While there are disputes about how much skill goes into Hold'em Poker, there is no dispute that it can be very entertaining. Check out the hand  between Phil Hellmuth and Danial Negreanu above. It's hard to believe that Hellmuth is one of the top poker players in the world.

I reassessed my views on poker. 

There's no disputing that there are acquired skills connected with playing winning poker. You could probably learn them in a year or so. You can read opponents. You can follow "Poker Basics 101" or you follow your instincts. You can clown around or act like tar baby. In the end, you have "to go all in" to win large or progress further in a tournament. You have to get lucky each time the flop, the turn and the river are turned over. You need "deep pockets" to get through the bad beats. In the end, the game is about 60% luck, 20% skill and 20% reserve cash.

In my opinion, it may take more than one lifetime for one's poker skills to win in the long run. Despite that, Texas Hold' Em  is still an exciting game both to play and watch.