I think games with variance built into them are so much better than games with no variance modifier. In chess there is always an optimum move. In the same way poker has an optimum move or decision as well, but its often much much harder to see that or even think about that correct decision as there is so much fluctuation that its tough to tell if that move is correct. To learn by trail and error is incredibly time consuming in poker and takes years to master a game. [...]
But its this variance that creates the illusion to people that they are winning poker players. Its this variance that has given action and made millions of dollars for me over the years.

Brian Townsend – 02/2010 – in CardRunners Blog

In poker, one must have courage: the courage to bet, to back one’s convictions, one’s intuitions, one’s understanding. There can be no victory without courage. The successful player must be willing to wager on likelihoods. Should he wait for absolutely risk-free certainty, he will win nothing, regardless of the cards he is dealt.

David Mamet – 09/2005 – in Los Angeles Times

I believe the single most important decision in any form of poker is game selection; determining which cards to enter a hand with runs a close second.

Lou Krieger – in Lou Krieger Online