There’s something surprising I’m beginning to notice.
I always assumed that bigger tournaments would mean bigger meaning —
more excitement,
more recognition,
more of that feeling of “I’m good at this.”
And yes… I am good at this.
I’ve made a significant amount of money from poker before.
I withdrew it all.
I’ve already proved to myself what I needed to prove.
Now… I’m starting from nothing again.
And I thought that would feel small.
But it doesn’t.
What I’m Noticing
I actually enjoy low stakes as much as higher ones.
I still feel the anticipation,
the quiet fire when I go deep,
the pride in making good decisions.
The game itself gives me joy — not the size of the buy-in.
There’s no fear attached.
No pressure.
No “this could affect my life” voice.
Just me, the cards, and the craft.
I love the journey of building up from zero —
using only the free tickets or rewards the site gives me,
turning that into something real,
like a slow and satisfying climb.
It feels honest.
Grounded.
Mine.
Why I Think It Matters
Poker is no longer something I lean on to change my life.
It’s something I can enjoy alongside everything else I’m building:
my website,
my writing,
my life in general.
I don’t need to chase risk.
I don’t need to prove anything anymore.
I get to enjoy the game I’m good at —
without sacrificing my mental health,
without gambling with my stability,
without pretending excitement only counts if it’s expensive.
Low stakes give me everything that matters:
growth, challenge, flow,
and the beautiful feeling of getting better at something I love.
The Open Question
What if real success
isn’t climbing the highest ladder…
…but loving the rung I’m on
while I keep growing?