Actually, Todd Brunson learned on his own. Doyle has publicly stated that he did not teach his son how to play poker at that level.

Also, Jennifer Tilly had an active interest in poker before dating Phil Laak. They actually met at a celebrity invitational that she was playing at.

Also, there really are no "paying of dues" to speak of. As long as you outplay your opponnent then you are the winner. Good players can tell the difference between other good players and a hack that gets lucky every now and then.

-Yarney