What distinguishes a pro from a degen? - Page 3 - Poker News

Bold statement. I'd say anyone who can beat poker for that much is by definition very good. You realize you have to be quite a bit better than the average player just to break even, right?

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09-03-2022 , 12:29 AM

#53

riverph7

veteran

Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,450

Here is goggly ball !! ( If you know little about game of cricket, you would know what I meant)

I am not a fan of Phil Helmuth !!

In fact for minor reason (His Ego) I hated him for many many years.

I am big fan of DNEG. ( Because of his mild mannerisms!!

After this year WSOP, I still like him but I think Phil Helmuth is real pro.

Not saying DNEG is degen. But have to accept that Phil is # 1 player .

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09-03-2022 , 03:22 AM

#54

Manner Please

journeyman

Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 293

I think pro and degen are pretty well established terms without too much ambiguity. Sometimes a pro can degen but if they degen too much they probably won't be pro for long.

The only ambiguous term I frequently hear is "rec". Sometimes it's used for any non-professional players (even strong, winning players who could be pro but choose to focus on a more lucrative career), and sometimes rec is a more polite way to say fish.

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09-05-2022 , 06:34 PM

#55

Spielmacher

enthusiast

Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 87

Holding on to the money.

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09-06-2022 , 01:15 PM

#56

IhateJJ

grinder

Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 470

What distinguishes a pro from a degen?

A misguided sense of self-identity

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09-10-2022 , 02:57 PM

#57

AlanBostick

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 11,850

The set of pros and the set of degens obviously has an intersection.

An interesting aside: If (say) Nick Howard completed honestly the Gambler's Anonymous 20 Questions quiz, what odds would you give that the quiz result would show him to be an addicted gambler?

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09-13-2022 , 12:59 PM

#58

pokerfan655

old hand

Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,549

Quote:

Originally Posted by chillrob

Bold statement. I'd say anyone who can beat poker for that much is by definition very good. You realize you have to be quite a bit better than the average player just to break even, right?

If you beat 5/10 NL live for 24/hr you're not that good at poker. If that's very good then what would you consider the guys who make say 80/hr at 5/10?

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09-13-2022 , 01:02 PM

#59

Dreamer

grinder

Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 682

Poker is a bit strange but most of the professional gamblers I know, don't like gambling!

Meaning, knowing you are taking the worst of it, -EV , whatever you want to call it.

A degen doesn't care about this and likes to play regardless.

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09-13-2022 , 01:07 PM

#60

Dreamer

grinder

Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 682

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokerfan655

If you beat 5/10 NL live for 24/hr you're not that good at poker. If that's very good then what would you consider the guys who make say 80/hr at 5/10?

I disagree. The player could be very good at poker but have poor game selection skills. (or not have access to good games)
Winning $24 an hour in a tough lineup might be incredibly good.

You could be quite average at poker and make $100 an hour if the games were incredibly fishy.

I don't think you can judge players by their win rate unless they are playing the very same games.

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09-13-2022 , 01:19 PM

#61

SuperSwag

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 5,801

Most poker pro's are just luckboxes. There are exceptions obviously like Linus, Garret etc. Most of those guys like Chance, Ben Lamb etc are just luckboxes. All you need is one big score to call yourself a "poker pro". Once their EV+ evens out they will run like ****.

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09-14-2022 , 08:13 AM

#62

keane_mark2

adept

Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 846

pro has a bankroll.

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09-14-2022 , 08:02 PM

#63

FellaGaga-52

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 8,600

Tax forms?? Even that has its gray areas. Playing the game frequently with an expected and realized profit as a primary source of self-support ~ pro...? Self-deluded habitual ~ degen??

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09-14-2022 , 08:42 PM

#64

chillrob

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Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 22,626

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokerfan655

If you beat 5/10 NL live for 24/hr you're not that good at poker. If that's very good then what would you consider the guys who make say 80/hr at 5/10?

Great?

Why do I have the feeling that people saying $24/hr is not very good are not capable of beating any form of poker for $24/hr?

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09-15-2022 , 08:24 AM

#65

SurpriseBetsX

centurion

Join Date: Oct 2020 Posts: 158

Variance.

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09-15-2022 , 05:07 PM

#66

pokerfan655

old hand

Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,549

Quote:

Originally Posted by chillrob

Great?

Why do I have the feeling that people saying $24/hr is not very good are not capable of beating any form of poker for $24/hr?

Would gladly compare my results lifetime vs yours - just let me know.

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09-15-2022 , 05:14 PM

#67

RodricWar

enthusiast

Join Date: Apr 2022 Posts: 84

Understanding how the game works. IE degens have unhealthy relationships with variance that stem from misunderstandings about the game.

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09-15-2022 , 05:58 PM

#68

FellaGaga-52

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Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 8,600

Well I was a semi-pro when I knew relatively little about the game, simply by playing against weak players. There is a difference between pro and expert.

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09-17-2022 , 05:18 PM

#69

chillrob

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Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 22,626

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokerfan655

Would gladly compare my results lifetime vs yours - just let me know.

I've supported myself with live poker winnings for over 10 years, but our results aren't really relevant here. I don't find it necessary to state that someone who "only" makes $xx isn't very good at poker. It adds nothing to the discussion other than confirming to everyone else that the person stating that is a narcissistic douchebag, and wants to make sure everyone knows how awesome he is.

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09-17-2022 , 05:27 PM

#70

PowerRanger

newbie

Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 28

A pro is just a degen that actually wins.

If you know Phil Ivey's story, he was literally just sleeping on park benches (no home Jerome) and going to the casino, before he figured out how to win.

The difference is the result of your degeneracy.

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09-17-2022 , 08:00 PM

#71

wsopfinaltable

grinder

Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 637

“The next best thing to gambling and winning is gambling and losing.”
- Nick Dandolos

This is the definition of a Degen
/

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09-18-2022 , 12:00 AM

#72

dabox007

centurion

Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 164

winning and losing

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09-18-2022 , 02:12 AM

#73

FellaGaga-52

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Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 8,600

Quote:

Originally Posted by PowerRanger

Disagree. There are many who play sane hours, don't destroy/consume their life with it ... and succeed. Chip Reese model. Then there are many who let the game consume and destroy their lives, win or lose. Worm style.