Is this what they call a rubdown?

[tikay]

we have all debated Tony G's poker actiosn for many times now.  We know what he is like. 

Some like it some dont but lets face it its an act.

I know Tony personally and through business and in fact had lunch with him 4 weeks or so ago.

Off the table he is actually a lovely guy, respectful, humble and just normal.  He also gives and does a HUGE amount for charity, a lot of which is not publicised.

But when he crosses the felt, just like a Macenroe or a mad footballer - he goes into the zone and wants to win at an costs.  Nothing wrong with wanting to win.  More people should want to win more.

Some people dont like it and a lot think its great for the TV coverage.

But lets not go judging and slagging a guy who off the table we dont know.

Lets accept that some think his antics are wrong but that doesnt mean he is like that off the table.

Off the table he is actually a lovely guy, respectful, humble and just normal.

Yes, a lovely man, pleasant company, and a proud & caring father.

But when he crosses the felt, just like a Macenroe or a mad footballer - he goes into the zone and wants to win at an costs.  Nothing wrong with wanting to win.  More people should want to win more.

I have no problem with that.

Some people dont like it and a lot think its great for the TV coverage.

It may be great for TV, but it's bad for our game, as kids watch that & think it's acceptable to be so obscenely rude to opponents. It is not, in my opinion, it set's a bad example, & players the world over think it's OK.

Some like it some dont but lets face it its an act.

I don't think it IS an act, & I've discussed this with Tony, one-to-one, many times. He just can't help himself, he loses self-control.

So, yes, he's a lovely man, let's agree on that, but I don't think it's good for the long-term development of our game to see players behaving in such a way. Eventually, I hope, we will see "outside" Sponsors coming into poker, the likes of Sainsbury's, or Heinz, Ford, or whoever, but they won't come in until we can show that Poker can control it's players, such that they behave - on the table - in a reasonable manner. Tony has nothing to lose - he's a stunningly successful businessman, & he will get by come what may. But let's remember the rest of the poker players, whose future prospects are being damaged by the actions of a few.

[bolt pp]

It's not that bad is it?

[tikay]

It's not that bad is it?

Typical sarf London behaviour probably.

You still in the BB Hoose?

[tonypoker]

poker's success I guess has a lot to do with how successfully it can be pitched as a spectator sport to the non die-hards. This gets a LOT easier to do with the likes of Tony G at a televised event. Few non regular players can understand the intricacy of pot odds or the real mechanics behind bluffing/rebluffing big aggression, but everyone can understand a barny. It's not a good example, but it is excellent television.
Saw Tony Last night on the PP event, as I was writing my last speech. What do the producers want: Coren v Frazer (omg yaaaaaaaaaawn) or Ulliott v Guoga?
Having said that, that was as foul-mouthed as I've seen it.  "*****ng *****" 
And Tony G is not vociferously rude in these situations, if anything he's the one showing decorum given the situation.
Tony B

caveat: I should point out that I really like Tony G, I could watch him forever.

[The Camel]

I read the thread on 2+2 and if the behaviour was as bad as portrayed, it is quite amazing he was not banned from the WSOP.

In fact, I would be quite confident in saying if it wasnt a "name" player involved he would have been thrown out.

Sad. Very sad.

[bolt pp]

It's not that bad is it?

Typical sarf London behaviour probably.

You still in the BB Hoose?

I dont usually have enough chips in front of me to be able to throw a "handfull" at anyone so who knows.........

[dealerFROMhell]

What a load of bollocks this thread is.

Tony G is a brilliant poker player. Who is anyone to dictate how he behaves to his fellow players. We play in a game where you take peoples money off them, there's no point getting sanctimonious about it.

Leave sportsmanlike conduct and 'spirit of the game' for Wimbledon.

This guy is a big personality with a shedload of bollocks when it comes to playing poker. It's not in te rules of the game to be meek when you beat someone, or be accepting of a bad call.

[tonypoker]

We play in a game where you take peoples money off them,

I completely refute this allegation. Do you have any proof that I have ever done this? To anyone?? ??

Yeah, he does have balls, TonyG. I think you can learn a lot by watching his game, just in terms of inspiration about mental approach. I also think he talks a sensible game post match.

[The Camel]

What a load of bollocks this thread is.

Tony G is a brilliant poker player. Who is anyone to dictate how he behaves to his fellow players. We play in a game where you take peoples money off them, there's no point getting sanctimonious about it.

Leave sportsmanlike conduct and 'spirit of the game' for Wimbledon.

This guy is a big personality with a shedload of bollocks when it comes to playing poker. It's not in te rules of the game to be meek when you beat someone, or be accepting of a bad call.

Yeah, and would you like a handful of chips thrown at your face?

[bolt pp]

How old was the dealer in question, 12?

did she run off crying "i'm telling my mummy"

[ripple11]

How old was the dealer in question, 12?

did she run off crying "i'm telling my mummy"

Exactly...I've read their contract "8 hour shifts of dealing and physical abuse, 1 hour off for lunch and first aid "

[bolt pp]

How old was the dealer in question, 12?

did she run off crying "i'm telling my mummy"

first aid

what was he throwing, chips or ninja death stars?

[Triple X]

we have all debated Tony G's poker actiosn for many times now.  We know what he is like. 

Some like it some dont but lets face it its an act.

I know Tony personally and through business and in fact had lunch with him 4 weeks or so ago.

Off the table he is actually a lovely guy, respectful, humble and just normal.  He also gives and does a HUGE amount for charity, a lot of which is not publicised.

But when he crosses the felt, just like a Macenroe or a mad footballer - he goes into the zone and wants to win at an costs.  Nothing wrong with wanting to win.  More people should want to win more.

Some people dont like it and a lot think its great for the TV coverage.

But lets not go judging and slagging a guy who off the table we dont know.

Lets accept that some think his antics are wrong but that doesnt mean he is like that off the table.

Off the table he is actually a lovely guy, respectful, humble and just normal.

Yes, a lovely man, pleasant company, and a proud & caring father.

But when he crosses the felt, just like a Macenroe or a mad footballer - he goes into the zone and wants to win at an costs.  Nothing wrong with wanting to win.  More people should want to win more.

I have no problem with that.

Some people dont like it and a lot think its great for the TV coverage.

It may be great for TV, but it's bad for our game, as kids watch that & think it's acceptable to be so obscenely rude to opponents. It is not, in my opinion, it set's a bad example, & players the world over think it's OK.

Some like it some dont but lets face it its an act.

I don't think it IS an act, & I've discussed this with Tony, one-to-one, many times. He just can't help himself, he loses self-control.

So, yes, he's a lovely man, let's agree on that, but I don't think it's good for the long-term development of our game to see players behaving in such a way. Eventually, I hope, we will see "outside" Sponsors coming into poker, the likes of Sainsbury's, or Heinz, Ford, or whoever, but they won't come in until we can show that Poker can control it's players, such that they behave - on the table - in a reasonable manner. Tony has nothing to lose - he's a stunningly successful businessman, & he will get by come what may. But let's remember the rest of the poker players, whose future prospects are being damaged by the actions of a few.

I hear what you say Tony and his actions could be copied but the same could be said for a McEnroe or a Robbie Savage etc.  Just because they have different ways of playing their game to perhaps you and I does not necessarily make them a bad guy.  Also, is this not the same kind of form as say the Aussie cricketers sledging batsmen

Perhaps if anything it shows their desire to win at almost all costs.  The one thing i think wrong with UK sport is the fact that we are too nice and a bit of nasty spirit would be a good thing

[ifm]

He wouldn't have thrown chips in the face of Dave (the sweeney) from the Broadway would he?
You can call all his other antics part of the show or in the zone or whatever, physical abuse crosses the line regardless of injury.
He needs to be made an example of.

[tikay]

we have all debated Tony G's poker actiosn for many times now.  We know what he is like. 

Some like it some dont but lets face it its an act.

I know Tony personally and through business and in fact had lunch with him 4 weeks or so ago.

Off the table he is actually a lovely guy, respectful, humble and just normal.  He also gives and does a HUGE amount for charity, a lot of which is not publicised.

But when he crosses the felt, just like a Macenroe or a mad footballer - he goes into the zone and wants to win at an costs.  Nothing wrong with wanting to win.  More people should want to win more.

Some people dont like it and a lot think its great for the TV coverage.

But lets not go judging and slagging a guy who off the table we dont know.

Lets accept that some think his antics are wrong but that doesnt mean he is like that off the table.

Off the table he is actually a lovely guy, respectful, humble and just normal.

Yes, a lovely man, pleasant company, and a proud & caring father.

But when he crosses the felt, just like a Macenroe or a mad footballer - he goes into the zone and wants to win at an costs.  Nothing wrong with wanting to win.  More people should want to win more.

I have no problem with that.

Some people dont like it and a lot think its great for the TV coverage.

It may be great for TV, but it's bad for our game, as kids watch that & think it's acceptable to be so obscenely rude to opponents. It is not, in my opinion, it set's a bad example, & players the world over think it's OK.

Some like it some dont but lets face it its an act.

I don't think it IS an act, & I've discussed this with Tony, one-to-one, many times. He just can't help himself, he loses self-control.

So, yes, he's a lovely man, let's agree on that, but I don't think it's good for the long-term development of our game to see players behaving in such a way. Eventually, I hope, we will see "outside" Sponsors coming into poker, the likes of Sainsbury's, or Heinz, Ford, or whoever, but they won't come in until we can show that Poker can control it's players, such that they behave - on the table - in a reasonable manner. Tony has nothing to lose - he's a stunningly successful businessman, & he will get by come what may. But let's remember the rest of the poker players, whose future prospects are being damaged by the actions of a few.

I hear what you say Tony and his actions could be copied but the same could be said for a McEnroe or a Robbie Savage etc.  Just because they have different ways of playing their game to perhaps you and I does not necessarily make them a bad guy.  Also, is this not the same kind of form as say the Aussie cricketers sledging batsmen

Perhaps if anything it shows their desire to win at almost all costs.  The one thing i think wrong with UK sport is the fact that we are too nice and a bit of nasty spirit would be a good thing

I hear you, & it's each to their own.

But 99%+ of all poker players do so for fun, & because they enjoy it, it's a break from the tension & conflicts of real life, it's fun, it's a game. Personally, I don't need anyone giving it large, in my face, I had all that & more during  lifetime of work. If they are hungry to win, fine, but if they think that insulting me helps, well they are mistaken, & it's a no-no. Come on, do you really think these guys do it to help themselves win? They don't. They do it because they have a lack of self-control, & are unable to face the facts of poker - it contains a huge element of luck. They just can't take their beats, that's all.