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 he Guardian G2 Poker Column |
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| Victoria
Coren |
| Monday May 21,
2007 |
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There have always been characters in poker, but I suspect they've
never been so self-aware. These days, you see Kenna James (a delightful pro
player from urban Chicago) wearing a stetson and calling himself "the Cowboy".
You see Phil Hellmuth announcing, "I whine too much when I lose - that's me,
the Poker Brat", as if this role were set in stone. Even Andy Black, the great
Irish player who once spent some time at a private retreat, is now called "the
Monk" and interviewed constantly about the sexy combination of Buddhism and
gambling.
You can literally see these things every Tuesday night at
11.50pm, on PartyPoker.com Premier League Poker (Channel 4). The Cowboy, the
Brat and the Monk are among 12 players who will wage regular battle over an
entire series, with the emphasis firmly on personality, needle, history and
banter. |
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This has come in for some advance stick on
the internet, where a few players are nervous about television's obsession with
the "entertainment factor". But deliberate self-characterising is not
restricted to TV; it is almost universal in poker now. People choose screen
names and pictorial icons before playing online, earnestly debating whether to
be ScaryWildGuy (picture of bloody fangs) or BaseballFan (picture of the kids).
Personally, I find that it can add a layer of colour without detracting
from the cards. I'm always laughing at creative screen names. And preview tapes
of the new show (aside from traditional whinges about my own best hands being
edited out, blah blah) had me gripped. Sure, it's camp - all fireworks and
flirting - but my jaded poker palate was truly tickled. And sure, on screen or
off, sometimes you just want a straightforward poker diet. This show is a
treacle pudding, 1,000 calories a slice, but somehow I can always find room for
those as well.
Your can read more from Anthony Holden at his website
www.biggerdeal.com |
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