Do gamblers / poker players need a huge ego to succeed?

[AndrewT]

It's noticeable, although obviously lol sample size, that the newer generation of UK pros who have big circles of poker pro mates tend to be less ego-driven than most.

Would a reason for that be that, within their own peer group, they wouldn't stand out as exceptional, so wouldn't have their ego stoked up?

I'd imagine that someone who hung out with Deadman would probably not get quite as carried away with how good they were at tourneys than someone who hung out with chumps.

[AlunB]

It's noticeable, although obviously lol sample size, that the newer generation of UK pros who have big circles of poker pro mates tend to be less ego-driven than most.

Would a reason for that be that, within their own peer group, they wouldn't stand out as exceptional, so wouldn't have their ego stoked up?

I'd imagine that someone who hung out with Deadman would probably not get quite as carried away with how good they were at tourneys than someone who hung out with chumps.

I didn't think about that aspect of it, but yes that would make a lot of sense.

[arbboy]

 :DCan camel define 'huge ego'? Maybe a list of ten things gamblers with huge egos possess or do whether they are successful of not. Personalised number plates don't count as one of the ten!

I really want Mike hills plate though. B7 FAV.  That is the best plate in the world for a layer IMO.

[rfgqqabc]

I don't think it's absolutely necessary but when you deal with a lot of variance then having a bit of an ego can help protect the persons confidence. Cricketers are a prime example imo. Especially ones in baggy green caps.

Investment bankers would be a none sporting example.

How would you rank these sports in terms of ego; cricket,  darts, tennis, football?

[horseplayer]

No

[arbboy]

I don't think it's absolutely necessary but when you deal with a lot of variance then having a bit of an ego can help protect the persons confidence. Cricketers are a prime example imo. Especially ones in baggy green caps.

Investment bankers would be a none sporting example.

How would you rank these sports in terms of ego; cricket,  darts, tennis, football?

Darts has to be number one from those sports because the physical factor is nil compared to the others, players are beat on stage before they start in darts because their confidence or ego isn't at the level it needs to be.

[SuperJez]

A huge ego is usually a downside for a wannabe professional gambler of any sort.  If you want to succeed in any form of gambling long term you must be able to judge accurately when you have the edge or not.  A huge ego gets in the way of that big time.

That said there are some areas where it does help.  Characters with big egos make for good TV and it can lead to sponsorship deals etc which are very beneficial.  Also if a player truly does have a world class talent then having a personality bordering on arrogance can push them to the biggest games and challenges where they will flourish.  This is a major downfall eventually if you are Tom Dwan but for some like Ben Tollerone and Doug Polk it moves them up into the best in the world category.  Sadly I have met a few people in my 17 years as a professional gambler who genuinely had the talent (almost none really do) to play huge but did not have the other mental abilities required.

One thing I will say is that an unfortunate amount of young-middle aged male gamblers and poker players vastly over rate their intelligence.  This is not rocket science.  It's more a poker player thing doing that imo.

[DungBeetle]

I don't think it's absolutely necessary but when you deal with a lot of variance then having a bit of an ego can help protect the persons confidence. Cricketers are a prime example imo. Especially ones in baggy green caps.

Investment bankers would be a none sporting example.

How would you rank these sports in terms of ego; cricket,  darts, tennis, football?

I think ego is massive in tennis among the players ranked 10-100 in the world, especially on the mens side.  A player is a set down and misses a bunch of break points and then is broken for 1-2 in the second set.  Often they are beaten at that point - their performance goes right off and I'm not sure it's due to being dispirited.  They often develop terrible body language and seem to apply themselves with less focus to shots.  I think it's a fear that if they absolutely go for it 100% in a losing position then there are no excuses for the loss.  If they chuck in the towel they can convince their inner ego that their head wasn't quite right, and on another day they might have won if they had applied themselves 100% to a losing position.  After all - there is always a tournament next week where my true talent will shine through.

Of course not all players are like this, and tennis is a brutal sport in the sense that it's just you alone playing every shot against someone who is all over you, but I think tennis players often have ego issues when facing adversity and they don't want to face up to the fact in their own mind that the other guy might be simply a class above.

[arbboy]

A huge ego is usually a downside for a wannabe professional gambler of any sort.  If you want to succeed in any form of gambling long term you must be able to judge accurately when you have the edge or not.  A huge ego gets in the way of that big time.

That said there are some areas where it does help.  Characters with big egos make for good TV and it can lead to sponsorship deals etc which are very beneficial.  Also if a player truly does have a world class talent then having a personality bordering on arrogance can push them to the biggest games and challenges where they will flourish.  This is a major downfall eventually if you are Tom Dwan but for some like Ben Tollerone and Doug Polk it moves them up into the best in the world category.  Sadly I have met a few people in my 17 years as a professional gambler who genuinely had the talent (almost none really do) to play huge but did not have the other mental abilities required.

One thing I will say is that an unfortunate amount of young-middle aged male gamblers and poker players vastly over rate their intelligence.  This is not rocket science.  It's more a poker player thing doing that imo.

Very good summary of the debate IMO.

I really agree with you though regarding really good players/gamblers with no ego missing out on opportunities to make more money by having a huge ego,  devilish is a classic example of using a huge ego to make money,  so many others prefer the quiet life and no status and just make the money without the profile.  Each to their own.

[GreekStein]

No

Agree.

It's as simple as this.

There are successful people with and without egos in everything.

If I was in troll mode I'd say silly thread

[AlunB]

Huge amount of unsuccessful gamblers with a massive ego mind...

[arbboy]

Huge amount of unsuccessful gamblers with a massive ego mind...

Agreed and there are also a huge amount of short term lolwinners who are really losers long term who enjoy their ten minutes of fame in the sun.  When someone has made a living purely from gambling after ten plus years with no other form of income I think they are allowed a certain level of respect which other people assume to be ego when they speak,

[AlunB]

Huge amount of unsuccessful gamblers with a massive ego mind...

Agreed and there are also a huge amount of short term lolwinners who are really losers long term who enjoy their ten minutes of fame in the sun.  When someone has made a living purely from gambling after ten plus years with no other form of income I think they are allowed a certain level of respect which other people assume to be ego when they speak,

I'm guessing Keith would say why would they care what other people think?

Takes a very strong character to actually not care what people think though. It's very rare in my experience.

[arbboy]

Huge amount of unsuccessful gamblers with a massive ego mind...

Agreed and there are also a huge amount of short term lolwinners who are really losers long term who enjoy their ten minutes of fame in the sun.  When someone has made a living purely from gambling after ten plus years with no other form of income I think they are allowed a certain level of respect which other people assume to be ego when they speak,

I'm guessing Keith would say why would they care what other people think?

Takes a very strong character to actually not care what people think though. It's very rare in my experience.

I can only speak as I find but I would agree by looking like you have a massive ego when you really don't gets you action sports betting wise.  I know that is the case with me.  Most people who don't know me really well (there is only one person who is a pro gambler who does) always say 'you can lay bets to casuals I dream about laying for real money'. They always fall for your image.  Image in sports betting is as important as poker but simiLar to poker it is usually fake to get action and make money.

[SuperJez]

Image in sports betting is as important as poker but simiLar to poker it is usually fake to get action and make money.

Yes very true I had never considered that directly before.  The biggest (and most profitable) fake image with sports betting must be that you can win money long term with the bookies like coral stan james etc.  It's the misheld belief by a mug punter that they can make money gambling with them that keeps their profits rolling in.