» Chetna 'Rex55' Joshi Interview
Poker Curious is proud to introduce Chetna 'Rex55' Joshi, 31, of South New Jersey, as our first Poker Curious Pro. We identified her as a strong candidate a year ago. We are thrilled she has agreed to join us now soon after our launch. She is a well known tournament player who plays many games including NLHE, PLO, 08, Razz and HORSE at a professional and profitable level. She is a respected instructor at PokerXFactor and also does private coaching. She shares our passion for information, culture, education, and community. We are excited that she will be moving her popular blog to Poker Curious and become active in the forums, chat, tournaments, and contribute content. We thought the best way for members to get to know her initially was through an extensive and expansive interview.
Welcome to Poker Curious, Chetna. How and when did you get into poker?
I played my first hand of poker in the fall of 2003 during my 2nd year of medical school. This guy I was dating at the time loved to go to A.C. to play blackjack. So, he took me to the Borgata and sat me down in a $2-$4 [limit hold’em] game, and I didn’t know anything. I didn’t know what the button was, I didn’t know what the blinds were, and I didn’t even know if a straight beat a flush...lol... it was pretty bad. But something drew me in that day; and I immediately became intrigued with poker. As soon as I got back I started watching everything that I could on TV, on ESPN, and I started reading as much poker material as I could find. It became an obsession. Here we are 6 years later.
Did you really walk away from a career in medicine and was that a difficult decision for you?
Yes, I did walk away from my white coat before my 2nd year of residency in Internal Medicine. This was the hardest decision of my life. I had been very tempted during medical school, because I was doing consistently well at the cash tables in AC, but I told myself that I would graduate and get my degree, so that I would always have an option to return to medicine if I so chose. Towards the end of my internship, first year out of medical school, my desire to turn pro overpowered my motivation to continue on in the hospital. Even though everyone in my immediate life thought I was insane and could not understand my decision in the least, I knew that it was right for me, and I have never regretted making it.
How did your family react and how supportive of you are they today?
I thought my dad was going to have a heart attack in front of my eyes when I told him. My parents are first generation from India, and I am the oldest daughter.. first doctor in the family. So you can only imagine the expectations they had of me and the disappointment they must have felt. I can understand their reactions from their point of view and I can respect their disappointment in me. But I hoped that with time they would come to understand my need to venture into the poker arena and eventually come to accept it. It took a good 2 years before they really softened to the idea and reality that I was sticking with it. I am sure they would still prefer I return to my stethoscope and white coat.. and who knows maybe one day I will.. but for now..my calling is on the felt... and I take it one day at a time. 
What your single best score, result, best day?
My best score is a 2nd place finish in FTOPS Fixed Limit Omaha8 for $37,324.
2nd best score is 2nd place in the 1k Super Tues on Stars for $33,269.
What do you consider your strengths as a poker player?
Patience, confidence, intuition, and perspective.
You’ve had a lot of success in online poker, but the most notable thing about your success, is that it has come in a wide array of poker variants. You’ve done well in pot-limit Omaha, Omaha eight-or-better, H.O.R.S.E., H.O.S.E., Razz as well as pretty much every form of hold’em. How did you become so well rounded?
When I first started, I thought it was just no-limit hold’em, and then I heard about razz and Omaha and stud, and I thought, “Wow, I really want to be able to walk into any casino and be able to sit down and confidently play any game that they’re spreading, or to be able to go to the WSOP and enter any tournament and feel like I have an edge. I read what I could find on all the mixed games, but ultimately it was sitting down and logging hours that helped me get a feel for each game. Online poker is so convenient in that you can learn any game for very cheap and get in a lot of hours, until you feel that you can competitively compete at higher stakes. Learning every game, as a whole, has sharpened my core foundation and offered me a wide variety of options when it comes to choosing mtt's and cash games.
Where did the name Rex55 come from?
When I started playing online, I didn’t want to have to deal with having an obvious girl’s name. I did not know if it would be an advantage or a disadvantage. I had faced my share of judgment and criticism at the live tables, so I figured “What a perfect time to have a male identity.” The way I came up with Rex55 actually, is that when I play live, I use this queen chess piece. So, when I was thinking of names, I thought, okay, instead of using “queen,” I’ll use “king,” which in Latin is “rex.” And that’s how I came up with rex, and then the 55 is my birthday, May 5, so I came up with Rex55. So, I started playing as that, and I didn’t post any pictures on my blog until I felt like I was having consistent success, because I just wasn’t really ready to say, “Hey, I’m a girl.” I wanted to prove myself, first. Now most people know Rex55 is a girl, but I still get the occasional player thinking I'm some weirdo when i type '<3 or xox' in the chat box.. lolol.
How do you approach bad beats and downswings?
When I first started playing online I really had a hard time controlling my frustration with the constant parade of bad beats I would encounter on a daily basis. Sometimes, I still do. I have done my sharing of tilting off tourney stacks or tilting in cash games, or just getting downright angry...I would be so fixated on making the right play and getting my money in good that when I did, and got bad beat, I struggled on how to constructively deal with it.. rather than succumb to destructive behavior.
With time, I realized that I had to change my perspective. I had to take the bad beats and downswings in stride, because they are inherent components of the game, and are inevitable. They are normal. Period.
When I realized there were going to be constant dips and valleys in poker, it occurred to me that I should also practice having humility when I am running good. Because the one thing that I’ve noticed about poker is that it’s amazing how our minds can so easily latch on to the feeling of invincibility when we are winning. We can feel like, “Oh my God, I’m winning $20,000 a month and this is amazing. This is how it’s going to be forever.” And we let our egos blind us from the reality that this can stop at any point; we can hit a cold streak in the blink of an eye. Most poker players are not ready for that, and do not know how to handle it when it happens. I think having a healthy perspective on bad beats and downswings is one of the most important components to long term Poker Success.
How much does math vs. psychology/gameflow/tell influence your game?
Math plays very little role in my conscious mind.. I am sure most of the decisions I make during a tournament are logically rooted to math, but I don't think about it like that. I am much more in tune to the psychology and intuitive side of poker. I don't like to have a predetermined strategy on how to play any particular hand, be it AA, AK or 55s. I think poker is so situational, and there are so many factors I take into account when making big decisions in a tournament.
Do you use any poker software?
Not really. I recently started experimenting with the ICM calculator and PokerStove, but I don't use PokerTracker or PokerHUD.
How do you keep your skills sharp as the months and years go by?
I try to stay one step ahead of the poker evolution. I am always obsessing about my game, finding things to tweak... sending hand histories to players I respect and getting their opinions on how they would have played it...I think about what used to be effective and ask myself why it no longer is. How have the players adapted to it? Stagnancy is death in poker...Have to continually think about how to keep or increase your edge.
You are active on PokerXFactor, what is it like being involved in a high level learning community like that?
PokerXFactor is an excellent training site, I have been a member there for over 3 years and a pro for about 8 months. I would highly recommend it for all serious students of the game. I have learned a great deal from watching the training videos of Bax, Pearljammer, Rizen, etc. and getting a rabbit cam of their hole cards. It's interesting to see how so many different styles of poker can all be successful. I am very excited because I will be coming out with my first video series in a few weeks time and I am very much looking forward to giving back to a community that I have learned so much from.
What players do you most respect and why?
I have my favorite players just like anyone else, but the players I respect the most are the daily grinders. The ones who play their hearts out during a long mtt or sng session and most nights go to bed with a couple of min cashes at best, but wake up the next day mentally prepared for a new battle on the felt. The ones who hit consistent singles but are always working hard and determined to hit that grand slam.
What is it like being a woman in the higher stakes poker world?
I experienced a lot of criticism and sexism when I first started playing in Atlantic City. Not so much at the lower stakes, but when I started to play the $5/10 NL regularly at Tropicana and Borgata, most men did not like the concept of me winning money off them. Sure some would soft play me, but most others would go out of their way to bad beat me or make ridiculous bluffs into me...I felt out of place in what was obviously a "male-dominated world." But I was not leaving. I have always had to work hard to get to where I have wanted to get, but have never relied on anything other than my skills, determination and intellect to get me there. I am competitively passionate at heart, and always determined to gain respect. As time went on, I began to earn that respect from the regulars, because they could see that, OK, I am serious about my game, I’m not going anywhere, and I’m actually pretty good. 6 years later, women are more of a natural presence in poker rooms, and many have staked their claim on poker fame. I hope to do the same.
What advice would you give to novice players who want to emulate your success?
To approach and view poker as a long journey and not an instant lottery ticket or overnight prize.
If you think about it, at the core of poker, we’re all on the same playing field. We have 52 cards, everyone has the same rules, we all have the same odds, and everybody has good luck and bad luck and everything in between. So, you have to ask yourself what really separates the great players from the just average or the losing players, and I honestly think that the great players are better at focusing on what they can control versus what they can’t. They constantly strive to improve upon their games, their discipline, and their bankroll management, which is such a big key. They’re able to cushion downswings without letting it consume them or defeat them.
I can’t tell you how many people I know who have succeeded and hit nice scores, and then a week or a month later are broke. And it had nothing to do with them not being good at poker and everything to do with their lack of discipline. They were obviously good enough to win that money, but they weren’t good enough, or enough in control of themselves, to stop when things weren’t going well and drop down. I too have struggled with this. And that’s kind of the invincibility factor that I was talking about earlier.
The great players have tapped into the potential that is independent of luck and they’re able to put the negativity of poker into perspective. And I think once you realize that poker is not only beauty but brutality … the sooner you realize that, the sooner I think anybody can be a great player, I honestly do.
What are some of your other non poker interests? How do you manage or balance the non poker world with your poker lifestyle?
I have the most lovable labradoodle in the world named Bindi, who brings tons of excitement to my life.. there is never a dull moment with her around..lol. I also have an art studio in my apartment where I like to do oil and spray paintings. My family lives an hour and 20 min north of me and I have a close circle of friends who I go to Philly or AC with, roller blade, tennis, movie nights, etc. It is so easy to get burnt out playing poker non stop day in and day out. My friends, my puppy and my alone time are very special to me... they keep me balanced and sane.
We heard you like to do some coaching. What do you like about the coaching process?
When I coach, I learn too. I coach all tournament games including NL, PLO, PLO8, Razz, Stud, and Stud8...and each session is individually tailored to the goals of the student. It forces me to stay sharp and immerses my mind in poker strategy. I love helping other players who are focused on improving their games and not fixated on whining about bad luck and bad beats.
Your students have experienced considerable success, what do you emphasize in your teaching?
Well you gotta sign up to find out ;)
We are excited that you will be blogging regularly on Poker Curious. You are known as an eloquent and active blogger. Where did your love of writing come from?
Like many females, I have been writing since I was a little girl, logging journal entries into a pad locked pink journal :) Writing has always been a perfect emotional outlet for me.. along with my paintings. So when I started playing online I thought it would be cool to document my journey and started a poker blog. (archive at http://Rex55.blogspot.com/) I had no idea it would receive the attention that it did when I started it. Not only have I been able to share my thoughts and insights candidly, but I have received feedback from players all over the world. They don’t realize how appreciative, how uplifting that is for me. I’ve met so many amazing people via my blog. I am excited about blogging at Poker Curious, and continuing to document my candid journey here.
Like any outspoken member of the poker community, I am sure you have had your share of negativity and critics. How do you handle the negative energies, comments or posts?
There’s always going to be that small percentage of people who are trying to bring other people down, but that’s really going to exist in any facet of life where people are succeeding. There’s always going to be a small percentage of people who are envious and turn that into hate. I just ignore it. Allowing their insecure negativity to infiltrate into me is like folding AA to them preflop. It's stupid.
The online poker community is just that, it’s a tight-knit community. For the most part, we root for each other, we help each other, and we’re there when somebody else falls. I don’t know how many times I’m on chat with people while they’re going through downswings, or how many people are on chat with me when I am. We strive to better each other, and I really think that that is what it should be about.
What is the secret to poker success?
Poker success is independent of gender, race, or age. Take away the stakes and the bankroll, and poker is poker...whether it is a 1k tourney or a $1 tourney.
The difference lies in the potential each individual has tapped into, fostered, and developed.
The difference lies in the patience with which you practice, and the discipline you maintain.
The difference lies in the hours of serious experimentation and focused application.
The difference lies in your self-confidence...your emotional control...your flexibility to dream.
Success can be achieved at any level...micro-to mid-to-macro...success is not in the hands of the stake, or the dealer, or the players at your table...success lies within yourself.
