Ignite your drive!
Out on the poker tables, success ain't handed out like participation awards.
When signing up for PokerStrategy, they'll ask black players, like myself, why they're drawn to the game. And if I remember correctly, most of us would spout off about the freedom, the flexible schedule, and the independence. But let's not get it twisted, this freedom can be a double-edged sword if you ain't careful. It's easy to waste precious time scrolling through social media or playing solitaire when you should be raking in those big wins. However, the difference between us and the factory worker clocked into a nine-to-five, is the higher hourly wage. It allows you to put in minimal effort and still live comfortably.
But fer cryin' out loud, I ain't never met nobody who's truly reached the top by workin' two hours a day. Before Chichvarkin built his retail empire, he was slavin' away at the market for 14-hour days. Zuckerberg practically lived on the computer to stay ahead of the competition, and Phil Ivey lived and breathed poker to become a legend in the game. Sure, spending endless hours at something doesn't guarantee success, but not puttin' in the time guarantee's that you won't reach the top. And the cream always rises to the top.
Now I spent nearly a decade playin' basketball and grindin' my way to the city champions. A good result, for sure. But the best get NBA contracts and worldwide fame. I battled it out in hip-hop battles online for over five years, earnin' respect in the community. Again, a good result. But the best land record deals and dominate the charts with millions of fans. I ran a business, worked hard on advertisin' and trade automation, and found ways to boost profits. Good profits, yes, but the best make billions.
I dabbled in poker for three years, played millions of hands, and brought home half a million bucks. Not too shabby, but you've heard of the best, sure as shootin'.
But why settle for good when you want your name up in lights?
My personal experiences tell me that in any field, the word "many" can be replaced with "not enough" to figure out why I didn't wind up the best. This applies especially to poker, which is currently my game of choice.
Of course, it ain't that simple, and everybody's got their limits. But if you're certain that poker's your callin' right now, you gotta find your niche where you can be number one. Sure, you might not land Phil Ivey's invitation to high-stakes action, but you can still carve out your own slice of the pie. Maybe you'll be like Kevin "WizardofAhhs" Thurman on Stars, who managed to pull in around half a million in 2010 just from rakeback, or Kaintd77, doing his thing as a bumhunter and grinder. You could even become the best nl100 regular, the best rakeback grinder, the best player in no-limit draw-lowball-loose-passive-aha-badugi hold'em - it's your game, your call. The main thing is to stay off that couch and focus on the table. Not Netflix and a cold beer, but hand reviews. Not scrollin' through poker forums all day, but grindin' through sessions. Not vegin' out on the bed, but studyin' videos.
Now this all might sound silly, obvious, and clichéd, but even I, who supposedly understands all this, found myself slacking off for the first three months of the year. I was feedin' myself, and my poker was winin'. But it could always be better, i'n't it?
Last fall, after I finally decided to buckle down and invest my time in my game, I spent hours upon hours immersed in theory and hand reviews – things I usually avoid like the plague. And you know what? For the first time since I started playin' 20+ tables, I managed to win more than I paid in rake in the last million hands I played since then.
Who knows what you could achieve if you put in double the effort you're puttin' in now... But remember, work smart, and work hard.
Signing off, C.O. You can find me on Twitter – www.twitter.com/innerpsy
I 'm playing poker, and it's a sport like any other, requiring dedication, hard work, and strategic thinking. Poker, like basketball, hip-hop battles, or business, is a competitive field where the best attain extraordinary success.
Success in poker doesn't come easily, even for those who play millions of hands. To excel and make a name for myself, I need to invest time and effort, not just playing but also analyzing my game through hand reviews and studying videos. In any sport, doubling the effort can lead to remarkable achievements, so I should focus smartly and work hard to reach my goals.
