Confidence

benkahuna · #1 10-14-2005, 02:12 AM

Do all great poker players exude confidence?

Certainly some are less humble than others (Greenstein and Reese versus Matusow and Hellmuth) that I've seen. But, most players, even the nicest, most gracious, and most professional ones seem to be very confident in their abilities when asked (Greenstein) or when not asked (Sklansky).

Are there any level-headed pros in regards to their confidence or is confidence (and a lot of it) necessary for success?

You have guys like Tuan Le (brewing over), Gus Hansen (very level headed and focused, but he believes his decision-making is superior as he says in his cardplayer interview regarding his upcoming book), Esfandiari (very cool and level-headed), Brunson (mellow, yet very confident), and even Forrest (felt that Beale was outplaying the pros to some extent which others seem to take as an almost heretical blow to their egos).

Negreanu has a giant poker ego and he's still widely regarded as a very nice guy. Maybe Duke, Lederer and Carson disagree...

Can you be a great player without having an inflated ego?

#2 10-14-2005, 02:37 AM

Phil Ivey immediately comes to mind as a guy without much of an ego.

Python49 · #3 10-14-2005, 03:15 AM

He says he plans to win 30 wsop bracelets before he's done and that poker tournaments are boring to him.

benkahuna · #4 10-14-2005, 03:16 AM

His ego isn't sitting next to him at the table, nor does it call him while he's playing at a final table like Hellmuth's does. :P

tek · #5 10-14-2005, 08:41 AM

Wouldn't it be funny if Helmuth had a twin brother? One could play and one could be in the booth commenting.

The universe might explode [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

mike4bmp · #6 10-14-2005, 06:19 PM

Greg Raymer

BlackRain · #7 10-15-2005, 07:09 PM

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Greg Raymer

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I think players like this perhaps have more confidence than the over the top in your face Matasow's. They are undoubtedly very confident in their abilities at the poker table. And if anything, I think people who constantly feel the need to tell the world about their greatness may in fact be revealing their insecurity.

#8 10-19-2005, 02:23 PM

Ivey planning to win 30 bracelets is not an ego thing, more of a goal. And all poker players are confident, at least the good ones, hell I'm average and I'm confident about my play. Tournaments are boring to Ivey because he is used to playing cash games for a lot more than he can make if he wins the tournament (which takes more time anyways).

Escotme · #9 10-24-2005, 06:15 AM

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Greg Raymer

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I think players like this perhaps have more confidence than the over the top in your face Matasow's. They are undoubtedly very confident in their abilities at the poker table.

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I can only emphasize Leadpipe's post when it comes to Greg Raymer. He has confidence in his abilities - definitely - but about as far from an inflated ego as I've seen. When I met him, it took about 30 minutes of poker talk before he confessed he was the WSOP champion - and this to a direct question from me. I didn't know who he was at the time... And yes, it was awkward. [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Lash · #10 10-14-2005, 12:24 PM

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Can you be a great player without having an inflated ego?

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I think it's just a matter of being in touch with your ego. Kind of like walking a tightrope.