What's your opinion of Phil Hellmuth?

I don't mind players like Hellmuth, Arieh, and Matusow, they make it interesting to watch on tv, you have also got to remember they only show a BRIEF part of the tournaments, all the clips they showed were probably everything those players did that was rude, its TV guys, you gotta remember that, same thing for TJ, he looks like a good guy on TV, so they play him out to be like that

Agreed Halvey, it would get mighty boring if everyone acted like Harrington. And you know they just LOVE to show Phil getting cracked!

I think one reason there seems to be many, many more poor players than I thought I would find is that maybe these players aren't aware that they aren't showing the vast majority of hands, where after the first bet, everyone folds. Showing hands where someone catches a miracle a lot, maybe a lot of the newer players aren't aware of the odds...even with the percentages posted on the screen.

Or they will show someone like Sam Farha who often plays A-x (he LOVES A-5, huh?) winning hands with those cards...he might be doing it cause he has a big stack...but they don't show hands where I suppose he raises preflop but when reraised mucks his cards. That doesn't make for compelling TV.

Re: Phil H. and poker players manners.
Some things change and some things remain the same: if u don't mind someone relating past experiences.
Was at the Four Queens tournament a few years ago and saw these events:
a one table satellite to get into the main event ($5000 buy-in) and this skinny guy is berating another player at the table. It happened to be a she (no not anyone famous) who sat and took it as best she could trying to play thru the verbal abuse (and it was loud and ugly). Well it gets down to three handed and the loudmouth is in full throttle at this woman (she is about 5'8'' and 145- 160 lbs). They get heads up in the hand and unfortunately she gets busted out. Well this is atomic fuel for the loudmouth's fire and he is berating her no end as she steps away from the table.
She says nothing, turns to walk away but must have been watching from the corner of her eye. Loudmouth turns away, back to the table. She sees her chance, reaches behind her and with all her might grabs a chair and smashes it over this guy's back. (Broke his arm.). For some reason she blended into the rail crowd and disappeared. NO ONE MADE ANY ATTEMPT TO STOP HER.

Same tournament: A famous (real bad temper) player who is a bit older got knocked out of the main event after the big blind called a raise with 9,2 off. Need we say the flop was A,9,2 and both players end up all in. The two pair hold up, the "pro" is knocked out and tries to jump over the table and attack the amateur but age and lack of conditioning keep him at a distance - but u could hear this guy throughout the whole room.
Long story short: the security staff have to get the police dept. to restrain this "pro" and as they are hauling him away he is screaming "I'll kill u when I get out".

Having played against a few (don't worry I am a bum in comparison to their play) of the "name" players and seen/heard live the antics, my only guess is that the organizers of these BIG T.V. events have told the players in no uncertain terms to behave.

Those are classics. Thanks for sharing.. I bet your mouth dropped to the floor when you saw that stuff happen.

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Just good enough to think I am good enough.

Really...wow! Hell, Mike Tyson ain't got nothing on these guys...and gals!

And whoever said that poker ain't a sport never tried getting over a hurdle as wide as a hold'em table! And qualified for the senior citizen's discount to boot!

Seriously though, there are many who desire to see poker taken 'seriously' (and it's made leaps and bounds in that area). When the real pros recognize that they need to start conducting themselves as such, it will take another leap forward in the right direction. The NBA, in recent times, should be a prime example.

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One bad call can wipe out five good raises.

knightyme: Poker HAS made leaps and bounds in the proper direction. And to all the younger players (those who do NOT know what a "snatch" game was) you have very little idea the reputation change in this wonderful game.

Having played in more dumps, dives, sh** holes than I ever imagined trying to figure out this game, it is great that one now can play in the palaces of the world (including the greatest spot - home). The reputation of poker was akin to the worst fleece jobs ie. Three card Monte, and a person would never admit to playing let alone admitting to being any good - an instant way to destroy a personal reputation. SOOOO, cudos to all those who realized that this is a very complex game and with the proper dignification it could (and has) become the wonderful challenge that it is.

If you are looking for a decent role model (and again I only speak from personal experience/witness limited as that may be) I would recommend Barry Johnston (I hope this is the proper spelling of his name - the guy in the Hall of Fame). Saw him make a famous player turn his seat around, sit properly and refrain from berating opponents - all with just a few chosen words (did not hear them) and a look.

Got me remembering here: Final bit of drivel (I type too much). Played at a place: in the basement where the door was about six pieces of plywood thick. If you were fortunate enough to win you took an "alternate" route to your car, taxi, etc. than the normal exit door. This circuitous route took you through a strip club/house where after a while the "employees" caught on and got to know your name and the propositions were numerous. The only difficult part of this route had nothing to do with the place or people BUT it did pose a problem when you bumped into these "employees" when with the wife shopping.

I guess this has nothing to do with Phil H. but I only hope that the younger players read or hear about the times past, realize what a fantastic opportunity that exists now for them and for the older players and NOBODY thinks they are ABOVE the game and screw it up for all the rest.