Prominent Poker Quotes by Prominent Men

Poker is a game with a long and rich history. Over the years of its existence, ever since humanity invented poker, it has been played by many prominent men. Most of these individuals had a very unique point of view on this incredible game. While some of them were ardent supporters of poker, others were vehement opponents. Interestingly enough, the only poker related issue they agreed on is that the game marks players for life. Most of them believed that poker either took you to the very top or pushed you to the very bottom.

Some of the most fascinating poker quotes are brought here:

Mark Twain was once quoted as saying, "There are few things that are so unpardonably neglected in our country as poker. The upper class knows very little about it. Now and then you find ambassadors who have sort of a general knowledge of the game, but the ignorance of the people is fearful. [...]" Naturally, Twain needs no introduction. Among this great author's most famous works are two larger than life novels, 'Adventures of Huckleberry Fin' and 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.' During his lifetime, Twain, who was born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, befriended presidents, artists, top industrialists and members of the European royalty.

Jonathan Swift was quoted as saying, "I must complain the cards are ill shuffled till I have a good hand." Swift was an Irish satirist, author and political pamphleteer. He is most famous for works like 'A Tale of a Tub,' 'A Modest Proposal,' 'A Journal to Stella,' and 'Gulliver's Travels.' Swift published all of his writings under different pseudonyms, such as Lemuel Gulliver and M.B. Drapier. Swift's words live till this very day in the hearts of the admirers of his literary work.

Lou Krieger was quoted as saying, "I believe in poker the way I believe in the American Dream. Poker is good for you. It enriches the soul, sharpens the intellect, heals the spirit, and - when played well, nourishes the wallet." Krieger is a prominent poker writer who has written several books on the game. He published his first book, 'Hold 'em Excellence: From Beginner to Winner' in 1995. Additionally, Krieger has authored over 300 columns for industry-leading poker magazines, such as Card Player and Gambling Times.

Charles Lamb was quoted as saying, "Cards are war, in disguise of a sport." Lamb was an English essayist best known for his 'Essays of Elia' and for his book for children 'Tales from Shakespeare.' He was a close friend of another prominent author, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, whom he met during his early school years. Lamb's quote makes one wonder regarding his true feelings towards the game. Was he a poker enthusiast or a poker opponent? We guess that this truth died along with Lamb...

Steve Lipscomb was quoted as saying, "Poker is to cards and games what jazz is to music. It's this great American thing, born and bred here. We dig it because everybody can play." Lipscomb is the founder and CEO of WPT Enterprises, Inc., a leading provider of poker entertainment. Lipscomb boasts vast experience in filming professional poker. In 1999, he produced "On the Inside of The World Series of Poker" for the Discovery channel. Additionally, he filmed the "2001 Tournament of Champions of Poker." Being a member of the WPT management team, Lipscomb is an eminent figure in the poker world.

Whether or not Leonardo DiCaprio plays poker is his private life, is his business. What we do know for sure is that he loved poker while playing the character of Jack, in the 1997 blockbuster 'Titanic.' Jack was quoted as saying, "I won my ticket on Titanic in a lucky hand of poker...a very lucky hand." Jack is a penniless artist who travels the world. He saves Rose, the movie's female protagonist, from an attempted suicide. A winning poker hand makes it possible for the two of them to meet and fall in love. However, as we all know, that love was not destined to survive...

Jack Binion, a famous American casino owner, was quoted as saying, "[...] if a guy wants to bet twenty or thirty thousand dollars in a poker game, that is his privilege." Binion is the son of Benny Binion, a legend in the world of casinos and gaming rooms. Binion operated 'Binion's Horseshoe,' a casino-hotel complex in Las Vegas. Binion became increasingly famous following his 1970 hosting of the first World Series of Poker (WSOP) at the Horseshoe. The WSOP eventually became the most prestigious poker competition in the world.

An anonymous poker lover was once quoted as saying, "When a man with money meets a man with experience, the man with experience leaves with money and the man with money leaves with experience." When you think about it, it actually makes sense. If you happen to be a poker beginner, it's inevitable that you lose a certain amount of money in the process of acquiring experience. Once you obtain the coveted experience, you make others pay for their lack of such.

Alfred Alvarez was quoted as saying, "Poker is generally reckoned to be America's second most popular after-dark activity. Sex is good, they say, but poker lasts longer." Alvarez is an English poet and writer. Alvarez wrote numerous non-fiction books. Among his selected works are 'Life After Marriage' (1982), 'Poker: Bets, Bluffs, and Bad Beats' (2001) and 'The Writer's Voice' (2005). We have no idea about Alvarez's personal private experiences, but we believe that the two activities are somewhat incomparable. Each has its own advantages...