is poker a natural talent?

[face]

-how come kids are better at it than older guys?
-does practice make you worse or better?
-i have been playing for years and am still an average player. sometimes i win a few small tourneys in a row but sometimes i feel like i played very well and still get kicked out by some donk.
-it's always the end game, the shoving part that gives me trouble
-has anyone had their game analysed? does it work? i know my game has some problems and honestly do not see myself being +ev long term unless i figure it out.

[ApricotSinner32]

Like anything else some people will have more talent than others but most who wind up sucessful is from hard work learning the in's and out's of the game.

[OTL]

Try playing live, that's a much better test of where you stand as a poker player than playing online. I have played poker for a living playing live and still play for extra income when time permits, but online I doubt I am even a break even player. Just too many bad beats and unreal suckouts online, stuff you might experience once a month playing live daily. You don't have the luxury of physical tells either playing on your computer, and this is one of my greatest strengths in a live game of poker. Live is much more interesting and strategic too despite the slower pace.

[Kaladarus]

Young guys are good because they do whatever they can to improve their game while putting in serious volume. Older players just do what has always worked for them and don't make adjustments as often. I have however seen several old guys running over tables and playing really well at casinos. Very often also young guys are talking to their friends or other people about hands and getting them analyzed.

If you are serious about getting better you should read a couple of books and really look at your game. For me the more I've discussed the game with friends that play and the more I've read, the better I have become. I also believe that you learn more from looking at your game after it has happened than what you learn by playing.

[daneblazer]

Young guys are good because they do whatever they can to improve their game while putting in serious volume. Older players just do what has always worked for them and don't make adjustments as often. I have however seen several old guys running over tables and playing really well at casinos. Very often also young guys are talking to their friends or other people about hands and getting them analyzed.

You're on the right path there. What demographic of educated people have the most time on their hands, particularly during the poker boom? College kids. The older educated graphic usually has factors that cut into their time. Kids, jobs, established hobbies are just to name a few. The younger crowd is also usually more technologically savvy and isn't afraid to use the internet to play and work on their game. With the internet, you can log several times the hands as one could live, so it gives them more practice. So yeah, it seems like there is a demographic that is more successful, but there are "old guys" who play well and "young guys" who stink.

[GUMMO77]

You're on the right path there. What demographic of educated people have the most time on their hands, particularly during the poker boom? College kids. The older educated graphic usually has factors that cut into their time. Kids, jobs, established hobbies are just to name a few. The younger crowd is also usually more technologically savvy and isn't afraid to use the internet to play and work on their game. With the internet, you can log several times the hands as one could live, so it gives them more practice. So yeah, it seems like there is a demographic that is more successful, but there are "old guys" who play well and "young guys" who stink.

I agree with dane on this: the younger guys really do have the hours to put in the time needed to get better. Another thing to think about is that just because someone is "young" and winning now, doesn't mean he/she will be a winning player when they are older. I think a true testament to how good a poker player is, is the length of time they are playing. You can win a lot young, but go broke just as easy.

About shoving: The best way to know when to shove (other than the 10-20 blind rule) is to pay attention to the players at the table and know who you are shoving into. If someone is going to call you light, then know you shoving any 2 randoms is a tough task. On the other hand, a tight player sitting to your left gives you many options to shove and you should shove in any upraised pot.

[wtt0315]

young people dont understand value of money which makes them more dangerous because they are willing to lose it. older people usually play tighter for the same reason. Also the younger people are usually losing their parents money anyways

[Thunder Gulch]

young people dont understand value of money which makes them more dangerous because they are willing to lose it. older people usually play tighter for the same reason. Also the younger people are usually losing their parents money anyways

I think there is a lot of truth in that. I admit I'm a very tight player and the only time I can win is when I'm playing with really loose players that shove in all the time. I'm talking about the hyper aggressive guys who don't even pause to recognize that a tight player is making a play...the real dummies. I'm much better at sports and horses than poker because I squeeze every dollar. I don't ever make plays just for action when I'm ahead on "house money". If it's in my hand, it's my money then, and I earned it.