Tony G and Stephen Fry

[MrMoves]

Adam,

I can appreciate what you watch on TV can influence your thoughts about people greatly.  In my short B&M career I've seen and heard worse than anything Tony G. has done.  Personally, I say very little at the table. 

The characters of the game are very interesting, whether they upset people or not, television loves them.

He looks nothing like Stephen Fry though.

[tikay]

And he's not celebite, either......

I too know Tony G, and have spent considerable time with him "off" the table as well as on. At the table, he's never been a problem with me. In the early stages of a comp, I LIKE him at my table, because he gambles big at that stage. Once he gets to be Billy Big Stack, he's well nigh unplayable, of course. Off the table, it must be said he's a perfect gent, quietly spoken, not at all like the personna he projects on TV. We have had numerous meetings, socially & "work", and he's always behaved impeccably.

His performance in Paris, in the WPT, especially against Surinder, was, in my view, horrendous, & not at all what poker needs. Poker is not going down the WWF route, surely? If it is, I'm out of here. There can be no dodging THAT issue, it cheapened Poker, damaged Poker, and set the image of the game back (as percieved by the piublic) many years. A very sad day, in my opinion.

In contrast, at The Vic the week before last, he was completely the opposite. A gent at the table throughout, including to his opponents at the table, & after each bust out at the Final Table, he was the first to offer genuine commisserations, & shake hands. Almost the entire crowd, &, to be faiir, blonde, were rooting for Sverre, but there were no histrionics from Tony. A little table talk, yes, but not trash talk.  Just slightly "goady" stuff, certainly not offensive. He did get a bit excited and loud when he won it, but hey, he'd just won £260,000, and it was not over the top.

We have to be careful when making judgements about folks we know. Just because we know him does not mean we have to say he's wonderful, or blow smoke up his ar**. I like the guy, and he behaved impeccably at The Vic, but I'll not forget, or forgive him for his antics in Paris, neither will the majority poker community.

[AdamM]

I agree there are probably worse characters in most card rooms up nd down the country. we certainly have far more unpleasant characters at Notts than Tony G. doesn't make it right though.

Tikay's spot on about the WPT antics and, if I heard right, large quantities of alcohol were a contributary factor.

As I say, if you know him well, a quiet word from a few people might d him good. I, and many others, get FAR more enjoyment watching players with class win on TV than watching 'TV villians' scoop the pots.

he looks nothing like stephen fry. not even a passing resemblence. 

[tikay]

The resemblance thing? Ah, well Karabiner is old, you know, age does strange things to eyesight. And Tony G and Stephen Fry do look a BIT alike.

[snoopy1239]

I agree there are probably worse characters in most card rooms up nd down the country. we certainly have far more unpleasant characters at Notts than Tony G. doesn't make it right though.

Tikay's spot on about the WPT antics and, if I heard right, large quantities of alcohol were a contributary factor.

As I say, if you know him well, a quiet word from a few people might d him good. I, and many others, get FAR more enjoyment watching players with class win on TV than watching 'TV villians' scoop the pots.

he looks nothing like stephen fry. not even a passing resemblence. 

Partly true. I was desperate for Surinder to win in the end, but if it wasn't for Tony G's outrageous behavious, I wouldn't have been any where near as entertained as I was. Very bad etiquette, but, let's be honest, a heap of fun to watch.

[ifm]

lets see

[tikay]

I rest my case! Lucky you put their names against therm, I'd never have known which was which.

[Trace]

I doubt my opinion counts for much, but I turn the telly over when he's playing, cos he makes me want to put my fist through the damn thing!

[Robert HM]

Tony G was funny during the Vic event. They were down to 2 tables and he had Max Pescatori on his left. He constantly attacking the Max'x big blind, Max had smoke coming out of ears, Tony G saying things like "Look I only raise you 3 times your blind this time, coz we are friends, no?"