playing person would be doing if s/he wasn't playing poker.

The comparison isn't poker versus nothing. The relevant comparison is poker versus what people attracted to playing poker would otherwise be doing with their time.