More by Liam Hoofe
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When I think of the phrase Tight Poker now, I no longer think of the advice “tight is right” players tell me when I need to be more disciplined with my approach (I probably do, but I’m not telling them that!). Instead, I think of the wider poker community with which this website has given me a chance to connect.
Since writing for Tight Poker, I’ve rekindled my love and passion for poker, and I now have a platform to connect with fellow players and students of the game. Restricted, tight play is great for discipline and learning how to play, but you know what? Sometimes it can be really boring. Poker is meant to be fun, and now, thanks to this website, that’s exactly what I think of when I hear the phrase Tight Poker.
Daniel Negreanu. Okay, it’s a cop-out answer, but it’s the truth. I’m in my thirties now. I grew up as a teenager around the time of the Poker Boom and the years immediately preceding it. I would watch Negreanu and other top players to perfect my skills, and he was the first player I remember really feeling like a star. As I’ve grown older, my respect for him has only increased.
I’m a big believer in the social aspects of poker, and I will always choose live poker over online. While there is much to be said about online poker, especially regarding bonuses and variety, nothing beats sitting down at a table with a group of people and testing your skills.
The poker community is fantastic and incredibly welcoming. If you’ve only ever played online, then the idea of going to a real-life poker room could be nerve-wracking, but trust me, it will be one of the best things you can do. Not only to improve your game but to feel like a part of the poker community.
My love of poker began when I was in my late teens. Being European, I had the advantage of being able to go to pubs from the age of 18. This was when I got my first real taste of poker, with one of my locals hosting a weekly poker night. Some friends and I would attend, and while we all got cleaned out at first, we quickly improved and were soon some of the best in our area.
I left my hometown in my early 20s to go and live abroad, and poker quickly became a massive part of my social life. It was a great way of meeting new people. Years on the road also helped me improve my skills as I came up against various players with different strategies.
In terms of my favorite poker experience, I’m a massive sentimentalist. No matter where I play and who I play against, nothing will ever match up to playing against friends in a garage as teenagers, trying to work out how we could beat the old men down the pub. As with most things, the simplest times were the best.
The future of poker and online gambling, in general, really excites me. Firstly, legalization in the States will be massive for the gambling industry. Everything will boom as more money floods in and commercial opportunities increase. Another poker boom could well be in the cards.
Technology is what excites me the most, though. The rise of the metaverse and similar platforms could mean the way we play poker changes forever. As an avid gamer, the idea of being able to visit a virtual casino using a headset really appeals to me.
Crypto and the blockchain will play their part too. The poker community will embrace these new technologies more quickly than most.
