♟️ The Metagame #027: The Power of Perception

Happy Wednesday, friend.

This past weekend, I played in (and won) another poker tournament up in Boston, cashing in another $3,917. Now, as much as I am saying this to brag, another player said something to me during the tournament that sparked the inspiration for this post.

Without further ado, here’s what’s in store for today:

• Understanding perspective

• Imposter syndrome

Read time: 4 minutes

I am a good poker player.

My track record of winning has proven that.

I study more than the average player. I run drills. I practice with simulations and review my past hands.

But poker is a game of both skill and luck—meaning even the best players can lose to a bad beat.

And in a game where variance plays a major role, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you’re never good enough.

Still, perception is a funny thing.

During the tournament, I made the final table with well over half the chips in play. I was in a tough spot against another guy around my age. He was a competent player, and without getting into too many details about the situation itself, I ended up folding a pretty strong hand.

My opponent shook his head, collected the small pot, and said:

“Damn, you’re too good.”

At first, I wasn’t sure if I made the right fold. But that one sentence taught me two things:

1. He inadvertently confirmed my read. I suspected he had the Ace I feared, and his reaction told me I was right—meaning I made a great fold.

2. He revealed how he perceived me. In his mind, I wasn’t just a solid player—I was too good.

And in that moment, I had to remind myself: maybe I am good enough.

(I’ll come back to why this matters later.)

Imposter Syndrome

Everyone experiences impostor syndrome at some point. But what exactly is it?

You’ve probably heard the term before, but let’s break it down:

Impostor syndrome is a persistent feeling of self-doubt, inadequacy, and fear of being exposed as a fraud—despite clear evidence of your skills, success, and achievements.

It isn’t about not being skilled. It’s about feeling like you’re not skilled enough—even when the facts say otherwise.

Essentially, it’s self-awareness gone too far.

Recognizing your flaws is one thing, but if you only focus on what you don’t know and never acknowledge what you do, you’re not truly self-aware—you’re just being unfair to yourself.

The key to beating it?

Constantly reminding yourself how far you’ve come and and understanding how others perceive you.

Poker is a game of imperfect information. The way people see you—their image of you—is based on what little they know.

That guy thought I was an incredible player because of one fold.

To him, I was elite.

So if my actions can lead someone else to believe I’m a great poker player… why shouldn’t I believe it too?

Perception is Reality

If you weren’t already tired of my constant references to poker as a microcosm for life, here’s another one for you.

My opponent’s judgment of me—based on one interaction—set the tone for the rest of the tournament.

And isn’t that how life works, too?

We live in a world where perception is reality.

How people view you influences how they treat you.

Your reputation—both online and offline—determines your luck, your opportunities, and your future.

You’ve seen it happen to celebrities. A single misunderstood statement or false accusation can ruin a career overnight. Fair or not, perception can become truth in the eyes of the public.

And once an image is formed, it’s hard to change.

Poker teaches you that your table image is just as important as the cards you hold.

Life is no different.

You can’t control how people think, but you can influence how they perceive you.

So, if you ever feel like an impostor, take a step back.

Remember how far you’ve come.

Because while you’re busy worrying about not being good enough, someone out there is looking at you and thinking:

"Damn, you're too good."

Quote of the week

Thanks for reading!

If you have any questions, hit me up on LinkedIn or on 𝕏 at @sam_starkman, or feel free to reply to this email!

— Sam