I would say poker is the same as anything else. The earlier age you start, the more of an expert you will become. Most professional sports athletes start as young as age 3. There are combines in China that practice sports for children 8 hours a day. Its the same thing with a strategy game like poker. A lot of today's professionals played poker growing up with their families at home for the fun of the game. I would say it works the same. That is not to say that someone who is 25 starting the game cannot become a professional. Same thing in other sports, there are players who have never played a game but based upon pure talent are able to excel to the highest level.