Chess Champion's Shocking Career Pivot You Didn't Expect | Alexandra Botez DSH #925

Summary

Digital Social Hour Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Chess Champion's Shocking Career Pivot You Didn't Expect | Alexandra Botez DSH #925
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Alexandra Botez
Release Date: November 27, 2024

In this engaging episode of the Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly sits down with renowned chess champion and streamer Alexandra Botez to delve into her unexpected transition from the world of competitive chess to the high-stakes arena of professional poker. The conversation offers listeners a deep dive into Alexandra's journey, the challenges she faced, and the strategic decisions that led to her career pivot.

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1. Alexandra's Recent Experience in the Celebrity Poker Tour

The episode kicks off with Alexandra recounting her latest experience at the Celebrity Poker Tour, where she faced a tough break. She describes a pivotal moment in the game:

"I had six big blinds, pocket five fives, ton of limpers. I shove folds to the last guy, he calls me with 10, 9 off. I have it up until the turn and he rivers a straight. And we're out." ([00:58])

Despite the disappointment of being busted out, Alexandra maintains a positive outlook:

"Hey, it's fine. It's poker. It's fun for everyone." ([01:14])

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2. Transitioning from Chess to Poker

Sean inquires about Alexandra's growing involvement in poker, to which she shares her ambitious plans:

"I'll probably play Bahamas this December. I have been enjoying poker a lot, and I'll definitely keep playing more. We'll see how it goes." ([04:55])

Alexandra reveals her commitment to the game, highlighting her decision to invest a significant amount in an upcoming $25,000 tournament:

"25K? Yep." ([01:31])

She emphasizes the importance of community and mentorship in her poker journey:

"I have a coach, but honestly, like, just I have a group of friends who plays poker and that's the most fun way to do it. We just look at hands after, and that's been the most helpful." ([01:40])

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3. Reflections on Her Chess Career and Education

Alexandra opens up about her early success in chess, sharing her peak Elo rating and the trajectory of her chess career:

"I started playing really young. When I was six. I was really good when I was young. Like I hit 1800 when I was 12 and then it kind of just tapered out." ([02:29])

Sean probes into the reasons behind her plateau in chess performance. Alexandra provides candid insights:

"After I went a full ride when I was 15 for chess and then I just thought what else am I going to do with chess? So then I started. Just switched to focusing on school instead." ([02:39])

Despite not receiving a full scholarship, Alexandra successfully navigated her educational path:

"I did get financial aid. Woohoo. I finished." ([02:50])

She reflects on the practical aspects of her education:

"My college degree did nothing for me." ([03:03])

However, she acknowledges the intangible benefits of her college experience, such as networking and friendships:

"I met some of my close friends there." ([03:09])

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4. Current Endeavors and Future Plans

Alexandra discusses her current streaming activities, primarily collaborating with her sister:

"I stream with my sister." ([03:14])

Looking ahead, she shares her excitement for the upcoming World Chess Championships, albeit with a critical perspective:

"Nobody cares that much about this World Chess Championship because the number one player Magnus isn't playing." ([03:38])

Alexandra expresses her thoughts on the state of competitive chess and the value of the World Championship title:

"The World Championship title doesn't mean as much anymore. Because it doesn't mean you're the best player in the world." ([03:38])

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5. Insights on Career Choices and Personal Growth

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Alexandra's decision to pivot from chess to poker, driven by pragmatic considerations:

"If you're not one of the top, you know, players in the world, it's very hard to make a living. If you're going to be a Grandmaster, you might as well have gotten a PhD in something that actually pays you money." ([04:29])

She compares the challenges of pursuing chess to those faced by struggling artists, highlighting the financial uncertainties involved:

"Like being a struggling artist." ([04:51])

Despite her shift to poker, Alexandra remains passionate about chess:

"I always really liked playing chess, but..." ([04:27])

Her strategic approach to career transitions serves as an inspiration for listeners contemplating similar changes:

"We'll see how it goes." ([04:55])

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6. Closing Thoughts and Where to Follow Alexandra

As the episode wraps up, Sean encourages listeners to stay tuned for Alexandra's participation in the high-stakes poker event in December:

"Stay tuned for that." ([05:04])

Alexandra directs her audience to her primary platform for streaming:

"Only platform I use." ([05:10])

She humorously concludes with a nod to her online presence:

"Peace, guys." ([05:11])

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Key Takeaways

• Career Flexibility: Alexandra Botez exemplifies how skills in one competitive field can translate to another, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and continuous learning.

• Strategic Decision-Making: Her move from chess to poker underscores the value of making strategic career choices based on financial stability and personal passion.

• Community and Support: Alexandra highlights the significance of having a supportive network, be it a coach or friends, in achieving success in competitive environments.

• Realistic Goals: By sharing her honest reflections on the challenges of making a living in chess, Alexandra offers a realistic perspective for aspiring professionals in any field.

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This episode of the Digital Social Hour provides a compelling narrative of personal growth, strategic career shifts, and the relentless pursuit of passion. Alexandra Botez's story serves as a valuable blueprint for entrepreneurs and professionals navigating the complexities of today's dynamic digital and business landscapes.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Time high in Jessica Heck.

[C]

Yeah. What's your elo?

[B]

It's low compared to you, but doesn't matter.

[C]

It's about your all time high.

[B]

1460.

[C]

Let's go.

[B]

But you probably hit that when you were 10.

[C]

I'm probably more like 14, but wow. Oh, wait, 1400. Oh, yeah, never mind.

[B]

Probably like, wow. Wait a minute.

[C]

Me feeling good, but I started playing really young.

[B]

All right, guys, here with Alexandra Botez at the Celebrity Poker Tour. And you just busted out. What happened?

[C]

I had six big blinds, pocket five fives, ton of limpers. I shove folds to the last guy, he calls me with 10, 9 off.

[B]

Wow.

[C]

I have it up until the turn and he rivers a straight. And we're out.

[B]

Damn.

[C]

Feels bad, man.

[B]

I mean, you probably made the right move. And it's just one.

[C]

Hey, it's fine. It's poker. It's fun for everyone.

[B]

Yeah. You've been playing a lot of poker lately.

[C]

I played a lot of poker in the first half of the year, and then I took a little bit of a break, but I'll probably play Bahamas this December.

[B]

Okay, so you're gonna fly out and.

[C]

Play in the tournaments and play the 25k? Yeah.

[B]

Damn.

[C]

I know. It's gonna be a big one.

[B]

Is that the biggest buying you've ever done?

[C]

25K? Yep.

[B]

Wow. So you've. You've been practicing.

[C]

I bet I am going to be studying a lot leading into it. Yeah.

[B]

You got a coach and everything?

[C]

I do have a coach, but honestly, like, just I have a group of friends who plays poker and that's the most fun way to do it. We just look at hands after, and that's been the most helpful.

[B]

Have you noticed with chess, like, you got obviously really good at chess, like you're able to replicate that to poker.

[C]

Time will tell.

[B]

Yeah. You're pretty new to poker, right? A couple years, yep. Yeah, that makes sense. I hit a new all time high in Jester Heck.

[C]

Yeah. What's your elo?

[B]

It's low compared to you, but doesn't matter.

[C]

It's about your all time high.

[B]

1460.

[C]

Let's go.

[B]

So it's only fitting I had you on today.

[C]

Happy to be here.

[B]

Yeah, but you probably hit that when you were 10.

[C]

Probably more like 14, but wow.

[B]

Damn, that's young.

[C]

Oh wait, 1400? Oh yeah, never mind. Probably like wow.

[B]

Wait a minute.

[C]

Me feel good, but I started playing really young.

[B]

Yeah, how young?

[C]

When I was six. I was really good when I was young. Like I hit 1800 when I was 12 and then it kind of just tapered out.

[B]

Wow. What do you think caused that plateau?

[C]

That's a good question. I think I after I went a full ride when I was 15 for chess and then I just thought what else am I going to do with chess? So then I started. Just switched to focusing on school instead.

[B]

Full ride to Stanford, right?

[C]

I didn't get a full ride, but I did get financial aid. Woohoo.

[B]

Did you make it all the way through?

[C]

I did, yeah. I finished.

[B]

Well done.

[C]

What's it for? I don't know, but I did finish.

[B]

You don't know the major?

[C]

I do know the major. I'm just saying my college degree did nothing for me.

[B]

Well, I love the honesty. The networking was probably good for sure.

[C]

And I met some of my close friends there, so.

[B]

Yeah. And you stream with the people you met there, right?

[C]

No, I stream with my sister.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Who else?

[C]

Pardon?

[B]

Who else are you streaming with? Just her.

[C]

Mainly like on the same channel or.

[B]

Just like in the videos? I guess. Like are you collaborating with other chess?

[C]

Yeah, for sure. I mean like you collaborate with everyone who's in chess and generally in streaming.

[B]

Yeah, It's a small, small world, right? Yes. The World Championships coming up next week you said, right?

[C]

Yep.

[B]

Do you have any predictions on who's going to win that?

[C]

I mean Gukesh is the favorite, but more than anything, nobody cares that much about this World Chess Championship because the number one player Magnus, isn't playing. So it's like a World Championship match between world number four and world number 20. Not as exciting. That being said, Gukesh is 18, India loves chess. So like if he wins, it'll be big for him. Ding Liren already has a World Championship title. But the World Championship title doesn't mean as much anymore. Because it doesn't mean you're the best player in the world.

[B]

Right. Because the best players stopped competing in it.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah. What about the women's side? Are you following that side?

[C]

Honestly, I don't really follow that much competitive chess in general, but the Women's World Championship doesn't happen at the same time.

[B]

Got it?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Was becoming a Grandmaster a big goal of yours?

[C]

It was never even a goal.

[B]

Really?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Oh, wow. So you were just playing like. Like, what was the main goal?

[C]

I guess to win a scholarship.

[B]

Okay, so you wanted to. You planned on stopping after the scholarship.

[C]

I always really liked playing chess, but if you're not one of the top, you know, players in the world, it's very hard to make a living. If you're going to be a Grandmaster, you might as well have gotten a PhD in something that actually pays you money. So. Yeah, it was just one of the things that I realized it's very tough to make a living, even if you love the game.

[B]

That makes sense.

[C]

Like being a struggling artist.

[B]

Yeah. So you're leaning more towards poker now?

[C]

I have been enjoying poker a lot, and I'll definitely keep playing more. We'll see how it goes.

[B]

Well, stay tuned. You said that. When's that event coming up? The 25K one?

[C]

In December.

[B]

In December. So stay tuned for that. And where else can people find you?

[C]

On MySpace?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Only platform I use.

[B]

Okay. If you know, you know. Well, we'll link to YouTube below. You guys get a YouTube channel. All right, Peace, guys.