Know When To Hold
By Clark Gaines |
|
To most 20-somethings in Columbus, the arrival of summer means weekends by the pool and perhaps a budget-minded vacation with friends. But if you are Adam Friedman, your summer will consist of shelling out $10,000 to play in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.
At the age of 27, Adam has cemented himself as one of the country's best young professional poker players, and he resides right here in Columbus. A graduate of Gahanna Lincoln High School, Friedman attended Indiana University where he developed a knack for the game, consistently cleaning out his friends and professors at various home games.
In 2005, he won a seat into the $10,000 World Series of Poker main event and in his first live tournament, the then-23-year-old finished 43rd in a field of 5,600, taking home $235,000. Not bad for a week's work.
As a professional poker player, Friedman finds himself on the road roughly six months a year, including twelve weeks in Los Angeles where he plays in some of the highest stakes cash games around. Why then would someone whose fortunes rest on the turn of a card choose to call Columbus his home? "Columbus will always be home to me," he says, "it's great."
When he's not gambling for more than your salary, Friedman can be found grabbing a beer at Coaches Bar or, more often, at his favorite Grandview watering hole, Brazenhead, with his close friends.
"I love making my own schedule, working when I want and having the ability to determine my own earning potential," said Friedman. For him, that earning potential has translated into over $700,000 in tournament winnings in four years, including a win at the Midwest Poker Championship for over $90,000 in March. However, with every up comes a down.
"2007 was a terrible year for me. I couldn't win anything," he recalls. "With this job, you need great support from family and friends during losing streaks. It's easy to get down on yourself and become mentally drained."
In a profession where the odds of succeeding are beyond minute, Adam has several rules he lives by.
"I don't gamble on sports or other casino games," he asserted. "And I never lend money or borrow money."
While the fortunes to be made as a poker player are vast, Friedman does not see his current profession turning into a long-term career.
"One big win and I'm done!" he chuckled. Apparently, his incredible talent at the tables is, for now, a means to an end.
With Ohio likely to vote on a large-scale casino proposal for the state on this November's ballot, where does a pro poker player stand on the issue? Like any good card player, it was tough to read into his response.
"I think if the casinos create tax dollars and benefit schools it's a good thing," said Friedman. "However, having a casino two or three hours away also reduces the chance that people will turn into problem gamblers."
So, what's the best piece of advice Friedman can give to aspiring poker pros? He laughed.
"Don't do it."
See related story, Poker Lingo.
Originally Published: June 1, 2009
