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Poker has no future other than private games. These bot rings and unethical behavior online make it extremely unpleasant for most to play the game. And operators really don’t police it. In the live arena these grinder dorks ruin the experience for any recreational that wants to enjoy the game. And then there’s all the cheating (at private games and casino ones) that has recently been exposed that make every game feel untrustworthy. I am going to make poker fun again through nosebleed private cash games with some of the most successful and accomplished businessmen, investors and entrepreneurs, all gathered around the table talking shop. @PokerGO has been a big ally in that regard and I plan on working with the @HCLPokerShow team as well to bring recreational players into the game. I have even been approached by the ownership of @WPT to collab on a reality TV/docuseries type thing similar to Drive to Survive to attract more recs to the game. The media needs to focus on how poker is a game that brings together many skills critical in life - bankroll management, cost benefit analysis, probabilistic thinking, emotional IQ, etc. But the upside isn’t the EV made playing a hand. It’s the soft skills developed playing the game and the relationships made on and off the felt. Everyone in my network will only play poker with friends or friends of friends (ie has to be vouched for). I think that is increasingly becoming the future of the game. There are so many “coaches” and old poker pros turned influencers who are trying to convince you that the money is made playing a hand a certain way but the EVs run so slim that when you add in rake + variance, very few people can make a living playing poker. Even the guys shilling you instructional videos and trying to get you to watch their content are barely afloat. Being a short term EV hunter or chiseler doesn’t get you shit in life. Ask any of these pros making GTO videos if they get invited to the high stakes private games. They don’t. So they spend 80 hours a week honing their craft to battle against other top pros honing their craft and having to somehow have enough edge against them + overcome rake + have enough of a bankroll to survive the variance. They rely on selling you the false dream of making a living playing a game that they themselves can’t make a living playing (why do you think they are always wearing patches and hunting for sponsorship deals). Be smart. Have fun playing poker. Enjoy the media of it (it’s entertaining for sure). And then go get a real job so you can enjoy the game for what it was designed to be- a hobby. Btw even people who can play the game profitably likely have made more money in outside business ventures is my guess.

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INKED 🖋️ The @SeattleKraken have locked up two-time #StanleyCup champ Chandler Stephenson! #NHLFreeAgency

JONATHAN MARCHESSAULT IS A NASHVILLE PREDATOR -> bit.ly/3W860cj