The Irexes Principle and the Napoleonic Player

A lot of great posts in this thread, very thought provokimg stuff. My perspctive on a lot of this is similar to Buckmeisters in a lot of ways, and differs on some key points.

To me, the key point is self actualization. Am I a competent and competitive player, within my self imposed parameters? I certainly think so. Am I satisfied with that? No.....and yes.

Right now, I rarely play any poker outside the CC events. So many things occupy my time and effort that are of more short term urgency. Playing, and playing well, in the forum events is important to me. VERY! But, compared to going blind, or losing use of my arms and/or legs, or worse, getting sucked out by a 2 outer on the river in a $3/5 dollar game just pales in contrast.

Over time, I've built up enough of an online BR that, playing as I do now, it MIGHT outlive me, really. Does that mean I have no long term goals in the game? Certainly not, they're just well down the priority list right now.

As my condition improves, doing things with my wife takes on importance. I want to take her places I've been, show her things I've seen. Imparting the knowledge and experiences I've accumulated in my lifetime while I'm able just leaves qualifying for the Sunday mil in the dust. Then, now that I'm able once again, makinmg music with my friends assumes a more prominent role as well. It's been a part of my life as long as I can remember. I had reached a point recently where I feared that ny ability to do so was vanishing. Now that I've proved I can still play and sing the old songs, I want to do so, as often as possible. It sustains my soul' it's a healing process unto itself.......... I digress, BIG time!

So, anyway. Am I satisfied with my game, pokerwise? No, but I feel that I continue to improve. I'm a helluva a better player than when I came here. I feel I can sit down at a table with most everybody here, be competitive and not embarass myself. When the snow flies, and I'm mostly housebound, shoring up my game will come to the fore. Right now, life is intruding on my poker, and I'm letting it.

They'll be 2 dates on my tombstone; all my friends will read 'em. The part that matters is that little dash between them.

gold archive please, btw very nice post

This is a great post. Thanks. It provides a valid analysis for how to properly manage not only your bankroll, but yourself. When I first started playing, I did have a problem with thinking that I was better at this game than I was. ALthough I started out just playing freerolls, I currently have $60 at pokerstars and about $1.50 at FT. However, I have not moved up in any of my games yet. For me, I will not not move beyond the small limits until I have over $100 consistently for at least 2 months. That way, I can ensure that I am not playing above my limits. I play not for the money, but for the game. To me, there is no difference between a play game and a real game. I think that mindset helps me in the money games, as I make the same calls I would in the play games.

Thanks for the comments folks, much appreciated and to Joe for appreciating the reference

Dave, the role of poker in achieving self-actualisation is a very valid one. Poker should and must be managed as part of your whole self. The game may be in essence a self-contained mathematical model but the lives of the people who play it are not. Everyone is different and the optimum role of poker in our lives should also vary hugely. We may all play to win, but I suspect we continue to play for very different reasons.

umm by any chance, do you happen to be a writer if not write a book

Thanks Bob

I've written things and write a lot, but not a book (yet).