An uninspiring world

[peterbirks]

It's an odd day when nothing seems to have happened that I want to write about. Surely the defining feature of GOM (grumpy old men) is that there is always something, somewhere, on which they wish to spew their bile?

Well, today, the answer appears to be, no. I've regrouped some confidence at the online tables after the weekend's disaster at Royal Hold'em (regroup, forget about it, carry on playing) and, without winning or losing much, I'm happy with my game. There are also some soft games around, whihc is unusual for the daytime during the week. Normally it's a matter of outplaying the rocks post-flop.

And a tour around the poker sites and forums doesn't bring much to mind either. Perhaps it can be put down to my decision last night that I didn't need to turn molehills into mountains. Usually, this is a plus, but when it comes to writing a blog, it's a minus. Something which a few days ago might have inspired a 500-word rant now just gets a "oh well, never mind" response.

Doubtless normal service will be resumed the second that I get over-tired, or some particularly obnoxious wanker pisses me off.

Comments

Oh yes it has

[jellymillion.livejournal.com]

nothing seems to have happened that I want to write about

That's something to complain about - and you did. GOMs rule.

Re: Oh yes it has

[peterbirks.livejournal.com]

Yes, this is reminiscent of the cartoonist Vicky, who was at his unhappiest when he couldn't find anything to be unhappy about.

But I was rather puzzled that I couldn't even summon up the energy to scale the high horse about Hellmuth getting a freeroll to the $2m final table in Vegas, even though he had failed to qualify. All I could think of gleefully was Negreanu's marvellous comment about the game to be televised from the Bellagio. Dan was 750K in the hole and Hellmuth sat down, to the obvious glee of the other players at the table. "Just when I thought I had no chance of getting even" said negreanu, as if the cash fairy had rained in from heaven.

PH finally screwed up against Greenstein when his move all-in with 66 on a board of 8-5-2 was promptly called by Greeenstein's pair of ducks in the hole. Exit Phil, moaning about players "coming in with small pairs". Marvellous.

PJ

Re: Oh yes it has

[andy-ward-uk.livejournal.com]

Pete, this must make you angry if nothing else : a poster on Paul Phillips' blog alleges that Pepsi approached Harrah's with an offer of $2 million to sponsor this beanfest. On the condition that some "name players" were added to the line-up. Brunson, Chan and Hellmuth were duly invited. And how much of this additional $2 million found its way to the players ?

You guessed it ...

Andy.

Re: Oh yes it has

[peterbirks.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I just read that myself. Stunning, or what? Harrah's gets an extra $2m. And the players see their equity shifted from $18.5k to, what, about $16K.

How would a freeroll snooker tourney for amateurs bee seen if this was done.

1) If you play on our circuit and get a certain number of points, you get into a $2m freeroll knockout tournament (which comes out of the juice you paid to get into th competitions in the first place).

2) Pepsi sponsors the tournament for $2m, meaning Harrah's profit is upped by $2m.

3) But only if Steven Hendry, Mark Williams and Steve Davis are allowed to enter as well. And, of course, they are not paid for this -- they are just going for the prize money.

Poker players have brought this upon themselves by agreeing to sign such contracts when they enter the tournaments. Online sites compound the affair. Why, for example, should I wear a company's tee-shirt when I have paid an entry fee, won a tournament, and qualified? Unless there is added money, no reason at all.

None of this bothers me financially, since I saw it all coming and I refuse to play the corporate game. See me at the cash tables....

PJ

Re: Oh yes it has

[andy-ward-uk.livejournal.com]

Funnily enough, it doesn't bother me much either. I'm more amused than angry. The players have allowed it to happen themselves, although you can't blame individuals. I remember a case where Daniel Negreanu was involved in some TV thing, but he didn't think the players were being rewarded sufficiently, so he organised some kind of walkout from the players involved. The TV/organisers simply said "Oh ok then" and got some other players in instead. Negreanu isn't entirely my cup of tea but I respect him (and Phillips) as players who do have principles and are prepared to stick by them. Which is easier to do when you're already caked up I suppose.

Anyway I'm rambling. And I could point out that you don't have to wear anyone's shirt if you just make the money in normal games and then decide to ... oh never mind :-)

Andy.