Poker and Philosophy: Ingmar Bergman

by Bodog Poker | Jan 6 2010

This week's Poker and Philosophy column takes a look at an inspirational quote from acclaimed filmmaker Ingmar Bergman and how it can relate to your game.

"My basic view of things is - not to have any basic view of things. From having been exceedingly dogmatic, my views on life have gradually dissolved. They don`t exist any longer." - Ingmar Bergman

Swedish writer and director Ingmar Bergman was, for lack of a better phrase, one of the greats.  Described by Woody Allen as "probably the greatest film artist, all things considered, since the invention of the motion picture camera," he is widely recognized by both critics and creators as one of the most accomplished and influential film directors of all time, despite never earning huge box office or getting much of an audience outside of the indie film scene.

Bergman's films deal with many themes: mortality, loneliness, faith, but what's unusual about them is how he pushed sexual desire to the forefront in a time when such things were very, very rarely shown in films.  His ability to combine the thorny issue of love with other, more cerebral aspects of the human psyche helped him create a legacy that endures to this day.  The above quote from Bergman illustrates something that touches upon more than his own life and film career, it reflects a way that anyone in any walk of life can approach their career, even if it's something as esoteric as playing poker.

If you've never noticed, poker players are frequently stubborn and inflexible, and there's likely a good reason for that: there's money involved, and a conservative bent to one's interactions with how one makes said money is natural.  Much like most people in an office environment will quietly do the jobs they've been given, many poker players believe that grinding at the tables in their usual style and slowly accruing profits is fine. This dogmatic approach to the game — and to life — keeps many people from getting the most out of anything.

You should always be willing to learn from anyone and everyone when it comes to expanding your poker game. While books written by experts and tips and advice from pros can give you new ways to approach the game, it's important to note that every successful player has something that works for them and you may well be able to take it and turn it into something that either informs your game or transforms it entirely. 

Whether it's learning how Evelyn Ng here at Bodog changes her playing style she's short-stacked and late in the hand or how a person with a username like "xBeatxYouxNowx" limps in before unveiling monster hands at the river, it's possible to take something from anyone and make it part of your repertoire at the tables.

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