Poker as relevant experience for an investment banking internship?

[DrunkHamster]

I don't know if anyone here is anything to do with banking, but I'm applying (almost for the hell of it) for sponsorship from Deutsche bank for my university degree. Normally I wouldn't mention poker on anything like this, but I have a feeling they would appreciate, or at least not look down upon playing poker with a reasonable amount of skill.

Am I being hugely stupid, or do you think this will help me to get through the first round?

(PS sorry for the poker content, but OOT did seem the most sensible place to post this)

[Frinkenstein]

I do not have the same feeling as you... I would not mention poker at all.

[Klompy]

[ QUOTE ]
I do not have the same feeling as you... I would not mention poker at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

[DrunkHamster]

Well let me just clarify a bit: I'm doing maths at Oxford, and usually they love to hire people off my degree. I think its also taken for granted by them that I'm not an idiot, so if I did mention poker as though I've studied it in a rational way, do you really think it would be such a negative thing for an investment bank?

[Frinkenstein]

[ QUOTE ]
so if I did mention poker as though I've studied it in a rational way, do you really think it would be such a negative thing for an investment bank?

[/ QUOTE ]

Even if you did put it in your resume do you really think it could help you that much? On the flip side, if they don't like your poker background, it's far more likely to hurt your chances greatly.

High Risk / Low Reward = Don't put it on your resume.

[kmak]

If you put it in your resume, include it at the bottom in "Oher" or "Interests." I would not consider it relevant work experience (unless you have made a living from it)

[disjunction]

It's obvious that you have a gambling problem and would lose the customer's money. It may be ok if you come clean and tell them how much you lose.

[GrooveNougat]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't know if anyone here is anything to do with banking, but I'm applying (almost for the hell of it) for sponsorship from Deutsche bank for my university degree. Normally I wouldn't mention poker on anything like this, but I have a feeling they would appreciate, or at least not look down upon playing poker with a reasonable amount of skill.

Am I being hugely stupid, or do you think this will help me to get through the first round?

(PS sorry for the poker content, but OOT did seem the most sensible place to post this)

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm a banker at a Wall St. firm, and I think you should definitely keep the conversation and/or the focus of your resume away from poker. It can only hurt your chances. Focus on school, organizational involvement, etc.

Good luck!
KG

[W. Deranged]

What do you mean by "investment banking"?

I am an investment banker right now. Playing poker (which I put on my resume) had nothing to do with me getting my current position. No one here cares or understands.

If, though, you mean "trader" or "quant" (as you may well because you are studying math) then it could help you a lot. I got several questions on poker from interviewers for quantitative and trading positions. The kind of skills a good poker player has - quantitative problem solving, quick decision making, tolerance for stress and risk - are valued much more in those financial positions than in true "investment banking."

One thing people don't think about enough is how VASTLY different the cultures are in different financial positions. Investment banking and private equity will have an office environment WORLDS apart from a trading floor and many hedge funds.

[Howard Beale]

I can't advise you either way but I WILL strongly suggest that if you DO put it on your resume that you absolutely, positively not mention that you post on an internet poker forumn as 'DrunkHamster'.