Quote Originally Posted by biondino
I find it hard to imagine how someone could ever become a good player without studying, by which I mean book learning and active, educational discussions like we get on FTR. I guess someone could simply learn the rules, start playing and over a long period of time pick up the necessary strategies which make a winning player, but it'd take a LOT of practice, not least to lose the bad habits that they wouldn't have anyone to talk them out of (I remember my own logic for playing K9o - it could make a straight! - and I might still be playing it today if it hadn't been for FTR and Small Stakes Hold'em).
I'm going to have to blatantly disagree with you here. There are far too many cases of people who are naturally inclined to the game, and master it in short order with minimal outside influence (ie books, discussion forums).

My intention isn't braggard, but I, myself was a winning poker player long before picking up my first poker book, or having extended discussion. In fact, I read my very first poker book about 5 months ago.