blonde poker forum

Morning all,

The semi final of the Grand Prix is on sky tv tonight.

Here is the line up.

Barny Boatman,
Ben Roberts,
Willie Tann,
Peter Costa,
Roy Brindley,
John Falconer
and Iwan Jones.

I *think* the first hand is something special, It depends on what footage has been kept for the doc as I havent seen the final cut of this show but make sure you tune in on time. Mr Kremser and I wanted to start with a bang.

This really is a fantastic heat with great poker being played and a very emotional ending.

I hope you enjoy it.

BUMP

Nothing special in the first hand - what did happen? 

Is this a recent tourney? 

guys, ive stitched you up with the first hand, you will have to catch the doc, you will see what i mean then. its was filmed in October.

what doc?

October?  Why are all these tele tourneys so old?   Surely someone must be interested in broadcasting something up to date?

Silo, you would not believe how much work it takes to get the show to air.

I'm sure it does but it is a shame they can't get live poker on more often, or at least events from the last week or so.

Still, I'm certainly not knocking it, getting poker on Sky Sports I would think is a big thing at the moment and it can only be good for the game that Sky are showing it on a regular basis.

Forgive my ignorance but do you work for William Hills, the tele company or were you playing?

Hi Silo.

I helped organise the event and devised the player list. The tourney finished on Oct 26th and  I think aired on Jan 15th. I am told that a turnaround of 11 weeks is very quick.

Im glad you like the event. The point you make about live poker is valid, the costs and potential over run are very expensive. Due to the very friendly structure these heats lasted around 8 hours with breaks.The final is a three hour show and there is a tourney Doc which is shown after the final, which has some interesting( ok some pissed poker players) relaxing and building up to each heat.

I find Lucy Rokach's commentary very irritating and patronising. But apart from that the set look great and the program has been edited is very well.

Great work in getting it organised.  It must be an achievement in itself getting all those player organised.  I haven't seen many of them but it's been enjoyable and it's a great line up.  I'll definatly watch the final though and the doc afterwards :)

Hi Nemesis,

We hired Lucy because she is very straight and says what she see's. I have to admit that some of the comm is in my opinion a little ott, i know a couple of players have not been too happy with it. I know many good players like to hear Lucy commentate as they like her frankness but I do know what you mean.

I must be honest, I have always thought this. 

I thought it was a sin to say it though on Blonde....lol

I like Barny Boatman and Gary Jones the best. They are really helpful in terms of explaining things. When they analyse a players game, they never patronise the guy.

Cheers Silo

There's a difference between patronising someone and criticising them. Many of these players have never had their play criticised in commentary before and it hits home and hurts because, well, some of them play very badly sometimes. In tonight's heat, Barny played liked a numpty in a few hands (though redeemed himself calling Roy's bluff with his KJ) and, in my opinion, Lucy quite rightly pointed this out.

I like Lucy's commentary - its frank, open and more often accurate than not.

I think the criticisms of play were well deserved in tonight's heat.  The heads up was some of the most abysmal televised poker I've seen in ages.

Sheriff

I'm not going by just tonight's heat, through the whole series I've found her commentary irritating.

I remember some of the L.N.P commentaries as well.  I felt the same then about the way she commentates.

I am not saying she is wrong. It is just that I prefer Barny Boatman or Gary Jones. They put their point across without making the person look like an amatuer.

I am sure she is a nice lady and could run rings round me on the poker table ( at the moment   ;) ).  I just find her voice and comments grating on the ears. Coupled with Jessie May, I can't think of a more painful combination. Actually Virgo and Clive Everton.  Or maybey Sid Waddel...

I also like the fact that Jones and Barny Boatman actually play the events where they commentate.  This comment will be ridiculed I am sure " but she has won this and won that". I know she has and I have read she is very good. But I haven't seen her play. On the other hand, I have seen BB and GJ and they are both top class.

The commentator who has struck me as a complete natural and supremely knowledgable to boot is Andy Black.

I've not heard his commentaries before watching this series but I am full of admiration.

Good point Sark. What has Lucy won and why have i never seen her playing. I have been listening to her since the LNP days. Also who actually won the semi tonight as i missed it!

 ;iagree;

How about over $1million (http://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=s&n=268)

Sheriff

That is impressive. But how many years is that spread over?

lol fair enough. I still aint seen her in any tv tournaments. Who won tonights semi????????

Click on the 'results' tab for a list.

Sheriff

Ok, that is impressive   :)up   But has she retired?   


Why do we never see her on the box?

who won tonight's semi?
who won tonight's semi?
who won tonight's semi?
who won tonight's semi?
who won tonight's semi?
who won tonight's semi?
who won tonight's semi?
who won tonight's semi?
 :D

sorry, I missed that last part..lol

Please don't post the result in the open forum - someone will stumble across the result who didn't want to.

I agree, Andy Black is a very good commentator. I think he and Gary Jones are the best we have to offer.
I also like Howard Lederer on US shows as he explains poker plays even if he doesnt agree with them.
He goes into detail to explain moves and the reasoning behind them not just totally dismiss them as bad.
Which IMHO goes a lot further in encouraging new players to the game and makes it more enjoyable to watch.
A bit like Daniel Negreanus' theory articles (pre" born again "days)
 
I dont think Lucy was too bad, at least she gave some explanation why she thought people were making weak/bad plays

Im afraid Lucy falls into the same bad habit that Roy Brindley does when he commentates. it becomes a breakdown of how THEY would have played the hand. Lucys style works well for her and I endless respect for her as a player but her way isnt the only way. That said, the HU play was very poor after the heat got off to such a cracking start.

Looking forward to the final

What other way is there for someone to commentate other than to give their opinions, based on their experience, which is the combined knowledge of how they have played similar hands.

What's the alternative?

"Well, he could raise here, or he could call or fold. Personally I would raise but there are arguments for calling and folding - there's no right answer" - I would tire of hearing this everytime someone got dealt cards other than AA.

Oddly, Roy did give the absolute spot-on answer as to why he was winning the HU battle - Barny didn't try and nick his blinds, whereas he did steal Barny's.

Jesse may and the Irish fellor Prad..Parkerson!!!!sorry cant spell his name but im sure you know who i mean, are think they do well together, always have me in stitches 8)

definitely the best pairing.

Andrew, for me a commentators job is to a) describe the action as it's happening and, b) give an insight to that players probable reasoning. I hate to hear a constant critique of someones play by someone with a different style and seemingly a belief that their way is the right way.

 ;applause; ;adamM;