Quote Originally Posted by Thunder
He doesn't know how to value bet
Is this for real? That's almost as lame as the assertion that he doesn't know the simple maths of poker. If noobs and intermediates can learn this stuff then am pretty sure a world class player, with 20 years experience can, and has.

Rag on the guy, say he's not the best HU player or the best cash player, or even the best in the world - but get things into perspective.

People, for some reason, decreed that he could only play NLHE, and yet he was leading the $1500 HORSE from the start. But he can still only play NLHE, right?

People criticised his laydowns in the ME yet he's the guy with an uncanny ability to read players, has 11 bracelets and, this year, outlasted bigger stacks such as Ramdin, Hansen & Cunningham. But he was still wrong, right?

And now these same people are saying he can't value bet, was wrong not to laydown a set (Negreanu busted out of the ME in set over set confrontation) and can only play like he's playing a tourney? Gimme a break!

He's not to be found at the Bellagio but from what I've heard his cash game is okay. He's not constantly testing himself in Bobby's Room and so isn't going to be the best cash player, just as he isn't gonna be the best HU player and so such comments are fair and valid but to deride a world class player (and that is what he is) and a living legend (which, like it or not, is what he is) is sheer lunacy! Especially over such basic concepts that far, far, far lesser players grasp with relative ease. Gall doesn't even come close to describing it!

And I'd say this about any proven, time served, honour laden, world class pro, not just Hellmuth.

And as for telling Durrr he has a lot to learn: maybe he was right. Maybe he was spouting garbage as he did when he whined about not playing Dwan HU in case his AA got outdrawn by 1010 again. Maybe Dwan is the Second Coming as far as poker is concerned. And maybe he'll be better than Hellmuth ever was. Maybe Hellmuth is completely wrong and that Dwan will go on to revolutionise live poker. Time will tell. Regardless, he's entitled to his opinion - especially as he's been at the top for nigh on 20 years - and seen a number of internet hotshots learn the hard way and adapt to the way live poker is played differently to online.

Or maybe I'm full of shit - but if so then so too are the vast majority of FTRers who aren't at his level yet feel they can bash his game.
You know why I rag on the guy?

I know he's a better player than me. The only way I would ever beat him would be to get all the chips in as a dog, slight or huge, and draw out on him. (at this point.)

But I hate him, for te same reason I didn't want the patriots to go 19-0
his character is in question! If the patriots hadn't had allegation after allegation, and if Roger Goodell hadn't essentially hidden the tapes that prove or disprove the allegations against the patriots, I'd have been wearing read white and blue on superbowl sunday. We could have seen history.

I want Phil to fail because if he is the best player in the world, he acts like the best 4 year old player in the game. He doesn't need to berate players or beat his own chest. In fact, he does the exact opposite of what a well trained poker player is expected to do. If he were just making side bets and losing his ass to ivey all the time and having fun but not at the other players expense, or calling every player that plays a pot with him a donkey, I'd be behind the guy 100%.

To wit, I believe most of the media is biased to make him look like a bad guy. I do know ESPN's WSOP coverage a year back had him actually complimenting a player who outplayed him with a premium pocket pair, (I wanna say it was aces or kings but I don't remember).
Maybe he compliments players who play wel..... But we just don't see it because of ESPN's bias towards him being a brat.

maybe he's just a douchebag who needs to STFU and play his best game.

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