Poker Player - Adam Schoenfeld
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Adam Schoenfeld is in his 40's, and already has a long career history of being and investor, an Associated Press reporter and, rather conveniently, and Internet Millionaire! His former career choices gave him valuable experience in how to assess situations with emotional detachment and with no prejudice which are valuable traits to have when playing poker at any level. Sometimes called "The Chairman", Adam is also a prolific writer for Card Player Magazine with his own column "Education of a Poker Player", in addition to writing articles for various websites. Born in Queens, New York, Adam learned how to play poker while at college, but it was not until 2001 that the game became a serious pursuit.
Although his poker playing profile is still largely low key, Adam Schoenfeld's star is on the rise. In 2002, after only a year of playing poker, he won the "best overall" title in Costa Rica. This was his first victory in a live tournament and a sign of things to come. By 2004, he was competing with the best players in the world, and finished fifth in the World Poker Tour LA Poker Classic. Currently ranked 551st in the world, he has already managed to earn $358,361 from tournament play, and it is without doubt that his performances will continue to improve and become more prominent.
One of the most remarkable things about Adam however is not his steady rise on the circuit, or his great ability to learn and evolve his skills through his playing, but his personality. Adam is famously good humoured and sitting at a poker table with him has often been likened to "being in the front row of a stand up comedy act." He is forever teasing with self-deprecating humour that sets his opponents at ease. Players at his tables have such a fun time, they probably don't mind so much that Adam is taking all their money! He says "I try to encourage a light, gambling atmosphere at the table. Also, because long stretches of poker can be so boring, I talk a lot, sometimes just to entertain myself. I find that people either love me or hate me. Some people find me annoying, amazingly. I find that if I maintain a constant monologue, I can keep other from talking about bad beats, the weather and other unbearable topics!"
Adam Schoenfeld has a life outside of poker, although he confesses that a big part of this external life is to play the part of "couch potato". He takes an active interest in sleeping and watching television, rather unsurprisingly being a huge fan of the show "Curb Your Enthusiasm" starring Larry David. He has great respect for other players also, not only for their playing, but for who they are. He says "I like and respect players who are skilled and have something to say about life outside of poker." Players on his list of favourites include Jeff Schulman, Diego Cordovez, Howard Lederer and Erik Seidel.
For Adam, it would seem that Poker, whether played professionally or not, is not simply about tactics and luck. The game extends beyond the hand being dealt to include the characters and life experiences of those sitting at the table. Poker is more than a game involving winning and losing money, but a social pleasure that has interesting things to say about life. As a final quote from Adam, one would perhaps do well to consider this: "If you can spot the sucker at the table in the first five minutes, and it is you, are you still the sucker?"
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