Topic: Poker
It's fascinating to see how some people read what they want to read in a posting. 'Enlightened' has written to me about the piece I wrote about Neil Channing and tells me
"I find it remarkable that you think that so many players are not aware of this [here he refers to the human dimension of the game], and that their inaction lies in ignorance not choice. Some people's stomach, including mine, would turn at the thought of befriending someone just to coerce money out of them. Most self-respecting poker players will gladly take the money of fish, loosey gooseys, but will stop well short of coercion, or engaging upon a seek and destroy policy on all known fish.
If you can't see the difference between trying to pit your wits against someone for yes financial reward, as opposed to using every legal means at your disposal to give someone without wits a good fist f*cking - and see this quality as enviable - then you are truly deserving of pity."
Whoa! Hold your horses there, buddy. You're reading far too much into this. The essence of what I was explaining was Neil's ability to create a gambling atmosphere. I promise you that it's the gambling games that people enjoy, not the rock-fests. Although I gave an example of Neil getting information out of someone in a less than direct manner, the most important thing I was saying about him was that he was able to get people to gamble. Believe it or not, it's what a lot of people want to do anyway! It's why a lot of them come to the game.
But once they sit in the chair, they become fearful of how others perceive their play and can play more conservatively. Neil does everything to make people feel right in gambling. And nearly everyone appreciates it - winners and losers alike.
The contrast between him and some other Vic players is chasmic. I've had countless arguments with players like Mike Mozouros, Alan Abraham and Victor Hyam to name but a few, because they seem to expect their opponents to play in silence. Given that some or all of these players are long-term winners, it's incredible when you think about it. They expect their victims to lose their money to them in total silence. They have no idea how much they are poisoning the gambling atmosphere. Every time I hear them utter the words 'No talking while there's a pot on!', I want to scream. I mean, do they want to win money or not? Every time they utter this nonsense, it's like money is falling out of their pockets. They are making it less likely that the casual players return.
As professional players, we are in the entertainment industry. A card room is not an exam hall. I'm normally a critic of those who attack the Vic as being full of miserable old gits, but at times it's true. Neil is the opposite. He makes it fun to be at the table. And fun is what most non-pros come for.
_ DY
at 2:04 AM BST
