So you ask, bluegarage, why do you not like poker celebs? Its not that I don’t like them, hell I don’t even know them personally, but I don’t respect them. This is due to the fact that, at least in regard to them playing in big tournaments, they are almost always sponsored. This makes the game just too easy for them. For example; unlike in sports where things tend to get harder as you age and gain notoriety, poker is the opposite. For the poker pros who have, through good fortune or good play, gained enough notoriety to be considered a poker celebrity, life as a poker pro becomes much easier. Think about it, these people are sponsored into their events for the most part, and seldom have to put their own money on the line. Poker is a game of money. Take the money out and anybody with patience and the right aptitude for the game can make the right call. When real money becomes play money the game gets much easier.

The player I respect can take his/her last few dollars into a game and still make the right play when his backs against the wall, and do it without breaking a sweat. For players that are sponsored the consequences of busting out can be quite a bit different from the player who put his/her own money up to play. For the latter that might mean tighting the belt a little whereas for the sponsored poker celebrity it’s easier to let it roll off the back and move on to the next event.

Now I’m not saying that poker celebrities lose their drive to win. Most of the “Poker Celebrities” obviously are very good players, that’s how they got where they are. However I think there is some inequity in these big tournaments that have a lot of sponsored players up against players who have had to fork over their hard earned money to participate. Probably shouldn’t call it cheating, but it does seem to create inequity to some degree, and isn’t that what cheating does?

I would assume they have to back the sponsorship if they win. No?

Originally Posted by bluegarage

The player I respect can take his/her last few dollars into a game and still make the right play when his backs against the wall, and do it without breaking a sweat. For players that are sponsored the consequences of busting out can be quite a bit different from the player who put his/her own money up to play. For the latter that might mean tighting the belt a little whereas for the sponsored poker celebrity it’s easier to let it roll off the back and move on to the next event.

Who would be an example of someone you consider a poker celebrity?

I ask because I think the top players who are sponsored aren't going to just not care all of a sudden, just because they didn't have to reach in their pockets for the buy-in. If anything, they have their sponsorship riding on how well they perform.

Originally Posted by mattgeer

Who would be an example of someone you consider a poker celebrity?

I ask because I think the top players who are sponsored aren't going to just not care all of a sudden, just because they didn't have to reach in their pockets for the buy-in. If anything, they have their sponsorship riding on how well they perform.

Plil Ivey, to name one of many.

I agree that they do not just lose their will to win. Being sponsered into an event puts a different kind of preasure on the situation that i think, generaly speaking, makes the game easier in many ways.

I think it would only add to the pressure. They have so many people to please, or make money or look good in front of. Not to mention a lot of these guys on TV. I don't think a poker celebrity is just sitting down and saying, I don't give a shit, and not playing poker. It'd be outed too quickly.

I also don't understand how the game is any 'easier' being sponsored. It's essentially no different than being staked. I was staked for about a year and the only thing 'easier' was that I didn't have to have the money to play myself. For some people it might make it easier knowing they don't have to worry about a bankroll -- but I still did. After all, I had to pay the money back if I lost it.

Thanks Mattgeer, its nice to get the prespective of someone who has been staked. I do see your point and think it is valid.

No -- Last I heard they owed him money, or so I thought.

He sued FTP after Black Friday and said it was for all the players that were owed their funds. Then I heard he's made as much as 50-100 Million dollars as part-owner of FTP.