Year of the Pro?
Many poker blogs and poker sites are going around toting “year of the pro” posts in their blog about this year’s WSOP as if they are suprised. Come on, are we really that shocked that professional poker players are actually winning in the Holy Grail of poker tournaments, AKA the World Series Of Poker.
After all, if the professionals aren’t the ones winning then I think that says a lot about the game that we have all grown to love?
Sure, in the past there have been a lot of wins by amateurs, but I think back in those days there were hardly near as many “professional” players. After all, what is a professional poker player nowadays anyway?
I consider someone a professional poker player if poker is the main source of their income and they spend at least 30+ hours per week playing. I think that a lot of these “amateurs” of the past actually fall into this category, the only thing that makes them an amateur vs. pro is they are not sponsored by any site.
Another factor that goes into the increased number of “pros” is poker sites are signing players at record speeds nowadays. If a player does well in one major tournament sites are at their beck and call to get them to play for them with their logos.
Sure, there have been a lot of cashes by well-known poker players, but is this really much different from years past? Or is it that we are comparing it to last year where it seemed to be more “year of the Joe” as there were a lot of unknown winners.
So basically what I am trying to say is WAKE UP PEOPLE… are you really that shocked that the professionals are winning or are you implying that poker is a game of luck?
To me, the 2008 WSOP is still just: “The year of Potrippers dad“
Frank said
am June 24 2008 @ 4:07 am
I think a big thing that people forget about is that poker is way more accessible than it was say, 10 years ago. This means their will be more semi-pro players, many of whom can beat the pros at their own game because they have simple played just as much as them.
I think the new big distinction is between “pros” “good players” and the rest. Many good players can beat pros but are just not classified as pros, when they do win its hailed as a shock but it shouldn’t be.
Luck will always be a factor but a complete new player will not consistently beat a good player.
Poker League + Money Added said
am June 30 2008 @ 10:37 am
I realise pro players are almost always winning the tournaments. But occasionally you see an absolutely outrageous player win something huge and THAT is when I consider my love the game.
It’s just that there are so many professionals in the game at the moment that one of them is bound to win. It’s nice to see a good amateur come through who doesn’t necessary brag the “professional” title.