There has never been a better time to be a poker player. Whether you grind live or online, it is so easy to find the game you want to play, at anyime, regardless of buy in.

Since Moneymaker in 2003, there has been a huge supply of dead money in the poker world. Anyone who truly grasps the game knows how many fish are really out there. Today, there are many average players making a decent income from poker because of how bad their opponents are. I am often surprised to look up some players on P5s and see that they are actually winning players. They usually aren't up huge, but in the positive and that is always a great start.

However, the bad players won't be there forever. Donks gradually get better, go broke, or quit playing poker altogether. No matter what venue you play in, it is a poker fact that games get tougher and tougher over time. Then you factor in the rake, and over time these average players will no longer be winning players.

The problem is that today with so much dead money out there, average players think they are great players. They are the ones at the table who are always talking, more like jibber jabbing, and most people find them very annoying. (That is where the Ipod becomes a life saver.) They know everything, how to replay every hand, what you "should of" done, etc... It is almost like just because they are sitting at a poker table it gives them the right to become this person that they are normally not. This is a huge reason I prefer online play. They know it all, so they think there is no reason they should be constantly learning and growing as a player. This is why they stay muppets.

To be a successful poker player, you always have to be learning and growing. Surround yourself with great players, people who you look up to their play. Watch final tables, watch your favorite players, take a few things from many different pros and apply it to your game. I have been very fortunate to have become close friends with some amazing poker players. Shankingyou, Lilholdem954, Bigboybunk to name a few of the players who have truly helped me with my game on a personal level, where I could ask them anything about a particular hand, situation, or just a "what would you have done?" I understand not everyone has these ballers on their aim or in their cell, but anyone has the opportunity to watch them play and pick up some things they are or aren't doing that are critical leaks in most people's game. Everyone has some leaks, everyone makes mistakes, it comes down to making as few as possible, being able to rebound mentally and physically when you do, and putting your money in great and letting the dealer do the rest. That is all you can do as a poker player, get your money in good and outplay people when you can.

Never think you are better than you are, keep learning and applying, and stay positive. Everyone runs bad and gets in a slump here and there, but you gotta keep your head up and keep grindin'. Everything will fall into place when you truly deserve it. Good luck and see you on the felt.