5 ms·

I think you're overstating the variance. If you watch high level poker play you will consistently see the same players at the final table of big tournaments. Su

I think you're overstating the variance. If you watch high level poker play you will consistently see the same players at the final table of big tournaments. Sure, a few lucky random players will go pretty deep in the tournament, but they just don't do it nearly as frequently as the top few guys. A competent but not great player has a chance of beating a pro in one session, but it's definitely pretty slim.

Mikeb85 4y ago
When poker players measure variance, it's $$$ over time. And while some pros are indeed good are surviving the bubble in fishy tournaments, none make a perfectly consistent income. Even amongst crushers, the variance can be massive. For every tournament you make a big score, you crash out of 5 and get min payout on a few more. Many of the biggest names in poker have been the biggest losers in a given calendar period. For example, Gus Hansen and Daniel Negreanu are two of the biggest winners of all time yet also have some of the biggest documented losses...