Nerds and Gamblers

I was reading thru the posts in Pokermanila about how different people got their starts in online poker or what they spent their time in before they got addicted to poker. Some were Counterstrike players. Some played Ragnarok and other MMORPGs. Justin Bonomo and a bunch of others came from Magic the Gathering. There was a different group of people who where exposed to gambling games early on in their childhood whether it was pusoy or blackjack or sabong.

As I clicked thru the different posts, it was like looking at eerily similar backgrounds. And I came to the realization that poker seems to have a tendency to attract 2 kinds of people. The Nerds and the Gamblers.

I know I'm generalizing a bit, but work with me on this. Next time you play poker, please look at the people around you. I am sure you can easily categorize them into one of the two groups I mentioned above. They're either middle aged men/women who were casino regulars before who have now migrated to poker - GAMBLERS. Or they're part of the new generation of guys who were weaned on computer games and tried poker and got hooked - NERDS. Some were exposed to poker at a young age either by an uncle or a father who played - could be a NERD or a GAMBLER. Foreigners who have money to burn and call with anything under the sun - GAMBLERS, well dumbass gamblers but they still fall under gamblers. =)

One way or the other, they're either Nerds or Gamblers. And when I say nerd, I don't mean the usual negative connotation of a guy with glasses covering half his face, wearing high waisted pants, with ballpens in his pocket and stutters when he's talking to a girl. The updated wikipedia definition actually sounds correct.

"Nerd refers to a person who passionately pursues intellectual activities, esoteric knowledge, or other obscure interests rather than engaging in more social or popular activities. Stereotypical nerd qualities have evolved in recent years, from awkwardness and social ostracism to a more widespread acceptance and sometimes even celebration of their abilities. This is largely attributable to the rise of the computer industry, which has allowed many "nerdy" people to accumulate large fortunes and other measures of social prestige. Some measure of nerdiness is widely considered desirable, because it suggests a person who is intelligent, respectful, interesting, and able to earn a large salary. This evolution has dovetailed with waning emphasis on the social awkwardness of nerds, with more attention placed on their intelligence and academic enthusiasm."

In a way, its actually now socially acceptable to be a nerd. Attractive girls now prefer going out with the school nerd because he has the potential to be the next Bill Gates rather than the jock who will most probably end up behind the counter at Mcdonalds.

So what's my point ? Basically I am saying that if you love poker. You either love the rush of going all in with your gut shot straight draw and winning that big pot of cash which makes you a gambler. Or you are part of that other group who is intelectually challenged with figuring out the correct odds and gets intense satisfaction out of making the mathematically correct move which makes you a nerd.

Some people might say that they love to play poker but they're definitely not a nerd? Why ? Because you go to the gym and you dress cool. Heheh. Sabi ko nga. If you think you're not a nerd but you enjoy playing poker, then you're a gambler. It's either one or the other. There is no such thing as a successful non-nerd non-gambler poker player. You win big because you play using the correct math or you were willing to risk everything you owned in that 2 outer and you got lucky.

Looking at it the other way. If you're not a nerd and not a gambler then you will definitely not enjoy poker. Simple as that. You may be part of that group of people who try out the game since it is gaining popular recognition among your friends. But you will eventually drop out of the game because there is no satisfaction involved for you if you are not a nerd or a gambler.

As for me, I am a self confessed nerd. Ever since I was a child, I loved playing video games and my favorite subject was Math. Sure, I could be considered a semi-jock since I played high school ball. But given the choice back then, I would rather jump and bonk my way into the castle to save Princess Peach from Bowser than go out in the hot sun and practice my jump shot.

Note : if you know who Princess Peach and Bowser is, then you're definitely a nerd!