Gabe Kaplan - Hot or Not?

[TStoneMBD]

Without disrespect to Gabe, it is my opinion that he is a horrible, horrible poker commentator. His understanding of the game is on a juvenile level and many of the things he says are plain wrong. Every time I see Gabe on another poker show I cringe. With every show he does, his resume builds. I believe the major cause of networks signing him is that he has media experience and that network producers can't differentiate between a knowledgeable poker player and a trivial poker player because of their lack of poker experience. Gabe has somehow cemented in the minds of America that he is a talented poker player. I hope this poll helps change that.

[Jimbo]

I prefer Gabe to any Pro poker player I can think of. Even Vince Van Patton is good compared to getting a pro up there past posting all the hands. Sheesh, it is entertainment, not real poker the networks are paying for.

Jimbo

[mike l.]

wow i really disagree. he's very witty and his poker knowledge is pretty strong. i was skeptical at first but he really made high stakes poker a significantly better show than it would be without him.

[Shady Poker]

I think he's one of the best and his commentary made high stakes poker even more enjoyable than it already was because unlike Norman Chad always making fun of himself, Gabe was able to mix making fun of all the players with insightful commentary. He has been around poker for a long time and he definitely understands the game.

I remember reading that one of the years Stu Ungar won the main event Kaplan had a big chip lead and was considered the favorite late into the tounrament to win it. Now obviously this doesn't prove that hes a great player or anything but this coupled with the fact that he made a televised final table at this years WSOP already give him more poker credibility than Norman Chad in my opinion.

[Red Lion]

Gabe has been in poker for a long time and knows many of the pros first hand. He knows his stuff, but has to dumb it down for TV.

[jemenz]

Gabe wasn't run out of show business, he truly loved poker, he's passed the test of time. AJ Bend me over Benza, MUST GO

[Zele]

I like Kaplan, but I also think they should keep Benza. He's even better than VVP at being smarmy and delivering bad jokes so badly they become funny.


Like when Elezra says he's calling because of the price he's getting laid, and Benza's comment is: "You know where I'm from the price of getting laid is a lot less than that."

[Jourdain]

I think he is better than the WPT commentators, and probably better than the WSOP commentators, although I like Lon Mcearen's voice.

His 1997 WSOP commentary with Phil Hellmuth was legendary, outside in the sun with Ungar. Great.

[TStoneMBD]

hes definitely better than VVP/MS or the WSOP guys imo, but those people are cemented in their jobs. i dont want to see gabe getting signed for any more shows in the future when they could get negreanu/lederer/hellmuth to do it.

[Tulosba]

I'd like to se "Sheiky" comment. Would be hilarious.