Just having a convo with my buddy...why are these professionals putting up all this money to play against....the best in the game? Rake free? Are they being paid big bucks to do this? Any ideas?
For most of them, this buy-in is actually not that much considering the stakes they play at the big game in Bellagio and also against the same group of players. I have heard (well, read) they receive a little "something" in return, but whether it was from a reliable source (I don't even rememeber where I read it) is a while different story.
They must get something. They wouldn't just play in public or on tv otherwise. I'm sure most of these guys are making more money from sponsorships, books, videos, endorsements, tv appearances, etc that they are actually playing poker.
...also, the big game doesn't normally include No Limit Hold'em....
It is my understanding that The Big Game is usually a mixed game, including No Limit Hold 'Em as well as various other games. I may be mistaken on this, however.
I'm pretty sure they play H.O.R.S.E in the big game...$3000 $6000 limit, which does have hold em in it. They DO play against this same or similar group often in that game. Negraneau writes about it in his blog on fullcontactpoker. While I am sure they do get paid for their time by the network, several of these guys are really into promoting poker, and with the ego's involved...I'm sure it didn't take much convincing.
...also, the big game doesn't normally include No Limit Hold'em....
It is my understanding that The Big Game is usually a mixed game, including No Limit Hold 'Em as well as various other games. I may be mistaken on this, however.
most of the games are fixed limit, but some are pot or no limit with a 100,000 cap... High Stakes poker has no cap.
Only they know why. If I had that kind of money i think I'd still play lower limits for the fun of it. I'm interested in having a couple of hundred thousand in the bank, not on the poker table.
I'm pretty sure a lot of those guys think they are better than the other guys in the game and have an edge.
Most of them probably think playing in that game is very profitable for them.
Even if they have a lot of respect for each other's games (ie. they expect no edge), then it's worth it to play just because of all the "dead money" on the table that would be spread amongst the pros. Donators like Jerry Buss, Dr. Nasseri, Phil Hellmuth.
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PR?
-- Rick
Edit: Removed ad in sig.
It is my understanding that The Big Game is usually a mixed game, including No Limit Hold 'Em as well as various other games. I may be mistaken on this, however.
sstar
Most of them probably think playing in that game is very profitable for them.
Not that it matters, but the big game usually refers to $4k/$8k.
most of the games are fixed limit, but some are pot or no limit with a 100,000 cap... High Stakes poker has no cap.
Even if they have a lot of respect for each other's games (ie. they expect no edge), then it's worth it to play just because of all the "dead money" on the table that would be spread amongst the pros. Donators like Jerry Buss, Dr. Nasseri, Phil Hellmuth.