With the endless publicity surrounding the World Poker Tour, people are asking the question of who plays in these tournaments? There is a lot of interest in who is the person behind the cards?

The idea of who plays poker online or off often sends many more conservative gamblers squirming back to their Friday Night Poker games for fear of becoming the 'textbook gambler' described here in this article. That's not really a problem because maybe these players need to return to the home front before they pursue the continuation of a less desired path into the world of gambling.

Poker players may come from all walks of life but the good ones understand what sets them apart from the average Joe, just as the truly great players knows what sees them tower above from the pack of simply 'good' players.

You will find players who define the game, such as Doyle Brunson who certainly falls into this category. There are many poker players who would love to take a visit inside this man's head for just a day to see what it is that puts him out in front of so many other players. What makes him such a good player and how can read people when they least expect it?

The colourful life of a poker player is appealing but many people will never play the game effectively enough to draw their income solely from the game. The true poker player is a risk taker and one who is not necessarily fulfilled as a person unless they are able to take enormous risks in life. They are entrepreneurial, competitive and always look for the next challenge after winning the last. Poker players enjoy battling wits and pitting themselves up against a fellow professional. It's who they are and they are a free spirit who can find true contentment within the game itself.

Real poker players are 'cut from the same cloth' as musicians, artists and writers. They are a rare breed who can reach deep inside to pull out a win just when their chips appear to be down. As an artist finds a way to create yet another masterpiece, a great poker player will know when to go in for the kill and pull out ahead with another win under their belt. That's what they do, they win and because they do, they are the real players of today's poker.