Before I had to take a break from MTTs I did this schedule and loved it; I think it's definitely the right move for us aging grinders. Congrats Shane; genuinely happy for you.

Any good/unwritten about playstation stories?

Ty Matt!

"You stay alive, no matter what occurs." Amirite?

shane,

It seems that like a decent number of people who've been around 2p2 and poker for quite some time you have variously gone away from playing or posting. Others have not come back, but you have. What is it that drives you away or silent, and what is it that brings you back?

Do you feel that poker is a game that mirrors a number of professional sports in that players peak in their early-mid twenties, or is it more similar to golf in that players can peak in their thirties?

Thanks,

jason

hah yeah it was especially for my first live 10k.

also 1 more question...

when you say you are broke, im just wondering what that means without getting too personal. everyone has a different definition of being broke.

Everytime the soundtrack come's up on my shuffle I get the urge to play craps.

I think to answer the first part, people get bored, burnt out or just move on for a variety of reasons. I doubt there's been a day in the past several years where I haven't checked 2p2, but I know there are times I just don't feel like being involved in the discussion for long periods of time, maybe because I am trying to ignore my existence as a poker player, or just didn't feel like I belong. It's all probably related to confidence/happiness once again.

For the second part, the great thing about poker is how it bears no resemblance to sports wrt when people can peak. As long as you maintain a level of mental acuity, you can prosper regardless of age. There is no physical skill and a lot of luck, whereas a former NFL star who goes busto is going to have to find work as a physical trainer once his body can't deliver anymore. Maybe that's why smart dudes like Charles Barkely subscribe to the JRB school of self-promotion and branding.

I mean I have a negative net worth. My debts are greater than my assets.

really enjoying this a lot. think i came around little after when you still posted a lot, but you seem like a really smart/cool guy and I really dig ur writing style. Gratz on team online and gl at the tables!

Sup Shane,
Congrats a ton on Team Online. Always nice when you can print some free money and I'm really happy for you that you now can.

Is it bad that I feel old at 25?

Congrats, Shane. I have always been a big fan of your writing and shooting the **** on street corners, so I highly approve of this thread.

Cigarettes:
I shared a smoke with you a couple years ago at the WSOP, but I have since quit; I am curious if you are still a smoker? I ask because it seems like you have plugged quite a few life leaks over the last couple years, and when I quit smoking it seemed like a lot of other things fell in to place for me. Smoking is obviously one of the biggest leaks a human can have, and I think it is usually indicative of other weakness. I was wondering if quitting has been a catalyst for change for you?

Exercise/Diet
Along those same lines, how essential do you think leading an active/healthy lifestyle is to one's professional success? There is an abundance of literature out there which directly ties physical health to mental acuity, but when you look at the top of the online mtt world, it is riddled with many young superstars who are grossly out of shape. Do you think this is somewhat unique to MTTs? I used to read a lot of HS Cash ballers' blogs, and they all seemed to focus heavily on getting regular exercise and eating healthy. Does the monotonous nature of MTTs allow for slacking in that department which is simply not afforded in HS Cash?

NYC vs LA
I just spent the last week in Brooklyn/Manhattan and finally made the long overdue decision to move here. Though I only know you from your writing, I find it mildly mind-bottling that you choose to live in LA instead of NYC. I have always written off LA based only on reputation and the supposed opinion I would have according to friends who know me well. Should I give it a chance? I promised myself I would move to somewhere with more sun, and although NYC gets more sun than VT, it obviously isn't a notable feature. ****ing love New York, tho.

I was wondering if you could do a lil subjective comparison based on your living experiences and maybe elaborate on how much your day to day differs in each?

Thanks for taking the time to do this.

You say you're building your roll back from a "small stake" on your own.

If it's not too personal a question (seems like a theme here, eh?) how small a roll are you starting from? What kind of BRM rules are you attempting to follow?

And since you've raised it in the past, I'll ask about being a "poker playing stoner"... Do you find that - err - herbal remedies help, hurt, or make no difference at all to your MTT game? Did that reputation enter the discussion with Stars at all?

Was nice meeting you in Vegas last summer. Honoured that I can be listed in the 500 list...

OT

really good advice in this thread. i went from being backed for the last 6 months of 2010 to depositing 100$ on January 1st and restarting on my own. your slow and steady mentality really hits home. I've also been doing the 9-5 rather than the mid afternoon to early morning schedule and it really helps me stay focused, its way +ev when final tables don't start at 3am.

how many buyins do you have for the stakes that you play?
do you mix in any other games to lower variance (180s, 45s, cash)?
do you ever get halfway through a session and wish you hadnt even started? if so how do you get yourself back into a positive mindset?

Missed the Playstation question, and I can't think of any great stories, really, but for those who don't know, Matt is referring to a legendary NYC poker club that opened in Spring of 2002 and closed in 2006. I was there on opening day, my first rebuy tournament...got in with QQ vs KQ and lost and didn't even know if I was an underdog or not.

The first tournament I ever won was on July 4th, 2002...It was a club special $60+1r1a, 3 tables. Felt so sweet to ship it.

Yes, it's bad! I feel young anyway. I think the goal is to look like Jason Lester at 50.

And fwiw, it's more like "gambling for your clothes" than "printing free money."

OK, I want to give posts 85-87 proper answers, and time is thin right now, so I will have to wait until I get back from errands/tennis. Probably 2:30-3PM PST.

If I missed anyone's question, don't hesitate to repost.

To clarify I only feel old when I hear about 18 year old poker players, I don't feel life old. Actually I probably feel younger then my age and don't plan on growing up anytime soon.

Either way it's a sweet accomplishment and congrats again.

Not sure if you go to concerts a lot but if so what is your favourite all time?

Super congrats on your deal, you deserve it but **** poker , I want to know about things that matter

1. Why do you have a problem with someone wearing a hat when they eat?
2. If you invited someone to stay at your place, would they get the bed or the couch?
3. Who was the debonair gentlemen who got 4 random women having a girls night out to talk to 4 poker players and have u called the jewish smoking hottie yet? Who will be the best man at said wedding? MAZELTOV

4. You have lived in NYC and Santa Monica, what is the best thing about each spot and where do you see yourself retiring?

5. In a bike race between Lance Armstrong and myself, who do you see winning if were racing 20 miles and he spots me 15 miles?

Edit: 6. What's your take on the whole Peachy thing and how long do you think til she shows up live?

TY man!

Two P-Funk shows really stand out...one was at Roseland circa 1997, and let's just say at one point I literally levitated on my way up from the downstairs coat-check area on the way up to the ballroom floor.

That same year, I went to NO Jazz Fest, and the final day's lineup was: Rebirth Brass Band, P-Funk and the Neville Brothers (who always close the main stage). One of the most beautiful musical/cultural experiences ever for me.

Ok, now I gotta bounce. Be back in a couple hours.

Thanks for doing this street corner mr.Shaniac, hope the felt treats you well and u heater back to robustoness!

Congrats on team online Shane. I like your blog like everyone else of course, and always felt like you were one of the good guys. One of the guys who when they win, I say "nice, there might be karma and justice in MTT's after all" etc etc. I always remember coming on the online poker scene around 05 and you were absolutely crushing the $100 rebuy. I don't think anyone has ever dominated a single tournament repeatedly like you did then. 2+2 has since changed a ton from back then where we openly shared strategy and information with each other and everyone actually knew who all these random people with sweat threads are. It gives me nostalgia to see your success and helps me reminisce on the good old days. I wish you well in your future friend, and don't have any questions really. I just feel a lot of newer school players have no idea the kind of respect you deserve. Fin.

justified looks like it's going to be a beast this season.

and +1 to portlandia.

"can you tell us more about the chicken? did he have a close family and a lot of friends?"

hahah

------


grats on sponsorship and being someone who's been able to continually evolve and stay current to the game.

congrats on the deal!

I've always taken time to read your posts throughout the years and reading your responses ITT speaks a lot to me because I've had similar leaks (bad BRM, craps) that happen again and again.

first, thanks for getting us those silver jerseys (woteva)
is hateitorloveit a ref to The Game?
Did your name fit on the back of the jersey?
When did Stars come to you about the deal? Was there any thought process of turning it down for some reason?

do you think Mttc quality has dropped over the years? Why?

edit: I was behind you in line to go to the bathroom last year at WSOP but didn't think that would be an ideal place to introduce myself, maybe next time.

Good thing or bad thing: WSOP tourney dealers who say the players name aloud when they hand them their seat card and sit down.

also, its always 4:20 somewhere, right?

no question just wanted to say that when i was in high school watching you, alex jacob and jordan morgan crush ******s on uspc broadcasts of the past helped me get started and really spurred my interest in the game- thanks

to those who have seen portlandia, ITS REALLY LIKE THAT HERE