Your twenties are an exciting era of opportunity and change, but it can also be a sobering time when you realize a lot about yourself, your passions, and your behaviors.
You may not know it, but you may be putting yourself in a toxic mindset that is holding you back. Our “10 Toxic Habits To Quit If You Want To Be Successful” post highlights how dwelling on your past, sticking to your comfort zone, or comparing yourself to others can hinder you from success. However, you can find inspiration from a surprising source: poker players.
Poker is more than just about luck; it’s a mind game that requires a lot of decision-making and problem-solving skills. Many professional players saw success in their twenties, propelling them to star status, but they had to learn many lessons before establishing their careers later on. Here are poker players who achieved in their twenties and what you can learn from them:
Phil Hellmuth
Phil Hellmuth is a huge poker legend and is regarded as one of the best tournament players of all time. At 24, he became the youngest person to win a World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event bracelet during the 1989 WSOP, holding the record for almost 20 years. In 1993, he won three bracelets and a second-place finish; he was 28 years old. Since then, he’s won a record 17 bracelets. The accolades he received at such a young age are already impressive, but he’s made sure to continually build his skills, never becoming complacent with his strategies.
Though the poker scene has changed since his twenties, he always keeps an open mind and adapts to the new environment, helping him stay at the top of his game through the decades. However, Phil Hellmuth also credits much of his success to his positive mindset. It’s easy to feel bogged down by life’s troubles, especially as a young person experiencing many changes and figuring out your place in the world. Phil Hellmuth encourages people—and himself—to stay in tune with their emotions and to practice gratitude, which can help you keep a level head in your daily life and on the poker table.
Chris Moorman
Chris Moorman fell in love with poker during his days at the University of Essex, and he quickly built his skills in his youth. He was 26 when he placed second in the WSOP Europe Main Event, and at 29, he won the World Poker Tour (WPT) LA Classic Main Event in 2014. He became ACR Poker Team Pro, endorsing the leading poker site with an impressive roster of pros, such as Chris Moneymaker, Ana Marquez, and his wife, Katie Lindsay.
Unfortunately, his path to success wasn’t always smooth. In his youth, he struggled with his work ethic and bankroll management. He worked as a backer and sponsored other players, but poor decision-making and managing too many people got out of control and eventually led to staggering losses. Since then, Chris Moorman learned to be more intentional and careful with his choices.
Your twenties are full of opportunities, and trying to grab each one can seem tempting. However, it can lead to poor self-management and eventually leave you feeling burnt out and struggling. You can learn from Chris Moorman by being focused on what’s important rather than juggling all kinds of opportunities and priorities with little effort. Thanks to his growth, Chris Moorman is widely regarded as one of the best online poker players in the world, boasting over $20 million from online tournaments. He continues to see success in the game. In 2023, he took home over $2 million at the WPT World Championship, making it his biggest-ever career cash.
Annie Duke
Annie Duke started playing poker at 22 and built up her skills with guidance from her brother, a professional poker player. He encouraged her to join the 1994 WSOP when she was 29, and she quickly saw success. She won $70,000 within the first month and placed 14th, 5th, and 26th in the first two WSOP tournaments and Main Event, respectively.
As of 2023, she was among the women’s top five money winners in WSOP history and holds a gold bracelet. Her enduring status as one of the best female poker players is even more remarkable because she’s been out of the game for a long time. The last time she cashed at an event was in 2010, yet her early success has cemented her at the top.
Though she’s not been playing, Annie Duke is still teaching others life lessons she learned as a poker pro, one of the most prominent being knowing when to quit.
In your twenties, the virtue of grit is often seen as the way to go about life, persevering despite difficulty and struggle.
However, pushing yourself to keep going when you know something isn’t right can only lead to more pain. This can lead to big losses in poker, especially if you aren’t thinking about the long term and making brash decisions. Annie Duke knew it was time to walk away when the game wasn’t making her happy, and she couldn’t work to improve. However, this led to better opportunities, allowing her to feel more fulfilled. Her example can help you better understand your circumstances and when to stick it out or quit.
About the Author
Bryan Couto is a freelance writer and a proud father of four children. He is interested in sports and gaming topics. When he’s not working on his latest piece, you can find Bryan and his family enjoying a day out in the park.