Insights into the life of a poker pro

Every poker fan has thought about what it would be like to be a professional, turn their hobby into a career and have the chance to win huge jackpots in international tournaments time and time again. But what does the everyday life of such a top player actually look like? How do they prepare for their matches? And what attitude is important? Bild asked German WSOP player Quirin Heinz these and other questions, providing an interesting insight into his life.

Poker is still very much in vogue. The strategic card game, which relies on skill, psychological strength and patience, fascinates millions worldwide. Whether at home, in a casino or online - in Germany, too, a huge number of people regularly play at the tables and quite a few are real fans of the scene. They follow major tournaments on streams or TV broadcasts and cheer on the exciting matches, which often have hundreds of thousands or even millions at stake.

One person who has made a name for himself in this scene is Quirin Heinz, better known to many under his pseudonym ‘Q_Poker’ Twitch. Born in Germany, he has secured himself a place among the poker elite and in the hearts of fans thanks to his successes, particularly at the prestigious World Series of Poker (WSOP), as well as his in-depth explanatory videos on Twitch. Incidentally, GGPoker recently bought the WSOP - for a whopping 500 million dollars.

Heinz' statements to Bild make it clear that poker is more than just a game. With a mixture of discipline, focus and passion, he presents his profession as a lifestyle that requires hard work, dedication and passion. He emphasises that greater success can only be achieved with the right attitude.

Who is Quirin Heinz?

Quirin Heinz is a name that comes up more and more frequently in the circles of poker enthusiasts - but unlike many other top players, he has never been thrust into the limelight. You will search in vain for a Wikipedia entry or any other biographical information. Nevertheless, Heinz has earned himself a reputation as one of the up-and-coming German poker pros in recent years.

1. Inspiration and starting shot: His passion for the game began, as for many others, with a moment of inspiration - namely Chris Moneymaker's legendary victory at the 2003 WSOP. Initially, he played poker occasionally for fun with friends, probably without realising that this moment would lay the foundation for his later career.
2. Ambition and tennis: Quirin Heinz was no ordinary recreational player right from the start. Even at a young age, he showed a strong competitive spirit, which originally led him to tennis. As a teenager, he was even an ambitious player at a competitive level, an experience that certainly benefits him today in poker tournaments. After all, in tennis as in poker, mental strength is always crucial. You have to accept defeat, choose the right strategy and constantly improve.
3. Short of cash: His professional poker career began during his studies, when he increasingly used poker as a source of income. Heinz said in the press that he was often short of money during his studies and therefore became more involved with poker. What began as a side income quickly developed into a serious passion. Heinz realised that poker is more than just a game of chance. It requires a detailed examination of probabilities, opponents' tendencies and the ability to remain disciplined in the long term.
4. First professional ambitions: After successfully completing his studies, Heinz decided to pursue poker professionally, at least some of the time. At this stage in his life, he also began streaming his sessions on Twitch and quickly gained a loyal following thanks to his honest, transparent style. To this day, his contributions offer far more than just gameplay. Heinz gives deep insights into advanced poker strategies and explains technical terms to his viewers. Success was not long in coming. Heinz secured several smaller sponsorship deals in his first professional year and achieved solid tournament placings.
5. Success and passion: According to the Hendon Mob Poker Database, his biggest success to date was 136th place at the WSOP Main Event in the Bahamas, where he won 16,200 US dollars. However, Heinz emphasises that it's not just about winning tournaments - certain other moments count too: His first appearance at the WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas alone, Heinz told Bild, was something he will never forget.
6. Successful professional: Today, five years after starting out as a full-time professional, Quirin Heinz has cemented his position in the poker world. With total winnings of over 62,000 dollars (source: Hendon Mob Poker Database) and a steadily growing presence on streaming platforms and in the press, he shows that poker is a special way of life.

Former Austrian ski jumper Roland Rokita is now a poker pro and also has an exciting CV.

Heinz' daily routines: meditation, Twitch, gym and concentration

Quirin Heinz's success in poker is based not only on his understanding of the game, but above all on disciplined daily routines that prepare him mentally and physically for the challenges of the poker tables.

Meditation

As he told Bild, his day usually begins with meditation - a ritual he considers essential for his ability to concentrate. He describes how the spiritual exercise helps him to organise his thoughts and set his focus for the day. In poker, a game that requires both strategic thinking and emotional control, the ability to remain calm at critical moments is crucial. Through targeted mindfulness exercises, Heinz apparently trains his ability to concentrate on the essentials and to get a grip on negative emotions such as frustration or euphoria - both common traps that inexperienced players fall into.

Physical training

Mental preparation is followed by physical training. For Heinz, fitness is just as much a part of his everyday life as honing his poker strategies. The motto here could be: A fit body supports a fit mind. This actually seems particularly important, as professional sessions can go on for hours. Not only mental stamina is required here, but also physical resilience. To prepare himself for such challenges, Heinz regularly integrates running sessions into his daily schedule. This is where his sporting background as a former tennis player comes into play once again.

Preparation

Heinz also follows a fixed routine when preparing for a poker session. Before every big match, he switches off everything that could distract him. No mobile phones, no distracting noises. According to Heinz, one of the keys to success is absolute concentration and discipline. He often takes a short meditation session or a power nap to reset his mind before the session. These measures help him to get into the ‘flow’ - a state of complete focus in which he can optimally engage with the complex decisions at the table.

Streaming

For Heinz, his streaming activities are not just a source of extra income, but also a way of nurturing his poker community and teaching the game. Accordingly, he tries not only to show his viewers poker, but also to explain the thought processes behind it. As Q_Poker, he obviously attaches great importance to his followers being able to actively learn and improve their game.

Conclusion

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