Exploring and trying to learn something is a topic high on my agenda. So, a couple of months ago I decided to learn playing Poker. Texas Holdem. I like playing in general and I learned playing cards from my parents – other games though, but it is a part of me. Having a nice gamble evening is always fun, so I thought lets go with Poker – and it seems to be cool on top.
Can tell you – I am going through a long and stressful learning curve ;). This isn’t an obvious game or just a cool sit down to win the pots. You need to get into positions, statistics, game plays and a lot of emotions to start understanding the basics of the game. I picked two teachers that are famous in the Poker world and signed up to their masterclasses: Phil Ivey and Daniel Negreanu. So, I learned their classes within a couple of weeks and tried to memorise as much as I can. Then I jumped on some free online games and then over to online poker tables with real money. For sure <i thought that I am well prepared…
First thing to recognise is, that I am mid fifties and I takes longer to learn – period!
Second is, that I had to get used to learning again – the last decades I learned but on the basis of top experience in my field of expertise. Here I am total beginner, learning from scratch.
Third, you have to deal with disappointments and not to give up on them. When you learned reading there wasn’t a choice to give up (I know, Poker isn’t reading…;)).
And finally, you are actually losing money at the beginning – which is always different when it happens in real life than in theory (and pennies are money!).
Slowly I am getting to it and I start to have fun, but it is still a long way to get to joy. Patience will help and knowing that I am not knowing everything helps as well! More to follow…
