Several Hotshots Supposedly Broke Or In Debt

[MrMore]

As the guy not unfairly labeled Knishy in this thread, let me say that there's a middle ground here: Get what YOU want from this game. I want a comfortable life with lots of free time. I get that. But I don't have any enmity for the hot shots. They don't cost me anything, and they popularize the game and bring me new live ones. I agree that most of them are just decent players on a long hot run, or people who have parlayed a hot run into saleable fame, but so what? Whining about these guys is like whining about opponents going runner-runner on you. It's their money/life. It might only be -EV if you assume going busto has no odd +EV aspect to it stemming from the satisfaction of having at least TRIED to make the big time.

I save my disdain for Annie Duke (who has money only because she married/divorced a rich guy, and I don't believe is a winning player) and Jen Harman (who inherited millions, though seems to be decent, not great). And I say they aren't particularly good players because of their unprofessional reactions to bad beats, having their bluffs called, etc. Good players--by definition players who understand the game--don't react the way I see these two reacting. A true pro, getting slowrolled, doesn't even blink. It's a great sign that someone's NOT a great player (and we only have signs to go on, because we don't have play audits) if they have to take a walk after taking a bad beat/slow roll (Harman) or berate an opponent for busting their bluff with an AK call (Duke). These two will never go busto, but they don't deserve the respect they get. But still, so what? The world says they're better players than me, and I don't think they are, but what difference does it make? I think Sklansky is motivated in this post by irritation at having his poker inferiors lauded. The "world" thinks the famous players are better than him, too.

If there's a real problem worth mentioning, it's the shallowness of the prize the young gun gamblers are shooting for. I think fame and fortune are truly pathetic goals. But that's a personal view, not fairly applied to anyone else's EV calcs.

[GoldenIP]

Okay I've always liked and avidly read Strassa's contribution but...daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn! That is the most awesomest post I've read in a long time! Now I feel content that I blazed David S for providing this gossip that isn't really gossip but in fact a massive [censored]-tease!

Is there a Strassa fan club? Cuz sign me up up to that [censored]!

[bap2086]

gg no re

[GoldenIP]

[ QUOTE ]
As the guy not unfairly labeled Knishy in this thread, let me say that there's a middle ground here: Get what YOU want from this game. I want a comfortable life with lots of free time. I get that. But I don't have any enmity for the hot shots. They don't cost me anything, and they popularize the game and bring me new live ones. I agree that most of them are just decent players on a long hot run, or people who have parlayed a hot run into saleable fame, but so what? Whining about these guys is like whining about opponents going runner-runner on you. It's their money/life. It might only be -EV if you assume going busto has no odd +EV aspect to it stemming from the satisfaction of having at least TRIED to make the big time.

I save my disdain for Annie Duke (who has money only because she married/divorced a rich guy, and I don't believe is a winning player) and Jen Harman (who inherited millions, though seems to be decent, not great). And I say they aren't particularly good players because of their unprofessional reactions to bad beats, having their bluffs called, etc. Good players--by definition players who understand the game--don't react the way I see these two reacting. A true pro, getting slowrolled, doesn't even blink. It's a great sign that someone's NOT a great player (and we only have signs to go on, because we don't have play audits) if they have to take a walk after taking a bad beat/slow roll (Harman) or berate an opponent for busting their bluff with an AK call (Duke). These two will never go busto, but they don't deserve the respect they get. But still, so what? The world says they're better players than me, and I don't think they are, but what difference does it make? I think Sklansky is motivated in this post by irritation at having his poker inferiors lauded. The "world" thinks the famous players are better than him, too.

If there's a real problem worth mentioning, it's the shallowness of the prize the young gun gamblers are shooting for. I think fame and fortune are truly pathetic goals. But that's a personal view, not fairly applied to anyone else's EV calcs.

[/ QUOTE ]

Okay there are some sick good posts eminating from this thread. Mr. More post more, please. I completely agree with everything you've said.

The only subject I think I and most of 2+2 will disagree with you on is thinking Annie Duke has respect as a player. I think you'll find she has little to no respect like most of the TV pros. Besides that...great post!

[gummy d]

and...
strassa steals the show.

[SlowHabit]

Strassa,

Lots of hate. I like it.

[Clayton]

[ QUOTE ]
Strassa,

Damn, son!

[/ QUOTE ]

you know if diablo says it, you're onto something

*munches popcorn

[Moose]

I'm in your boat life-wise and I hope someday to be in your boat poker-wise. Very well put. I've always told my friends that the vast majority of very good poker players in the world are folks you will never hear of and the skill level gaps between them and "Flavor of the Month" is smaller than it looks.

[Michael Davis]

"The difference in pure skill levels between the very best professional players in the world and strong part-time winning players is not nearly as big as it is made out to be. It certainly is smaller than in virtually any other competition I can imagine."

Maybe, but I'm fairly certain there's a little self-bias in all of these guys saying "blah blah skill level all equal blah blah." Truth is, most "pro" grinder types play better than a lot of the big names. But the big names aren't the best players in the world (a few of them are) nor are the grinder types.

The true best players in the world, a few of whom frequent this forum, just flat out play much better than the rest of us.

-Michael

gg strass