High Stakes Poker - educational?

Hey everyone. I'm a new poker player and have watched most of season 1 of High Stakes Poker. It's entertaining for sure, and while I know the plays that occur in games like that can't AT ALL be applied to the kind of games I will play for a very long time, I'm very curios to know if any of you veterans have found watching it useful to improving your own game? I think a lot of the time, the commentary and strategies they apply make a lot of sense (maybe some things aren't as obvious to me yet hehe), and it's entertaining for sure.

So, what's everyone's opinion on the "educational value" of shows like High Stakes Poker?

I don't know how many people here play poker games where their strategies are applicable, but things like mixing up table image seems like the kind of thing that can be used in most games? Either way I'll keep watching, even if just for the commentary and the Phil Hellmuth tantrums!

its some of the worst commontery and play you will ever see

Was Farha on season 1 if so do what he does an you will be alright.If not watch the season with Jammie Gold the plays are amazing you must play just like them.........

edit please don't if you like money.

Yes, this is my favorite poker show by far to watch. A lot of it is entertainment value for sure though. Those players know each other so well, so that plays a big part in it. I do think there's some educational value, although it does seem that they quite often go "against the book". I can't believe some of the hands they play sometimes.

to me any poker is educational with the "big boys" but i think it's put on mostly for entertainment. it gives us a look at thier lifestyles "of the rich and famous" lol.

The meta game involved and the structure of the game would mean it would be insane to think of it as educational.

I think the commentary is pretty entertaining, but each to his own. Isn't Farha exactly the one who plays too many hands? Though it seemed to work hehe. And sometimes, you can learn from watching bad plays too. If everyone played "by the book", there wouldn't be any difference between the worst players and the best. Not that that's easy, I definitely can't do it yet, but still! Guess I shouldn't count on it to teach me winning poker, but it's still funny.

dan said:

its some of the worst commontery and play you will ever see

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I disagree. I find it entertaining and interesting to watch. I think what you are seeing is a group of players very familiar with each others play and how often the simply will play the odds. How you could say otherwise is puzzling.

I'd say it's highly educational because they show a high percentage of the hands that were played (ie: they don't edit four hours of footage down to three or four hands) and Gabe Kaplan's commentary is some of the best you'll find on TV. You can learn a lot from watching it.

What it's not though is applicable to a typical low-stakes cash game. You'll wanna look elsewhere for an education on those games.

Exit141RTe1: Glad to know someone agrees. I think one of the most interesting parts about is is exactly that; how players who are so familiar with each other play, and the fact that the commentators are very aware of this.

OzExorcist: Yeah, I know it's definitely not useful for the kind of games I'll be playing for a long time. I still find it entertaining though, and I feel I've learnt a lot about how non-premium hands can be played.

Its educational as long as you dont try and apply the plays to micro limit cash games.

And its certainly entertaining. I became a huge Farha fan from watching HSP, hes great to watch especially in season 1.

At micro stakes you don't need to play anything but ABC poker, but Farha's style of play can be rewarding if you play MTTs, especially if you use it when you're bigstacked or early in the tournament where your M is extremely high in comparison to the blinds.

sindri_93 said:

The meta game involved and the structure of the game would mean it would be insane to think of it as educational.

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^^^^ So word.

I honestly believe that some of the players are using the show as advertising to drum up action.

Some of them are playing their "A" game and others don't have a clue what the hell is going on.

Academy on FT is a great way to learn........ love the high stakes poker, looking forward to the new seris of pokerafterdark with akenhead

I think for the most part they play pretty solid poker and some of the moves can be very easily made at 2/5 live. The side bets take away from the game but they are fun to watch.

i dont even bother watching it to learn strategy

Exit141RTe1 said:

I disagree. I find it entertaining and interesting to watch. I think what you are seeing is a group of players very familiar with each others play and how often the simply will play the odds. How you could say otherwise is puzzling.

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+1
I think you have to take it in context. It is educational...for guys who know the other players, play with them regularly and are at their level. It's like being in the NFL and watch play tape of other games....or like a boxer watching tape of a future opponent.

You might be able to learn something, as long as you take it all in context.

I think it has high entertainment value...watch helmuth bluff matusow with 72o vs KK and actually pulling it off was but i dont think it has good edu value. i read an interview from a player who was on it for a day and got thumbs down because he wasnt very exciting to watch and just played fundamental poker. Its high risk poker, its nothing for phil to put down 40k on the river and worry about his bankroll flushing down.

Heres a bit more off the point question that may help you too since we are talking about education value in poker playing is it better to watch a heads up game from a tournament starting with 2 player? A shoot out tournament? or is it better to watch ring games? I feel that i am very sloppy player at ring games but am very good at MTT and SNG but I believe my heads up play needs improvement. What is the best way to improve your game going heads up against someone whether its in a tournament or what ever because... Heads up is definitly a big part of poker, I hope if someone can answer this it will help not only me but others as wellThanks