A Poker Pro Guide to Bipolar and Breaking Badly From 15 Drinks a Day to a Million Dollar Sway

Hello everyone,

Long-time grinder of the US scene here. Depending on where you played me, you might know me as NoTalentTom (NJ), Epictetus'sLeg (PA), or more recently, Constorkonist (MI).

I’m popping in to share something a bit different. I’ve spent years at the tables—grinding graveyard shifts in NJ because I couldn't beat the regs during the day, winning over $1M in cash games (NLHE and PLO), and battling some serious internal demons along the way.

The Raw Truth

I’ve spent a lot of my career self-imposed "chat banned" for being toxic, fueled by a 15-drink-a-day habit and un-diagnosed until age 26 Bipolar I with psychotic features. I even regret some of my old, late-night 2+2 posts from those blurry sessions.

I’ve traded the heavy volume for writing lately. I’ve put together a memoir about the psychological breaking point of a mostly mid-stakes grinder and the journey of figuring out how I got here.

Check Out the Memoir

I’ve hosted the chapters over at www.notthejungleman.com. It's a Facebook wall page really.

Where to start: Chapter 1 sets the stage.

The Big One: Chapter 3 holds the message I believe is most impactful.

If you’ve ever sat across from me, tilted me, or been tilted by me, I’d love for you to take a look. Feedback means the world, and if the story resonates, please feel free to share it.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to the community. Stay sane out there.