Dan Tsui, CEO at software engineering consultancy and product studio Kyokan, joins me today for this conversation. Before this, he did a lot of freelancing in software engineering. And before that, of course, he was a professional poker player. As he’ll explain today, playing online poker is actually what got him into software to begin with.
When I ask Dan about the similarities between poker and business, he brings up a very insightful answer: the intuitive understanding of risk, having an edge, and what it means to exploit that edge. These points, he explains, are difficult for professionals from non-game-playing backgrounds to wrap their heads around in the same way. The biggest differences, on the other hand, involve working as a team player instead of solo.
We’ll also dig into mindset, exploring various aspects of the topic of translating a poker mentality into the business world. Dan will share his thoughts on the problems with the mindset of people who play poker while waiting to come up with a business idea to pursue, rather than committing to it more thoroughly. Another point we’ll dive into is the professional importance of being able to talk fluently about subjects other than poker. Dan will also talk about his experiences with meditation, including having gone to retreats.
Don’t miss this episode, which is full of interesting and profound insights and Dan’s valuable perspectives on transitioning from poker to the business world.
Learn More About Today’s Guest:
Dan Tsui on LinkedIn
Dan Tsui on Facebook
Dan Tsui on Twitter
Kyokan
In This Episode:
[00:06] - Dan starts things off by giving some background on himself and what he does.
[00:42] - When did Dan make the transition from poker to software engineering?
[01:37] - We hear more about Dan’s history in writing his own simulations.
[04:20] - Dan talks about the level of maturity that solvers, especially those built by skilled engineers, can have.
[05:42] - What are the biggest similarities between poker and business? And what are the biggest differences?
[09:14] - Dan offers another way to think about what he’s been describing.
[10:38] - We learn about one thing that Wayne has personally been struggling with in terms of translating a poker mentality to the business world. Dan then shares his thoughts on the topic.
[13:11] - Dan responds to Wayne’s mention of asking your friends to help spot and point out your leaks.
[14:50] - Was it difficult for Dan to give up the money that he was making in poker as he transitioned into business?
[16:28] - What does Dan think of the thought process of playing poker until you come up with a business idea to pursue?
[22:22] - Dan shares his recommendations for how to go about getting mentors and career counselors.
[27:04] - Wayne offers his own thoughts on why people should be thinking about their abilities outside of poker.
[27:57] - We learn more about Dan’s experiences with meditating and meditation retreats.
[30:52] - Dan explains what a home retreat for meditation is, and talks about whether he’s found it to be a struggle to drop what he’s doing in business to go on retreats.
[34:32] - As a CEO in a company, does Dan think that any aspects of meditation apply to his work?
[35:06] - We move on to the rapid fire questions! When Dan thinks of the word “success,” who is the first person who comes to mind, and why?
[35:50] - Who does Dan think is going to win the race to Mars?
[36:55] - What is Dan’s favorite life hack?
[37:24] - How much of one’s net worth should they put into crypto?
[39:07] - For someone transitioning from poker to crypto, in which field does Dan think their financial ceiling would be higher?
[39:40] - What is something that Dan believes in that other people think is insane?
[44:09] - Does Dan spend a lot of time looking into other tech industries?
[46:10] - Does Dan have any recommendations for future guests who he would like to hear on the show?
[47:51] - Where can listeners learn more about Dan?
Links and Resources:
Dan Tsui on LinkedIn
Dan Tsui on Facebook
Dan Tsui on Twitter
Kyokan
Will Tipton
Expert Heads Up No Limit Hold’em by Will Tipton
Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki
Google Tech Talks: Be Your Own Therapist by Venerable Robina Courtin
Elon Musk
Jeff Bezos
Jae Kwon on LinkedIn