HSP Season II Wrap Up

[Yuv]

It's funny how guys I thought were total douchebags like Antonio and Phil L. turned out to be not only way better poker players than I thought, but some of the cooler guys on poker tv.

[Eponymous]

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It's funny how guys I thought were total douchebags like Antonio and Phil L. turned out to be not only way better poker players than I thought, but some of the cooler guys on poker tv.

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Yeah, their antics during tournaments really turned me off, and I used to think Antonio was a donk. But they seem to act different with a table full of pros. Antonio played really well and would have won big if he didn't get coolered a couple times. I have a different opinion of both of these guys after HSP.

[legend42]

I give Antonio credit especially for the way he played Doyle. He knew Doyle was likely unfamiliar with his game, and would probably mark him as timid-predictable, which could make Doyle bluffable. Then he followed through with a couple nicely timed moves against him.

Probably won't be able to do it again too often, but it was still good poker.

[Suigin406]

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It's funny how guys I thought were total douchebags like Antonio and Phil L. turned out to be not only way better poker players than I thought, but some of the cooler guys on poker tv.

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Yeah, their antics during tournaments really turned me off, and I used to think Antonio was a donk. But they seem to act different with a table full of pros. Antonio played really well and would have won big if he didn't get coolered a couple times. I have a different opinion of both of these guys after HSP.

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my thoughts exactly...

[NicksDad1970]

DN had some bad rolls and tilted. Eli is scared to be bluffed. But they're both a good part of the show. Look at all the threads and posts about those two out and you'll see that's what we seemed to focus on.

I was very impressed with Eric. Made some good bets and reads.

I think some more internet pro's would be great. But I wonder if the ratings would be as high (I'm assuming they're pretty good) if half the table was people that the general public has never heard of.

[sakki]

If it would've been someone less respected on BG's seat playing super-tight short-stack poker we would be hearing comments like "what's he doing there" etc.

[Scooterdoo]

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If it would've been someone less respected on BG's seat playing super-tight short-stack poker we would be hearing comments like "what's he doing there" etc.

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I completely agree. I also think Elezra had a point when he complained about BG's tight style. I believe there is an unwritten rule in these types of games -- you need to give a little action if you want to be invited back. Guys like BG and DG were playing so tight that it was probably pretty frustrating for some of the other players PLUS it just doesn't make for very interesting TV.

They should beg Sammy to come back. He was by far the most entertaining player (if we discount Mike and Phil) over the first two seasons in my opinion.

* I'm not judging Barry's game; of course he can play as well as anyone. But it just doesn't make for very compelling TV, that's all.

[Rottersod]

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If it would've been someone less respected on BG's seat playing super-tight short-stack poker we would be hearing comments like "what's he doing there" etc.

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If he was less respected than Barry then sure, we would be saying that. BG has proven that he belongs there and he has every right to play tight. It's his money. There are different style and the best pro's know how to switch gears and more important when to do so.

[MrDannimal]

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If it would've been someone less respected on BG's seat playing super-tight short-stack poker we would be hearing comments like "what's he doing there" etc.

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If he was less respected than Barry then sure, we would be saying that. BG has proven that he belongs there and he has every right to play tight. It's his money. There are different style and the best pro's know how to switch gears and more important when to do so.

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And yet there were still multiple threads here like "Why is Barry playing short if he thinks he's a long term winner in this game?" and "Is Barry broke? Why doesn't he rebuy for more?" and the like.

So, if it were someone else in BG's seat it would have been WORSE, but there were still plenty of donkeys getting on his case here over the season.

[Rottersod]

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It's funny how guys I thought were total douchebags like Antonio and Phil L. turned out to be not only way better poker players than I thought, but some of the cooler guys on poker tv.

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Yeah, their antics during tournaments really turned me off, and I used to think Antonio was a donk. But they seem to act different with a table full of pros. Antonio played really well and would have won big if he didn't get coolered a couple times. I have a different opinion of both of these guys after HSP.

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In a nutshell you've nicely summed up why we like HSP more than we do TV tourneys. In tourneys you can play and act like an a$s and the worst that can happen is that you are knocked out and lose your buy-in (and many of these guys are staked or won satellites). In HSP you are playing for real money - yours - so your game better be good, and if you try any of those antics you will end up getting someone pissed off at you and chances are he or she is a better player.