The Poker Cynic

Poker's become TV's new wrestling - a series of meaningless, dull contests that only the sponsors really enjoy, and the winners, of course. The audience, well, I guess we will watch whatever the broadcasters deign to screen. The sixhanded one-table satellite, in which the players all face...

Thursday Dec 01, 2005

published over 2 years ago in
Card Player Europe Magazine Volume 2, Number 11

The Poker Cynic

The Company You Keep This is either a closely observed social phenomenon or just one more excuse. I played my heat in the World Speed Poker Open, and found myself stuck in the bar, for several hours, in the company of assorted poker players. I was sitting with two of Ireland's finest,...

Tuesday Nov 01, 2005

published over 2 years ago in
Card Player Europe Magazine Volume 2, Number 10

The Poker Cynic

Jekyll and Hyde As a player, I fluctuate between playing like a rock and playing like a maniac. The key factor that determines which way I play is fear. Once outside my comfort zone, I feel constricted, and the fear factor comes in. Instead of trying to win, I spend my time trying not to lose....

Saturday Oct 01, 2005

published over 3 years ago in
Card Player Europe Magazine Volume 2, Number 9

The Poker Cynic

Getting Unlucky Most tournament poker players, including some of the more successful pros, are happy to explain how unlucky they are when they lose. No, this doesn't mean they think they are lucky when they win, but they have a selective memory that allows them to forget the times when they...

Monday Aug 01, 2005

published over 3 years ago in
Card Player Europe Magazine Volume 2, Number 8

The Poker Cynic

Through the Looking Glass Newspapers are reporting an unsavory trend associated with reality TV shows. Apparently, upon leaving these shows, some contestants have been unable to cope with failure or with public scrutiny, and have suffered severe psychological consequences, which in extreme cases...

Wednesday Apr 06, 2005

published over 3 years ago in
Card Player Europe Magazine Volume 2, Number 4

The Poker Cynic

Shot at the Title I knew it was a great opportunity, but I also knew it was a 5-1 shot. The only downside of my qualifying for the Ladbrokes Poker Million was that I had to play the heat on TV. Normally, if I am eliminated from a competition, I am allowed to slink away on my own to lick my wounds...

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