Bert 'girafganger7' Stevens on Poker, Animals, and Life Beyond the Felt

Poker player Bert 'girafganger7' Stevens is known for his regular MTT play and advocacy for poker integrity. In a recent Discord session, Stevens discussed his career, strategies, and personal life. Currently, Stevens takes breaks from poker to spend time with his animals, which include five horses, three sheep, a goat, and many chickens. He also has 15 cats and shares photos of his animals on Twitter.

Stevens has taken breaks from poker to avoid burnout and psychological strain. He believes that GTO (Game Theory Optimal) is often confused with balance in poker. Stevens mentioned that he used to grind poker continuously, playing online tournaments for at least 8 hours a day for 1,000 days straight. He worked in a bar from the age of 17 to 20, often drinking and socializing with questionable groups. At the age of 19, Stevens spent time in a biker gang, where he was treated kindly by older members.

Stevens' strategy involves understanding the tendencies of the field and exploiting them rather than relying on GTO. He believes that in MTT, there are many situations where theory does not work, and players need to consider multiple parameters. Stevens' approach to poker is unique, and his insights provide valuable perspectives for both novice and experienced players.