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Acting like a Professional By Gavin Griffin

05-30-2008 05:06:44 PM

This World Series of Poker, European Poker Tour, and World Poker Tour Champion has over $4.6 Million who was recently asked in Cardplayer Magazine's April 23rd Issue  (we probably gave you a copy)
What is the most misunderstood aspect of poker among amateurs?  Is it position, betting amount, reading opponents, or something else?
Answer: I think the most misunderstood aspect of poker among amateurs is that poker is a game and it is supposed to be fun.  Too many people take the game way too seriously.  It's a social game that encourages interation, and should be treated as such.  There is no reason to berate someone for making a bad play or rub it in when you win a pot.  Smile, laugh, and treat others like you want to be treated while you are playing.  I sometimes lose sight of this fact myself, especially when things are going bad, but I always try to catch myself and correct it.  Yes it's a great way to win, and it's more fun when you are winning, ut learning to lose and win like a gentleman will go a long way toward helping you enjoy the game.  ANd here's one more thing:  Do you think bad players like it when the game is super serious and nobody is having fun?  The more fun they are having, the better the chance they will come back and continue losing!  Good luck, and of course, have fun!
By Gavin GriffinPoker Fans can send Griffin their questions to gg@cardplayer.com

Your President on Bad Beats!

05-30-2008 04:58:55 PM

Lately I have noticed a lot of people getting very passionate about their bad beats, sometimes players are taking it too far in a negative sense that they are be-rating other people's poor play, especially newer players.  
I get very discouraged by this because, new players coming to the tour is what builds EPT up and brings you more and more players.  This adds to the nightly prize pool, it allows us to give out more seasonal prizes, and even creates more potential for more sponsors to help us all grow together and play for more and more prizes and especially makes your nightly entertainment more fun!  Poker, especially the pub poker level, should be considered a fun social game that encourages enjoyment and interaction.

I remember a lot of players, even our most seasoned veterans who came to our tournaments for the first time completely green to what a poker tournament was, never-mind the strategies involved.  Concepts like 'using a cut-card', 'squeeze play', 're-raise', 'betting into an empty pot', 'under the gun', 'position-raise', 'A-K vs. QQ is only a coin-flip', ect. are all things that we have learned through experience. 
EPT should be used as a means to gain knowledge and better themselves as poker players and have ablast while doing it.  And just maybe get to the WSOP Main Event while doing so!
Don't get me wrong, a bad beat is a frustrating experience, but next time you think to be-rate a less experienced person's play think to yourself:
"Maybe that person would have been the 70th person that night I only won $100 instead of $200."