[bolgenmod]

Just finished watching the first two days of the PAD commentators' edition. Table is:

Michael Konik
Phil Gordon
Howard Lederer
Chad Brown
Gabe Kaplan
Mike Sexton

Pretty interesting so far. Personally, I think Michael Konik is the worst announcer AND the worst player. And the most annoying: he is wearing a tee-shirt that says "The Smart Money" on it - puh-leeeze. I enjoyed his books, but only when he was NOT talking about himself: when he did, he sounded like a pretentious pr!ck...

The most interesting stuff (besides Mike Sexton going over to say he missed Shana) was when they started talking about Stu Ungar. Sexton thought that he would be very successful today: the combination of his LAG style and reading ability would fit in great with today's players. And Sexton felt that the fact that there are so many big buy-in tournaments would satisfy his need for action and perhaps keep him away from the drugs.

I am not so sure of that (and Sexton's affection for Ungar no doubt colors his view). With all the money available on the tour today, I can't imagine that someone like Ungar being able to resist temptation. Obviously, the only thing I know about Ungar is what I have read, but it seems he was a mad gambler as well as a drug addict. I can certainly believe that he would win an enormous amount of money, but why -- besides wishful thinking -- would Sexton ever believe that he would hold onto it: he didn't before. Any thoughts?

[jojobinks]

ungar magically becomes less addictive b/c there's MORE money around? no sir. apparently mike and stu were very close...and mike's engaging in some seriously wishful thinking.

i'm surprised at how little howard cares, which furthers the notion that there's no way these guys are buying in with their own money.

also, gabe plays goot.

[the3rd]

That was my reaction to Mike's comments on Stuey not self-destructing. If Stu were alive today I don't think there would be a poker boom. It's less likely Varkoni, Moneymaker, Raymer would have been champions. I'm not saying Stu would have won every year or even eliminated them, but I don't think they would have aquired the chips they did with Stu in the game, even if he was never at the same table with them. Imagine how much better young players like Ivey and Negreanu would be if they were playing him every day in the "big game." Their bankrolls might be lighter, but their skills would be better and that goes for many of the elite players. You had to have cajones to play NL with Stu. The pros and grinders would pick off the amateurs more often in tourneys.

Or another equally donkish individual would have won and the story would be the same, just with names changed.

[BrettButter]

I kind of wonder how often they talk about Ungar in regular poker games..

I like to hear about him, and hear all the stories, but I forgot they were playing poker with all of the talk about Stu Ungar.

Michael Konik and Jamie Gold should play heads up, in a rocket to the sun. Ali Nejad should commentate.

[the3rd]

Originally Posted by BrettButter

I kind of wonder how often they talk about Ungar in regular poker games..

I like to hear about him, and hear all the stories, but I forgot they were playing poker with all of the talk about Stu Ungar.

Michael Konik and Jamie Gold should play heads up, in a rocket to the sun. Ali Nejad should commentate.

Hear, Hear!