I would NOT say this in your letter: 'I am a graduate of CCNY's MFA program, and this is my first novel. I played online poker professionally for two years.'

I know you want to show your qualifications, but I think when you come from this position it's almost like a position of weakness and you are placing the agent as a higher power in your mind. If the agent is interested in the actual story, they will probably ask more about you. I think this frames the situation better for you. In your head you probably think people aren't going to take your story seriously since it's a little bizarre, but good books are not 'normal' aka boring. By leaving your qualifications out of the letter, you actually show tremendous confidence that this story will sell - and that's the outcome the agent wants. Leave them to ask 'who the fuck is this guy?' - which will be a damn likely question given the story you tell here. Then the ball is in your court.

And if you feel you must put your qualifcations in there, don't say it's your first novel. Act like you turn out novels by the dozen. Fake it till you make it.

Also the goal 'become an author' is silly. You ARE an author. We are a manifestation of what we think we are. If you think you are an alcoholic you'll be(come) one. If you think you are an A student you'll be(come) one. If you continue to think you are an aspiring author, you'll be aspiring for the rest of your life and never actually produce shit.

Anyway that's just one perspective to consider. Good luck man.