It brings out the very best and absolute worst in everybody. There is a sincere form of human nature that is brought out in every person when they engage in a game of poker. It has provided me with raw elation and sheer depression. Playing poker for a living is a roller coaster in every metaphorical way. I have seen people crash and burn, crumble in defeat, go into debt, and look back on the whole thing as an ephemeral dream. I have seen people go from the verge of homelessness to paying six figures in taxes per annum. I have seen people so euphoric they have cried tears of joy at the poker table. I myself have felt like I was on cloud nine and rock bottom at various points. I have seen nearly every human emotion played out in its purest natural form over a game of cards.
When the cards start flying and money starts changing hands, anything seems possible.
I was thrust headfirst through a unique range of stupidly fun times and odd situations and expanded my palate of life experiences in short order during my crucial early adult years. Some parts of the ride were pretty inadvisable for a young twentysomething. In that time, I rode through extravagant highs and abysmal lows, financially and emotionally.
