Poker Player - Charlie "Scotty Warbucks" Shoten
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Charlie Shoten was born in The Bronx, New York in 1937. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, a former insurance man, an Internet consultant, and one of the most philosophical poker players on the professional circuit. He now lives in Glendale, California, and in 2003 he was ranked in the Top Ten of professional poker players, having made it to a stunning 19 final tables.
Charlie had always played poker as a sideline to his work in the insurance business, but used a pseudonym to conceal his true identity. That pseudonym was "Scotty Warbucks" and he kept it until 2001 when he finally felt comfortable revealing his true name. Charlie was a consistent winner, who was making a lot of money, and so used a fake name because "I didn't want anyone chasing me home." In 1990, he was making more money on poker tours than by working in insurance, so he gave up his day job and moved to Glendale, California, where he still resides.
Charlie's approach to poker is one of Zen philosophy. For Charlie, the key to poker, the key to life in fact, is to know your own identity, advice that is ironic considering the many years he spent playing poker under a false name! He believes that "Being a better poker player has to do with becoming a better person" as the mastery of self will lead to mastery at the tables. He also writes that in his youth, he was concerned by the fact that he felt "I am more what I'm not that what I am" and says that it's taken him most of his life to finally discover more of what he is, than living moment to moment.
This understanding prompted Charlie to write an article called " Play Winning No-Limit Hold'em and Life" which is about the nine steps that need to be followed to be successful not only at the poker table, but in life as well. No-Limit Hold'em was not Charlie's first style of poker however and he remarkably confesses that he didn't really know how to play the game. In 2001 however, he played at the Hustler Casino in LA for the first time, and won the $3000 first prize. "All of a sudden I just sat down at the table and knew how to play."
Although sitting down to a poker tournament where the game is unfamiliar seems like a reckless thing to do, Charlie clearly does not have a conventional approach to poker. His style is not flashy or overly aggressive or predictable. He starts each game with a "clean slate", adapting to each individual game. He chooses not to clutter up his instincts with memories of former games or mistakes that were made, and consequently sits at the table with a calculated calm. He follows the steps that he recommends to others in "Play No-Limit Hold'em and Life" and uses his 19 final table record in 2003 as proof of its effectiveness.
Charlie Shoten brings a subtle mysticism to the game of poker as well as years of experience. His article finishes with the following advice: "When you are at the poker table and it is your turn to make a decision you know it will be your best choice each time. You may be delighted with the opportunities for improving your chip position that may appear on a silver platter that you may never have even dreamed of before. When you win, lose or draw you will know you have done your best. You can now begin to play winning No Limit Hold'em poker, or you can embark on any journey your heart desires. You are rich. Less ego, less expectations, less demands, less lies, less BS, more money."
And there really is the key truth about Charlie "Scotty Warbucks" Shoten. No matter whether his philosophies are believed in or not, the fact remains that he is one of the greatest professional poker players in the world. With winnings in excess of $1,0179,955 since 2001, who would argue?
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