Other than the odd poker hand!

[Mar]

My ex's parents won 64k on the lottery. Me personally, nothing 

[thetank]

I was a big chess player in primary school. Travelling to tournaments all over Scotland and winning a few of them.

I was never quite good enough to be among the best. I could hold my own though,  if underestimated then I could pull of the odd upset beating the best players of my age in the country.

When I went to the British champinship one year I was completely overwhelmed. The players from England were a different class altogether. Some of them had parents that quit work to coach their kid chess and travel them around the World to play a board game. It all seemed a bit wierd.

I gave up playing the game competitely by the time I reached Secondary School, opting instead for a relatively normal existence.

[brad.strider]

well done tank. some parents want to live life through their kids and the kids dont get to be kids. Have you ever seen those shows on tv (american) where they dress up little 1 and 2 rear olds as adults and get them to pose and walk up and down the catwalk? paegents!! i personally think its a recipe for disaster, teaching young children that looks are all important.
Did you ever return to chess as an adult? if so how did you get on? still got it??

mad

[thetank]

I've never played any competitions as an adult, however, if theres a chess board in a pub, that's usually me sorted for the evening. Taking on allcomers for a pint a frame, my lady friend getting bored and going home 

I've no illusions that I still have it though, anyone who's serious about their chess can usually wipe the floor with me. I do think a chess background has been very helpful when it came to learning poker. A lot of international masters are also formiddable opponents at the poker table. The concentration required and the strategic thinking are big parts of both games. The reason I love poker is because you don't have to be the best to win. If you're a good player, you can still have a shot and be rewarded heartily for your efforts.

Whenever I see someone complain whilst playing poker that the "bad players always beat them" and that "if we all had equal luck, they'd win every time" I think to myself, go take up chess you whingy nonce. What excuse will you have for losing then?

[peeveen]

Four iPods.
Two Cannondale mountain bikes.
A Playstation 2.
A day at a spa ().
A few hundred quid in various karaoke competitions.