FREE Poker Webinar: High-Performance Poker - Tri Nguyen

I talked to Debi (dakota-xx) and she was generous enough to let me post here.

A little bit about myself. I was in a refugee camp when I was 5, an immigrant at 10, a Starcraft addict playing 10+ hours at age 16, a student at the #1 public university in the world at 18, a successful high-stakes player by 21, and made my first million from poker before turning 25.

There are many things I want to talk about but I think it's more helpful if you guys lead the discussion with questions and I'll do my best to answer them.

My idol, Warren Buffett, once said, "The more you give love away, the more you get" and I do my best to live by this wisdom every day.

On that note, I'm hosting a FREE webinar tomorrow at 11am PST. I know this is a short notice but first come, first serve so reserve your seat today.

Lastly, ask away and I'll do my best to help any way I can.

What brought you to cardschat

Hi SlowHabit, welcome to CardsChat and congratulations on your personal and poker success.

Tri Nguyen?
If it is i'd be interested to know your playing time/studying time ratio when learning the game?

Which university?

Cardschat is a great place for poker players and I want a medium where I can send my message to as many people as possible.

Thank you! I couldn't have done it without the support of family and friends.

My playing/studying ratio is probably 50/50. It's weighted toward studying in the beginning but as I get better, I play more. The main reason is as I get better, I'm more comfortable thinking about different lines while playing instead of going by my default standard plays.

One important note is no matter how much you read/study, you have to put it into practice or else your game won't improve. The opposite is also true. No matter how much you play, you have to think and work on your game away from the table.

I talk more in depth about this in my new book How I Made My First Million from Poker. It addresses questions such as when should I study, when should I play, how do I work on my game, what variables I should think about when going over my hands, etc.

UC Berkeley

How did you learn of Cardschat?

and, be honest here, is the only/main reason your here is to sell your book?

P.S. I like honest people, if you give me an honest answer (which can be a no) I will make sure that to buy your book.

Speaking of your book, Does it have poker advice? Is it a poker book? or is it more a self biography?

If it is a poker book? will it benefit me, a mostly play money player, and how simple is it to read. Is it just advanced tactics based on simple concepts? Because I can use that, if it has advanced concepts it would be more of a bother, because my "idiot" play money opponents are not thinking to deep about what their doing, and I wouldn't really study your book, just read it because there is no need to strain on something that won't help me.

I do have more questions, but I think that will be enough for now.

Just wait, one more, How many idiots, and I call them idiots because the bought a nearly $2000 book, actually bought Let There Be Range?

I learned of Cardschat years ago when we came out of "Let There Be Range." I don't post much outside of 2p2 and in my private forum.

Right now, I'm doing a virtual book tour and I'm grateful Cardschat allows me to post here.

The book is full of poker advice and strategies that you can use to improve your game.

I'm not important enough to have an autobiography haha.

It will benefit you and is very easy to read.

As for knowing how to play against "idiots," you will learn that too.

Imagine the poker knowledge you have now. Now imagine how wonderful and lucrative it would be if you can go back to 2004 and play in those games EVERYDAY.

That's the value of "Let There Be Range." When it first came out, it changed the way most players think about poker. Now that most players understand how to analyze ranges into their hand reading, they take it for granted.

Lastly, someone is selling a piece of paper for 1 million dollars. Would you buy it? What if it contains a stock recommendation from Warren Buffett, would you buy it? What kind of idiot would pay 1 million for a piece of paper anyway?

thank you for response. I am not really going to rebut or provide concession. I more wanted to see how you would handle yourself.

Welcome to the forum, and I love it when authors actually talk to the people their selling too. It make is a more personal feeling.

Although it won't make too much a difference in your bottom line, I will buy your book.

What is the main thing that makes you different from the average winner? Why do most winners make enough money to live, but you've made a million dollars?


and what makes Eric Sidel and Phil Ivey different from you? Why have they made 10+ million dollars while you've only made one? I don't think their smarter than you, as I also don't think your smarter than most grinders (kind of back handed compliment, but not really meant to be)

And finally, a pretty easy question, you've mentioned Warren Buffet twice, are you looking to get into the stock market?

feel free to tie in any knowledge about your book, as this is a book tour.

Thanks for the love!

I'm much better at putting myself in a position to perform well. For example, the key to high-performance poker is to exercise and sleep well. I do that better than some of my opponents.

There are other things like better focus, better money management, and I know what to do to improve my game. I'm fortunate to be friends with world-class players so they help me here and there.

In the book, I let you know how you can work on your game to improve.

They're probably smarter than me. I don't consider myself a smart guy at all. I consider myself a person who works hard and have tons of determination.

For poker games, no one is in Ivey's class so it's unfair to put Sidel there. They're both great players and have been around for a long time.

If I have to guess one thing, they play massive amounts of high buy-in tourneys every year and thus, have a shot to make it big.

Ivey, though, is a beast and it's unfair to compare him to anyone else.

My most effective way to improve as a person is to read books about successful people. So I went and read everything there is to read about Buffett and copy what he did.

That was the theme of my book. I wanted to write a book where someone who isn't excelling in poker can read and copy what I did to become more successful. And after reading my book, you'll realize that it might not be as hard as people make it out to be.

In case you missed my webinar on High Performance Poker, check it out at http://www.dailyvariance.com/webinar...ormance-poker/

Many players loved it.

He could have commented, but without knowing myself... Tri said he won $1m by the time he was 25. He didn't say he's only won $1m. Let's go see how many mirrions Seidel and Ivey had by the time they were 25.

Thanks for taking the time Tri. I'm excited to watch your webinar and look for more great content from you in the future.

Well I clicked and signed and clicked and got led to a video from 2010 which does not play, just sound, so....

PS any relation to Scotty? He is da bomb.

Thanks for the love!

What's the headline of this video? We have tons of videos on DailyVariance.com for free so that would help me narrow it down. And no relation to Scotty. Except for the 50K championship incident, I feel proud of his accomplishments.

How you could even offer an opinion on this ^ is beyond me.
imo, that'd be like suggesting an athelte is an idiot for hiring a coach.

Felt strongly enough to comment on your post 'Prepare'.

Tri, welcome to Cardschat. Great to have you on here.
Unfortunately I missed the webinar today (yesterday?).

Will post some questions when 'or if' I can think of any.
tks again
(oh.. & thanks to dakota-xx too!!)

Hey tri, ive followed some of your posts on 2+2, good stuff.


Thanks for answering questions and stick around, CC is a good place

Thanks for the love Poker_Orifice and xdeuceswild81xx. You guys have a great community here.

Poker Orifice

I am not gentle, I only ask questions that I want to know. Small chit-chat was never a virtue of mine. If that offends, well I am not apologizing, It's the way I was born, and I don't feel like I should apologize for being rough, because that would be me apologizing for being myself.


And one more thing, Tri Nguyen came here to sell a book, I actually came here as a potential customer. However, for me to actually buy they book I want to know if the author is (what I consider) smart. My questions have to be tough, giving slow ball questions would not benefit me at the least, I could of ended buying a book by a book that I would of never read. That wouldn't have been good for me.

Actually this is going to go on for a while.

One thing that I have found out from playing poker is not to over think it if you don't have to. The best bluffer does not have any advantage against the calling station. So reading something that is meant for high stakes, or even just mid stakes, or even low stakes, will not help me specifically. I have no use for the book unless its simple, advance strategies won't help me because the don't apply to my usual opponents. One of the main reasons left to read a book is because I think fondly of the author, which if you can't tell by me deciding to buy the book, is exactly what I think.

What is ironic actually that your right, poker for dummies would help me a lot more helpful than the Harrington on hold'em. Although I don't think you meant it that way.

In addition to me liking the author, I will buy the book (it comes out Dec. 15) because it will actually make me better at poker. The whole reason I play is not for the money. Getting better at this game is a challenge, very hard to do. Thats the whole reason I keep coming back even though I play for no monetary value. After playing this game for a little more than two years, and only have played for real money of maybe about one month of that time (losing free roll money in one month is a very easy thing to do if your bad). I think that spending money on a book because of passion and the want to better yourself in a game you love is a way better and smarter reason than because you want to win more real chips. (yes I am mocking you, I am also a very childish person.)

Another way to better yourself is to play better players, that's why I played the forum league (and will continue to play), so the book is actually practicable in sense, but that's not a good enough reason to buy it, its just a benefit.


As for the intelligent thing. It's actually because of a deeper opinion of mine; richer, smarter, more educated people are not smarter than the average person. I have met Ph.D.'s that were stupider than kids that have dropped out of highschool. The smartest person I know used to be a janitor no college, and no highschool for that matter. I also think you're very mistaken if you think the best high stakes pro's are the smartest poker players the are.

Richer people are definitely not necessarily smarter, I remember a very successful football player losing a finger when he cleared the grass out from under a hover mower that was still turned on, for example. Regarding more educated people, again I've met a few well-educated idiots. However, surely smarter people must be smarter? Otherwise they're not smarter... are they?

So I might have agreed if you had said:

Richer and more educated people are not necessarily smarter than the average person.

It's a seminar conducted online.

http://www.dailyvariance.com/webinar...ormance-poker/

typo.

I must be mistaken then .. 'the best high-stakes pros aren't necessarily smart' (I'd be inclined to strongly disagree with that though).

Prepare.. whatever works for ya. Just seemed odd to hammer OP with some of those questions/comments when as far as I'm concerned they're doing us a favour by being here (not vice-versa).

this

It's not quite as one-sided as you paint it, IMO. A lot of people that CC seem to be deliberately attracting to the site now are people that are great poker players and are selling something, whether it be books or coaching services or whatever. So I am very grateful to CC for tracking them down, and I listen to their advice very carefully, but am also aware that they will often have an ulterior motive.

And there is nothing wrong with that - it is mutually beneficial to them and to us.

So - let's use this thread to ask Tri questions that you guys can benefit from.

Hi Tri,

I for one am happy that youre here. I hope to learn lots from you along the way.

A non-poker (kind of ) related question. Being a refugee and coming through a difficult time at a young age, what has this taught you most about life in general and does any of this affect the way you approach poker?

Warm regards,

Cuttle Fish

Thanks!

After facing near death experiences, pirates, tear gas, and being hungry all the time, running a massive bluff doesn't seem to be so scary anymore.

My experiences made me realize how lucky I am to be alive and that at the end of the day, nothing is more important than your family and health.

My experiences also make me feel embarrassed when I get mad over random stuffs like my internet not working or there's traffic on the freeway. Lastly, I have a very high tolerance for taking risks. I don't have much fear for losing money. There are a few reasons for this.

1. I did my homework and know I'm taking a +EV bet.

2. It's only money and I can make money back if I lose it.

3. Lastly, I realized that money is a convenience in life. It's not a source for happiness. Happiness comes from doing things I enjoy and it turns out that creating products, opening businesses, and taking risks make me happy.

If there's something you need me to expand, let me know.

People enjoyed my last webinar on High-Performance Poker so much I'm doing another one. And it's FREE too!

Sign up today

Cant believe I missed this so far....

Tri, its great to have you here. I had heard about Daily Varience as well but was not yet familiar with it - so much to read and do, so little time - so at least I will be able to watch the webinar from the link above.

Most question I have are already ITT.

I am recently working on the philosophical aspect of my game. Just started Zen and the art of Poker. Tilt and emotional issues are more present in my game than I have admitted. A low stakes pro who helps me from time to time pointed this out and I realize how right he is.

"After facing near death experiences, pirates, tear gas, and being hungry all the time, running a massive bluff doesn't seem to be so scary anymore. "
^^^^ This made me smile. Perspective is so important, and although I have not been a refugee, I have been through some things in life and find that lately I am losing the perspective I once had. I am also 53 married and have children, so have many reasons to be grateful, as well as simply the fact that I am still alive. But I still take my micro problems of today and turn them into massive mountains that are seemingly impossible to climb... And this lack of perspective bleeds into my poker attitude as well. So any comments you may have on "mindset" in all aspects of poker, from on the table and off, from learning to playing to reviewing, would be deeply appreciated.

Got a new idea for my wife as far as Christmas goes now as well

After facing near death experiences, pirates, tear gas, and being hungry all the time, running a massive bluff doesn't seem to be so scary anymore.

I knew my game was missing some key elements. well being semi noob and when i saw you ad on 2+2, i thought you were related to some player with the same last name, BABY. (hey im sure some of us non poker experts could make that error lol) looking foward to seeing what you gotta say hmmm a question. how can i beat poker orfice everytime, i mean just dominate