Online Poker

I've been reading about how XBLINK turned the last $11 in his account into more than $800,000, hitting more than $100,000 in just 5 days. That's pretty interesting, but what's more interesting to me is the poorly disguised bitterness of some players in response to this ridiculous miracle. In the forum thread where '89blist' - who identified himself as XBLINK - detailed how he made his quick fortune, many players have been harshly criticizing him.

I don't want to focus entirely on the negative, as most people are obviously happy to see someone do so well in such a short period of time. I mean, that's an awesome story, right? From your last $11 in your account to more than $800,000? Sure, the guy got lucky, but the short-term game of poker relies on luck. Phil Ivey couldn't turn $11 into more than $100,000 in 5 days unless the cards were really on his side, so why would anyone expect that a complete poker nobody would have achieved this on professional, carefully considered play?

Sure, we all think he's going to lose it all playing at far higher limits than his skills will allow for. Yes, we are all probably right. However, is it really necessary to tell him he's going to bust out soon or go broke? Is it appropriate to wish him ill? He's won a whole bunch of money, and he's young enough that it's almost a given he'll screw up and lose a bunch of it, but so what? Why the hate?

I know a lot of people are thinking they'd handle his bankroll better if they ever built up such a massive bank. Well, if you were that careful with your bankroll, then you'd never manage to make that much so quickly from $11, as you wouldn't take the risks that XBLINK has taken. It's easy to feel bitter when some young gun manages to go on a perversely long and successful hot streak, especially if you've been playing and improving for years without anywhere near as much success. It's easy to feel that way, but doesn't that bitterness just suck the fun out of poker?

How do you feel about stories like this? Love to hear them, but hate the players? Or just love to hear them? Tell us how you feel in the comments.

-Shad