9 Quotes From the World of Poker

The world of poker might be more about actions rather than words – but that doesn’t mean there have not been some notable quips and quotes throughout the annals of the game. Let’s relieve some of the best ones.

“The Object Of Poker Is To Keep Your Money Away From Phil Ivey For As Long As Possible.” – Gus Hansen.

This one from Danish poker pro Gus Hansen is a nod to his fellow player, Phil Ivey, acknowledging just how good the American is at poker. After all, he’s called the Tiger Woods of poker for his long-standing dominance over the sport! There are multiple instances where the two have played at high-stakes tables, which makes for unmissable action for poker fans.

“Poker Is 100% Skill And 50% Luck.” – Phil Hellmuth.

With 17 WSOP bracelets to his name, Phil Hellmuth knows a thing or two about what it takes to succeed at poker. This infamous quote basically describes that no matter how much luck a player has at the table, they need to understand how to use their cards and play the opponents, i.e., the skill. Furthering the argument that poker players can win with any hand, they just need to execute it properly.

“Going On Tilt Is Not ‘mixing Up Your Play.’” – Steve Badger

Steve Badger was one of the original poker stars before the online boom. He was a professional long before having won multiple tournaments in the 1990s; he also owned one of the most popular poker sites before selling it to a bigger brand.

His words about tilt are a warning to players who think they can deal with tilt easily.

“Look Around The Table. If You Don’t See A Sucker, Get Up Because You’re The Sucker.” – Amarillo Slim.

For many, Amarillo Slim is the exact image of an American poker player, complete with a cowboy hat and a Texas residence. His words tell players to ensure that they study the participants at a table before parting with a serious amount of money. Obviously, this is harder to do if you’re playing on one of our favorite 10 poker sites you’ll find on the web, but if you’re taking part in a physical game, then it’s a huge part of the gameplay.

“It’s Weird Being Considered An Expert At Something That Confuses Me Every Single Day,” Said Erik Seidel.

Despite winning countless poker events and inordinate amounts of money from the game, Erik Seidel believes that the game can present him with new and confusing situations every time he sits down to play it. His famous quote here is a nod to the game itself as he recognizes his own stature within the game but is humble enough to say he’s still trying to develop as a player.

“Poker Is War. People Pretend It Is A Game.” – Doyle Brunson.

Affectionately known as the godfather of poker, Doyle Brunson’s passing in 2023 was collectively mourned by the poker community.

 While he’s gone, his words and legacy remain. Given his stature and tenure at the elite level of poker, he had many great quotes, but no more poignant than this one, ensuring that everyone realizes just how serious poker is, comparing it to military conflict.

“Fold And Live To Fold Again.” – Stu Ungar.

The Comeback Kid, Stu Ungar, had a colorful life with success across both poker and blackjack while also having to fight personal battles like a particularly uncomfortable divorce and drug addictions. Despite this, Ungar still managed to find words that can resonate with anyone who needs motivation to keep going. This quote basically says that one problem isn’t the totality of your life and that you need to keep going and continually tackle strife. Wise words for the poker table and beyond.

“I Prefer Being Able To See My Opponent. It Is Just Different For Me; I Didn’t Grow Up With The Internet Age, Really.” – Daniel Negreanu.

One of the most successful poker players today is the Canadian Daniel Negreanu. The man has collected a wealth of chips and has since moved to the US. While he does play online events, he’s quick to say he much prefers to play at live casinos.

“A Gambler Never Makes The Same Mistake Twice. It’s Usually Three Or More Times.” – Terrence Murphy.

Terrence Murphy might not be the most well-known poker player in the world, but his words deserve a lot of credit. Saying that poker players and gamblers have to go through rigorous routes to succeed, often retracing prior actions.