Join Nathan 'BlackRain79' Williams as he reveals the true work ethic behind professional poker success and shares his journey of playing over 10 million hands to reach the top.
BlackRain79: BlackRain79, whose real name is Nathan Williams, is a prolific poker professional and teacher with an inspiring success story. He began his poker career with a modest $60 bankroll in the micro stakes games in 2004. Despite facing skepticism, he dedicated himself to the game and by 2007 he had built a five-figure bankroll, allowing him to quit his job and play poker full-time. As a player, Nathan is known for his exceptional work ethic, having played over 10 million hands and sometimes playing up to 15,000 hands in a single day, a work rate so intense that he was suspected of being a bot by a poker site. He is a three-time best-selling poker author with a wealth of knowledge to share, particularly in small to mid-stakes games. His commitment to the game and strategic mindset has led him to achieve some of the highest winnings in online poker history at these stakes. Nathan's contributions to the poker community extend beyond playing; he also offers training through his BlackRain79 Elite Poker University and has a strong online presence, providing tips and strategies on his social media platforms and YouTube channel, BlackRain79Poker.
Work Ethic: Develop a strong work ethic by aiming to outwork competitors, dedicating more time to playing and learning the game.
Volume of Play: Increase the amount of hands played to gain experience and insights, emulating professional players who've played millions of hands.
Persistence and Grinding: Be willing to put in significant effort and play consistently, even playing as much as what others might achieve over a longer period in just one day.
Comparing Progress: Evaluate your own progress by the volume of hands played and understand that success in poker often correlates with extensive practice and experience.
Work Ethic in Poker: Stresses the critical importance of a strong work ethic, with personal anecdotes of playing significantly more hands than others to gain an edge.
Perception of Effort: Comments on how discussions about the intense work required to succeed in poker are rare because they lack appeal, despite their importance.
Volume of Play: Highlights the correlation between the number of hands played and success, illustrating with the speaker's experience of playing over 10 million hands.
Success in Poker: Emphasizes that top winners in poker have achieved their status by playing far more than the average player, underscoring volume as a key to success.
Comparing Player Experience: Draws a comparison between the speaker's extensive experience and the limited play of many who have yet to find success, suggesting that a lack of sufficient volume may be the issue.
This article is a summary of the video 10 Years as a Poker Pro 🚀 by BlackRain79Poker published on May 14, 2023 at 15:49:37.
Q: What level of work ethic and dedication is required to become a professional poker player? A: Becoming a professional poker player requires an immense work ethic and dedication. You must be willing to practice and play significantly more than the average player, even up to 10 times as much, to gain the necessary experience and skills.
Q: Is strategy the only key to success in professional poker? A: While strategy is crucial, success in professional poker also depends on playing a high volume of hands. This extensive play is essential for gaining the experience needed to excel in the game.
Q: What are some misconceptions about being a professional poker player? A: A common misconception is that professional poker is only about the glamour and strategy. In reality, it involves less glamorous, intense dedication, and a large volume of hands played, which is often overlooked.
Q: How should I handle criticism and doubt about my volume of play in poker? A: Understand that high volume play is a sign of dedication in poker. If you face skepticism or accusations, such as being a bot, use it as reassurance of your commitment to the game. Professional players often face such criticism due to the sheer number of hands they play.
Q: What should my expectations be regarding the speed of success in poker? A: Success in poker often takes time and involves playing a large volume of hands. Having unrealistic expectations about rapid success without the necessary experience could lead to disappointment. It's important to understand that even top players have put in extensive time and practice to achieve their results.