A Question For The Top Pros (Sklansky, Malmuth, Negrenue, Ivey, etc...

PokerProdigy · #1 05-15-2005, 02:48 PM

This question is specifically for really successful poker players like Sklansky, Mulmuth, Zee, Miller, Ivey, Negrenue, Greenstein, etc..., but anybody can provide answers, questions, or comments if the wish.

First, I want to explain why I am asking these questions. Basically, I want to be a good poker player, so I figure I'll seek out the great poker players and ask a few questions. It's similar to the way NBA, MLB, and NFL rookies try to learn from league veterans.

Now, to the questions.

How did you do it? How did you become such a great poker player? Specifically what were your methods (like if I asked Michael Jordan this question, he'd probably talk about his specific practice, diet, excercise, etc..., so for poker players I want to know what methods you used to improve your game)?

How long did it take to become good(beating middle limits at 1 or more big bets an hour)? How long did it take to become great (playing and winning in high limit games)? When you first started where you already a winning player? If not, how long did you lose before you turned it around? And how did you turn it around?

Sklansky always talks about intuitively good poker players. Do you consider yourself one of them? Or did you have to "learn" to be a good poker player? And if so, how did you learn?

Also, what advice would you have for a young aspiring poker player who is interested in beating the middle limit games? What do I need to do to improve and keep improving in the future, in order to play and beat middle limit games within 6 months?

P.S. If you don't want to post a reply you can always answer my question by a private message [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

cwsiggy · #2 05-15-2005, 03:06 PM

Lederer lost at $2/$4 for two years running in NYC and then worked his way up to the Beal game with passion, hard work, a good brain, and skillzzzzz. Hope this helps.

PokerProdigy · #3 05-15-2005, 03:19 PM

Is there anywhere I can read up about how he did it?

Jordan Olsommer · #4 05-15-2005, 03:23 PM

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Is there anywhere I can read up about how he did it?

[/ QUOTE ]

The book Aces and Kings describes it in a fair bit of detail.

Although I still want to know how the hell he managed to get a pack of cigarettes and a souvlaki sandwich for only two bucks, even back in the eighties.

TheMainEvent · #5 05-15-2005, 04:56 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Lederer lost at $2/$4 for two years running in NYC and then worked his way up to the Beal game with passion, hard work, a good brain, and skillzzzzz. Hope this helps.

[/ QUOTE ]

A lot of pros seem to say that books are not a good way to learn poker, but I am not willing to believe that someone as intelligent as Lederer couldn't beat 2/4 within a couple of months if not weeks if he had the same resources that we do.

Then again, perhaps having to learn the fundamentals the hard way made it easier for him to learn to think on a higher level as well.

PokerProdigy · #6 05-15-2005, 04:59 PM

[ QUOTE ]
A lot of pros seem to say that books are not a good way to learn poker

[/ QUOTE ]

Really, like who? And were did you see this?

cwsiggy · #7 05-15-2005, 05:09 PM

I believe he was a bit of a gambling degenerate back in the days - so it probably took him a while to settle into the books and dicipline etc. He also got a bit sidetracked becoming the Gambino's top sports bookie. kidding

PokerProdigy · #8 05-15-2005, 05:12 PM

[ QUOTE ]
He also got a bit sidetracked becoming the Gambino's top sports bookie. kidding

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LOL [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

cwsiggy · #9 05-15-2005, 05:16 PM

I must say I am a bit fascinated with how Lederer figured out he had a 3% advantage in sports betting and as he told his sister Kate the more he bet the more he made. I wonder how much the Feds seized when he was shut down. I heard it was a small fortune.

PokerProdigy · #10 05-15-2005, 05:20 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I must say I am a bit fascinated with how Lederer figured out he had a 3% advantage in sports betting and as he told his sister Kate the more he bet the more he made. I wonder how much the Feds seized when he was shut down. I heard it was a small fortune.

[/ QUOTE ]

Huh? I don't really know what you're talking about so could you please explain this.