Rank the TV Poker Commentators?

[Thundercat32]

Wow I'm really surprised by all the Norman Chad bashing.

I like Gabe Kaplan he is my 2nd favorite announcer. I don't watch High Stakes poker because no one could be good enough to make up for just how bad AJ Benza sucks and brings the whole show down. Kaplan needs a better agent to get him doing more of these poker shows, than I might actually watch Poker Superstars or Aussie Millions.

As far as Chad goes, what are ya'll talking about? Constant ex wife jokes? Maybe like 1 an episode he's just touching home base. I don't want expert commentary, it's nice but I don't need it. Now that I understand the game a little better I want to be entertained, no one does this better than Chad. I've laughed so hard chocolate milk came out my nose at some of the stuff he says. He always on, so maybe that's what everyone finds annoying but I love it.

[ToughE]

I am very surprised with the negativity towards Mike Sexton's commentary. Not only is Mike a knowledgeable poker player, but he is usually right on target with his hand analysis and with what players are thinking during the hand. I learn from him. Vince can certainly be goofy at times, but, give these guys credit- they and Moneymaker helped launch the poker boom. Millions of people didn't start tuning in every Wednesday night because they were boring. Mike has and continues to be a tremendous ambassador for the game - most of us that play regularly continue to benefit from that.

The other thing that puts Mike in an elite class is how he approaches poorly played hands by players. He does not humiliate a player on camera. He fully recognizes that many players will never again see a final WPT table and that family and friends are watching. He points out these gross errors in a classy manner that still preserves the dignity of the player. Wouldn't you want the same if you did something out of character in your first and only WPT final table? I respect his thoughtfulness in that regard.

I enjoy hearing Phil Hellmuth. As one of the top NLH tournament players, he gets inside player's minds and does thorough analysis of the hands played. I think he would be great in a PPT event. I am also impressed with Howard L and Phil Gordon's commentary. Howard has always been known as an excellent teacher. Likewise, Phil G. did an excellent job with the live WSOP ME. Both would be great in other forums.

Gabe entertains while giving decent analysis, but I wouldn't rank him at the top.

Lon and Norm are entertaining, but I rarely learn anything from their commentary.

Mark and Corboy don't get cool points for smoothness, but, I think Mark does provide some useful discussion at times.

I guess it really depends on what you want - entertainment or education. I enjoy learning and appreciate the insight from real players. Mike Sexton does a good job at both.

[ToughE]

I also strongly agree with the comments about Dave and Bart from Live at the Bike. They are excellent. Watching them and the good players on that show has helped elevate my NLH cash game tremendously. Very well worth the money. Good job Bart and Dave!

[HamJam]

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I am very surprised with the negativity towards Mike Sexton's commentary. Not only is Mike a knowledgeable poker player, but he is usually right on target with his hand analysis and with what players are thinking during the hand. I learn from him.

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3 words... bingo bango bongo

[Self Made]

I think it's a bad idea to rate them as teams. There are lots of pairs with one bad/indifferent one and one good one. Let's try and help the good ones get jobs and the bad ones go off the air.

Best:
- Phil Gordon in first place.
- Adam Schoenfeld is also very good. Can be even more critical than Gordon (expressing an opinion is a good thing). Many of you have seen little or none of his work though.

I also like:
- Lederer.
- Sexton does a competent job.
- Phil Hellmuth did one of the best announcing jobs I've ever seen on an UltimateBet timebuy show once. But recently on Celebrity he's pretty bad: it's like they told him "be nicer to the celebrities than Gordon was," and now his commentary sucks. But an unleashed, unproduced Hellmuth can be great.

Underrated:
- Seif. Good analysis. I think he gets the bad reviews because of his partner (I have trouble telling them apart by their voices), and the production of the show (the references to other sports the producers make them say are offensive, e.g. dividing everything into "quarters").

Overrated:
- Kaplan. Yes, he provides some good analysis. But shut the hell up sometimes! I tune in for poker, not to hear his comedy. Comedy Central is a few channels over if I'm inclined.

Just plain bad:
- Chad. I find him offensive because he doesn't take poker seriously. He's catering to people who, like him, don't care about poker. I'm not one of them.
- Yes, the NLP people are weak.
- Chad Brown on UPC was pretty unpolished too: just not comfortable doing TV announcing.

[invulse]

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I also strongly agree with the comments about Dave and Bart from Live at the Bike. They are excellent. Watching them and the good players on that show has helped elevate my NLH cash game tremendously. Very well worth the money. Good job Bart and Dave!

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I think dave and bart are pretty good commentators as well, but I think their commentary is actually too complex. They talk alot like posters on this forum, which I cant stand and use lingo that anyone who isnt an avid poster wouldn't understand. Aside from that though their commentary is helping me improve my game alot.

[Ignignokt]

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Wow I'm really surprised by all the Norman Chad bashing.

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Me too. From what I understand he's been through a divorce or two.

[Ignignokt]

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- Kaplan. Yes, he provides some good analysis. But shut the hell up sometimes! I tune in for poker, not to hear his comedy.

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OTOH, they probably wouldn't have hired a professional comedian if they didn't want any comedy.

[legend42]

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I don't watch High Stakes poker because no one could be good enough to make up for just how bad AJ Benza sucks and brings the whole show down.

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He doesn't do enough to be that bad. His job consists of saying things like "and the turn's a deuce of spades" or "Antonio raises to $6500", and occasionally setting up a Kaplan one-liner. Sure, he doesn't add much to the telecast, but I can't see how he possibly "brings the whole show down".

[legend42]

Nice comments about Sexton. Even if his act has worn thin with people here, he deserves massive credit for being a pioneer as far as poker announcing goes. Does anybody remember what televised poker was like before the WPT? The WSOP had Dick Van Patten or Jerry Van Dyke drunkenly trying to figure out what the nuts were on a given board. Even when Kaplan did the show, he had to severely dumb down his analysis.

Sexton's baritone "now what runs through your head here when a guy raises you on the turn..." lines were like a "finally!" moment for most poker fans, and more seminal than anybody seems to acknowledge now (he wasn't the first to do it, but he was the first to do it every week). Sure, it's gotten a bit stale years later, as others have passed him in terms of insight and originality, but you still have to give props to a guy who help start the whole thing.