Bad Beats and Lucky Draws, Phil Hellmuth Jr.
Just wondering if anyone has read his latest book/ what they think of it.
I picked my copy up today, figured it would be worth a read.
So far it seems just like typical Hellmuth ( I am so blessed, because I am so great...)
One hand which seemed kind of neat was an Omaha PL hand, which a player held the Nuts on 4th street ( top set ), yet was drawing completely dead!
I picked my copy up today, figured it would be worth a read.
So far it seems just like typical Hellmuth ( I am so blessed, because I am so great...)
One hand which seemed kind of neat was an Omaha PL hand, which a player held the Nuts on 4th street ( top set ), yet was drawing completely dead!
Comments
I can't think of how to generate enough enthusiasm to reach the level of sarcasm I'm looking for here.
ScottyZ
Sums it up completly
Overall, it's an entertaining read.
Phil
Now that's marketing!
ScottyZ
Besides i feel i got more than my fair share of im so great stories by hellmuth in his first book
I respect him as a player. The media does a great number on him though. His biggest problem is he vocalises what we are all thinking in the same circumstances. It works for him, he gets it out and the then can refocus.
The only player who I have ever seen make the reads and compare in instincts to Phil is probably Daniel N. who is having one hell of a great year.
Does Phil whine? Of course. Can Phil be annoying? Definitely. But he proves again and again he is one of the best out there.
Mattias Anderson bugs me way more then Phil. Show some dignity and class son!
Mike
You must be just trying to push my buttons with this.
Mattias: Loveable
Phil: Not Loveable
You mean Phil here, right?
How about we just settle this over some PokerForum.ca Halo 2 DeathMatch tomorrow? :cool:
(Not for LeaderBoard points.)
ScottyZ
This could be worth it. Watching Ted, Daniel and Freddy play some of the hands at the Plaza have been more educational than other telecasts. I think the last episode is on this Wednesday on SportsNet at 7:30pm Eastern channel 2222. No, heh I mean channel 22.
Sorry Pigga.
Halo 2... Man, I am so jazzed. Unfortunately, I leave for Regina in the morning. So it would have to wait for next week... And I will have to figure out a way to set up closer to my T-1 pipe... Too much latency on the wireless system I have.
But sure. Halo was the best game ever. Halo 2 should be better.
Mike
The best was when Hellmuth flipped out at the end of the WSOP Superstars Invitational after Annie Duke beat him. I was totally rooting for Phil to win (mainly because I can't stand Annie), but it was great to see him swear and knock over chairs and stuff. Sorry ScottyZ, I'm just not a fan of Mattias. I'd rather have someone swear at me after I beat them (ala Hellmuth), than have someone celebrate in my face and they beat me (ala Mattias). I can take the verbal abuse when I'm raking in a big pot -- it's not so nice when the winner doesn't consider the feelings of the person on the other end of the beat.
lol
I believe that Mattias celebrates winning with what I think is a genuine good-natured excitement that is not directed towards his opponents (or anyone) as far as I can tell.
The intentions are key here. The way I see it, Mattias doesn't intend to hurt and/or needle people with his antics. Phil almost certainly does.
Clearly these are just my impressions from what I've read, and seen on TV. I'll have to admit, these are shallow judgements at best, and of course, easily manipulated. Remember that 'media is the message' bit?
Maybe some people are hurt by things Mattias does. Maybe some can laugh them off.
Maybe some people are hurt by things Phil does. Maybe some can laugh them off.
In the end, what matters is why they do what they do, not just what they do.
To me, Mattias seems like a nice young man having fun, and Phil seems like a sour grown-up baby subtracting from the fun.
One of them needs to grow up. Maybe that much is something we could agree on either way you look at it. :cool:
ScottyZ
I agree with you here Scotty. Phil does what he does to rattle others, to make them believe he is superior to them. His motives are by no means innocent or benign. His overconfidence causes him to overplay hands and he then reacts poorly when he gets beat.
I can only speak to his skill. He reads people very well. He has the ability to make the right play at the right time. He is proven.
I don't like Phil much. But I respect his ability. And that is I guess where Mattias lost me. Yes he is youthful and exuberant, but his cheering made me ignore any other aspect of his game, and thus respect has not been earned. Maybe a smart play on his part.
Mike
There's no doubt in my mind that Phil is an excellent poker player, simply due to his extreme success in tournament poker. This doesn't have much to do with my (very limited) assessment of his character.
Mattias' skill level is certainly open to debate due to his young age. I think I certainly seen enough of him to pin down his poker skill level. I know that WSOP 2005 is just one tournament (and many think a lot of luck determines the outcome of this tournament), but I'm inclined to think he is at least a very good player.
But again, poker skill matters little for this kind of discussion IMO. Both good and bad poker players can be good and bad people.
ScottyZ
Don't you often find yourself watching along as the cards hit on the turn and saying to yourself "If we get a showdown here, Phil is going to freak!", or hoping the opponent shows the bluff for the same reason?
I'll take watching him over Eric Seidel any day.
I find myself watching Phil Hellmuth play and when the board looks scary here goes into his routine and that is pure entertainment. For example, when he is playing and he flops a set... then gets sucked out on a miracle gut shot straight draw. Oh boy... watch out because he is going to explode! LOL!