"Self Assessment"

I have to admit, I'm not the best poker player of all time. I don't really know who is, although, if you were to ask Poker Professional Phil Helmuth Jr., he might have an answer for you. I am at a point where I know the weaknesses in my game. Well, weakness, actually, I believe I have just the one. As most of you know, I play only in tournaments of the No Limit Hold 'Em variety, and, I played in another last night. As always, these things start with promises to myself to do better than last time, even if I cashed. I always review my strategy, and I have a before tournament routine that I stick to with only minor variations depending on how I feel that day.

There comes a point in every tournament, where you have to change tables. And this is where my weakness lies. I don't know that I handle this part of my game properly. It doesn't matter how I've been playing at the previous table, or what my chip stack is, because, what I end up doing is playing the same exact game that I was playing at the previous table.

Against different opponents that I've never seen before.

Different playing styles, and different chip stacks. And me, attempting to play the exact same game. Once again, this didn't work last night, and I didn't even complete an orbit of the button at the new table.

So, I'm thinking that if I can afford it, the next time I change tables, I'm going to wait for the button to go around once before I play a hand. Unless I get dealt pocket rockets, then of course, I'll move all in.

72 and sunny in Redondo Beach.

See you next time.

"Matches Malone"

Editor's note: Matches Malone has been writing for us for a couple years now, and you can read his blog notes at PokerAllStar.com

Note: All News and Press Release information on the pages of PokerAllStar.com is cited from public sources on the internet. Articles appearing on PokerAllStar.com are written by contributing authors, and the views and opinions expressed are those of the author only.

Well, I played poker at Hollywood Park again yesterday, and to say I'm playing poker as a professional would be an understatement. All my bluffs were working, I was calling at the right time, and betting aggressively was the way to go, as always.

The name of this poker tournament is the Poker N'Ponies tournament. For those that don't know, Hollywood Park is a racetrack, as well as a casino, and thoroughbreds from all over the country come there throughout the year to show their stuff. Inside the casino, several big screens show the action, and some of the gamblers are not only playing poker, but betting on the horses as well. One guy at my table had Golden State in the sixth, but I busted him out before I found out if he won.

Yes, as I mentioned above, I was playing as a professional poker player, and personally responsible for taking out twelve people from the over 150 people in this particular tournament. I always laugh when I bust out someone that moments earlier, was criticiizing my play. I take a little solace in lasting longer than them as well. Everything was going fine for me at table 2, seat 8. I had built my stack up to a healthy 26K, which is impressive when you consider I started with 800. The problems began when I started what I laughingly refer to as, the table fugue.

Now, I've gone through these at least once before, that I can remember. It goes something like, the director moves you to another poker room. You play one maybe two hands, and then the table gets broken up again. Lather, rinse, repeat. Now, I took 5th in the tournament the last time I performed this feat of legerdemain, so, I wasn't really worried this time, either.

Now, of course, the table fugue comes with significant risks. You're about to be big blind at one table, so, they move you into another poker table, where you become the big blind there. Anyone see the problem with this? In my case, the need to have good cards in the BB is necessary, as you don't really have a good read on anyone at the new table. And this time, I was dealt 69o, or Big Lick as some like to call it, for obvious reasons.... And I didn't know this until it was my turn to act, either, as I don't usually look at my cards until then. The problem this time was, everyone had folded to the cutoff, who bet 5K when the blinds were at 1000/2000, with a 200 ante. I dared the small blind to call, in an attempt to build the pot, as I had a previous adversarial relationship with her, having shared a table with her in the past.

But, she wasn't having any, and folded to me. I looked down at my hand, and folded, figuring to pick it up the next hand, with a big bet in the small blind. The problem with this plan is as I stated previously, I was in the middle of a table fugue. The table was broken immediately, and I was moved to yet another poker room, where I was afforded another opportunity to post the big blind again. And in a funny feeling of dejà vu, I was again dealt big lick. Coincidentally, the exact same two cards from the previous table. I'll let the math majors among you figure out the odds of that. Add to the fact that the chip leader at that table bet 5K in front of me. So, I was afforded the opportunity to fold, and again the same thing happened in the small blind.

So, in the span of three hands, I was down almost a quarter of my stack, when I was dealt a pair of 8's on the button. The small and big blind are both short stacked, at which point, the chip leader gets ready to bet, and I ask, "5K?" to which he responds, "Six thousand." As he counts it out and pushes it in. three people fold to me on the button, and I look at my cards for the first time, and think about what I know from the previous two hands of betting. The first time, he had AQ suited, and the second time, everyone had folded to him. Not much info, huh? I had a thought process here, which went something like, "He probably has a small pair, or worse...." I valiantly declare, "All in." The two most powerful words in the English language, when it comes to poker playing. The small blind folded, and the big blind called, as I figured they would. At which point, the chip leader called.

And showed a pair of Kings.

Realizing that I'm a 4 to 1 dog at this point, I called out for 8's, however, Card God must've misunderstood me, and dealt two aces on the flop. I tried again, but an ace came on the turn, and I'm drawing dead to the river. I'm busted out in 27th place, and as there were only 150 entries, they were only paying two tables, so, I was nine spots out of the money.

I pick up my things, and start the long walk home, knowing that I played as professional poker players do.

Note: All News and Press Release information on the pages of PokerAllStar.com is cited from public sources on the internet. Articles appearing on PokerAllStar.com are written by contributing authors, and the views and opinions expressed are those of the author only.

Poker Players: Don't push your luck

You know full well that there were plenty of times you wished you had left a game before you did. This whole article is about "not" pushing your luck when it’s starting to run dry.

Most poker players have a little voice that tells them when they’re headed for a bad night (no luck). That little voice tells you: "Get out of this game; it has no future for you, no luck today." There was a time I rarely listened to this voice.

Over the years I learned to listen very carefully to that little voice. It has saved me a great deal of money, but I still don't listen to it 100% of the time.

When I start to hear that warning, I start to evaluate the poker game I am in to see what is wrong with it. The important part is that I usually know before I evaluate the game, what's wrong with it and why I should move to another game, or leave altogether. The problem is that I get too comfortable, complacent, and too lazy to move.

Here are some different ways to evaluate a question regarding games we should quit:

I just completed a 15-hour losing session playing 10/20 hold'em poker, losing 3 big bets per hour. I was exactly even after playing about 3 hours. I got back to even after taking a beating at the beginning of the poker game, and clawing my way back up. My gut feeling told me, or I should say it pretty much screamed at me in its subtle way to quit, go home, and get them another day. Of course I decided differently, and paid for it.

Once you've become the main course for everyone at the table, you must tighten up considerably for a variety of reasons. The tendency to win back quickly what you have lost affects your starting hand requirements, and you start playing more hands than you normally would. You may also be on an emotional tilt as well, thereby affecting your decisions as the poker game continues on. This is a bad sign, and one of the first steps toward going on tilt.

Here's something important to think about. By playing tighter than normal, you give someone else the chance to become fodder for the other piranhas. Get up and take a break that lasts at least until the button comes around a couple of times. There are times when even your attempt at trying to play tighter can also work against you. By taking a break and maybe taking a little walk, you will get a chance to simmer down. If you are really mentally on tilt, get up from the table, grab your chips, cash out and leave. Do something else for the day, something you enjoy as much or more than poker.

Forget all that fairytale BS about wanting to play against good players, and the honor of the glorious professional poker player. Most of the successful players are predators out to exploit every weakness they can find. They want their opponents as live and as dumb as possible, up to a certain point of course. They want the proper mix of tight players and live ones. The bottom line is that poker is a game of control. If you have to have the skill to control the other players in the game better than they can control you, that's great. The problem is how can you control the game when everyone else is feasting off your plays no matter what you do? You are losing and not only do you know it, but so does the rest of the table.

I don't care if you are the best professional poker player in the game, if you are running bad, even the poor players will start taking shots at you. Poker is one of the few games where the best player does not always win. The old saying, "Let your conscience be your guide," has a lot of merit. If everyone listened to and obeyed their conscience they most likely would not drink, smoke, overeat, do drugs, or stay in bad poker games.

There are a lot of things we can have a problem controlling, but one of the easiest we can learn to control is getting our butts out of the chair in a game we can't seem to beat, and move to a better one. It's easy, just go to the floor and say, “I would like a transfer to another game." Is that simple? Yes it is, but do we do it all the time? No we don't. It might just boost your profit. It sure can't hurt?

Note: All News and Press Release information on the pages of PokerAllStar.com is cited from public sources on the internet. Articles appearing on PokerAllStar.com are written by contributing authors, and the views and opinions expressed are those of the author only.

Poker: Challenge Your Mind

Games of skill allure players because they are beatable and the people that play them try to learn how to beat them more often than they lose. If they can't beat them, they will try their hearts out until they do. It is something they have the fire and passion for because of the sense of competition.

This is especially true of poker. Doyle Brunson is a most competitive poker player and although he looks good for his 70+ years, he is a man who wears the look of some what an uneasy life. It is because of his profession. There is not a harder way to make a living than in the world of gambling. Mr. Brunson has done it successfully, but he has most likely found high levels of stress involved.

Even though skill games bring more stress to those players who play them than to the thrill seekers looking for games of chance, the players who possess skills and discipline often win consistently year in and year out. The games of skill can lead someone into an exciting career as a professional gambler using developed expertise in pursuit of a consistent income.

If a full-time career as a professional gambler is not an option, these skill games can also act as supplementary income, especially with the explosion of online Texas Hold'em which gains in popularity with each passing month.

However, on the flipside, why do so many people lose it all in games of skill? Is it the lack of self-discipline? Is it adeep-seeded desire to give their money away as they self-destruct?

These are all good questions and there is a logical answer to all of them. The answers will vary but they still share the same roots, and it's in the simple little word - greed.

About the author:
David Walker runs free bets and UK poker
websites. A free email course: "Seven Days to Better Betting" is
available at both of these websites.

Note: All News and Press Release information on the pages of PokerAllStar.com is cited from public sources on the internet. Articles appearing on PokerAllStar.com are written by contributing authors, and the views and opinions expressed are those of the author only.

Literally millions of people strive to be the next "big thing" in poker, but here is a short rundown on four of the more well known "nice guys" of the game. Even though "nice" is associated with their names when you are at a poker table it's "no more Mr. Nice guy" until they have put you out of the competition!

Daniel Negreanu In 2004, his tournament winnings amounted to more than $4.4 million and he won two highly respected awards in the World Series of Poker Player of the Year and Cardplayer Magazine's Tournament Player of the Year. In February 2006 he was named Card Player's Favourite Poker Player. Daniel still has the humility to talk to his fans about how they can improve their own game.

Howard Lederer Known as "The Professor" and brother of fellow poker professional Annie Duke. His success has lead to him making an instructional poker video called "Secrets of No Limit Hold'em" and co hosting a tournament poker show for Fox. As of 2005, his total live earnings exceed $2.7 million.

Scotty Nguyen Scott is one of the most active players in professional poker and between 2000 to 2004 he finished in the money in more than 100 events. He is noted for saying "yeah baby" during poker matches and also coined the phrase "that's poker baby" when referring to a particularly bad beat. As of 2006, his career earnings are almost at $6 million.

Chris Ferguson has won five World Series of Poker titles with two of his wins coming in 2003. Has the nickname "Jesus" because of his trademark long hair and beard and is able to throw playing cards fast enough to cut through bananas and pickles. As of 2005 his total live poker tournament earnings exceeded $5 million.

About the Author
David Walker runs free bets and UK poker websites. A free email course: "Seven Days to Better Betting" is available at both of these websites.

Note: All News and Press Release information on the pages of PokerAllStar.com is cited from public sources on the internet. Articles appearing on PokerAllStar.com are written by contributing authors, and the views and opinions expressed are those of the author only.

The elusive world of poker has come a long way from its seedy roots of shady, Mafioso-type characters playing no limit holdem's in dingy, underground gambling dens.

Today, it is very much a part of everyday life, sexed up with a peppering of celebrity and television coverage. Thanks to the internet this old game has also managed to reinvent itself and appeal to a broader and younger generation with the likes of Ben Affleck , Toby Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio all helping to propel poker's profile into the stratosphere.

Quite literally, the face of poker has now been replaced by college kids in their dorm rooms or women in their pyjamas playing online poker, all influenced by the glamorous image poker now has.

Today, it's easier to list the celebrities who aren't playing poker than the ones who are. Whether the stars are playing for charity or for added publicity, millions watch games such as Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown, now in its fifth season. While many question these stars' poker-playing abilities, few doubt that these celebrity poker shows contribute to the poker craze as well as the uptake of poker online.

Not only is the music world cashing in on Poker but Hollywood has also come -a - knocking. Forget about private jets, vintage sports cars and dinky little pooches, if you're an A-list movie star with money to burn there's only one game in town: No Limit Texas Holdem. That's right, poker has come to Hollywood and no Friday night is complete without a high-profile celebrity tournament taking place somewhere in Beverly Hills.

So far, George Clooney, Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer have all hosted poker parties at their homes, but the game everyone wants to be in is the one organised by the actor James Woods on a weekly basis. Players have to ante up $5,000 to be included in Woods's magic circle, but that hasn't deterred Ben Affleck, among others, from beating a path to his door.

One of the reasons movie stars are so keen on poker is that the odds are stacked in their favour. Chris Weitz, the director of American Pie and About A Boy, recounted a Hollywood poker tournament he'd taken part in recently in which the winners of various heats got to compete at a top table for a prize of $50,000.

However, when it came to the celebrities, the rules didn't apply. "They got to sit at the big table, even if they failed to win their heat," he said. Even playing with a stacked deck, some celebrities still manage to lose. Earlier this year, James Woods sailed to the Mexican Riviera to compete in a million-dollar tournament organised by the Travel Channel. But lady luck deserted him. "They took all my money," he said, referring to the professional card-players he was up against. "I have nothing left." It seems that lady luck has got a tight leash on celebrities and it's apparent that Hollywood have become enamoured with Poker and in turn we have become infatuated with this sexed up image.

Even more celebrity poker? You bet. E! Hollywood Hold'Em let's viewers enter celebrities' homes as they and their friends, some famous and others not-so-famous, play hands of poker until someone wins the $10K pot. Intended to emulate the home games most amateur players are familiar with, this show enables viewers to see how the other half plays poker. When comparing E! Hollywood Hold'Em to the other celebrity poker shows, most poker enthusiasts agree that this show illustrates the worst in terms of actual poker-playing ability. When watching, one cannot help but think that these "poker players" have too much free time and too much Monopoly money to play with. Publicity stunts aside, tuning in to an episode of Hold'em Hollywood style does prove to be entertaining and as long as the celebrities are doing it, poker will continue to appeal to the masses.

About the Author
Seema Shah has been writing articles since 2004. She currently writes primarily within the online gaming industry for InterPoker, part of InterCasino, one of the largest, and most respected online casino and online poker rooms offering Texas Holdem and Omaha.

Note: All News and Press Release information on the pages of PokerAllStar.com is cited from public sources on the internet. Articles appearing on PokerAllStar.com are written by contributing authors, and the views and opinions expressed are those of the author only.

Last year at around this time, I filled out an online form and forgot about it. Two months later, I get a phone call, telling me to show up at Warner Brothers, to play poker.

They needed background artists for a poker movie they were filming. Sign me up!!! Well, it wasn't as simple as that, as day one was audition day. The good news is, I knew the guy that was making the decision as to whether or not I'd be in the film, so, that was a good thing. He put me on the list, and I got five days of work, and got to hang out with other poker players.

The story doesn't end there. The scenes were set at the WSOP, probably two or three years ago, as Jack Binion was there, and they had recreated the Binion's poker room down to the last detail. They even had old Card Player magazines as props. I was seated at a table with other poker players of my level, and again, the fact that I had known the guy from previously sitting across from him at a poker tournament at Hollypark helped tremendously. I enjoyed getting to know others, and even met a couple of people that I had played against before.

As it is with all movies, the background artists are treated like cattle. This was ok, as most of us were poker players, and played poker to pass the time. I learned a lot in these five days, and I wouldn't trade the experience for the world. It's where I formed most of my opinions, as well as my playing style that I still use to this day, for the most part.

The movie itself may tank, and it may be the first in another round of poker movies, I don't know. It did have lines like, "Deuces! You called with deuces?!? Good call...." And my personal favorite, "Don't fish for what you can't catch, son." So, like I said, this film, motion picture, or movie, whatever you want to call it, may or may not be any good. But where else can you go to a poker clinic, and be paid for the privilege?

Note: All News and Press Release information on the pages of PokerAllStar.com is cited from public sources on the internet. Articles appearing on PokerAllStar.com are written by contributing authors, and the views and opinions expressed are those of the author only.

The whole world watched Chris Moneymaker as he turned a $40 online entry fee into an astonishing $2.5 million dollars by winning the World Series of Poker and as you may have guessed, knocked out some pretty substantial players along the way.

An accountant who graduated from the University of Tennessee, Chris Moneymaker wanted to play poker but will have never dreamed he would get a golden opportunity like this. After winning his way to the World Series of Poker from the PokerStars website, Chris could not have imagined what kind of instant fame he would earn after winning the tournament.

Maybe he was still in such shock from the win at Poker Stars he didn't realise the likelihood that he would be a viable contender at the World Series Of Poker. Not only was Chris a possible challenger, he was also a tough opponent and proving as much to the others at the final table.

If people were amazed when he made it to the final table, they would have been bowled over with shock when Chris Moneymaker became the 2003 World Series of Poker Champion.

He gained the instant respect of those who played with him in the tournament and always made everyone feel it was worth his time to stop and enjoy a little conversation. He is an overall nice guy who is playing it smart right now with his winnings and has just launched "Money Maker Gaming" which looks set to be a big hit. The website offers an online assortment of gifts and apparel for gaming enthusiasts.

Though many poker professionals insist it was definitely his good luck that put him into instant "stardom," skill is certainly keeping him there. In 2004, Chris came in second at the Bay 101 Shooting Stars World Poker Tour Event which shows his poker skills are still very much intact.

About the Author
David Walker runs free bets and UK poker websites. A free email course: "Seven Days to Better Betting" is available at both of these websites.

Note: All News and Press Release information on the pages of PokerAllStar.com is cited from public sources on the internet. Articles appearing on PokerAllStar.com are written by contributing authors, and the views and opinions expressed are those of the author only.

With the endless publicity surrounding the World Poker Tour, people are asking the question of who plays in these tournaments? There is a lot of interest in who is the person behind the cards?
The idea of who plays poker online or off often sends many more conservative gamblers squirming back to their Friday Night Poker games for fear of becoming the "textbook gambler" described herein this article. That's not really a problem because maybe these players need to return to the home front before they pursue the continuation of a less desired path into the world of gambling.

Poker players may come from all walks of life but the good ones understand what sets them apart from the average Joe, just as the truly great players knows what sees them tower above from the pack of simply "good" players.

You will find players who define the game, such as Doyle Brunson who certainly falls into this category. There are many poker players who would love to take a visit inside this man's headfor just a day to see what it is that puts him out in front of so many other players. What makes him such a good player and how can read people when they least expect it?

The colourful life of a poker player is appealing but many people will never play the game effectively enough to draw their income solely from the game. The true poker player is a risk taker and one who is not necessarily fulfilled as a person unless they are able to take enormous risks in life. They are entrepreneurial, competitive and always look for the next challenge after winning the last. Poker players enjoy battling wits and pitting themselves up against a fellow professional. It's who they are and they are a free spirit who can find true contentment within the game itself.

Real poker players are "cut from the same cloth" as musicians, artists and writers. They are a rare breed who can reach deep inside to pull out a win just when their chips appear to be down. As an artist finds a way to create yet another masterpiece, a great poker player will know when to go in for the kill and pull out ahead with another win under their belt. That's what they do, they win and because they do, they are the real players of today's poker.

About the author:
David Walker runs free bets and UK poker
websites. A free email course: "Seven Days to Better Betting" is
available at both of these websites.

Note: All News and Press Release information on the pages of PokerAllStar.com is cited from public sources on the internet. Articles appearing on PokerAllStar.com are written by contributing authors, and the views and opinions expressed are those of the author only.

Annie Duke may not have won her first World Series of Poker Bracelet until 2004 but she is still one of the most feared poker players around the ring games at The Bellagio in Las Vegas. Annie's long-overdue WSOP bracelet came with a win at the "forgotten game" of Omaha Hi-Lo.

While player from the "younger generation" of poker run wild after a big win at the tables, Annie heads home to be "mom" to
her four children. She was born in New Hampshire and raised into a family of card players. If you don't believe that, watch her
brother, Howard Lederer, in action who taught her how to play the game.

However, Annie Duke is no small-potatoes girl and has won her share of difficult tables, including eliminating Howard along
the way on several occasions. They are both players that have the ability to win the big bucks and do it with a smile.

Annie is extremely intelligent and graduated from Columbia University where she double majored in Psychology and English. When you sit across from her at the poker table you know she is here to play the game and she begins "summing" you up from the time you join the table. If you can't play like a Champion, then don't bother.

Winning over three million dollars in tournament play, Annie became a consultant to both UltimateBet.com and Hollywood actor Ben Affleck, who wanted to sharpen his skills and become a force at the poker table.

You may see her at the Bellagio, you'll see her on TV and you may even play against her in an online poker game, but don't expect an easy win. Unless you are a champion-in-the-making, you will not beat her. However, it would be fun to say you sat at the same table as "The Duke".

About the author:
David Walker runs free bets and UK poker
websites. A free email course: "Seven Days to Better Betting" is
available at both of these websites.

Note: All News and Press Release information on the pages of PokerAllStar.com is cited from public sources on the internet. Articles appearing on PokerAllStar.com are written by contributing authors, and the views and opinions expressed are those of the author only.

What makes a poker player a professional? Does it mean that by adding the word professional the person loses less money? Or does it mean that the player enters tournaments through out the year? If you are thinking about getting the word professional embossed on your 'poker resume', here are some skills that you should consider mastering.

1. The Mathematician

a. These guys have mastered the odds of certain combinations that comes out already. For example, they know that when you hold a pocket pair, you can hit the set with only one in eight and a half chances. Those pocket cards also give you odds of having one in three chance of completing a 'by the river' flopped flush draw.

b. Mathematicians also able to compute the number of "outs" because they know it is important. Outs are the number of cards that will improve your hand. They compute it by multiplying it by two and adding one and that's the percentage of them hitting the pot.

c. Knowing outs will be useless unless it is translated into rational and calculated betting. When you figure out that you have a 20% chance of hitting, you then figure out your chances of winning or losing. You divide the size of the pot at the river by the amount you have to put in. I.E. the current pot and the amount of bets that will be added on in the future. If you have calculated that the bet to you will be 50 and have 20% chance of hitting and the pot at the river will be higher than 250, try to call for it. If not, fold. Confusing right?

d. Review these concepts if you really want to be an expert.

2. Discipline

a. Always try to find a table where you have an advantage. Try finding tables where there are more amateurs or "fish". Fish only want to win by being lucky. Poker players want to win by skill and by hoping that his opponents don't get lucky.

b. Every different game, table or opponent set needs the poker player to have different disciplines or styles. He or she cannot always rely on one style. For instance, a player may play the better hands when there are not much pre-flop actions. The player can make a loose call with other speculative hands when lots of opponents are limping in.

c. A disciplined limit player has excellent pre-flop skills. However, the disciplined no-limit player is quite different. This player doesn't care much with paying lots of blinds but instead this kind of player would not want to be trapped. The difference is that limit players avoid squandering their stack bit by bit while no-limit players avoids losing his whole stack in just one hand. A disciplined no-limit player can play a lot of hands. Even if he or she has cards such as 5 spades and 3 diamonds he or she will still be loose preflop. But expert no-limit players know how to quit as well when their hands are really bad.

d. The disciplined player knows when to quit even when the pot is really juicy.

e. A disciplined player learns from his mistakes and admits that they will still make them later on. Disciplined players will just keep on learning because nobody is a perfect poker player. There is a ton more to learn about poker and gambling, this is just the start.

About the author
Ryan Tenney writes for:
Cafe Gambling Casino

Note: All News and Press Release information on the pages of PokerAllStar.com is cited from public sources on the internet. Articles appearing on PokerAllStar.com are written by contributing authors, and the views and opinions expressed are those of the author only.

Professional Poker Player
Phil Hellmuth is at it Again

And when I say Phil, I mean Mr. Hellmuth Jr. I know that sometimes it feels like all successful poker players are named Phil, however, he is arguably the most famous.

For shooting off his mouth at inopportune times. The more Phil Hellmuth says he's going to change, the more he stays the same. Was watching the Monaco Poker Invitational on FSN today, and with six players left, and only three getting paid, I witnessed the following hand:

Phil Hellmuth holds a KJ suited, meanwhile Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, has an A5o. Phil moves all in, and Jesus has him covered, and calls. Of course, all things being equal, Phil's hand did not improve, so, he busted out in sixth place.

What's wrong with this picture, you ask? Well, several things, starting with Phil's starting hand selection. Some may remember about a month ago, I wrote about a tip he gave about this very same hand. Second, in his after interview, he criticized Jesus' call, stating that he only really had a coin flip, and he shouldn't have called, because he knows that Phil doesn't bluff.

Excuse me? I really mean it this time. Excuse me? The arrogance of Phil Hellmuth thinking that he's always the best professional poker player when clearly that is almost never the case, has gotten out of hand. But it is fun to watch and talk about....