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The Poker Guru

Tajike

SG's Fluffiest
Hi everybody,

it's been a while since my last visit but because of a special reason I've decided to make some free space in my very busy life and make a sensual comeback to this place.
But why, Taj, you're probably not wondering in yourself...:

Well, while being in a stroke of egocentrical boredom I decided to google myself (I'm being pathetically honest here...). This is how I stumbled on an old SG-thread I've had forgotten about, the Poker Thread.
This was started during the early years of my passionate hobby. Since about 2-3 years I've started a new chapter in my life, becoming a poker dealer/croupier in a Belgian casino and turning my passionate hobby into my second income, which is the biggest reason I stopped posting on here.

In the time being I've stepped up the ladder of the poker world, working myself up to a semi-regular in the 200NL/400NL games on InterPoker & a tournament reg on PokerStars and Full Tilt. I have a multitude of cashes and final tables in many random tournaments but the feat I'm most proud of are my 4 MiniFTOPS cashes (HORSE, 7-Game, PLO Rush and NLH; the holdem one being Event #1 last March, the tourney with over 27,000 players where I finished 80th) & 1 FTOPS cash (9-Game).
I've also taken the time to work on my mixed games and can honestly say I'm probably the best Razz and 2-7 Triple Draw player in Belgium.
Since about a year I've also been tutoring people regarding tournament poker, having had success with several of my pupils on the live stage. One of them is now a regular in the EPT side events with 2 final tables on the resume.

I've also been featured on Belgian television: having finished 2nd in "Late Night Stars of Poker" and having been one of the lead players in "Poker Champion of Flanders". At the moment I'm working on my international breakthrough, getting ready to play my very first EPT and some smaller tournies on the British Isles (UKIPT, D4 Events...)

I've decided to open my knowledge to all interested in the game: questions, discussions... I'll try to actively partake in all and hope I can have somesort of impact on you guys who want to learn something in the progress.
The oldtimers on here can vouch for me having been a respectable and prolific member in the past, so to all the noobs yelling "SCAM" and "FAKE", I'd like you to GFY in a very romantical way.

You can also follow me on Twitter (@TajikeKFD) if there's to much business in my busy life and I'd have some trouble getting everything sorted out in here, for further question-asking.

@ Rob: if you're still roaming on here, I'd love for you to add some of your expertise in here!
 

yoyo913

Team Captain
I still hate you for creating that troll account and telling everyone it was me. (soccer16 or whatever).

But in north america I think pokerstars and full tilt are now illegal. I think everyone who had money on there ended up losing it (not sure).

I tried playing with 25 dollars a year ago and lost it so that was my poker career :D . But its cool that you made it on Belgian TV, are there any pics/videos of it? And Rob has been a total ghost here for years, don't think he's coming back.
 

Filipower

Bunburyist
Well **** my ass, it's Taj!



I like to play poker as well, and play with mate regularly for money, but I was never so passionate that I'd consider making that a career. Good on you man, and good luck!





Xifio;3057537 said:
I still haven't read Quantum of Solace, or any of the James Bond books ...

?
 

Tajike

SG's Fluffiest
Horatiu;3057484 said:
I still hate you for creating that troll account and telling everyone it was me. (soccer16 or whatever).

But in north america I think pokerstars and full tilt are now illegal. I think everyone who had money on there ended up losing it (not sure).

I tried playing with 25 dollars a year ago and lost it so that was my poker career :D . But its cool that you made it on Belgian TV, are there any pics/videos of it? And Rob has been a total ghost here for years, don't think he's coming back.

Can't even remember that... :-(

I had a DVD of it. If I can find it I'll try to upload it.
 

ShiftyPowers

Make America Great Again
To be a professional how much do you think comes down to intellect, how much to studying strategy and stuff, and how much to just experience and playing a lot of hands?
 

Jaboldinho

Fan Favourite
Do you post on 2p2? I'm a regular there on SSPLO.

Haven't tried to get a job since I did my service in the army. Been grinding PLO100 with a stake (first Rush, until black friday, and now regular on Party).
 

Alex

sKIp_E
Staff member
Administrator
Super Moderator
ShiftyPowers;3057581 said:
To be a professional how much do you think comes down to intellect, how much to studying strategy and stuff, and how much to just experience and playing a lot of hands?

Surely there is LOADS of overlap in all of those areas? Especially experience and studying strategy?
 

Jaboldinho

Fan Favourite
I'd say biggest thing to be a professional, is that you have to be well composed, and mentally strong. There are lots of good players, but they are only good when things are going well for them. Then when they hit a rough patch, they lose concentration and start spewing off money left and right.
 

ShiftyPowers

Make America Great Again
Jaboldinho;3057982 said:
I'd say biggest thing to be a professional, is that you have to be well composed, and mentally strong. There are lots of good players, but they are only good when things are going well for them. Then when they hit a rough patch, they lose concentration and start spewing off money left and right.

Ahhh, "tilt".

Alex said:
Surely there is LOADS of overlap in all of those areas? Especially experience and studying strategy?

Yeah, I was thinking that when I typed it out, but I guess I mean like reading books and stuff. I suppose that isn't really necessary if you're smart and play a lot of hands though.
 

Jaboldinho

Fan Favourite
Books for the most part are useless. Atleast when you've played a bit. They're good for learning the basics when starting. Of course there are a couple exceptions. The best ways to study the game are to read and participate on forums - discussing strategy and hand histories - and watching educational videos.
 

Tajike

SG's Fluffiest
ShiftyPowers;3057581 said:
To be a professional how much do you think comes down to intellect, how much to studying strategy and stuff, and how much to just experience and playing a lot of hands?

It all comes down to bankroll in the first place. Personally I believe 50K to be a nicely sized pro-bankroll.
Playing hands/reviewing hands in the long term is the best way to be sustainable as a player. Intellect isn't that important, as long as you can grasp most of the basic concepts.

Jaboldinho said:
Do you post on 2p2? I'm a regular there on SSPLO.

Haven't tried to get a job since I did my service in the army. Been grinding PLO100 with a stake (first Rush, until black friday, and now regular on Party).

Not a poster, though I frequent 2p2 a lot. More of a lurker kinda guy on there... ;-)

Jaboldinho said:
Books for the most part are useless. Atleast when you've played a bit. They're good for learning the basics when starting. Of course there are a couple exceptions. The best ways to study the game are to read and participate on forums - discussing strategy and hand histories - and watching educational videos.

I agree wholeheartedly with this post!
 

Tajike

SG's Fluffiest
Filipower;3060660 said:
How much is it down to luck?

In tournaments I would say about 45% luck vs 55% skill for average players. For decent players it's about 35% vs 65%.
In cashgames it's 20% luck vs 80% skill as there are less preflop allin situations which determine the run of a hand.
 


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