"I'm absolutely gonna win it, because I'm ruthless. I sit at the poker table and my job is to destroy people"

James Woods expresses a relentless, competitive mindset in the world of poker, embodying the mentality of a seasoned player who sees the game not merely as a pastime but as a battle of wills. His declaration of certainty in winning, “I’m absolutely gonna win it”, reflects unshakable self-belief, an essential quality among elite competitors. This confidence doesn’t stem from arrogance alone but rather from a deep-seated conviction in his skills and strategies cultivated over time. Woods approaches each session as a confrontation, bluntly summarizing his intentions as being “ruthless.”

The term “ruthless” here touches upon the psychological aspect of high-stakes poker. To succeed at the poker table, a player must often suppress empathy for opponents, focusing solely on logical decisions and exploiting any weakness detected. Woods’s ruthless attitude also hints at an unapologetic commitment to victory, where anything short of first place is unacceptable. He is not content with participation or modest gains; the objective is total domination.

Describing his job at the table as “to destroy people,” Woods uses dramatic language to emphasize the intensity and psychological warfare inherent in poker. This is not meant to be taken literally but suggests a complete outmaneuvering of the opposition, dismantling their strategies, capitalizing on their mistakes, and draining their resources. Poker, especially at the professional level, demands this kind of cutthroat tenacity. Opponents are seen as obstacles to be overcome, not collaborators in a friendly contest.

Woods’s perspective encapsulates the essence of elite competition: a blend of confidence, calculated aggression, and mental fortitude. It sheds light on the zero-sum nature of poker, where one’s gains directly translate to another’s loss. Victory belongs to those who can set aside hesitation, and face their adversaries with unwavering determination and strategic prowess.