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Are you going to get any real poker player presenters?

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  • J-HartiganJ-Hartigan Member Posts: 2,756
    edited June 2010
    Hi Harvey,

    I appreciate you're frustrated about the lack of in-depth analysis on the live shows.  But, while I think there's always room for improvement, and take on board some of your criticisms, I hope you understand the following...

    1) The live shows work to a strict running order and we have very limited time to discuss each hand.

    2) The brief for the live shows is to be informative and entertaining (this is the "jabbering on" bit you don't seem to like).  As a previous poster hinted, we would probably lose a healthy chunk of our casual audience if we went too far down the road of hardcore poker analysis.

    3) We have many viewers who've just discovered the game and are learning the basics.  It's often tough to balance their needs (explaining the fundamentals of Hold'em) and those of the more advanced player.

    I've tried, in recent weeks, to deal with one specific topic per programme.  On the 'Primo' show, we've discussed fold equity, risk aversion and value betting.  I'm sure there'll be the opportunity in future programmes to examine subjects like reading flop texture and when/when not to c-bet.

    Thanks once again for your feedback.

    James.

  • LMLLML Member Posts: 1,708
    edited June 2010
    In Response to Re: Are you going to get any real poker player presenters?:
    Hi Harvey, I appreciate you're frustrated about the lack of in-depth analysis on the live shows.  But, while I think there's always room for improvement, and take on board some of your criticisms, I hope you understand the following... 1) The live shows work to a strict running order and we have very limited time to discuss each hand. 2) The brief for the live shows is to be informative and entertaining (this is the "jabbering on" bit you don't seem to like).  As a previous poster hinted, we would probably lose a healthy chunk of our casual audience if we went too far down the road of hardcore poker analysis. 3) We have many viewers who've just discovered the game and are learning the basics.  It's often tough to balance their needs (explaining the fundamentals of Hold'em) and those of the more advanced player. I've tried, in recent weeks, to deal with one specific topic per programme.  On the 'Primo' show, we've discussed fold equity, risk aversion and value betting.  I'm sure there'll be the opportunity in future programmes to examine subjects like reading flop texture and when/when not to c-bet. Thanks once again for your feedback. James.
    Posted by J-Hartigan
    +1 Us presenters are there to 'drive' the show forward, provide the middle man between the player and the professional analyst. But trust me, we also have to know a fair amount of poker and at the very least have enthusiasm and passion for the game and the way it is played. We are the laymen of the show.. asking questions that the 'average' player would want to know and we are by no means professional players as we learn from the action before us.

    Our amazing analysts not only have to drive through the hands and help keep the show entertaining and informative but they also have to try to involve and 'get into the heads' of a massive range of players. From the absolute beginners who may not really understand what we assume to be 'basic terminology' to the more experienced players who just wouldn't watch if they felt they were being patronised or that we were 'dumbing down'. They have to think on their feet, pick out points of interest or areas/situations that could be improved upon and keep the information relatable and understandable... All with a producer and director in their ear telling them which camera to look at, what's coming up next and what questions/emails/posts/chatbox talk to mention, countdowns to breaks.. links to guests.. etc etc

    So yes. Some poker pro's couldn't do the job because they are sponsored elsewhere.. but some couldn't do the job because, quite frankly, it demands a **** sight more than just knowing your poker.

    Welcome to the Community Harvey! It's always to pleasure to have a fresh insight and voice and I hope we'll be hearing and seeing a lot more of you :)

    xLM

  • harvey23harvey23 Member Posts: 433
    edited June 2010

    Let me first start off by saying for the 12349395th time that I never said you lot were bad presenters, I think you are really good at that part.

     

    thanks for the post James, yeah I imagined that you only get so long to look at one hand, but perhaps the powers that be can do something about it, I think we can all agree that players will learn a lot more if we spent more time on important hands and explain them in more detail, then a quick 2mintue skim? I mean some of the play I see on the TV tables is shockingly bad, I guess your also gagged in calling someone a "bad player" or something which is a shame.

     

    At the moment sky poker to me is more about the community and keeping players on there site then actually improving them. I guess I’m just a more serious and better player then half the people who posted in this thread, as I would like to get more from your TV show then just a community feeling and funny jokes every 5mintues. I want to watch your show to improve my already well rounded poker game, learn more concepts, more poker theorys etc etc.

     

    As for the beginners I can see your point again, I know you don’t have the power, but perhaps the people at  sky who read this can maybe divide the show into separate days, for example, have Monday a show for beginners, then on the Tuesday the advanced poker etc etc.

     

    I also appreciate your post and LMLs, it’s nice to see you can take some heat without being over defensive and moody like some of the other members posting in here.

     

    I don’t play on sky poker much due to me being a full ring player and this site having no rakeback, but I might have to play on the TV tables one day and show some people who are questioning me how to play some real poker.

  • MereNoviceMereNovice Member Posts: 4,364
    edited June 2010
    In Response to Re: Are you going to get any real poker player presenters?:
    Let me first start off by saying for the 12349395 th time that I never said you lot were bad presenters, I think you are really good at that part.   thanks for the post James, yeah I imagined that you only get so long to look at one hand, but perhaps the powers that be can do something about it, I think we can all agree that players will learn a lot more if we spent more time on important hands and explain them in more detail, then a quick 2mintue skim? I mean some of the play I see on the TV tables is shockingly bad, I guess your also gagged in calling someone a "bad player" or something which is a shame.   At the moment sky poker to me is more about the community and keeping players on there site then actually improving them. I guess I’m just a more serious and better player then half the people who posted in this thread, as I would like to get more from your TV show then just a community feeling and funny jokes every 5mintues. I want to watch your show to improve my already well rounded poker game, learn more concepts, more poker theorys etc etc.   As for the beginners I can see your point again, I know you don’t have the power, but perhaps the people at   sky who read this can maybe divide the show into separate days, for example, have Monday a show for beginners, then on the Tuesday the advanced poker etc etc.   I also appreciate your post and LMLs, it’s nice to see you can take some heat without being over defensive and moody like some of the other members posting in here.   I don’t play on sky poker much due to me being a full ring player and this site having no rakeback, but I might have to play on the TV tables one day and show some people who are questioning me how to play some real poker.
    Posted by harvey23

    I'm sure that you'll find lots of players willing to "learn".

  • robcrobc Member Posts: 521
    edited June 2010
    In Response to Re: Are you going to get any real poker player presenters?:
    Let me first start off by saying for the 12349395 th time that I never said you lot were bad presenters, I think you are really good at that part.   thanks for the post James, yeah I imagined that you only get so long to look at one hand, but perhaps the powers that be can do something about it, I think we can all agree that players will learn a lot more if we spent more time on important hands and explain them in more detail, then a quick 2mintue skim? I mean some of the play I see on the TV tables is shockingly bad, I guess your also gagged in calling someone a "bad player" or something which is a shame.   At the moment sky poker to me is more about the community and keeping players on there site then actually improving them. I guess I’m just a more serious and better player then half the people who posted in this thread, as I would like to get more from your TV show then just a community feeling and funny jokes every 5mintues. I want to watch your show to improve my already well rounded poker game, learn more concepts, more poker theorys etc etc.   As for the beginners I can see your point again, I know you don’t have the power, but perhaps the people at   sky who read this can maybe divide the show into separate days, for example, have Monday a show for beginners, then on the Tuesday the advanced poker etc etc.   I also appreciate your post and LMLs, it’s nice to see you can take some heat without being over defensive and moody like some of the other members posting in here.   I don’t play on sky poker much due to me being a full ring player and this site having no rakeback, but I might have to play on the TV tables one day and show some people who are questioning me how to play some real poker.
    Posted by harvey23

    Sounding like a bit of a phil hellmuth now.

    Your original post, although i didn't personally agree with the majority of it, i believed it wasn't necessarily a negative post. Which it seems to have turned into now.

    My response was just trying to point out a few things i believed  you may not of taken into account, i see this made you take the opinion of me being a poor player, which is fair enough your entitled to your opinion.

    As for sky poker being mainly about the community. Your right sky rightly prides themselves on there great community which i thoroughly enjoy being a part of. I disagree they don't try to improve there players though you should see the work of tikay and others trying to teach people about omaha hi lo. What other site can you interact with the analysts/presenters and ask advice on single hands live as  you can on sky. You have to remember as a tv poker site there will always be alot of beginners which means the analysis has to cater for them aswell as more advanced players which I'm sure you agree is hard to do. 

     But as you can see from james,lisa and sky claire responses your voice always gets listened to at sky and they always take your opinions on board. 

    Anyway I'm sure you will be showing the analysts how to do there job soon when you go in to the studio, and no doubt next saturday you will be on the tv tables showing the whole sky community 'how to play real poker' :)

    Gl at the tables

     Rob



  • harvey23harvey23 Member Posts: 433
    edited June 2010
    In Response to Re: Are you going to get any real poker player presenters?:
    In  As for sky poker being mainly about the community. Your right sky rightly prides themselves on there great community which i thoroughly enjoy being a part of. I disagree they don't try to improve there players though you should see the work of tikay and others trying to teach people about omaha hi lo. What other site can you interact with the analysts/presenters and ask advice on single hands live as  you can on sky.
    I am not doubting Tikay helping everyone one, I respect him a great deal, wonderful poker player, and im sure he helps out alot int his forum. And there are many other forums such as twoplustwo where you can intereact with pros and get stratergy advice on hands and stuff.

    Perhaps its just me, mabye im a bore? its just id rather see more soild poker advice and theorys then chatter and joke throughot the show?  :(
  • SolarCarroSolarCarro Member Posts: 2,273
    edited June 2010
    Harvey

    I had posted another addition to this thread saying you were bordering on arrogance and then deleted it because I re-read it and thought perhaps I was a little harsh, then I read this!

    "I guess I’m just a more serious and better player then half the people who posted in this thread"

    I haven't stopped laughing for the last 20 mins!

    Think James and LML get it spot on and yet again they take the time to post after a 4 hour show at 1am in the morning! And gotta love the sarcasm in the last paragraph of LML

    If you want really in deep analysis post a hand and they do it on Sky Poker school where you get a full 5 minutes and they go right down to "flop texture" - (nice buzz word Harvey) there.

    ps I am still laughing, so funny!
  • DOHHHHHHHDOHHHHHHH Member Posts: 17,929
    edited June 2010



    On behalf of the MC regs, I'll issue a challenge for Harvey to come and put his pennies where his gob is next week.

    Tommyd, dylan12, ozzie08, chirpychip, rats, boonicon, myself, and maybe even merenovice will put in a guest appearance at the 2 card tables - we're all ready and waiting to swallow you up, 8pm - 11pm next saturday night.

    Be there ;)
  • harvey23harvey23 Member Posts: 433
    edited June 2010

    Hi DOHHHHHH, I have seen your name on the site a few times, I can’t remember if you are good or not though. Most of my roll is on another site, and Saturday is the best day for me to maximize my profits the fish. I might deposit like 50bucks one of the days when I know they are doing “master cash”, and run over the tables I am at. You won’t see me open limping, calling AK to a raise and 2 callers, playing k8off OOP, and all the basic mistakes I see you make at the tables.

     

    Thanks for the invite though.

  • DOHHHHHHHDOHHHHHHH Member Posts: 17,929
    edited June 2010

    Is that a no then?

    As predictable as the day is long

    Oh any btw the last time I limped into a pot was 4 and a half years ago
  • harvey23harvey23 Member Posts: 433
    edited June 2010
    hi DOHHHHHH, lets try and keep this thread on topic please :)
  • DOHHHHHHHDOHHHHHHH Member Posts: 17,929
    edited June 2010

    lol, alright - u seem an alright guy - very confident in your own ability, nothing wrong with that up to a point, then it starts to become detremental to your own performance.

    I agree with some of what you said about the analysts, but they are there to analyse, and try to expain to the viewers why a player is doing what he's doing. - And maybe suggest alternative plays/moves.

    But...

    Theres hundreds of ways to play a poker hand, its impossible, and imo it would be wrong, for any analyst to criticise a play made by a player at a decent standard/level of poker.

    Theres very very basic things that you shouldn't do.....the analysts can pick up on this and say, WRONG. (folding aces pre flop, limping utg with 23) - but as you start looking at the game in detail, alot of the time, there is no right or wrong, as everything is so situation dependant.

    You say you are happy with TK as an analyst and he explains himself well. - TK presented mastercash when it first started. When he left that show, there were people calling for him to come back as they enjoyed the show when he was on....

    TK never ever plays cash No limit hold em. He openly states, that he can't explain the plays by the higher stakes guys who are 3/4/5 betting with air. He isn't there to explain these sorts of moves, he's there to analyse whats happening, and maybe suggests reasons why it's happening - he cant/and nobody else can, say what is right or wrong as again, there is no right or wrong, and its hard enough to figure this out when uv been sat paying the table for an hour, let alone when you see isolated hands.

    Anyway - I hope to see you at the tables soon, I love a challenge, and it sounds like you would provide one.

    Good luck, DOHH
  • robcrobc Member Posts: 521
    edited June 2010
    In Response to Re: Are you going to get any real poker player presenters?:
    Hi DOHHHHHH, I have seen your name on the site a few times, I can’t remember if you are good or not though. Most of my roll is on another site, and Saturday is the best day for me to maximize my profits the fish. I might deposit like 50bucks one of the days when I know they are doing “master cash”, and run over the tables I am at. You won’t see me open limping, calling AK to a raise and 2 callers, playing k8off OOP, and all the basic mistakes I see you make at the tables.   Thanks for the invite though.
    Posted by harvey23
    Kind of confusing???

    Do you no how he plays or not lol kind of contradicted yourself there.

    your making alot of assumptions on peoples play without actually seeing them play. I no you believe your the greatest player on the site (i have no doubt your better than me) but dohx7 made a offer to have some of the regs play you and as expected you have made your excuse.


     If you want the thread to stay on topic i suggest you stop criticizing everyone's play and  bigging yourself up :)
  • Tikay10Tikay10 Member, Administrator, Moderator Posts: 169,598
    edited June 2010

    Hi Harvey,

    In answer to the Thread Title, no. The Presenters all have full time careers in Television, though many of them play poker recreationally to a high standard. I believe LML, for example, has cashed in 3 of her last 4 Live Poker Tourneys, & won her last one, on Monday, at The Vic. I think perhaps you are confusing "Presenters" with "Analysts". The record of the Analysts speaks for itself.

    The problem here is "you can please some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time".

    The Show HAS to appeal to a very wide range of tastes, & it works very hard to do that. I gather you don't like the "chatter", but that's what most people watch it for, believe it or not. "Educate & entertain" is the 865 maxim.

    I can't add much else, though I thought the Post by James Hartigan (equally & uniquely he's excellent as a Presenter AND an Analyst) & by Dohhhh said it all really. Ask Phil Hellmuth & Doyle Brunson to discuss the play of any hand, & they will have different views. That's how poker is.

    I'm doing this coming Saturday's MasterCash Show (as an Analyst....), & I see you have been invited to take a seat. I'd be honoured to analyse your play, & I look forward to it immensely, as it would seem many others do.
  • Tikay10Tikay10 Member, Administrator, Moderator Posts: 169,598
    edited June 2010
    In Response to Re: Are you going to get any real poker player presenters?:
    In Response to Re: Are you going to get any real poker player presenters? : Thanks for the reply and yeah I figured before hand that out of the two one would assume the presenter role and the other analyst, I just sometimes have a hard time differentiating between the two. Don’t get me wrong I think there all great presenters and enjoy watching them but some of the “analyst” I feel do a poor job of discussing the action.   yeah in an ideal world it would be great to have the top poker pros as analysts, but its just not possible for many different reasons. I just suggested that I think it would be better viewing for the more “serious” type of players if you had better analysts who actually know what is happening during hands instead of just jibbering on.
    Posted by harvey23
    The Presenter is the one on the left as you look at the screen.
  • elsadogelsadog Member Posts: 5,677
    edited June 2010
    There was only ever one man who shouted 'I'm the greatest' and was. Get off your high horse and try a little humility, if not you're in for an almighty fall Harvey. Dohhhhhhh has 'invited' you to partake in a little poker so why not take the opportunity to see how good you really are. Oh! and 50 bucks probably won't be sufficient so dig a little deeper my friend and take up the offer.

    As far as the presenters/anylists are concerned, they get the balance just right and I for one don't want to watch a theory only show. It has to cater for the full spectrum of participants and be informative. If you want in-depth analysis then go to 2+2 or Blonde because that's what they specialise in for those who want it. Sky do a fine job, it's my home site, and I am probably a member of more poker rooms and forums than you are.

    I'll be interested to see you at the table with Doh and Co. I might even have a little dabble myself.
  • harvey23harvey23 Member Posts: 433
    edited June 2010

    Theres hundreds of ways to play a poker hand, its impossible, and imo it would be wrong, for any analyst to criticise a play made by a player at a decent standard/level of poker. Posted by DOHHHHHHH

    Yeah there any many ways to play a hand, but based on the information we get on each street, should the analysts not give there advice on what they think is the most optimal line to take on each street?

     

    The Show HAS to appeal to a very wide range of tastes, & it works very hard to do that. I gather you don't like the "chatter", but that's what most people watch it for, believe it or not. "Educate & entertain" is the 865 maxim.
    Posted by Tikay10

    Yeah I guess your right, I guess I’m more of a nerd when it comes to poker, id rather talk about the math’s, taking optimal lines, what ranges to play against what type of opponent then the whole community aspect. But I’d guess the show would not be as popular if all you did was that.

     

     

    If someone could tell me what time the cash tables start on Saturday I would be more then happy to sit at a few, even though 6max is not my preferred game.

  • Tikay10Tikay10 Member, Administrator, Moderator Posts: 169,598
    edited June 2010
    In Response to Re: Are you going to get any real poker player presenters?:
    @ SolarCarro working along side top poker players does not make you a good poker analyst yourself, I mean I could go kick a football with Wayne Rooney, that does not make me a great footballer. I have not saw all of the analysts at work so I can’t comment on them all, but I feel I could do a better job of analyzing (no presenting) then a few that I have saw, I have saw 4 so far and I think Tikay and Trevor Harris were the only one that impressed me.   Also if you are looking for home players to analyze I would like to put my self forward as I think I could do a better job then a few of the current analysts. I play 95% cash games though, so my SNG/MTT strat would not be as good, so I would like to come on a cash day
    Posted by harvey23
    Yes, I'm quite sure, in some ways, you could.

    But, you see, this is the thing, the criteria for an Analyst is more than just a knowlege of Level 4 poker niceties.

    The past participle of "to see" is ""seen", & it is a requirement of the Presenters and Analysts to have a passing familiarity with the English language.

    So, perhaps it's not quite as easy as some might at first sight assume, would you not agree?
  • harvey23harvey23 Member Posts: 433
    edited June 2010
    In Response to Re: Are you going to get any real poker player presenters?:
    There was only ever one man who shouted 'I'm the greatest' and was. Get off your high horse and try a little humility, if not you're in for an almighty fall Harvey. Dohhhhhhh has 'invited' you to partake in a little poker so why not take the opportunity to see how good you really are. Oh! and 50 bucks probably won't be sufficient so dig a little deeper my friend and take up the offer. As far as the presenters anylists are concerned, they get the balance just right and I for one don't want to watch a theory only show. It has to cater for the full spectrum of participants and be informative. If you want in-depth analysis then go to 2+2 or Blonde because that's what they specialise in for those who want it. Sky do a fine job, it's my home site, and I am probably a member of more poker rooms and forums than you are. I'll be interested to see you at the table with Doh and Co. I might even have a little dabble myself.
    Posted by elsadog

    I made this thread as I felt the analyzing was not as good as it can be, I don’t know why people are challenging me to play with them. If I play one session and im up or down, that does not prove I am better then anyone at the table or not, as the sample of hands in that session would not nearly be enough. If I cooler a member here AA v KK, does that mean I’m better then them? No.

     

    As you being a member of more poker sites then me, I don’t know what that is meant to prove? And I guess you are right that I should go to twoplustwo or something I want more detailed analysis which I do. But Skypoker is the only TV show I know that does poker analysis so I do enjoy watching it, I just hope it could be more “poker oriented”.

     

    Your whole posts just seems very negative towards me, what do you mean by “and 50 bucks probably won't be sufficient so dig a little deeper my friend and take up the offer”.

     

    I am just offering my thoughts and feelings on the show, I have not called anyone out, or mentioned any names or w/e, so I think your attack on me is quite unjust sorry.

  • Tikay10Tikay10 Member, Administrator, Moderator Posts: 169,598
    edited June 2010
    In Response to Re: Are you going to get any real poker player presenters?:
    Yeah there any many ways to play a hand, but based on the information we get on each street, should the analysts not give there advice on what they think is the most optimal line to take on each street?   Yeah I guess your right, I guess I’m more of a nerd when it comes to poker, id rather talk about the math’s, taking optimal lines, what ranges to play against what type of opponent then the whole community aspect. But I’d guess the show would not be as popular if all you did was that.     If someone could tell me what time the cash tables start on Saturday I would be more then happy to sit at a few, even though 6max is not my preferred game.
    Posted by harvey23
    Fully understood & recognized, but, & I think we now agree on this, the Show has to cater for the whole range of viewer's tastes, & only a very small minority are interested in such things.

    We shall continue to do our best to please everybody, though.
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