Jess Vierling让人刮目相看

Jess Vierling deserved a round of applause. She achieved something that most poker players would be over the moon about – turning a $500 satellite entry into a $5,000 buy-in for PokerGO’s 2024 Poker Masters opening event, holding her ground against tougher competition, and walking away as the runner-up, pocketing $98,000 – the third-largest score of her career.

However, in poker, there’s a saying: at the end of a tournament, only one person is truly happy. It turns out that Jess Vierling was not that person.

“So everyone is congratulating me for second place (so I guess I should feel amazing), but I feel like crap. I reviewed all my hands and misplayed two in heads-up that cost me dearly. Maybe I could have won if not for those mistakes. Who’s wrong, everyone or me, and why are we so messed up? 🤣😩,” Jess tweeted on September 12, 2024.

“When that tournament was over…the last experience, the last feeling that I had was disappointment, especially because I had such a big chip lead to start the heads-up with. It was bittersweet…Part of me thinks it’ll take a few days for me to be happy about this,” she reflected. Despite the recognition from the poker community and the acknowledgment of her well-known competitors, she struggled to find solace.

It seems that Jess’s own high expectations for herself are a significant factor. The 38-year-old poker pro has set the bar high for herself, striving to perform at her very best and expecting nothing less, no matter what the situation.

Even though she’s in the midst of a career year, highlighted by her WSOP Circuit Commerce Casino Main Event win for a record-breaking $328,000, a final table finish at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open, and her recent PokerGO cash, which propelled her lifetime tournament earnings to over $1.2 million, Jess’s inner critic continues to haunt her.

“What I can’t get over is if I mess up. People say you should try to be in control of the things you can and allow the rest to just happen. But am I not in control of my mind? Shouldn’t I always be at 100% mental capacity? My mind should always be operating at its absolute peak, but if I slip up because I’m tired, tilted, or inattentive for a moment, then that’s something I can’t forgive myself for,” Jess opened up.

For Jess, her intense self-criticism is an integral part of her competitive drive. She acknowledges her inner struggle but remains refreshingly candid. In a game where emotional detachment is often used to shield players from the ups and downs, Jess embraces the opposite approach, unapologetically unveiling her vulnerabilities to those who support her.

“Yeah, I’ve been told I’m hard on myself. And objectively speaking, I probably am. But there’s a part of me that’s just…let people think you’re hard on yourself,” she remarked.

She views her relentless push for improvement in poker as a “badge of honor” and recognizes that no one will ever scrutinize her more harshly than she does herself. While she’s aware that holding herself to impossibly high standards isn’t always healthy, she’s also unwavering in her commitment to strive for excellence as long as she’s playing poker.

As for why she’s seeking love and respect, Jess’s candid response is both revealing and heartwarming. “I’m getting all this love, the love that my inner child craves, the respect it desires by excelling in what I do. I just have to keep getting better, always striving to be at the top because I always want to be loved,” she confided.

Her passion for poker shines through as she shares her conviction that the game transcends monetary gains and serves as a platform for personal and spiritual growth. Four years ago, she relocated from Seattle to Las Vegas to pursue her poker dream, and she hasn’t looked back.

“I’m doing this because I love the game. It’s the most beautiful thing ever. It’s a representation of light. All my issues, everyone’s mental challenges, strengths, they all come out in the game. It’s an incredible universe in itself. I have always loved cards, and now I truly love poker because the learning never stops. The knowledge is limitless, and it’s spiritual. It enhances spiritual and psychological awareness and brings people together,” Jess expressed.

Her immense admiration for the game’s depth and complexity is matched only by her desire to find her place within the poker community. “I want to belong to the community. That’s my number one goal. I have a yearning for my tribe, and it would be amazing if it was the high-stakes community…any respected community. But yes, I just want to play my best game and achieve success, and I want to be loved and respected for my game,” she divulged.

Jess’s commitment to authenticity, both at the poker table and in life, has been a guiding principle. She refuses to conceal who she is or what she feels, believing that embracing her true self is the key to finding her path and connecting with likeminded individuals.

“I do not believe in lying or creating a false image of myself because I believe that everyone finds their tribe, but if you are not yourself, the people who belong with you won’t find you. Being genuine is the way you find your path. Authenticity makes life simpler,” Jess eloquently expressed.

As she continues her journey, it’s clear that Jess Vierling is not just playing poker – she is living it, embracing the beauty and challenges of the game wholeheartedly.