Before Covid, I played poker in-person about once a month. Then when we all got confined to our homes, we started playing weekly online. Soon a second group formed and I was playing 2 games a week. This continued for a few years, and then I started playing online against strangers the other nights of the week.
I've learned quite a bit in the thousands of hours that I've played. Since I'm in Illinois I'm not playing for real money and since it's not in person, it's very different from having to quickly calculate chip counts and stare your opponents in the face. However, in online poker, I'm not half bad. I've done well in a few online tournaments and I currently hold a trophey for being top in 2024 in one of the poker clubs.
I'll admit - I'm addicted. Even as I write this, I'm tempted to log on and join a tourney. It's a thrill - slow-playing a strong hand one round and then next one bluffing a big pot with a 7 - 2 offsuit and nothing to show. You learn about yourself - what gets under your skin and what you're capable of pulling off. It's fun.
Oh, and the picture? That's me with Phil Helmuth, one of the biggest names in the game. I got to meet him when I worked at the Chicago Poker Challenge. That was a good night.