TV tourney players in higher limit ring games

[Sponger15SB]

I've heard it mentioned tons and tons of times, but after Paluka's latest thread I figured its time to ask the question:

What is it about these players that they can seemingly do so well in tourneys and yet suck so bad according to some in regular limit HE ring games?

I'd have posted this in the WPT forum but it seems like I'd get less odd speculation and better answers from people who have actually played with them.

[James282]

I played with a few at the Borgata when the WPT was in town and the anamoly exists, in my opinion, because these players are often very good hand readers, play position well, and aren't afraid to take risks --- but these skills won't overcome the math of simply bad starting hands in limit hold 'em.
-James

[J.A.Sucker]

It goes beyond this. Most just like to gamble. That's how they got into tournaments. That's how they do well in NL tournaments, since they can just move in a lot, and it's correct. Many of these guys and gals are chip-ejaculating maniacs. This isn't good for ring game poker, limit, NL - where you have deep money, or spread limit.

[James282]

Yeah I suppose it leans heavily on the "likes to take risks" aspect but that alone isn't going to make them famous tournament players. I know plenty of guys who love to gamble, I pass them at the craps table when I head downstairs to the pokerroom. That being said, you are exactly right that most of these guys don't stand a chance against decent cash game players. The guys I played with also had terrible attitudes and big egos, to boot.
-James

[CDs_Nts]

Thinking about the WPT at the Borgata makes me feel happy in the pants. Playing mostly 80/160, I made 70 bb in 25 hours of play, not to mention a little extra in pot limit while waiting to get in the 80/160. The thing is, I knew to go up for just that reason because the previous year it was exactly the same. Woodchippers (all they do is spit chips) waiting to plunk down $20k in tourney entries, having an unsound limit holdem strategy, but passing the time there because they need something to do in between getting knocked out of tourneys. This includes several of the fellers maw and me seen on the teevee. I'm thinking of doing the tourney circuit, but never actually playing in a tourney........... I think a lot of what's happening is that they've mentally prepared themselves for tournament poker, and have trouble getting out of that mindset because there are always tourneys going on. You have to remember, these guys and gals have booked plane tickets and hotel rooms, and all they've been thinking about the whole trip over is cashing in a big tourney. It's like you've been reading the team's football playbook all year, then the coach decides the team's gonna play basketball instead. They're both sports and your a good athlete, but it's still a major adjustment that's hard to make, and only a few can......... like Tony Gonzalez and Ronald Curry.

[bogey]

[ QUOTE ]
It's like you've been reading the team's football playbook all year, then the coach decides the team's gonna play basketball instead. They're both sports and your a good athlete, but it's still a major adjustment that's hard
to make, and only a few can......... like Tony Gonzalez and Ronald Curry.

[/ QUOTE ]

Great analogy and interesting way to look at it.

[Paluka]

A lot of people who have done well in tourneys are terrible at poker. We have all seen fish sit down at a 30/60 game and win $5000 when he goes on a rush. When the buyin is $10,000 a rush pays out better.

[Riverman]

I have played NL/PL with a number of "TV stars," and many of them were excellent players. Paul Phillips is the best big bet player I have ever played against, for example. Antonio Esfandiari and Tony Ma are also very good.

[Paluka]

[ QUOTE ]
I have played NL/PL with a number of "TV stars," and many of them were excellent players. Paul Phillips is the best big bet player I have ever played against, for example. Antonio Esfandiari and Tony Ma are also very good.

[/ QUOTE ]

So?

[Diplomatdcm]

Also, I real good session for a fish it better, a lot of the time, than a reall good session for a good player, b/c they are playing so many hands, so some guy wins big, and that is what keeps him going for the next 40 sessions.