Comments on: The Year I Did Nothing But Play Poker

By: Jo M.

Jo M. — Mon, 08 Jul 2013 15:47:00 +0000

I love this post–it sounds like the adventures/morals/lessons that people in Hollywood, and professional sports, experience. Fortunately, James bounced back. Many people in the fast lane do not. They become used car salesmen. You are not allowed to become a used car salesman, James! You can OWN the car lot (maybe as a silent partner) but you cannot become a used car salesman!

By: P. Venkatraman

P. Venkatraman — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:34:00 +0000

There are parts of your life that inspire me..and parts of your life that educate me…what not to do :-)
This is a big difference between the west and the east. I have sold two companies. In the first instance we did not have an A/c in our bedroom. I then lived with my father and he gave me a talk on how I was splashing my new found wealth. I finally got the A/c in the bedroom after two years of negotiating…but by then all my other “sudden money found” impulses died away.My US friend on the other hand sold his company and moved into a 17 bedroom house in NJ and started helicopter rides all over and private jet vacations in the Bahamas.When we met and compared notes he felt that I was dumb, not ‘enjoying’ my money which I had rightfully earned. I felt that he was not leading a life of his own but rather allowing his money to lead his life for him.We went our separate ways.Thanks for sharing.Venkat

By: Todd

Todd — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:44:00 +0000

James-
I’m a huge fan, and not just because you replied to my other (only) comment. I’m leaving Leo Babauta (who couldn’t even bother to help me find a good place to visit on Guam) and his blather blog and elevating you to número uno. Oh yeah, I teach programming and coach chess so you get extra points there.

Keep it coming.

By: DonCheech

DonCheech — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:15:00 +0000

Sounds selfish to me… My feelings are that too many selfish people have children. That’s the bottom line. If you chose to have children expect to sacrifice. I can go around and play hold em all day too at the casino but making sure my children are learning discipline and work ethic are more important to me than donating my hard earn money to the Taj. Which I have many times before I might add.

By: jonathan hegranes

jonathan hegranes — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:56:00 +0000

@jaltucher:disqus sounds like a much better player than I was, but the strange, exciting, and nocturnal life brings me back… didn’t have this level of highs, or lows.

perhaps something to shoot for next time…

By: Jac Xu

Jac Xu — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:47:00 +0000

my boyfriend did the same thing in SFO made good profit and tax free

By: ND

ND — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:02:00 +0000

You were happy until the next time you repopped preflop with pocket queens? :)

By: Dada

Dada — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 10:34:00 +0000

Not sure why people like the excitement/desire of winning?? The odds is always against you, no matter how much of an expert you think you are. People can only remember their winnings and dream to think they can win more. However, the sad news is, you lose more times then winning. To make it worst, if you keep going back, then the ration percentage of winning will definitely drop until in the long run you have lost 10 or more times the amount from the first time you won.

If your only having fun and want to lose your money then be prepared to lose without any heart issues.

In the end, I find it pointless trying to make money from the casino, pokies, etc, because it is impossible to beat the odds of random. And yes, the movie 21, well its only a movie so don’t get any ideas and run your imaginations to the heavens lol.

Good luck!!

By: Zachary Burt

Zachary Burt — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:40:00 +0000

Explicitly break this one down for me?

By: DP

DP — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 21:11:00 +0000

James –

Clearly you like cash games, but curious – have you ever played in the WSOP? If so, how did you do? If not, why? And finally, I’ve always said tournament poker has so many synergies with real life, sales, and business in general, do you agree/disagree? You might not play tournament poker much.

Thanks for the candor and fantastic posts.