May
10
by Chad Holloway
Even by poker movie standards, Deal is a bad beat.
I just got done watching the poker movie “Deal” which stars Burt Reynolds and Shannon Elizabeth. I’ve seen some crappy poker movies in my time, but that one might just take the cake. It was cool to see cameos by some of poker’s biggest names though, like Phil Laak, Antonio Esfandiari, and Jennifer Tilly. Although I may have wasted my time with that flick, I did get to see Iron Man 2 and I was not disappointed. I’m kind of a comic book geek anyway, but I highly recommend it.
I’m getting really excited about the World Series of Poker. I will be leaving Wisconsin on May 22 and heading to Vegas. I plan on arriving a few days early to get some good playing time in before working my ass off for Poker News. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity but know I will be working my ass off. The WSOP can be a major grind not only for players, but for reporters as well. I think the average day for a reporter is about 14 hours. Regardless, I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing this summer and actually getting paid.
Sunglasses seem to be a hot topic of discussion in the poker forums. Specifically, Daniel Negreanu has suggested that sunglasses should be banned from the poker table because they make it easier to spot marked cards, poker is a human game, and it’s better for TV. In fact, the “Big Game” which will air on Fox (Laak will be playing) has banned sunglasses for their format. I must admit that I often wear sunglasses while playing and don’t think that they should be banned from poker. I don’t mind if an occasional tournament or format bans them, but such a regulation shouldn’t be universally applied (especially at the WSOP). I wear sunglasses at the table for two main reasons. First, I don’t always pay attention to what’s going on at the table (sometimes I’m daydreaming or reading a book) and I don’t want my opponents to know if I’m slacking or looking at the action. Second, I don’t want my opponents to know what I’m looking at when I’m playing. For example, if I am trying to get a read on someone I might concentrate on watching their eyes or their hands. If my opponent knows, they will be better equipped to fix their tells. On top of this all, I like the fact that wearing sunglasses gives me options. I don’t always wear them, so sometimes when I put them down players assume I’m bluffing and pay me off. Personally, I feel a sunglasses ban would deeply cut my poker profits. Either way, it should be interesting to see how the debate pans out.
I’m currently trying to find some good Fantasy Poker opportunities, so I’ll try to post some options in my next blog. So if you like Fantasy Poker or want to give it a try, check back and I’ll do my best to let you know what’s out there.