Every Year! There are some arguments that never die. Well, it that time at the WSOP to whip out our distaff and beat up the women. It won’t make it onto Cops; better on the Comedy Channel.

Daniel Negreanu’s Blog hashes it all out one more time. It is a reasoned look at what the “Ladies event” is all about. Since the Tilt Boys kicked off the play as a lark, it has grown into an embarrassment. In AC a guy even hit a final table. Wow! that’s something for the old resume and probably is deserving of cuffing and a perp walk on Cops.

Can’t we just let all this crap die? I know it is illegal to favor a group everywhere but in government entitlements. There are a ton of things that are legal but are in poor taste. You don’t have to attend a blogger gathering to figure that out.

Frankly, demands in all these areas are closer to last gasps for the unimaginative than productive. You protest some perceived or actual inequality and get it replaced by resentment. That’s the weakest form of progress. You’ve moved blatant to surreptitious. Gandhi and King understood that well.

We can all come up with a ton of situations where inequality exist. People want to fight it with laws. Laughter does a much better job. The Simpsons have done more in changing society than the Congress.

How would I handle those idiots that crashed the ladies event? I have stopped play; introduced each one; given them a free spa visit with a bikini wax included and given them a cute corsage to wear. Then I’d tell them men’s john visits were off -limits for the duration and security had been notified. Hitting the girl’s would get them an honest-to-god perp walk. That’d teach them to cross their legs properly.

Differences aren’t always to be condemned. I’m personally quite happy there are women around. I’d rather celebrate differences. Oo la la the differences!

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2. The Beat Goes On

She also enjoys life and that isn't a bad way to look at the world.

If you want to read some actual content about the WSOP from a guy that isn't doing link dumps or quoting press releases, check him out.

ADDENDUM:

If you want to read something about the oil disaster that should scare the crap out of you…

And while you are at it, read Al's blogging — another one not mailing it in.

While this is pimpage, it isn't for that alone.  Nice people and zero inflation or sucking up on my part. 

P.S. If you read this already you aren't reading this.  What?  Well, I've been adding piecemeal.  I had over 100 articles in my RSS feed.   Here's another that deserves a well done.

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2. Booked a nice one

No, I don’t have a secret to share to turn you into Phil Helmuth. Come to think of it, why wouldn’t someone want to. This is all about the plane, boss, the plane.

OK, you’ve more money on hand than common sense. More likely you’ve factored in enjoyment:cost in the same way you are familiar with risk:reward. God Bless and have fun! But, now you have to get through the airport. You don’t want to miss the flight. You are excited. Your last name is something like Smith instead of El something-or-other. Should be a piece of cake, right?

Well, the government is involved using their stalwarts in Homeland Security and their minions. You’ll be subjected to a series of well funded bits of pseudo science that will be monitoring your respiration and blink rate as you approach the concourse. This pseudo science has gotten negative comments from the GAO. It has resulted in around a quarter million extended interviews — often involving handcuffs — without a terrorist caught. Time to put on your final table sun glasses or at least that poker face if you want to make the flight.

I could make it appear that I’ve worked long and hard to give you the answers to make it to the plane; but, you’d see right through it. So, here the link to the article I could have tried to plagiarize. OK, plagiarize more than I already have.

ADDENDUM:

The Aussie government wants Facebook to add a button to give people a quick link to law enforcement.  Let me see, give every nutcase doing 'his/her thing' on Facebook a quick way to turn in their antagonist or some other nut case.  Yeah, that sounds great to me. No problem with that.  Let link in Scotland Yard and Interpol too.  Should put them on a no fly list ASAP.  Make fun of my hairdo will you? My god, they want the crazies to run the asylum.

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1. WSOP – the F-Train effect

I don’t care for the term. It is denigrating and that is hardly a successful business practice. It was coined by some who consider themselves elitists. Some of those same people seem to be mailing it in this WSOP. I won’t name names but if forced to I can do a “Link Dump” instead of writing original content to expand on the topic.

F-Train used donkament and isn’t one of those mailing it in. You can see my comment on his interesting post.

OK, if you read his blog and my little comment, that about covers the basics. So, I’ll move on.

I don’t know about you but the coverage this year is a real yawn. Coverage is kinda like Harrahs. It providing a little something that can alienate anybody and everybody. Some might even refer to it as a form of donkament – not me mind you.

Traditional coverage combines hand histories and bad beat stories – that isn’t going to get you a mini-series. Human interest stories? I think you gotta be human to get one. Poker players aren’t long on making s’mores or often bathing. So, the very best coverage isn’t going to be up for a Pulitzer.

I know it is popular to anguish over attendance. And maybe the WSOP has peaked. Plateaus happen. I don’t see poker as a bubble that pops. It was an enjoyable and popular pastime before Chris Moneymaker. The only one who needs to worry about all this is Harrahs and their bottom line.

And, wise scribes out there, if you want to keep avoiding those day jobs, I’d say don’t use donkament or you might be helping cause the decline. Insult a guy long enough and he’ll either walk away or punch your lights out. And we all know you aren’t likely to have returning to being a poker pro or cage fighter as your fallback.

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Well, I took a look at PokerListings coverage of the WSOP. The site says it has the “world’s best poker deals” and that must be all in the fine print. I don’t think they are either getting folks discounted rooms at the Imperial Palace or offering rakeback.

One of our local TV stations, WGN, has modified their news reporting. Folks now wander around the news room chatting. The chatting consists of quips – sans decent writers. It is worse than the old idea of what constitutes ‘good’ TV news – Happy Talk TV. That was pioneered across town at channel 7.

Evidently the same media consultants responsible for understanding the masses went to work for PokerListings. They too are sporting a new format – chatty Cathy. Should make reporting easier though. Seems they can talk about pros smelling of strawberries – certainly an improvement on the tradition of unwashed – instead of throwing out a hand history of some interesting confrontation.

It seems quite disjointed and hard to follow. It has me wishing to go back in time to a hectic, slightly urine stained Pauly at the start of online reportage. That was the one that had us all reloading our browser like hyperactive children.

It all reminds me of Sargent Friday’s admonishment, “Just the facts, mam. Just the facts.”

I don't know if I getting coverage of the WSOP or watching Inside Edition.

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1. As the World Turns

The post in question dealt with a hand at the bubble and was reported on PokerNews.  The hand was nakedly aggressive with – being generous – less than premium cards.  Nothing wrong with that AT TIMES. Here, I'll stick with “Dumb as a monkey on a rock.” or whatever the catch phrase de jour is.

Interestingly, we all just watched the ESPN bubble boy hour this week.  They showed a lot of pros stealing the blinds but they didn't quite live up to Brett's idea of true professionalism.

Let's review the hand:

• The Pro has 92 suited and is out of position

• The bubble boy has a single chip and is in the pot with his last 500 in ante

From early position, “The Pro” raises the pot with 93 and there are two callers

• The Pro” totally misses the flop and leads out which drives out the other two hands
• Now the cards are revealed and THE PRO is actually ahead and goes runner-runner to drive that home

Brett takes me to task for Poker 101 thinking.  Brett misses the point:

• 92 is anything but a premium hand and an out of position bluff here is hardly a level 5 move

• The Pro has no idea what bubble boy holds when he drives the other players off the pot

• Conclusion: Professionals don't care if they are ahead or behind.  Stealing the blinds trumps that six ways from Sunday and in every possible way.

They actually showed the hand Tuesday night.  The commentary was non-plus by the move and sure weren't quoting Brett's thinking of it as pure genius.

Brett, you told me the guy was a pro twice like that resolves all issues.  Well, I hate to pop your bubble but there are “PROS” out there that are sponging their next buyin and going broke with regularity.  Not all are the power house of say … an Eskimo Clark. 

When I replied, I started off salting the comment with your interest in that month old post – even if it is timely.  That got me a bit of added info.  At least enough to make me curious.  So I went googling too.  It appears you were the “Pocket Fives Live Reporter” so I headed there. Either they don't give you a byline or they deleted your stuff.  I did track down posts there  under your online name and when I searched there for that I got some hits.  The recent ones were all in the off-topic forum.  You remain a quandary that my weak-tight mind just can't get around.

But, I do want to compliment your movie review.  Your “forgetting your wallet” and sticking your girlfriend with the tab was the naked aggression your fellow pros so admire.  I'm sure there is much more but I didn't have time to browse all 5,213 forum posts.  Let me throw in a well done for winning the 2008 media event – even if I can't locate the media.

BTW, my bubble problem is playing too aggressively  rather than “weak-tight” – especially short stacked as many are at that point.  It is a flaw and has bit me in the ass more times than even you'd guess.  That bit of fluff about “I play to win” is a pile of crap about 90% of the time.  I am above average in that respect and closer to 98%.  Thanks for letting me know that it is a professional trait.


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John Hanson and David Bach and a dealer were there functioning somehow.  They looked like the last of their adrenalin had migrated to their arm pits a while back.  Big hand just now in Omaha brought John back to contesting it.  They are on a break now with 200-400K blinds when they return.

I have to tip my and say, “Your a better man than I, Gunga Din.”  It is obvious that you need more than just a game to get to this point.  There have been major, extended heads up play before and will be again.  To pound back and forth like they are doing is debilitating.   You're doing something special when it happens to you.  The disappointment of one of these fellows will be massive.

We now transition from $50K to .25-.50.  It my little world where I can keep concentration for a 100 or so hands.  It  is a place where I play on my terms and time.  I really don't even look beyond a few hours of play.   That's another big difference between what is going on at the Rio and what I call poker.

Knock on Wood! Yesterday was a nice day of play.  I managed to get past my old high and now it is all about avoiding the backslide.  The table that did it for me is one of those you wish you could always find.  It was loaded with gamblers who liked to raise.  The reads were simple. The idea for that is to lay in wait.   And, the cards cooperated well enough to give me a triple up.

I've also been play a wee bit of HORSE.  If there isn't a table or if the waiting list is long at stud, I check out the mixed games.   There I feel I have some advantage normally in non-flop games and hopefully am close to reason on the flop side.   HORSE is a mix that produces extra strength or weakness in one's play.  On those I don't think I have an edge on, I play a pretty ABC game.  The thing you can't do is try to overplay the strength side.  I see that constantly. That usually when you hit the H.   The table turns into experts with level 11+ moves.  It is uproarious.  

That's it for the morning shout.  The real players will be sitting back down to their heads up action and I need to warm my coffee up.

ADDENDUM:
I just updated by Irfanview.  It is what I use for viewing graphics and pictures.  It isn't photoshop but it does what I typically need to do.  It has some nice features and can even handle audio.  But I use VLC for audio.  It is a great and my choice for movies with most formats available without needing and addon.  Both are free/share products that are above the norm. You might give them a try.

No related posts.

To start off, the conclusion is based strictly on empirical data.  Those are pontificating while snatching moments in time and trying to etch them in stone.   If there was a winning way to poker success, there'd be an infomercial.  If it is so obvious, why are solid players often not making it to the second blind level?  If you can have consistency, why did Doyle Brunson go broke so many times?

Everybody has the right to dream like Walter Mitty or Chris Moneymaker.  All the genius authors of Donkment fame, ignore the fact that the entire town is an example of -EV.  The Donkey they see is in town on a three or five day vacation.  He has his fun and hopes of glory and is gone.   He likely left with the loss anticipated or with a bit of luck a little, unexpected reward. 

Some who call him a donkey turn around and report their sports book prowess or lime tossing exploits as though they were somehow above the disgusting hoi palloi.  I think the operative term for that is: Physician, heal thyself. 

Tournament poker is a pure gamble.  If someone wants to do that on level one with 38 offsuit, he's not lowering his EV by much.   I have lost to such plays far too many times. Run over to twitter and see the angst of tournament greats.   The only way they are staying great is sponsorship.  If there is luck in poker, tournament winning players are the personification of that.  Put together the list of top pros that leave the WSOP with a profit.  That is a damn short list.  And if you throw in back to back years, it darn close to a blank page.

There is one non-Donkey at the WSOP.  He is Jeffery Pollack and guaranteed 18%.  The rest are there because the WSOP – like the Indy 500 – is The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.  Everyone's EV is just as valid as a trip to Mardi Gras.  It is a bout with paid for fun.  Don't knock that.  And, quit tapping the glass.  Always remember that glass often reflects.

No related posts.

We'd hear it from the people of the town...  Well, the town today is Las Vegas and the new words are now Donkey, Donk and Donkment.  And, it has been worn to death.  Now, I love and am quite capable of running a cliché into the ground repeatedly.  But, formerly good jokes finally become laughing stock:  Take my wife...Please!

At the turn of the last century, vaudeville was king.  You could develop a killer dance, schtick, whatever.  Such acts were nearly timeless and the performer could repeat it for a decade.  That changed over the various eras – radio, TV and now the Internet.

Blogger have every right to run a theme into the ground on their little blog.  Hell, it is a staple here.  But, WSOP hired guns have a higher standard.  And, they have a much more difficult job.   It may be impossible to be fresh in poker reporting.  But, certain terms or ideas have been run into the ground.

Donkment is a prime example.  It was funny the first few times.  Now that its reached four-figures in the word count, it has become chalk screeching on the blackboard. 

Henny Youngman is dead.  But, his one liners are fresher these days than WSOP reporting. This is the year of the bad pun.  And I don't mean bad pun in the good sense. The context of hand histories will never lead to the next War and Peace; but, it doesn't have to grate.  These gigs won't evolve into writing for Conan.  Just respect the medium and its limits and get on with being articulate.

We can excuse those in the trenches trying to leave Vegas a money winner based on words and late nights.  But, those over on the editorial pages have more leeway.  And, like the donkment term, some of their ideas are getting to be overly obvious reruns. 

MeanGene manages to keep it properly parsed and avoids redundant.  Brad Willis is one of the few that can knock it out of the park with views from varied angles.  Some get stuck in the infield but you know he'll bare down in the next at bat.  The Poker Shrink found a new approach proving it still is possible. 

Formulaic is, for many, a necessity.  I respect their time and effort even if it sometimes makes me grate my teeth.  But, there are a couple this year that make me shudder.   And one that hasn't hit a wow moment and we're half done with this pageant.  It pretty obvious he's phoning this one in.  I can excuse the grunts in the trenches.  Even with the warts, they're doing the best they can.  But, there are some spots I don't want downwind.


ADDENDUM:

PokerTracker keeps blowing up on me.  Is there anybody out there that can keep this junk box working?   I write there support an don't get an answer.  The problem is laughingly rudimentary.   I can't change the hand history location.  I do the subdirectory substitution and it keeps reverting to C:\Poker.   No way to use it properly.  I can move stuff there and look at the info in a historic context but there is no excuse for such a bug. 

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Remember way back, Mr. Peabody. Yes, Sherman, I do. It was the year of LasVegasVegas and Dr. NO Pauly reporting on the WSOP. We all sat there doing page refreshes. Pauly wasn’t getting refreshed. He was round-the-clocking it or close to it. I had broadband but it was a whopping 786 which didn’t beat dial up by all that much.

The next year was the year of the independents. Pauly’s hit rate had been noticed and all the true commercial entities were there with their cameras and people. That might have been the peak in some minds. You certainly had options galore.

The next year was the year of the registration line and exclusivity. Lots of wailing and gnashing of teeth. I chipped a few over that myself. This was also the time we found out what a Ports Bill could carry onto our shores. Yup, UIGEA and my start as a paid blogger. My timing was as impeccable as my running an underpair against the big blind.

Tempus does it fugiting and I’ll fast forward to today. This year (and last year close to it), I just don’t get as excited. Part of that is the start time. That’s usually 4 P.M. Here and I’m ready to give the Internet back to the masses. So, I do my reading about it the next day.

I just got done reading Day-1 of the HORSE event. That was done by F-Train and a darn nice read. But it was as much or more a read of the man’s significant skills than it was player skills. I’ve the feeling that, if he had a bit of help, it came by way of a myoptic intern. I sort of picture a pillar-to-post existence much like those tracks the other F-train is forced along.

I am not complaining about the author. I am wonder just how far cutback took PokerNews. Like ESPN it seems they are giving selected tournaments the real coverage. The original one man wrecking crew of reporting was able to offer greater detail. That probably due to distance as much as anything.

F-Train is doing great writing. It is far superior to Brit “Humour” using very weak puns for the most part.

I am not really complaining here. Just remarking.

ADDENDUM:

In the old blog I was belabored with phony links. I could get a dozen or more a day. Happily, they haven’t found a way to fill my comments with them. Instead, I’ve been found by the aggregation monkey. Not sure if that is an improvement or not. But, they are fewer for the moment.

WordPress doesn’t like the paragraph markup. I put spaces between paragraphs and it axes them. They show up right in my RSS view of them in the same browser processing. I’m looking for but not finding a fix.

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1. How to go to the WSOP