Is this what they call a rubdown?

[NoflopsHomer]

Tony G is an class act. 

Properly amended...

[RED-DOG]

A player who likes to humiliate people, people who like to see someone humiliated for their entertainment.

Fantastic! What a wonderful insight into civilised society.

[AdamM]

complete idiot.

terrible call but doesnt justify the abuse afterwards. He's one of these guy who says he runs his mouth to induce bad play like that but to continue afterwards shows that's not true, it's just a huge personality flaw.

[Robert HM]

Entertaining and strategically brilliant.

Tony Gs the man, what a poker player, thats how you do it!

complete idiot.

terrible call but doesnt justify the abuse afterwards. He's one of these guy who says he runs his mouth to induce bad play like that but to continue afterwards shows that's not true, it's just a huge personality flaw.

I agree with bolt as to the strategy, he talked the chips into the middle. Good move. AdamM I agree with you whole heartedly, it's the rub down afterwards, absolutely no need for that at all and indeed a need NOT to have that sort of attitude. Furthermore what happened to the idea that you don't criticise a player after a losing bad play, why educate for free?

[thetank]

There's still a game going on. Even though one opponent has been eliminated, he still has 2/3 people to beat.

What I find interesting is that I'd rather my opponent folded KJo when I come over the top with A2s. I'd much rather take down that 140k (ish) pot then and there, rather than race for the bigger one.

So I guess I'm not going to go to obnoxious camp anytime soon.

The poker world does need guys like this though, it's good TV.
If there wasn't the odd protaganist out there, less people would watch poker, meaning less people would play poker, meaning the games would be less juicy online.

I owe Tony a pint.

[RED-DOG]

There's still a game going on. Even though one opponent has been eliminated, he still has 2/3 people to beat.

What I find interesting is that I'd rather my opponent folded KJo when I come over the top with A2s. I'd much rather take down that 140k (ish) pot then and there, rather than race for the bigger one.

So I guess I'm not going to go to obnoxious camp anytime soon.

The poker world does need guys like this though, it's good TV.
If there wasn't the odd protaganist out there, less people would watch poker, meaning less people would play poker, meaning the games would be less juicy online.

I owe Tony a pint.

You think that's  justified bcause more people might watch poker, or it may improve someones chance of winning a tournament?

How low would you stoop if you could get away with it, where would you draw the line?

[Robert HM]

If I had never played live poker before and saw that footage, I think I would be tempted to say "sod that for a game of soldiers, I'm off to play backgammon, I bet you don 't get insulted like that there"

[RED-DOG]

Tony G's actions don't bother me that much, but the fact that people like and applaud them makes me terribly sad.

Have you ever stopped to wonder what these people would be like if they were in positions of power?

Unfortunately, some are!

[thetank]

You think that's  justified bcause more people might watch poker, or it may improve someones chance of winning a tournament?

How low would you stoop if you could get away with it, where would you draw the line?

Both.

I wouldn't personally indulge in such tactics, it's not my style.
I can however, enjoy watching someone else who goes down that road. Watching a different style at work.

He will induce a lot of calls, and consequently will get into a lot of races. Perhaps this is why you see him at his fair share of final tables in large tournaments.

As for drawing the line, I think physical violence is the only stopping point.

Everyone is over 18, they're all adults in poker tournaments. As such, they should be able to handle teasing. Sticks n stones and all that.

Human nature is that a lot of players can't seperate the game from their ego. If you look at the guy to the Russians left, he has a look on his face that says "I want to bust that guy"

By way of contrast, Farha looks like he's just enjoying it.

[Sark79]

I know I have said it before, but I really hate that guy. What a complete prat.  I wanted to hit him and I am not even a violent person  .   He may make the big money, but he isn't a big man. He acts like a spoilt child.

[AdamM]

poker needs characters but it doesnt need that. new players come along with shocking etiquette after seeing Tony G / Helmuth / insert name of stroppy table banger here.

I wouldnt have made the call with KJ but If I was sat there with a bigger ace and TonyG had outdrawn me with the 2 and spoke to me like that I'd have ended up banned because he'd be wearing my chair.

no justification for speaking to another human being like that. none at all

[Sark79]

Was Tony G's move good?  He had a weak kicker.  I am not sure, was that a good play? 

[AdamM]

As for drawing the line, I think physical violence is the only stopping point.

I disagree, I think this kind of abuse if on the same level as physical violence. sometimes your word and actions have consequences

[thetank]

Tony G's actions don't bother me that much, but the fact that people like and applaud them makes me terribly sad.

For me, it's not so much applauding it, as putting it in context.

Tony G isn't the only guy who indulges in such tactics. I'm likely to meet a few similar types across the felt myself.

I just need to think about how to adjust at a final table if that sort of player is there.
Perhaps all folding equity goes up a notch. One can pass ones way up the prize pool while the etiquette sherrifs race off all their chips.

Have you ever stopped to wonder what these people would be like if they were in positions of power?

When you make a steal raise from the cut-off, you are a liar.

Your bet represents two cards that you arn't actually holding.

Does this mean you are untrustworthy in a position of power? Of course not, it's within the context of a game.

Nixon played some good poker, we all know how trustworthy he was. Ermmm, ok I just rubbished my own point here.


I'll go for this instead....

I don't think anyone is advocating to vote for Tony.

[thetank]

Was Tony G's move good?  He had a weak kicker.  I am not sure, was that a good play? 

They are four/five handed wih relatively large blinds. The value of any ace is huge.

He correctly read the raise as weak, his move was a good un.