Phil or Antonio behind the desk

I wanted to see who you guys thought did a better job behind the desk at the wsop main event. For me Antonio did a great job he was very fluid easy to under stand and his color commentary was spot on most of the time. Where Phil seems to cold impersonal and just plain not as easy to listen to. Just like in sports there are some color commentators that just now what to say and when to say it. Wondering what yOu guys think

I liked Olivier best. Antonio close second.

I like Antonio's commentary. Phil's voice is too much for me and he thinks he knows everything.

Antonio Esfandiari ... We both are from a Country which gambling is Not Allowed ..
Iran had to poker pro Antonio and Amir Vahedi , Amir Vahedi passed away last year ,,, now Antonio is the only poker pro from Iran

cardriverx said:

I liked Olivier best. Antonio close second.

Click to expand...

this ^ (but would've preferred more of Phil Galfond tbh).
It's tilting listening to Helmuth... even though he's a great player, there are alot of spots where he's just plain wrong in Tournament play. He seems pretty arrogant/full of himself to the point of bein' limited in being able to learn from the others (unlike someone like Daniel Negreanu, or Eli Elezra). Keeps bringing the conversation back to bein' all about himself.

I think Antonio's commentary was well executed as even players without a ton of experience were able to understand the points he was making whereas some might lose a bit of Olivier's commentary (< basing this off of listening to some of my friend's responses/experience with it).

From a selfish standpoint, I really hope they continue to televise poker with this format (makes it sooooo much more interesting). But at the same time (& also from a selfish standpoint) it'll help the donkeys get better at playin' the pokerszz.... not too keen on this.

I think antonio is much better. At times i have to replay each hand 3 0r 4 times to really understand.

they were both good and way better than that other pro that did some of it

i think Antonio was more insightful, maybe a bit too much with the poker lingo ... Phil was making it about him too often (shocker), but still he comes out with some funny stuff ... it's amazing that tv poker has come full circle ... the card cam made it a legit TV game, but now that the fan base contains many "aspiring" pros ... we do kinda want to put people on hands ... only thing is that there does have to be a way to make sure all cards get recorded by the card cam and then ultimately shown to the viewers ... a few times we never knew what either one or both players had

i miss the divorced guy, he is bitterly funny ... i guess he did some "spots" ... is he in trouble or will he have his role back for the Nov. 9 telecasts?

fugitive67 said:

they were both good and way better than that other pro that did some of it

i think Antonio was more insightful, maybe a bit too much with the poker lingo ... Phil was making it about him too often (shocker), but still he comes out with some funny stuff ... it's amazing that tv poker has come full circle ... the card cam made it a legit TV game, but now that the fan base contains many "aspiring" pros ... we do kinda want to put people on hands ... only thing is that there does have to be a way to make sure all cards get recorded by the card cam and then ultimately shown to the viewers ... a few times we never knew what either one or both players had

i miss the divorced guy, he is bitterly funny ... i guess he did some "spots" ... is he in trouble or will he have his role back for the Nov. 9 telecasts?

Click to expand...

Norman Chad? He was in the booth a little bit w/ Lon and a pro. He will also be broadcasting all of the Tuesday night telecasts (the "highlights").

He'll prob be in the booth during the November 9 with Lon and Antonio or Hellmuth.

Having Phil and Antonio in the booth at the same time was funny - They're both completely different players.

I didnt miss norman at all. Some times his shtick gets a little old. I never did see Phil Gordon in the booth, must of just missed him but I did see Olivier though and he did do a much better job then Phil H. Also.

I thought antonio was more enjoyable. maybe helmuth was a bit more informative. but lon had no clue. he always seemed to get the winning hand wrong on river...not noticing when a player made a str8 or flush. it's clear that he is not cut out for live commentary.

Between Phil and Antonio? No contest IMHO--Antonio without question for all the reasons mentioned, as well as the fact that he seemed so natural and truly unassuming.

Hellmuth can be tiring at times. I thought antonio did a good job. I also thought when they were both on together they were good. Tho I was a little shocked how bad Lon Mceachern was.

Loved Esfandiari - still on the DVR just because of him.

Busquet was crippled by and idiot play by play announcer who obviously does not understand the game.

Call me crazy, but I preferred Hellmuth. He made me laugh a few times.