Poker, a game for intellectuals?

[SopianaeExtra]

In your opinion, does an extraordinarily good player require exceptionally high intelligence?

I'd say: 'No'. To become a good player, one only needs patience and luck. And in live Poker, a skill to read people.

 

[pankoffff]

Of course, poker is an intellectual game, but you also need to have a good knowledge of mathematics, feel the game, and to some extent have luck.

 

[MK_]

I like how your question asks about "extraordinarily good" players but your answer only references "good players"...
I think to be extraordinarily good at anything it helps to be extraordinarily smart

 

[SopianaeExtra]

I like how your question asks about "extraordinarily good" players but your answer only references "good players"...

Hmm, good eye. I used these two adjectives as synonyms, but it's too late to edit it now.

 

[JeLeuMic]

yes and no. it's complicated

 

[Aballinamion]

In your opinion, does an extraordinarily good player require exceptionally high intelligence?

I'd say: 'No'. To become a good player, one only needs patience and luck. And in live Poker, a skill to read people.

I don’t think so; some poker players understand a lot about the game but have a huge lack of general knowledge and culture. It looks like some players are even dumb when it comes to any other subject that isn’t strictly poker.
Look at me, I’m great example of an empty and controversial person. Though I love to study and consider myself kinda a nerd, I don’t think I’m some intelectual, strictu senso.
I also believe complete ignorant people can be awesome players, not only of poker but any type of sport.

 

[Aballinamion]

a good knowledge of mathematics

Which means basic proportion and basic percentage, if these topics are not involved somehow.
Poker math is intuitive and very easy.

 

[amonlima]

No, and oddly enough, you don't need to be good at math, however, you have to study the field's deviation from theory and apply simplifications to make your game easier.

 

[rhoudini]

Every top poker player that succeeded in his/her career has a brilliant mind. What to say about names as Daniel Negreanu, Phil Ivey, Doug Polk and many others? When they talk, when they explain hands and concepts, it is easy to see why they are where they are. They have worked hard and certainly they studied a lot! Certainly there is a certain amount of intelligence required to reach the high stakes: not only mathematical or logical intelligence, but also body and emotinal intelligence.
But I don't necessarily say that they are intellectuals. They are brilliantly smart for poker, and probably for any area that they would have chosen to follow, but I would say they had to be hard workers first. A lot of people simply don't want to study the game: playing is a lot easier and funnier; complaining is much easier. There is not a good player without study, but everybody can be a good player, despite any limitations, as long as they want to sacrifice time studying.

 

[German629]

Hello, Everybody! I think, Poker is a Game, first of all, for people with a good nervous system! In this Game, as Poker, by my opinion,
necessary have the "iron" nervouses, or don't have nervous totally!..

 

[padman400]

No - just got to be a lucky b****rd haha

 

[G0930]

Not necessarily..some are highly intelligent but many excellent players are as we say "Fachtrottel" . Great and knowledable in their field but clueless in others.
That can be seen in many professions not just poker

 

[lauestla]

In your opinion, does an extraordinarily good player require exceptionally high intelligence?

I'd say: 'No'. To become a good player, one only needs patience and luck. And in live Poker, a skill to read people.

I would say : Being smart is of course an advantage. But you can find very skilled poker players who are not exceptionally intelligent. Poker is a game of strategy and patience.

 

[Rob Hobson]

In your opinion, does an extraordinarily good player require exceptionally high intelligence?

I'd say: 'No'. To become a good player, one only needs patience and luck. And in live Poker, a skill to read people.

Answering your first sentence, of course not.

About the last, some people are born with some gifts that help them in their poker development, but some talents can be acquired, depending on the will and perseverance. As Emerson Fittipaldi says in one of his books, "will overcomes talent".

 

[Sopt]

While being intelligent always helps it doesn't mean you will excel at one specific thing and that is also true for poker. In the end of the day it comes down to combination of talent and hard work (as in putting huge amount of hours into practice). Hard work for the most part being the most important factor. To some specific things come easy, but if they don't go into it 100% they will never achieve the max potential.
So in short do you need to have extremely high intelligence to be best of the best in poker? No. Does it help if you do have it? Yep, of course it does.

 

[ItsThePits]

Well

 

[edenman1]

I think poker is definitely an intellectual game, but luck is a huge piece too! Then factor in mathematics..

 

[manzanillo53]

In your opinion, does an extraordinarily good player require exceptionally high intelligence?

I'd say: 'No'. To become a good player, one only needs patience and luck. And in live Poker, a skill to read people.

No you do not have high intelligence, a good memory is very important, which I do not have. MUST be willing to risk it all. I have lost to players that have average intelligence at best, because they make some strange moves, very un predictable. they have been successful poker players.

 

[testing826]

some of expereince well put into play and wisdom

 

[Cooking]

Probably not, but if you have an exceptional intelligence it will definitely help and make easier to you be a good poker player, because math plays a big role in poker.

 

[kunkgreen]

Maybe an advanced level... great players who play close to GTO at most.

I don't think there's much intellectuality at micro stakes (although they do exist).
Besides, I think it's more about the psychological aspect (it's also intelligence, but).

Games like Chess I believe require more of us intellectually, but like everything else in life it depends on many inputs.

 

[Poker Orifice]

When listening to the the thought process of a 'good' player (mid-stakes MTT), I'd say it is quite apparent that they are above average intelligence and honestly any that I know, are far above average intelligence. I honestly think it takes much more than most of the people responding on here understand. Poker is not about having big balls and big bankrolls... or being able to see a nervous eyebrow twitch or how they might move their left foot while contemplating an action on the table. Patience is a given... as is control of one's mindset. But those are very basic traits.

 

[Tadi]

A good player must have above-average intelligence. Most people who commented consider intelligence and education to be synonymous. A person can be intelligent, and he does not need to be educated and vice versa. Intelligence is the ability to quickly and efficiently navigate new and unfamiliar situations, able to learn from experience, easily adapt to new situations... Educated and uneducated people can learn to play poker, but intelligent people will be more successful.

 

[BLMonteiro]

In your opinion, does an extraordinarily good player require exceptionally high intelligence?

I'd say: 'No'. To become a good player, one only needs patience and luck. And in live Poker, a skill to read people.

ability to read or understand people, that in live poker. But it is very complicated and more difficult in online poker.

 

[JappsPK]

yes and no. it's complicated

explain for us hahaha