People who don't know very much about poker frequently repeat the following two myths:- Poker is not a game of skill.
- Poker is not physically demanding.
We all know that poker is a game of skill, but what about that physical fitness thing? Is it really so important?
Yeah, it turns out that it is, and Annie Duke agrees. She tells Florida Sports Magazine, "In poker, I really step up my physical training right before the World Series. People think that you're just sitting when you're playing poker. Yes, there's a lot of sitting, but there's a lot of concentration. That level of concentration requires a high level of endurance, along with core fitness for the sitting. The Pilates is great for my core, but the really intense spinning and hiking is very important for me to give me not only a physical, but also a mental edge."
Of course, there are always going to be guys who are ironically called "Tiny" at a poker table, but physical fitness can help support mental fitness, too, which is extremely important, especially since poker is a game of skill. Annie lists a few of the top pros she knows, who are all ing good physical shape: Phil Ivey, Ted Forrest, Phil Hellmuth, John Juanda, and Erik Seidel.
I'd say those guys know a thing or two about poker. Wouldn't you?
1. Have you taken a look at Greg "Fossilman" Raymer or Doyle "Texas Dolly" lately. They are doing pretty well in poker but I don't think that good fitness is their strong point. In fact when thinking about poker and professional poker player good physical fitness is not what comes to mind.
Posted at 2:18AM on Nov 3rd 2006 by Kasper Retvig