Chance Kornuth on His Pillars of Poker Success

On May 21st, 2024, legendary poker player Chance Kornuth lifted his own veil of secrecy and discussed the vital aspects of every successful poker career. In this article, we’ll be retelling his thread on X (ex-Twitter) with a bit of additional information.

Who is Chance Kornuth?

For those who haven’t heard of him, Chance Kornuth is a U.S. professional poker player with almost $16M winning in live tournaments as of May 2024. His most significant prizes are three WSOP bracelets and two PGT Stairway to Millions trophies.

Curiously, five of his biggest known scores are from final tables where he didn’t take first place

Tournament	Place	Prize
$250K Super High Roller – Shot Clock on WSOP 2023	5th place	$1,202,318
$100K High Roller 8-Handed on WSOP 2023	4th place	$833,854
$25K High Roller 6-Handed on WSOP 2023	2nd place	$751,463
$75K High Roller Bounty on WSOP 2022	2nd place	$721,144
$10,3K Main Event of PCA 2015	3rd place	$641,140

Pillar #1: Prepare for Pain

As Chance says: “Poker isn’t just a game; it’s your life”. When you think about it, this idea is true from many perspectives. Both are filled with ambivalent emotions, ups and downs, pleasure and pain. 

That’s why Chance gives everyone thinking about pursuing their poker dream a fair warning:

“You’re going to devote countless hours to it, lose sleep strategizing, and experience gut-wrenching losses. If that doesn’t fuel your fire, this career isn’t for you“.

Pillar #2: Embrace the Grind

Only the lucky few can move poker mountains after a second of play. So, most of us should be prepare for long and exhausting runs — because, as Chance Kornuth says in his thread:

“This isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon: Commit to continuous self-improvement, learning, and staying ahead of the game. Set aside time daily to study, seek feedback, and remain adaptive.“

Pillar #3: Mental Toughness

Poker careers aren’t for the weak minded. If you’re looking to create a successful and long lasting career, you need to find a way build your mental strength over time. 

As Chance reminds, players should be mentally prepared for poker to knock them down — and repeatedly: “The way you handle defeat defines you. Stay aware of your emotions, accept losses as a part of the game, and embrace your competitive spirit.“

Pillar #4: Build Your Poker Tribe

It’s to secret that people are social creatures, who grow and develop better within communities. So, even though poker may sometimes look like a profession for loners, Chance stresses the importance of not turning your back on your community:

“Find your community — the ones who share your passion and dedication. They’re your lifelines when things get tough, your sparring partners, and your knowledge sources.“

Pillar #5: Create Calm

Even the smallest problems around you can increase stress and affect your performance at the poker table. You need to deal with these before even trying to become a poker player.

As Chance describes his last pillar: “Cut the noise. Ensure financial stability, embrace healthy habits, and create a focused workspace to achieve poker mastery.“