Commentary and Fatigue
OK let me start by saying this WSOP I haven’t been paying particular attention, for a number of reasons. Although the fields may be bigger than last year, somehow the Buzz has gone for me? Harrahs is just a piss taking machine IMO.
However due to an interest in one particular local player, I tuned in to watch bwins coverage of event 46 ($5000 NLHE 6 handed) and was totally hooked. (Before I start moaning, can I just say how refreshing it was to see non pro’s, non sponsored, no nonsense poker.
The first hand I watched, was Richard Lyndaker’s double up with trip 9’s against Tom Lutz’s Aces, after winning this hand he seemed to lock up as the table fought it out. Within the hour we were heads up.
COMMENTARY
Heres where it all went a bit Pete Tong! Ok to start with the action was a bit slow, but the farce of a commentary team (Steve Dannennman and Howard David) tried the usual fill-in chat. What a load of croc!!
First topic they entered into was the Main Event Final being delayed for 4 months. The first thing opposers say is “what happens if someone dies in the waiting period?” (Fair enough question) but the solutions by these 2 moronic, experienced poker players were nothing more than speculative gobbledegook.
1st Solution by the less experienced Howard “Maybe a member of their family can take their place”
Solution from Steve “Maybe there could be a television competition, whereby the main prize could be to take the empty seat”………….. What the hell?
I had already spoken to Charlie Ciresi (The Main Tournament Director of the WSOP) about this, and he was anti the delay to start with, but is now fully in favour of (I am still sceptical BTW). My first question was exactly the same as everyone elses “So Charlie, what happens if someone dies, whilst waiting the 4 months?”, he replied by stating the odds of that are so huge, but then gave me the answer I already knew. The players chips will remain at the table and will be anti’d out.
Anyway back to the commentary, luckily Jeffery Pollack (WSOP Commissionaire), must have been watching the coverage, because he came into the studio to rectify the stupid commentators suggestions.
Next gripe is the constant advertisement of new book coming out later this year, also the website of SD, which he kept on stating to email him if we didn’t like the commentary (Email sent btw)
Next Gripe is about 80% of everything they said was completely wrong, corrected by the other (or producer) then a discussion covering own back
Next Gripe is all of this was going on whilst major hands are in play, interupted by the other commentator asking “did he call then?” and getting all excited, when if he had been paying any attention whatsoever he would have heard the words ” I fold” this went on all night.
Next Gripe is the complete disregard of the actual game, and saying things like “Just Call, and lets get this over now” and “Can’t we increase the blinds to $500,000 $1 million until we get a winner” and “this is getting really boring now, wake me up when it’s over”
Next Gripe is self opinionization, ” I would have won this six times over, if i was playing”
Next Gripe is the calling of cards by the commentators, who the fuck are they, just glad they don’t have anything to do with actually running a competition.
FATIGUE
I would just like to say, how personally i found this the best final i have ever watched, despite the clowns in the back chatting their bollox.
I found it intregueing to watch a loose passive, against a semi aggressive player, and watch them go through ALL the emotions, elations dissappointment, tiredness, losing concentration, picking themselves up and tilt. 200+ hands of normal (no bullshit) poker.
Joe Commisso should have had it in the bag early doors after playing exceptional aggressive poker, but lost a hand that he was 60% favourite to win and losing a 7 to 1 chip lead and his confidence. After it seemed that Richard Lyndaker, had simply given up.
Joes posture was very uncomfortable, and seemed to be aggetated by having to lean over to get his chips into the pot and collect them. The 18″ rail wasn’t doing the short arse any favours either. Richard however perked up and was sitting bolt upright. For some reason though Richard was not being very aggressive at all, and picked strange moments to min raise, just to get reraised by Joe, then pass. The strangest thing to me however was the questionable calls by Joe when Richard eventually changed gears.
13 Called All-ins, 10 of which the bad hand won, six hours of changing styles of poker made for a great spectacle, yes maybe a little tedious for some, but if i can get a copy of this event would be a great training tool for anyone who wanted to raise their end game, as every emotion was covered, including insanity.
But Congratulations To Both 22 year old Richard Lyndaker who will now be able to buy his house, and to the winner Joe Commisso who can now emigrate to Australia.
On a side note, I was actually routing for Lyndaker as somehow Commisso reminded me of Jamie Gold (which is annoying) even to the point of having an annoying twat spectating behind him advising him!!
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