very gd choice mat. naimoi and will not come across cowgomoo much but wat can u teach a pro in will naiomi may need a tweek here and there i think it wud be very kind ove will to let u have 10% when he has done it before without urs or any1s help.
In Response to Re: OFFICIAL TOTAL PLAYER THREAD : i never attack or attacked anyone on sky , i merely defending for the lower stake players , my point is the system in which this contest is set up, favours the high rollers. Posted by IRISHROVER
I was tasked to find the best players - simple as that. If anyone wants to dispute I picked the best players from my 50 then so be it, but having spent a long time pouring over their results and hands (don't forget we showed only a tiny fraction of the data used to come to the final picks) I'm confident I picked the best players regardless of what level they were playing at. No one at Sky has put any pressure on me to pick high rollers. As I think I mention in my interview elsewhere on the site, good poker looks the same whether it's 5p/10 or £5/£10. I didn't pay much attention to the levels during my own evaluation - just the hand selection, bet sizing, use of position, etc.
A big TIP to future posible Total Player candidates is to give detailed self-analysis if you are approached and asked to submit some keys hands. It was very tough to choose just 3 from my 10, and ultimately their self-analysis was key to my final decision, so be sure to explain yourselves fully.
Hi Guys, First of all congratulations to Pokerbcity and Cowgomoo who also made top 3 wd! and very deserved. There was alot of strong competition in the Top 10, so I am absolutely thrilled to be given this opportunity. I just hope I survive the expectations! Poker is a huge passion for me, and am always looking to improve my game, I am so excited, Thank you Matt! I will do my upmost over the coming weeks to play to my best ability and look forward to the advice and challenges given by Matt. Thanks again guys Naomi Posted by Sharksbite
Congrats Naomi. Obviously I had to review a huge amount of data before making my choices and you clearly have the abilities we're looking for. Good luck in the coming weeks. Don't forget, week 1 is ABBA week, so get practicing.
In Response to Re: OFFICIAL TOTAL PLAYER THREAD : Congrats Naomi. Obviously I had to review a huge amount of data before making my choices and you clearly have the abilities we're looking for. Good luck in the coming weeks. Don't forget, week 1 is ABBA week, so get practicing. ^__^ Posted by MBroughton
LOL!!! thats it then im definately going to be dropped...Abba your era though right:):):) so you should be looking forward to it lol
In Response to Re: OFFICIAL TOTAL PLAYER THREAD : Is it possible to keep this thread about saying wd to the 6 rather than keep posting your post 4 times sealacey? i for one think the 6 chosen are very good worthwhile players Posted by Kdanem
IF YOU WANT TO IGNORE STUPID COMMENTS ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CLICK IGNORE SENDER AND WHATEVER THEY PUT WONT INTERFERE WITH YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE
In Response to Re: OFFICIAL TOTAL PLAYER THREAD : I was tasked to find the best players - simple as that. If anyone wants to dispute I picked the best players from my 50 then so be it, but having spent a long time pouring over their results and hands (don't forget we showed only a tiny fraction of the data used to come to the final picks) I'm confident I picked the best players regardless of what level they were playing at. No one at Sky has put any pressure on me to pick high rollers. As I think I mention in my interview elsewhere on the site, good poker looks the same whether it's 5p/10 or £5/£10. I didn't pay much attention to the levels during my own evaluation - just the hand selection, bet sizing, use of position, etc. A big TIP to future posible Total Player candidates is to give detailed self-analysis if you are approached and asked to submit some keys hands. It was very tough to choose just 3 from my 10, and ultimately their self-analysis was key to my final decision, so be sure to explain yourselves fully. Good luck Posted by MBroughton
i was not going to post further on this but cant let this silliness go,
look what 5p /10p cash player none ,
what 5 pound mtt player none,
what 5 pound sit and go player none ,
come off the the stage guys,
you not going to pick anyone from the low levels ,
In Response to Re: OFFICIAL TOTAL PLAYER THREAD : i was not going to post further on this but cant let this silliness go, look what 5p /10p cash player none , what 5 pound mtt player none, what 5 pound sit and go player none , come off the the stage guys, you not going to pick anyone from the low levels , so stop repeating it , and trying to fool us low level players, and saying we will be watching . Posted by IRISHROVER
ive got agree it does seem to be bias ....... watch it now some1 off the low stakes will be picked to try and say we told u we were looking at all levels. moan over but it is a fact.delta
really speaking , i think i only play like micro stakes on here, due to being sponsored to play heads up else where, i might play like 5p - 10p or 15p -30p or so.... but i still made ed giddins last 10 players.
so it is possible.... he can only pick 10 tho thats the hard part....
Something that has occured to me, how much better are the mentors v the best playesr picked? I don't know much about the mentors past results but I bet there isn't a lot they could teach Will as he is already a poker pro
Obv Will and Naomi are great players and prove it on a regular basis. Cowgoomoo is a regular on the cash tables and has a decent game. Good luck to all.
Just like to say well done to 3 picks. Obv Will and Naomi are great players and prove it on a regular basis. Cowgoomoo is a regular on the cash tables and has a decent game. Good luck to all. Posted by BIGSHANN
Thanks very much shann, really appreciate all the support
Something that has occured to me, how much better are the mentors v the best playesr picked? I don't know much about the mentors past results but I bet there isn't a lot they could teach Will as he is already a poker pro Posted by PokerParty
i would love to see lolufold get picked, i bet none of the mentors could teach him anything, he would be teaching them.
In Response to Re: OFFICIAL TOTAL PLAYER THREAD : i would love to see lolufold get picked, i bet none of the mentors could teach him anything, he would be teaching them. Posted by freechips1
+1
when this whole thing started i had a list in my mind of the players who i thought would be picked and lolufold was at the top of it....the list consisted of
3 of them have made it already and im pretty sure u will see a few more off that list get picked at some point! but im sorry if lolufold aint selected its a bit of a joke!
Is the Total Player going to be the only player to represent Sky in the main event of the WSOP or are you going to run a Viva Las Vegas type thingy again?
Hi Tikay, guys. Just a couple of questions and observations.
1. I think this is a great idea and has already promoted a lot of interest and discussion and is truly a prize worth winning and the best of luck to the guys and girls already chosen
2. I've waited for ages for OMAHA and now it's here!! Is OMAHA being considered in Total Poker?
3. If it is, how will the guys view/mark OMAHA. At the moment there is only basically one type of MTT, being a £5 Pot Limit. As you know i'm pretty much a tourney only guy having played 36 MTT's with a 71% ROI i'm delighted (especially vs my 7% ROI in hold em). I'm sure this will get harder as the guys improve their starting hand selection and bet sizing.
4. If an OMAHA player can get selected, presumably this person will have to play Holdem and be at a disadvantage vs the likes of Ben and the other hold-em players?
5. I'm not sure about future developments at SKY, but maybe next year if we have Stud, Hi-Lo, HORSE events etc then we really might get towards a Total Poker player.
I'd be interested as ever to hear your comments/advice
Yes omaha does count towards being considered for the total player top 10 as they stated it the other night live. However as it is a different game to the prizes expect a little bias towards hold-em players with slightly worse results for that very reason
Seen as i think im called Ben more than most on here i'm not in Total Player and won't be if i keep playing the way i am !
Being a player who started at the very bottom of the cash stakes around 2.5 years ago I can relate to some of these posts which show a certain disappointment from the lower stakes players. About 2.5 years ago I began my poker journey which consisted of 5c-10c (the equivalent of 2p-4p nowadays) 6max holdem cash on another site which I wont mention due to advertising issues. At these stakes it is fair to say the poker is a lower standard of play than say £2.5/5 NLHE 6max but now and again a player(s) will dominate these stakes, the luckiest players at this standard? I think not. I saw the total player episode which showed a player called SteveBurke, he reminded me of myself back then where I would make the most incredible tight folds/laydowns but seem to mostly be right, I was genuinely amazed with the AK laydown Steve made on a AK4 (2 diamond believe it was the Ace and King that were diamonds) flop, I can honestly tell you now, today I would never be able to pass top two on a flush draw flop in a cash game as you move up the stakes you realise that it is unprofitable to make these passes against players who are willing to get in combo draws such as QJdd/J10dd/54dd and if they have 44 for the set or aces or kings its just a total cooler, but back then like Steve I would of convinced myself this guy had aces or kings even though I have the Ace and king blockers in my hand, was just the way I thought back then. I am honestly taking no credit away from Steves amazing laydown because I genuinely couldn't believe someone playing so low could of made such a great pass wp Steve.
Players must understand although you are frustrated at the players being chosen being higher stakes players, its not going to help your case by coming on here complaining about it, would you really want to be picked out of sympathy because you kicked up a fuss? Or because you were a talent that shone through all the other lower stakes players? I'm sure the mentors and team at sky poker are doing their best to scout everyone in such a short space of time and if you are a player who has the ability to play higher you will get spotted theirs still plenty of time left so don't get disheartened so early on.
Having played on and off at Sky poker for the last 2 years or so, I have played with 4 of the 6 players chosen some who I have become friends with off the poker tables. The 4 I have played with are Cottlad, Dantb10, Sharksbite and Pokerbcity two of whom are my friends, these players have good game and are without doubt worthy choices the other 2 (cowmagoo and penguin7) I have never heard of and like I said I've been on here a long time so the researchers must be doing something right spotting these players for their poker skills.
Goodluck to everyone going for Total player I myself will be giving it a go too
I think people needs to stop focusing on why other people are being selected and play thier own game and hope its good enough to be selected. IF i was to gain entry and lose to you james for example i would not bear any grudges despite you playing higher than me...because you would have earned it !
Infact it would spurr me on so much more in future Vegas sats to get out thier with the sky team ! Everyone needs a few knock backs now and then to re-evaluate and come back stronger. Now your stepping it up to i can't say the fields going tto get any easier - Good Luck all
Hi James, I have said in other posts that i think that, given the original brief on the site, that lower stakes players should be given a chance. if the concept is flawed, in that, mainly higher stakes players are making it through and it will be a forum vote that will decide the winner, then why all the fuss, just put a list of players on the forum and let US decide the nominations for that week. The only time i have given a case for myself is in reply to someones post, which in parts i agreed with and in others i disagreed. I am not playing enough and dont expect to get choosen, thats fine, but imo it is a question of how this looks to whole of the playing community. I do wish the choosen players all the best in this endeavour.
James, great post! I think all the sky analysts are fair and they will pick the pleyers who they see fit, as after all there is a 20k sponsorship package!
They must get the right person who can hopefully do well at the live events in the Uk and the Wsop 2010 after all your going to need some game to do well at the Wsop , or your name is jamie gold!
I hope they do pick some low stakes players who play alot , who take their poker serious but play ofor the enjoyment!
I was close to top 10 this week so hopefully next week (me and u james
Just back at my desk after 2 days Offline. I'll pick up all the questions a bit later, (as I have some stuff to sort out first), unless one of my colleagues does.
Good to see so many Community-spirited folks posting support for the Mentor Picks thus far.
It's a bit like the FA Cup this - in the FA Cup, every team in the land has the same chance, & there are often giant-killing upsets. Most years, though, it goes to the best Team.
Total Player will be decided by the Players, not the Mentors, but I fancy it will be won by the player they consider to be the best.
In Response to Re: OFFICIAL TOTAL PLAYER THREAD : i was not going to post further on this but cant let this silliness go, look what 5p /10p cash player none , what 5 pound mtt player none, what 5 pound sit and go player none , come off the the stage guys, you not going to pick anyone from the low levels , so stop repeating it , and trying to fool us low level players, and saying we will be watching . Posted by IRISHROVER
Hi Irish,
I appreciate the fact that you are excited about the competition, otherwise you would not be posting on the thread with such passion.
I would however like to dispel your assertion that none of the players picked so far play the low levels such as £5 SnG / £5 MTT.
We have selected two players each week, based on results, to represent the low limit cash grinders and low limit SnG and MTT players in TOTAL PLAYER.
I can also confirm that the "low stakes" players are ALREADY represented in the next stage. I hope that this helps to assuage / dispel any concerns that you have over our transparency.
In Response to Re: OFFICIAL TOTAL PLAYER THREAD : Hi Irish, I appreciate the fact that you are excited about the competition, otherwise you would not be posting on the thread with such passion. I would however like to dispel your assertion that none of the players picked so far play the low levels such as £5 SnG / £5 MTT. We have selected two players each week, based on results, to represent the low limit cash grinders and low limit SnG and MTT players in TOTAL PLAYER. I can also confirm that the "low stakes" players are ALREADY represented in the next stage. I hope that this helps to assuage / dispel any concerns that you have over our transparency. Kindest regards Aisling Posted by Sky_Ling
Hi Ling, I think the main problem, for some people, is that the two players last week were playing 25/50 and that most view lower stakes tables to be 2/4p up to 5/10p, mid levels 10/20 to 25/50 and high levels to be above those. Please dont get me wrong i dont mind who wins, as i believe that it will be someone like Will or Dan.
It may be wise to re submit the rules and levels to be looked at to stop anymore of this uncertainty and unrest, as i firmly believe that if there is any question or perceived favouritism, then it should be squashed by being totally open, even if we/you think that is what was happening.
Also, is this player going to be the only official Sky player at the WSOP this year?
In Response to Re: OFFICIAL TOTAL PLAYER THREAD : Hi Ling, I think the main problem, for some people, is that the two players last week were playing 25/50 and that most view lower stakes tables to be 2/4p up to 5/10p, mid levels 10/20 to 25/50 and high levels to be above those. Please dont get me wrong i dont mind who wins, as i believe that it will be someone like Will or Dan. It may be wise to re submit the rules and levels to be looked at to stop anymore of this uncertainty and unrest, as i firmly believe that if there is any question or perceived favouritism, then it should be squashed by being totally open, even if we/you think that is what was happening. Also, is this player going to be the only official Sky player at the WSOP this year? Regards Col Posted by mr_mbro
That (the Low-Level Player issue) is factually & wholly incorrect Col, but Sky-Ling will reply.
As to......
"....then it should be squashed by being totally open....."
What exactly do you think we have not been totally open about? Do you really think we are capable of being disingenuos? (Rhetotical!)
In Response to Re: OFFICIAL TOTAL PLAYER THREAD : Hi Ling, I think the main problem, for some people, is that the two players last week were playing 25/50 and that most view lower stakes tables to be 2/4p up to 5/10p, mid levels 10/20 to 25/50 and high levels to be above those. Please dont get me wrong i dont mind who wins, as i believe that it will be someone like Will or Dan. It may be wise to re submit the rules and levels to be looked at to stop anymore of this uncertainty and unrest, as i firmly believe that if there is any question or perceived favouritism, then it should be squashed by being totally open, even if we/you think that is what was happening. Also, is this player going to be the only official Sky player at the WSOP this year? Regards Col Posted by mr_mbro
Hi Col,
Players choose the hands that they feel show off their strengths; They provide the hand histories and ID numbers - It is imperative that we allow them this freedom otherwise we could be accused of favouritism - no matter how unfounded.
What I can confirm is that those listed as low limit cash players, are players who have performed in the top ten in limits up to 15p /30p as shown on the TV and in the T's and C's.
In my personal opinion I feel we are being as transparent as possible: I firmly believe that it would be a mistake to resubmit T's and C's as the rules remain the same and have been followed by all parties who have entered the 'competition' thus far.
Comments
A big TIP to future posible Total Player candidates is to give detailed self-analysis if you are approached and asked to submit some keys hands. It was very tough to choose just 3 from my 10, and ultimately their self-analysis was key to my final decision, so be sure to explain yourselves fully.
Good luck
^__^
Think we got a new frontrunner in will
A big congrats to all players who have been picked, I have had the pleasure of seeing most of them play and thoroughly deserve it, very well done all
look what 5p /10p cash player none ,
what 5 pound mtt player none,
what 5 pound sit and go player none ,
come off the the stage guys,
you not going to pick anyone from the low levels ,
so stop repeating it ,
and trying to fool us low level players,
and saying we will be watching .
I don't know much about the mentors past results but I bet there isn't a lot they could teach Will as he is already a poker pro
when this whole thing started i had a list in my mind of the players who i thought would be picked and lolufold was at the top of it....the list consisted of
lolufold
sharksbite
Pokerbcity
angie1970
dantb10
TheSwiss
Gliterbabe
Gerrard9
Scotty77
Dohhhhh
Oynutter
3 of them have made it already and im pretty sure u will see a few more off that list get picked at some point!
but im sorry if lolufold aint selected its a bit of a joke!
Is the Total Player going to be the only player to represent Sky in the main event of the WSOP or are you going to run a Viva Las Vegas type thingy again?
col
Hi Tikay, guys.
Just a couple of questions and observations.
1. I think this is a great idea and has already promoted a lot of interest and discussion and is truly a prize worth winning and the best of luck to the guys and girls already chosen
2. I've waited for ages for OMAHA and now it's here!! Is OMAHA being considered in Total Poker?
3. If it is, how will the guys view/mark OMAHA. At the moment there is only basically one type of MTT, being a £5 Pot Limit. As you know i'm pretty much a tourney only guy having played 36 MTT's with a 71% ROI i'm delighted (especially vs my 7% ROI in hold em). I'm sure this will get harder as the guys improve their starting hand selection and bet sizing.
4. If an OMAHA player can get selected, presumably this person will have to play Holdem and be at a disadvantage vs the likes of Ben and the other hold-em players?
5. I'm not sure about future developments at SKY, but maybe next year if we have Stud, Hi-Lo, HORSE events etc then we really might get towards a Total Poker player.
I'd be interested as ever to hear your comments/advice
Adrian
Yes omaha does count towards being considered for the total player top 10 as they stated it the other night live. However as it is a different game to the prizes expect a little bias towards hold-em players with slightly worse results for that very reason
Seen as i think im called Ben more than most on here i'm not in Total Player and won't be if i keep playing the way i am !
Players must understand although you are frustrated at the players being chosen being higher stakes players, its not going to help your case by coming on here complaining about it, would you really want to be picked out of sympathy because you kicked up a fuss? Or because you were a talent that shone through all the other lower stakes players? I'm sure the mentors and team at sky poker are doing their best to scout everyone in such a short space of time and if you are a player who has the ability to play higher you will get spotted theirs still plenty of time left so don't get disheartened so early on.
Having played on and off at Sky poker for the last 2 years or so, I have played with 4 of the 6 players chosen some who I have become friends with off the poker tables. The 4 I have played with are Cottlad, Dantb10, Sharksbite and Pokerbcity two of whom are my friends, these players have good game and are without doubt worthy choices the other 2 (cowmagoo and penguin7) I have never heard of and like I said I've been on here a long time so the researchers must be doing something right spotting these players for their poker skills.
Goodluck to everyone going for Total player I myself will be giving it a go too
lJAMESl
I think people needs to stop focusing on why other people are being selected and play thier own game and hope its good enough to be selected. IF i was to gain entry and lose to you james for example i would not bear any grudges despite you playing higher than me...because you would have earned it !
Infact it would spurr me on so much more in future Vegas sats to get out thier with the sky team ! Everyone needs a few knock backs now and then to re-evaluate and come back stronger. Now your stepping it up to i can't say the fields going tto get any easier - Good Luck all
I have said in other posts that i think that, given the original brief on the site, that lower stakes players should be given a chance. if the concept is flawed, in that, mainly higher stakes players are making it through and it will be a forum vote that will decide the winner, then why all the fuss, just put a list of players on the forum and let US decide the nominations for that week.
The only time i have given a case for myself is in reply to someones post, which in parts i agreed with and in others i disagreed. I am not playing enough and dont expect to get choosen, thats fine, but imo it is a question of how this looks to whole of the playing community.
I do wish the choosen players all the best in this endeavour.
col
They must get the right person who can hopefully do well at the live events in the Uk and the Wsop 2010 after all your going to need some game to do well at the Wsop , or your name is jamie gold!
I hope they do pick some low stakes players who play alot , who take their poker serious but play ofor the enjoyment!
I was close to top 10 this week so hopefully next week (me and u james
Good luck all
the_gibb
Morning all.
Just back at my desk after 2 days Offline. I'll pick up all the questions a bit later, (as I have some stuff to sort out first), unless one of my colleagues does.
Good to see so many Community-spirited folks posting support for the Mentor Picks thus far.
It's a bit like the FA Cup this - in the FA Cup, every team in the land has the same chance, & there are often giant-killing upsets. Most years, though, it goes to the best Team.
Total Player will be decided by the Players, not the Mentors, but I fancy it will be won by the player they consider to be the best.
I appreciate the fact that you are excited about the competition, otherwise you would not be posting on the thread with such passion.
I would however like to dispel your assertion that none of the players picked so far play the low levels such as £5 SnG / £5 MTT.
We have selected two players each week, based on results, to represent the low limit cash grinders and low limit SnG and MTT players in TOTAL PLAYER.
I can also confirm that the "low stakes" players are ALREADY represented in the next stage. I hope that this helps to assuage / dispel any concerns that you have over our transparency.
Kindest regards
Aisling
I think the main problem, for some people, is that the two players last week were playing 25/50 and that most view lower stakes tables to be 2/4p up to 5/10p, mid levels 10/20 to 25/50 and high levels to be above those.
Please dont get me wrong i dont mind who wins, as i believe that it will be someone like Will or Dan.
It may be wise to re submit the rules and levels to be looked at to stop anymore of this uncertainty and unrest, as i firmly believe that if there is any question or perceived favouritism, then it should be squashed by being totally open, even if we/you think that is what was happening.
Also, is this player going to be the only official Sky player at the WSOP this year?
Regards
Col
As to......
"....then it should be squashed by being totally open....."
What exactly do you think we have not been totally open about? Do you really think we are capable of being disingenuos? (Rhetotical!)
Players choose the hands that they feel show off their strengths; They provide the hand histories and ID numbers - It is imperative that we allow them this freedom otherwise we could be accused of favouritism - no matter how unfounded.
What I can confirm is that those listed as low limit cash players, are players who have performed in the top ten in limits up to 15p /30p as shown on the TV and in the T's and C's.
In my personal opinion I feel we are being as transparent as possible: I firmly believe that it would be a mistake to resubmit T's and C's as the rules remain the same and have been followed by all parties who have entered the 'competition' thus far.
Regards
Aisling