[csquard]

In interviewing some top young pros, one common theme I keep seeing is the connection between computer/video games and online poker. The teenagers/college kids who have surged into the poker world are the first generation raised entirely in the world of video games/computer games/online role playing games. I've been struck by how different they approach the game, more like figuring out how to "beat" a certain level of a video game in some ways. Couple that with an incremental level of sophistication in game strategy, forums like this, and data intelligence systems like PokerTracker, and it seems like the perfect storm for the success we've witnessed. One thing ElkY told me during an interview is how WoW trained him to be able to make excellent, quick decisions 8-12 hours into a session. Doyle and Chip Reese had to learn that through 36 hour Ironman sessions, but the new breed have had other "free" training grounds to hone their ability to stay sharp.