Jeff Madsen is super cool...

I emailed Jeff Madsen, (the real jeff madsen) on facebook asking him a few questions for an essay that i have to write. I had to do an informational interview on a my dream job, or a job that interests me.

And Jeff was cool enough to actually respond (after a couple of days). He accepted my friend request and i have chatted with him on the facebook messanger, we only exchange a few words... no long conversations.

But yeah, i like him as a player but now he is one of my favorites. I hope to see him next year when i play in my first bracelet event.... hope i get to bust him too.. haha

Just sharing..... Here were the questions.

1)What are some some required skills that are crucial for a good poker player?

A poker player needs a variety of attributes to be successful. Aggression, patience, analytical thinking, even keel demeanor, strategic reasoning, are all important at the poker table. Off the table one needs good money management and a lot of the same atttributes to simply be able to handle the occupation.

2) What is the average day in the life of a poker player? (doesn't have to be a long answer)
Poker players are very independant and free when it comes to schedules and commitments. Some play online a great deal or cash games at casinos, others play more tournaments that are in different locations around the world and follow this schedule more then just playing cash games whenever. WE're generally lazy, sleep a lot, party a lot, and gamble a lot, lol.

3) What are a few pros and cons of being a pro poker player?
Pros are obvious, the lifestyle is fun and interesting and is an attractive and intriguing occupation to be able to be a part of. People are fun and there is travelling and partying involved simply because the lifestyle is full of ppl who are game-oriented and like to have fun. Cons are that it is a job that after a year you can be negative in profit and having losing streaks can take a toll on you. It can be tough to deal with emotionally and mentally at times.

4) What steps did you take to get where you are now? (i'm just asking an advice question on getting my "dream job"
I started by playing casually and then liked poker enough to read books and watch tv a lot and play at a local casino. I finally felt i was good enough to go pro so really i just took a shot at the world series of poker and did well enough and made a name for myself that i am able to be a part of it now.

5) How do your strengths, personality and values help you with your job?
my strengths of being calm and collected, focussed, analytical, emotionally stable, intelligent in certain areas, social minded personality and ability to be honest in value while at the same time strategically being able to decieve opponents has all helped me with poker.

6) Anything else you would like to add...?

and he didnt add anything else.