7.22.2005
I have limited exposure to him, but I think in poker, and in life, I have a role model.
Gabriel Thaler is simply the nicest poker player I've ever seen. What he said at the 2004 PLHE event, when it was three handed, was one of the more remarkable things I've heard at a table:
"Even if I don't win today, I feel like I've made two new friends."
The guy genuinely meant it.
This may be some of the ramifications of last night, and a lot of thinking...but I think from here on out, I'm going to strive to be more like him. I'm not really a "people" person, but last night I felt like one. It was one of the first times I really felt like I belonged somewhere. At Doc's, I must've had 90% of the players say hello to me when I got there. It's because I'm nice, willing to open up there. Of course, the fact that I've shown I'm a decent player helps. But it's a feeling I want to have more often. Watching Gabe play made me realize that there is a place for a nice guy at the table.
I'd like to be one away from it, too.
