UK HSP. phil ivey set to play. wheeeeeeeeee

[SpeakEasy]

Tuck --

Among us common folk in the standard NL live cash games in middle-America, I listen to people talking about HSP, who are not 2+2 regulars. Here is some feedback from common poker players, but players who are probably very representative of the HSP audience outside the 2+2-type community...

There is a significant belief that HSP is a "set-up." That is, the players are not really playing with their own money or "real" money, but instead are just playing for the purpose of filming an exciting (but fake) poker TV show. I've heard players say things like, "There's absolutely no way that anyone is going to call with five-six offsuit for a $3000 raise! No way!"

If a large contingent of players are from FullTilt, its going to look more like a fake "set-up," to those that already believe its fake. I'm not expressing my beliefs, just repeating what I am hearing among regular live poker players that watch TV. Yeah, Benza is constantly stating that its "real hard cold cash," but there's a lot of viewers out there that don't believe that.

Anything that you can do to dispell this myth would add realism to the show. Just seems like something that might be helpful for you to know.

[stereoman]

Hmmm. Similar to Speak's thinking...will the show air on Fox Sports Net, GSN or some other TV station when it's shown in the US?

[FriarTuck]

I'm flying out tomorrow for the game - it should be really amazing. I'm interested to see how Chris Ferguson plays in a cash game, but most of all - I can't wait to see Phil Ivey. I've been talking to a bunch of big name pros and they've all said that Ivey is easily the class of the group. When I get back I'll post some interesting hands and stuff.

[FriarTuck]

[ QUOTE ]
Tuck --

Among us common folk in the standard NL live cash games in middle-America, I listen to people talking about HSP, who are not 2+2 regulars. Here is some feedback from common poker players, but players who are probably very representative of the HSP audience outside the 2+2-type community...

There is a significant belief that HSP is a "set-up." That is, the players are not really playing with their own money or "real" money, but instead are just playing for the purpose of filming an exciting (but fake) poker TV show. I've heard players say things like, "There's absolutely no way that anyone is going to call with five-six offsuit for a $3000 raise! No way!"

If a large contingent of players are from FullTilt, its going to look more like a fake "set-up," to those that already believe its fake. I'm not expressing my beliefs, just repeating what I am hearing among regular live poker players that watch TV. Yeah, Benza is constantly stating that its "real hard cold cash," but there's a lot of viewers out there that don't believe that.

Anything that you can do to dispell this myth would add realism to the show. Just seems like something that might be helpful for you to know.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is definitely a fair concern and to be honest with you, I don't know yet. Of course, the producers have assured me that they are playing for real and with their money. I'll have a better grasp of it when I get there and watch. I just don't think a player like Phil Ivey is that interested in flying to England and playing for "fun" - but...I'll do my best to uncover the truth and I'll let you guys know when I get back.

as for calling a $3000 raise with 5/6 off-suit - it's all relative. I do believe these guys would call a raise with 5/6 off-suit. I've seen stranger things than that on LATB. and remember, if you think you can get paid off big - it might not be all that bad a play.

but...you have my word - I will tell you guys all that I know about the game.

[bottomset]

are they going to allow aba, bad_ip, and antonious to go on the show and take all the "pros" money?

[BDub1]

From what little I know, it is a "pseudo set-up" Full Tilt moved to the UK, and is sponsoring ths event AND putting all of their people in to play. If anyone loses, they are, in all probability, losing it to each other! Except for the few guys that are not Full Tilt, I am sure they all have a piece of each other. Full Tilt is trying to grow a presence in the UK with this move and this show. I am sure there will be some real donkey moves for entertainimernt value. In addition, there is no rake, collection or drop in this game. US$ transfer over and back from the UK without any fees or commissions whatsoever. You bring 500K, you play with 500K, you can come back with 500K with no exchange fees or vig. The players all have a piece of FT. Players have always "owned" pieces of each other. Does anyone really think any of these pros are going to lose any real money? Not I.

This is agreat marketing ploy by FT and I applaud them. Bravo.

[TomHimself]

FT marketing is definately the best in the business. and europe is still growing as far as poker (germany apparently to olivert). now they just need to get to china [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

btw when u say
"US$ transfer over and back from the UK without any fees or commissions whatsoever. You bring 500K, you play with 500K, you can come back with 500K with no exchange fees or vig."
is this usually the case? or is this something special one time dealfor FT?
i would assume this is usually thr case but maybe not


i really wonder if there are gonna be any winners in this game or if all the money is just FT money. i mean would ivey really go to play for nothing? maybe because he has said FT has forced him to play certain tournies.

[BDub1]

From what I was told initially, the casino is not taking any rake or charges for playing. You wire transfer mony to them, and it comes in at full value, no commissions. Same thing going back. That lends more credence to the belief that this is just a giant commercial for FT, and no money really being "gambled". They were going to have 1/2 Euiropenas,, 1/2 Americans, with some businessmen thrown in. This has apparently changed. Doyle and Todd were also suppose to play, and were confirmed. I am not sure this is true now.

[stereoman]

Well some of the stuff you mention also applies to HSP (the casino taking no rake, the place that's hosting the game is doing it for the publicity and all that...Fifty is one of Harrah's targets.) so that isn't particularly 'scandalous'.

I think it's a perk of the game that there are no wire transfer charges/commissions although I'm sure we could ask the likes of Tony G et al if it also applies to them (probably won't apply to British pros who may be stuck having to trade GBP for USD through the normal routes.).

We'll just have to see the end product and make our own conclusions when it airs in January. The fingers of suspicion have been pointed though in various directions and it remains to be seen if there's something odd going on with the show/set-up.

There is no doubt in my mind that during the various commercial breaks (we have less per hour than US shows do) that they'll be Full Tilt promos bookending the show.

Whether we'll have to cater to a US TV standard 42 minute show/hour or stick with our 48 minute show/hour and that it gets edited for US TV remains to be seen.

...some details are probably spared for the 'element of surprise' such as who all the participants are but mind you, HSP were open about all who featured.

[scp]

so what about the opportunity to see the game live in casino? any info anyone?