Behind the game & in combination with it…

During a poker game it’s important to make the right decisions. That’s how we make money with our sport and it’s important to never tilt because someone is ‘trashtalking’ to you. Don’t let your emotions effects your decisions and make sure you sit ‘fresh’ at the table.

The same counts for our life away from the poker table. We all deal sometimes with difficult situations and although it doesn’t cost you money on the spot, it effects the process of making decisions.

Obviously, every poker player has a life away from the tables and only family and close friends know how they really are. In poker, it’s different. The poker part is known by everyone and the best players will see right away when your head is not clear during the game. You will be just a little fish instead of that mighty shark you first were.

For that matter it must be your goal to deal with your problems and daily stuff as soon as possible. You don’t want to think about other stuff than poker and get distracted when you sit at the table, especially not in a tough and high stakes cashgame or big tourney.

So how do we stay that feared shark instead of that little donky with a million things on his head? Well, everybody is searching for the right way to be happy and the fastest way to  complete missions and reaching targets. And once you found it/complete it/reached it, we find ourselves busy with an even bigger mission that has to beat the latest achievement and targets. Some of us will call it a challenge and others think you are greedy. But it certainly has a lot to do with beating yourself up to the max in order to find your own borders and possibilities. In other words: You need to learn to know yourself first!

So who are you? Did it felt good to achieve the first goal? Or are you already looking for a bigger challenge? Did the pleasure become a mission itself and does it hurt to enjoy your latest achievements because you know there will be a tougher mission soon? Or are you just happy the way you are? Remember this: The sky is the limit but don’t set the bar too high.

Questions as these and the struggle to get there creates an ongoing test that will be harder to digest. It’s never easy. Poker is fun but improving your skills is a very long mission. The higher you will go, the tougher it’s going to be and it’s very hard work.

It’s one of those projects I took on many years ago that made me work hard behind the beautiful game of poker. With some other poker
pioneers we try to strengthen the poker industry, her players and the people who work in the poker rooms. A path of memories, struggles, arguments, unbelief, frustration and sometimes disappointment have crossed a decade of poker with me in order to finally create a story; The International Poker Rules.

I am personally looking forwards to finalize 2 big projects very soon I have promised myself, to enjoy it. I want to combine the game of life with and the game of poker because both should go more hand in hand.

After playing for so many years I still love poker in many ways and I hope you can familiarize yourself with that. I hope you can find the balance that gives you the most satisfaction and you can enjoy the ups and downs to the max during that journey… I did, I do and I will… Especially at the EPT’s, WSOP and online at PokerStars.

Good Luck at the tables and see you soon.

Enjoy the music :-)

Listen to my album here

Marcel ‘The Flying Dutchman’ Luske
Team PokerStars Pro