Second, he's really smart. He was published at the age of 17 in the NYPress, New York City's edgy and independent alternative to established weeklies, and his skill at writing is well-illustrated by the compelling work he routinely shares on his blog, You Can't Miss What You Can't Measure. If you're short on time, don't miss this insightful piece he wrote for Slate Magazine on what Black Friday meant to him, and many top pros.
Last but not least, he's a prolific, and witty, tweeter (@ShaneSchleger). I know many think @BJNemeth wins the internetz when it comes to debate on the medium, but I say Shane gives BJ some stiff competition. Either way, you can't go wrong following either of them.
Despite the chilling aftereffects of Black Friday (Shane, like many top online pros, has relocated out of the US in order to continue playing - right now, he's grinding it out from Rosarita Beach, Mexico), Shane has had a great year both live and on-line. If you're into stats - you can see just how well here and here. In addition, he was added to the Team PokerStars roster this year and has already won a seat to the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, taking place next month.
Like @kevmath and @MariaHo before him, Shane was a great sport when I asked if he would participate in my PPQ folly. (In case you're new to my blog, the Poker(Proust) Q (aka the "PPQ") is my modified take on the Vanity Fair Celebrity Proust Questionnaire). Even in the face of the chaos Black Friday has wrought within the industry, Shane was kind enough to share some insight into some of the things that make him tick.
What I like best about Shane is his willingness to say what he means and mean what he says. He doesn't just "go along to get along", which is pretty rare in this world, imo. I think he's great and hope you do, too.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
"Freedom from the need to feel free."
What makes you
laugh?
Self-effacement.
Where do you feel most at home?
Next to an ocean, river or lake
Of what achievement in poker are you most proud? In life?
Not too proud of anything, just happy to be here.
What is your most treasured possession?
My bicycle.
What is your greatest fear?
Being broke.
What trait do you most deplore in yourself?
Lack of discipline.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Lack of gratitude.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Overpriced casual clothing.
Like lawyers, poker players are often considered excellent liars. Outside of poker, on what occasion do you lie?
When my mother asks how I am doing.
When and where do you remembering being your happiest?
Probably summer camp
If you died and could come back as a person or thing, what would it be?
A fly on the wall.
What is your favorite journey?
The journey home.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Probably honesty since plenty of people seem to get by without it.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"Right on."
What is your greatest regret?
Not going to college.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Musical talent
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
I can't name just one.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Immobility.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would manage my time better.
If you weren't a poker professional, what would you be?
I hope to have an answer to that one day.
What is your most striking characteristic?
No idea.
What do you most value in your friends?
Accessibility.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Bob Dylan, George Clinton, JD Salinger.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Henry Sugar
How would you like to die?
Drowning or in a natural disaster
What is your motto?
Maybe, "Think right and you can fly."
What is your favorite NLHE hand?
Aces
Who's a better rapper, Jeff Madsen or Prahlad Friedman?
Prahlad
Who *really* should've won The Apprentice, Annie Duke or Joan Rivers?
Joan Rivers is a complete legend, one of the hardest working people in show business.
Who is your favorite Micros character?
I like to stay at least 1 year behind pop culture trends and phenomena, so I haven't caught up with the Micros yet.
What is your favorite karaoke song? (if you don't karaoke, what's your favorite song)
Positively 4th Street
What is the best thing about Twitter and who is your favorite tweeter?
The interaction, the call and response. And the bots that @j_e_d created, especially @bot_marley and @ro_bot_dylan. I consider @j_e_d to be my twitter soul-mate for creating those bots.
Who is your favorite Main Event Champ?
Peter Eastgate
Self-effacement.
Where do you feel most at home?
Next to an ocean, river or lake
Of what achievement in poker are you most proud? In life?
Not too proud of anything, just happy to be here.
What is your most treasured possession?
My bicycle.
What is your greatest fear?
Being broke.
What trait do you most deplore in yourself?
Lack of discipline.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Lack of gratitude.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Overpriced casual clothing.
Like lawyers, poker players are often considered excellent liars. Outside of poker, on what occasion do you lie?
When my mother asks how I am doing.
When and where do you remembering being your happiest?
Probably summer camp
If you died and could come back as a person or thing, what would it be?
A fly on the wall.
What is your favorite journey?
The journey home.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Probably honesty since plenty of people seem to get by without it.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"Right on."
What is your greatest regret?
Not going to college.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Musical talent
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
I can't name just one.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Immobility.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would manage my time better.
If you weren't a poker professional, what would you be?
I hope to have an answer to that one day.
What is your most striking characteristic?
No idea.
What do you most value in your friends?
Accessibility.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Bob Dylan, George Clinton, JD Salinger.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Henry Sugar
How would you like to die?
Drowning or in a natural disaster
What is your motto?
Maybe, "Think right and you can fly."
What is your favorite NLHE hand?
Aces
Who's a better rapper, Jeff Madsen or Prahlad Friedman?
Prahlad
Who *really* should've won The Apprentice, Annie Duke or Joan Rivers?
Joan Rivers is a complete legend, one of the hardest working people in show business.
Who is your favorite Micros character?
I like to stay at least 1 year behind pop culture trends and phenomena, so I haven't caught up with the Micros yet.
What is your favorite karaoke song? (if you don't karaoke, what's your favorite song)
Positively 4th Street
What is the best thing about Twitter and who is your favorite tweeter?
The interaction, the call and response. And the bots that @j_e_d created, especially @bot_marley and @ro_bot_dylan. I consider @j_e_d to be my twitter soul-mate for creating those bots.
Who is your favorite Main Event Champ?
Peter Eastgate
***
* hey - what's good for the goose...amirite ladies?
Great interview.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting the Dylan clip. We should go see him together sometime.
I love that song too. Great poker-ish lyrics, imo
ReplyDeleteWhen you see me on the street,
You always act surprised,
You say, "How are you?" "Good luck"
But you don’t mean it!