Among their interests are getting one set of uniform rules, better playing conditions and ethics, having one voice speak for the interests of all poker players and securing sponsors to make prize pools even larger.  Hey I’m right there with them.  I think this is all admirable stuff, but their advertised focus of more professionalism isn’t going to happen.

The kid antics are engrained in poker and their not going away as long as the likes of Hellmuth, Matusow, and others are still around.  Poker players are used to acting like idiots and it’s now part of the show.  The question becomes how do you sanction them?  What penalties are enough?  Will it deter behavior?  Do you even want it?

I know, I know, you might be thinking of course I want more professionalism in poker, but a lot of the antic guys make things more appealing to mainstream, casual onlookers.  Phil Hellmuth being a brat or Hevad Khan screaming is eye catching.  It puts asses in the seats.  Would poker be so great to watch if some of the off color stuff wasn’t there?  I’m not saying it wouldn’t be, but we haven’t seen the ratings of an all professional (behavior) tournament either.

And what about the goofy, no ill-will stuff that someone like Humberto Brenes or Phil Laak brings in?

What do you think?

SXC.hu

Post from: EveryJoe

Professionalism in Poker – Yeah Right