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Mike Sexton calls for a change in attitude among poker players |
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Tags:
mike sexton, party poker, poker hall of fame, world poker tour host.
Posted on 19 April 2012 by "T".
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 World Poker Tour's host Mike Sexton is disgusted with the lack of professionalism by some poker pros. In fact, he's so angry and annoyed that he wrote a blog on the matter yesterday - "Poker Pros - Wake Up and Smell the Coffee". Mike Sexton writes that he thinks poker should have a dress code just like in any sport.
Also, he thinks that poker players should be more responsible and on time for interviews and tournaments, full fill all media requests, sign autographs and take pictures with fans when asked etc. Sexton thinks that all these things are extremely important for the future of poker.
"Recently, I've been disappointed and frankly, disgusted, with what I perceive to be a lack of professionalism by some poker pros. I feel many have no vision for the future or an understanding of the present. They can't see the forest for the trees. They don't see the big picture - growing our industry and making it a better place to play and/or work in and doing what it takes to bring sponsorship into the poker world. They just live in their own little worlds."
he continues...
"Every sport has a dress code. Why can't poker? And don't tell me, "I'll wear what they want when they add money to the prize pool." If it wasn't for televised poker, the prize pools wouldn't be half what they are today. Players need to recognize it costs a lot of money to produce a WPT show and that these shows benefit them. They also need to know that television is what promotes our industry and helps it grow. IMHO, they need to do their part to help make the TV show better. And to me, showing up for their player interviews and dressing decent at a final table isn't asking that much."
What players can do to help according to Sexton.
1. Be professional (such as being courteous to poker staffs and not verbally abuse other players),
2. Be responsible and on time,
3. Fulfill all media requests,
4. Sign autographs and take pictures with fans when asked,
5. If you're fortunate enough to make televised final tables, dress nicely,
6. Continue to support charity events and
7. If poker is your profession, to paraphrase John Kennedy, "Ask not what the poker industry can do for you, ask what you can do for the poker industry."
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17 comments on "Mike Sexton calls for a change in attitude among poker players"
| Chartoule | 19/04/2012 09:17:20 GMT |
| Dress code? lack of professionalism by some poker pros? I only want one thing from pros that they don´t do liek Ivey do (my money Mr. craps?). And leave people manage their lives and dress as they want!
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| IslandJack | 19/04/2012 09:37:50 GMT |
I mostly agree.
Poker players are often loners, asocial types with little or no regard for basic etiquette, manners etc.
I went to a WSOP-type thing in a big Casino here once, and couldn't believe the field.
Looked like a huge mass of homeless people, trashily dressed, looking like some of them haden't seen a shower from close by since weeks maybe.
Pretty sad.
I also followed some of the dialogue at some tables, and it was ridiculous.
Socially inept individuals clearly coming from their closed little world, probably in their rooms behind the PC.
So, I agree wholeheartedly. 
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| kinogomes | 19/04/2012 10:01:24 GMT |
| I agree in somethnig and i desagree in other. Dress code i think its stupid, this is not a fottball team. What i think about poker pros is the lack of good attiude, they are very nice when they win, but sometimes arrogant when they loose.
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| bullettooth1 | 19/04/2012 10:04:18 GMT |
| i dont think it should go as far as collared shirts. but definately should show some respect to the establishment they are playing in by being smart-casual, at least. shorts and flip flops is a bit too relaxed imho.
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| Cruimh | 19/04/2012 11:15:16 GMT |
| What nonsense. This is a game.Professional Snooker went down this road and lost ground.
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| Fakiry | 19/04/2012 12:36:59 GMT |
| At first thought, one can define Sexton as an old school, but the truth is that poker isn’t a game for deaf, like others are defined. If so, there wouldn’t even exist the chat option online. And many use that as a weapon. I believe sometimes they can become exaggerated, with a big lack of chivalry, like it has been noticed on the news by the dialogues between some players, both in rooms and outside them. But other times this dialogues works as a way to advertise some events, and things tend to be mixed up. I think that only those pros who talk bad about the game itself can do some “injuries” to the poker industry. The others, who attack their opponents, they are just using another way to call the attention of spectators to the game.
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| noonlion | 19/04/2012 12:41:01 GMT |
I agree in some respects with the final table idea, but who's gonna turn up looking like a tramp when they are in the money anyway? And televised.
This sort of thinking will simply lead to control over players - a dress code is nothing short of ridiculous when it comes to poker.
Tuxedo's all round!! So you'll still look like a champ when you bust out early.
Seriously not digging it.
However I'm sure there could easily be more professionalism in etiquette and players like Phil Hellmuth learning to deal with the fact they got beat in a game that has a large element of luck.
And yeah pros should make time for fans too for sure - but to me that should be a given if you're lucky enough to be at the top of the game.
I don't like how Sexton is essentially wanting to turn the game into some golf club kind of thing - thats just stupid and pointless.
Poker is a game, not a sport and is played by all types of people. Let it be.
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Posted by IslandJack: I mostly agree. Poker players are often loners, asocial types with little or no regard for basic etiquette, manners etc. I went to a WSOP-type thing in a big Casino here once, and couldn't believe the field. Looked like a huge mass of homeless people, trashily dressed, looking like some of them haden't seen a shower from close by since weeks maybe. Pretty sad. I also followed some of the dialogue at some tables, and it was ridiculous. Socially inept individuals clearly coming from their closed little world, probably in their rooms behind the PC. So, I agree wholeheartedly. |
Poker is stilla hustlers game to some degree although people don't need to leave their homes to play obviously.
I mean if I was sat with a stinker who was just a mess i wouldn't be too impressed, but at the same time I don't like the idea of making poker some regimented 'wear this or you can't participate' kind of event.
Also sitting at a poker table for hours on end is uncomfortable - loose and baggy clothing is ideal.
I'd probably consider myself somewhat asocial, but I also have manners and thats one thing that probably does need addressed.
I think Mike is forgetting that this is a game for big money - it's not like any other TV event - you can win millions on the turn of ONE card lol. That's why it's crazy, that's why people get pissed etc.
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| Cliffem | 19/04/2012 14:43:16 GMT |
| Mike is a player,listen to him
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| GIOMi6 | 20/04/2012 01:34:28 GMT |
| Mike Sexton is right Televised poker increased the attendance of all live tournaments which indeed increased the prizepools, that must the poker players understand seriously.
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| dozn01 | 20/04/2012 09:55:41 GMT |
oh my lord get a grip man ,here ive picked up ya dummy
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erm when did poker become a sport anyway ???
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| TheMachineQC | 20/04/2012 10:01:58 GMT |
Posted by IslandJack: I mostly agree. Poker players are often loners, asocial types with little or no regard for basic etiquette, manners etc. I went to a WSOP-type thing in a big Casino here once, and couldn't believe the field. Looked like a huge mass of homeless people, trashily dressed, looking like some of them haden't seen a shower from close by since weeks maybe. Pretty sad. I also followed some of the dialogue at some tables, and it was ridiculous. Socially inept individuals clearly coming from their closed little world, probably in their rooms behind the PC. So, I agree wholeheartedly. |
All this could be a strategy 
You're right though 
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| pochui | 20/04/2012 18:23:28 GMT |
| i think the statements mike made just show his own attitude towards poker and life in general- those statements are nice, and if followed at least some) would definitely make players look more professional- now some players are just arrogant idiots with plenty of cash...money spoils some people...
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| Greenmohave | 21/04/2012 03:41:35 GMT |
Good article and I like Mike Sexton a lot. Not being in poker for to long myself, but acknowledge what he's done for the SPORT and what needs done to tunr it into a recognized, competitive, game with a fan base that continues to grow. The pros are the individuals that inspire the people who want to be playing at their level. Poker could grom into a lot. Actual Teams supported by sponsers that compete in a unified and recognized larger sponser like WSOP and WPT. It be great to watch the top players go at it on a regularly scheduled , live program every week for a few months at a time with it changing to different series so it's annual, but diversed.
Get it on Mike!
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| Flippedchips | 21/04/2012 12:10:12 GMT |
Im not to sure about this, i mean turning up like a tramp well i dont think thats right but whos going to be the fashion police here. As someone says flip flops and a vest is taking it to far but then again some people can pul it off look good and fresh then others look like a bag of shit lol.
On interviews its assuming everyone in poker wants to be in the spotlight which i believe would not be the case so is this saying if you not really wanting any fame you should not enter the tourney. Its ok to say that if it is a some sort of league thing but for most tourneys its not full of the stars of poker most are unkowns and many would prob like to stay that way. I do think people should look Fresh when they turn up so at least the guy next to you dont have to smell you
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| Cruimh | 21/04/2012 14:55:23 GMT |
Posted by GIOMi6:
Mike Sexton is right Televised poker increased the attendance of all live tournaments which indeed increased the prizepools, that must the poker players understand seriously. |
The dress code codology and taking themselves too seriously, in what is after all a game rather than a sport, didn't do professional Snooker any favours. Games need characters, not robots.
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| noonlion | 21/04/2012 16:26:41 GMT |
Posted by Cruimh: Posted by GIOMi6:
Mike Sexton is right Televised poker increased the attendance of all live tournaments which indeed increased the prizepools, that must the poker players understand seriously. |
The dress code codology and taking themselves too seriously, in what is after all a game rather than a sport, didn't do professional Snooker any favours. Games need characters, not robots. |
bANG ON THE MONEY
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| B1gfoot | 21/04/2012 17:01:58 GMT |
People pay to play poker, if you pay to go the flicks, you wear what you want, same for the zoo etc, so its up to them what to wear, it's not school or an office job.
Second they are self employed, no one tells someone self employed how to go about their business.
The television bit was pure BS, poker players are not looking for fame(most) it's the money, just like the producers and the even organisers who capitalise of them.
What players can do to help according to b1gfoot What ever the feck you want to do, do not lose your identity.
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