Thoughts on Kenny Tran

I was a railbird while Kenny Tran was playing 0.25/0.50 Limit Hold em on Full Tilt. I came away a big fan. He is not only cordial but classy as well. For example while playing a hand he was dealt 5h-6c in the bb. The flop was 6-K-6. His opponent bet and he raised the minimum,and was called. Turn was another 6. Opponent bet he called. River was a rag, opponent bet and he just called. When they showed cards his opponent asked why he didn't bet/raise more and he replied "I don't bet the nuts." Now I know that in a tourney this would be different and that's what made it "classy" in my book. He didn't need this persons $3 and he helped minimize their loss. I wonder how many other pros would do the same. He would greet every new arrival to the table,wish them luck and also engaged in chat with some of us on the rail. I saw the piece about his daughter on wsop and asked him about her health these days and he replied " she is doing much better thank you." I've sat in on some of the other pros who either turn their chat off or only talk to the pros at the table with them . Now some of that is because dorks come in and beg for money, or "play in my tourney" and both happened to Kenny to which he either laughed it off or politely declined. FullTilt brags about play, and chat with the pros and this is one pro who delivers.

I have a lot of respect for him. He is very devoted to his family and he is always respectful in his games. One of my favorites.

Don't know too much about him, and sounds like a classy guy, but personally I don't like soft playing. I'd be disappointed if I finally got to play a pro and he was taking it easy on me. Now if he thought he may have been beat and was playing pot control that's one thing, but to simply only call just to save the other guy money is wrong imo. How would you feel if you got a chance to play Jordan 1-on-1 and he just sort of faked playing and let you score on him?

It is great that he's friendly, and from what I have seen about him that's true, but soft playing is not a plus imo. I'd personally be offended if he did that to me.

I've always enjoyed watching him play on TV, and while I don't play much on Tilt, I may have to wander over there to watch him play from time to time. Seems like a great guy.

Hey Zach I see your point but he doesn't always soft play he just did it with the 4-6's. I actually was able to sit at the table with him today. Second hand in I was dealt AdQd. Flop was Jc-Kh-6s he bet I called and the turn was a 10s. He bet I raised and he re-raised me. I called. The river was 5s. He bet I raised he re-raised and then I thought he hit his flush,but feeling pot committed I called. Show cards he had Ks 10c. That was a cool feeling to go one on one and hit my jumper from the top of the key to win 21-19 over Jordan.

DawgBones said:

Hey Zach I see your point but he doesn't always soft play he just did it with the 4-6's. I actually was able to sit at the table with him today. Second hand in I was dealt AdQd. Flop was Jc-Kh-6s he bet I called and the turn was a 10s. He bet I raised and he re-raised me. I called. The river was 5s. He bet I raised he re-raised and then I thought he hit his flush,but feeling pot committed I called. Show cards he had Ks 10c. That was a cool feeling to go one on one and hit my jumper from the top of the key to win 21-19 over Jordan.

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Nice, that musta felt pretty good .

Yeah I was pretty tickled! Thanks for you response.

What stands out to me is the way he actually get involves in the chatter at the table, like someone else metioned 9/10 pros on FT cut off rail chat and only talk to who they are playing. But with him he seems to soak it all in and enjoy himself while "at work" heh