The Starting Line
Poker is a game of finite chips—a zero-sum game by definition. One player’s gain is another’s loss. At first glance, it’s a microcosm of how we often see the world: finite resources, constant competition, and a battle to come out on top.
But that view is shallow. Poker, like business and life, is deeper than chips. The table is just the starting point. What happens beyond it—growth, connection, trust—transforms the game into something far greater.
(Note to self: This is a reminder to rethink what games I’m playing, how I’m playing them, and the value I’m creating.)
The Path
Years ago, during my time in oil and gas, an executive shared a powerful truth: “Negotiation isn’t about taking as much as possible. It’s about building a relationship, even if it means conceding something now for something bigger later.”
Another executive once told me, “Money flows through relationships. If you focus only on winning this deal, you’ll miss the bigger picture—long-term partnerships outlast short-term profits.”
These insights stuck with me. Money-in and money-out thinking gives the illusion of a zero-sum game, but value is much broader. Poker teaches this lesson, too. Beneath the zero-sum surface lies a game of strategy, resilience, and emotional intelligence. Every hand offers lessons: how to manage risk, stay calm under pressure, and adapt to the unknown. These skills ripple beyond the felt, enriching every part of life.
When we think about business as a zero-sum game, we miss the point. Non-duality thinking—rejecting the win/lose binary—reveals a world of abundance. In this world, value isn’t limited to finite chips. It grows through connection, trust, and collaboration.
The Finish Line
2025 demands a new mindset. Not zero-sum. Not even just win-win. Instead, focus on abundance. Think beyond transactions and see the broader system.
Arm Yourself for Abundance:
- Think Beyond Chips: Value isn’t just money—it’s relationships, trust, and growth. Play the long game.
- Embrace Non-Duality: Life isn’t win/lose. Ask: How can this create value for everyone involved?
- Negotiate for the Future: Sometimes, conceding today builds trust and opportunities for tomorrow.
- Learn from Poker: Manage risk, read the room, and understand when to push, fold, or hold steady.
- Build Positive-Sum Games: Create systems where your success fuels others’ growth, and vice versa.
Closing Thought
Poker, business, life—they’re not about the chips. They’re about the connections, the lessons, and the growth that lasts long after the game is over.
In 2025, I won’t just play to win; I’ll play to create. Let the table be your training ground and abundance your mindset. The real game starts now.
Peace be the journey,
Ace
One Way Grit 