I watched Gus Hansen play a $200-400 Pot Limit Omaha game on Full Tilt Poker this morning. He won $120,000 in about 15 minutes. One guy lost $80,000. ("So, my new necklace was a waste of good money, but losing $80,000 at your stupid poker game was an investment?") What kind of money do you make where losing $80,000 doesn't hurt? I never reached that level, even at the top of the mutual fund food chain back in the 80s. If I lost $5000, I'd cry like a baby.
I understand why Hansen plays the game. He has won 3 World Poker Tour events at over a million a pop, the Poker Superstars Tournament on Fox Sports and, most recently, The Aussie Millions down under. Plus, he has a contract with Full Tilt to make himself available for cash games. Most of the pros make themselves available in the $5-10 games or even lower stakes. Or in the million buck Sunday tourney. But Gus heads right for a big buck Pot Limit Omaha game.
But why do the amateurs think they can beat him? If you want to hobnob with poker pros, it might make some sense to do so in a brick and mortar game. You can get your picture taken with the pros and schmooze and feel good while you lose your money. But, online, all you do is serve as a source of cash for the Gus Hansens of the world. <G> |
