The Poker Businessby Matt Glantz | Published: Jun 21, '12 
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As professional poker players today we need to start thinking of poker as a business. We need to treat it like we all own a small piece of this business. The growth of poker will only enhance our opportunities to individually profit from the game in the future. Absent that growth, fewer and fewer of us will be able to call poker our profession. As a collective we need to understand the importance of giving back to the game.
We should all be taking the time to promote the game we enjoy so much whenever and wherever the opportunity arises. There is no better time and place than the WSOP. We as professional poker players should make ourselves more accessible to the numerous poker media outlets on a daily basis while here at the WSOP. If you don’t know how to accomplish this let me know and I will make the connections necessary. There are so many unique and entertaining personalities in the game today and fans of poker, amateur players, and pro players alike all want to hear your thoughts.
It would be nice if each one of us would simply take off the headphones at one or more of the $1500 NL WSOP events and make the extra effort to chat with the folks at your table for just a few minutes. For example, you can strike up a conversation about the current events at the WSOP. You can bring up who made the final table yesterday or simply inquire from your tablemates what other events they are planning on playing while they are in town. You will be doing a service for poker and also for yourself. Most of you don’t fully realize the effect you can have on the casual players at the table good or bad. By just being courteous and engaging at the table you are not only promoting the game of poker but creating an instant fan base for yourself that can easily turn out to be somewhat rewarding.
Those are just two simple examples of the many things you can do to promote the game. Let’s all realize we are on the same team to grow this business and each should envision our own personal responsibility in this endeavor. We have to gear our attention to thinking long term with regards to our business and work together towards the future.
Treat poker as a business with the respect it deserves and one day you may ensure a future where poker will respect you back.
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Comments
WPS22
11 months ago
Thats a very good point. A lot pros blogged a short time ago about how players needed to dress better at the tables. That it would attract better sponsors, clean up the games image, etc. I agree w/ all that, but I think you touch on something much more important here.
Sponsors tend to sponsor things that are popular to watch/participate in. Treating recreational players respectfully does a lot more good for growing the game than showing up in a suit.
nyy214
11 months ago
Excellent post
Michael21
11 months ago
If only Full Tilt Poker would take note of talking to their players.
Michael21
11 months ago
If only Full Tilt Poker would make note of talking to their players.
THEJOEF
11 months ago
I think being courteous and having good manners has been put aside in this country and not just in poker.I refuse to fist pumped anyone because i feel it is a lack of respect.Shake a mans hand for crying out loud your not gonna die from it. Good manners never goes out of style someone once told me. I personally like to keep to myself when I play tournaments but I always say hello before the action starts. In cash games the vibe is different and I will be more social. I have sat with many big name players in my life and I like when a guy is not faking that hes a good guy.Many people in poker are not good guys. I don't really agree with Matt that a player should force himself to be social for the sake of business. I do agree that a player that is being ask for his or her autograph should never turn down a person. I dont understand why someone would want the signature of a person that has won money playing cards but just thank god they do and sign it and say thanks. The guy ive seen handle himself the best through this 9 year avalanche has been the guy who started it. Chris Moneymaker is a total gentlemen . Ive seen this guy get hounded while he plays cash games and doesnt think twice about stopping what hes doing to take a picture or sign something. He takes abuse for not doing well on the felt since 2003 but he is always gonna be that guy and I think he understands how lucky he is to be that guy. Ive seen Helmuth be just as generous to people while walking through the Rio and at his size he cant hide. If your a star in poker ,the smartest thing you could do is embrace the lime light and get ready because the 2nd boom is coming. These online sites will be looking for talent to help promote.
happyballs
11 months ago
Good post. Once saw a guy giving Moneymaker some crap from the rail. While he ignored it, Jeff Lisandro, who was at the table stood up and got in the guys face and told him to shut the $@&% up. The crowd around the table applauded as the 20 something slinked away. Some of these young kids should learn some respect. And take a shower for God sakes. What a bunch of slobs.