WSOP etiquette

Anyone who has been following the wsop main event on ESPN has certainly noticed that they have been giving out penalties to players for swearing. Personally i think this is a little weak, as they're all adults, and in the heat of the moment who can blame them for the occasional curse word. Anyone who has been watching, though, also certainly noticed Phil Helmuth's behavior last night. My question is, which do you think is worse; swearing, or acting like a self rightious ass hole like Helmuth was?

-n

The f-bomb rule is the stupidest load of crap ever. I mean, they're all grown-ups, wtf is the harm in it? I can understand if perhaps the swearing was directed at someone in particular, but just yelling "Ah, ****!" when someone rivers a 2-outer should be fine. Poker can be a very emotional game, especially when there are millions of dollars on the line.

Well I do agree with the cursing rule but to be fair there are a lot of people who get offended by curse words, I think they are hipocrits because they are gambling! How can you take the moral high ground about cussing when you gamble? Anyways that dude should have had the option of kicking the shit out of Helmuth and you could tell he really wanted to! The very least the officials should have done was gave Helmuth a dam penalty!

People take Hellmuth way too seriously.

If you want to see a grade A twat in action, watch the WPT Paris, season 2 I think, with Tony G being perhaps the biggest retard I've ever seen at a poker table.

Helmuth deserved an ass whoopin on the newest episode of the WSOP

I just watched it and was really stunned by Helmuth's behavior. Although he's known as a blowhard, that was really taking it too far... I mean, he called the guy a donkey who couldn't even spell poker, then ranted about being at a table full of terrible players. He should have apologized to the guy after cooling down a bit. Personal insults are far more penalty-worthy than letting a curse word fly, IMO. I was rooting for him to win until that ugly little display.

They probably have the penalty for cursing because the tournament is televised (FCC rules?) and because they want to show poker as a respectable game, not something crude and seedy that should be played in back rooms, as some people still think.

i actually like Helmuth. if i had to pick a favorite poker celeberty, it would be him. as i like to say, we both dropped out of the same university. i even read his weekly article in the newspaper. his antics in the WSOP, though, were rare form even for him. i just hate to see anyone take the game that seriously, and with as great and sucessful of a poker player as he is, you'd think he might want to be respected too, but that, clearly, will never happen.

and i can understand people being offended by profanity, but it seems like a little much to penalize people. i think they are trying to clean up the game's image, though i don't see the point. i guess it's okay for people to lose their life savings as long as they don't smoke or curse while they do it

-n

If they're an adult, then why would they be swearing? I'd think that as someone gets older they'd be better able to control their frustration. For sure I get upset sometimes and let loose an f-bomb (Usually it's an s-bomb.) but I've noticed that over the past few years I've learned not to lose it as much. It just makes me look like an immature kid. As an avid golfer, it's tough when I pull 3-4 drives into the forest!!!!!

I believe the casinos/tournament organizers are trying to improve/maintain their image as a professional event and by having the f-bomb rule is a step in the right direction. (Can't wait for the dress code like in the NBA!!!!)

I saw Tony G in Paris. What an ass! I'm surprised Sunar (Suner?) held his composure. Not sure if I could do that. For those that didn't see it, he was almost yelling at his opponents, saying things like, 'I'm going to take ALL your chips!!' Would love to see Helmuth and G at the same table. I'm thinking a fight might break out. Wonder what kind of penalty would be imposed. Expulsion? Has that ever occurred before?

(One note, when Tony G knocked out the American, he shock his hand and I think he said something like, 'Sorry about that. I'm really sorry about all that.' Couldn't really hear what he was saying. So maybe some/all of it was an act to tilt the other player.)

Get to see Tony G a fair bit on tv here in the UK and he just talks the whole time (agreed the Paris WPT seemed over the top even for him).

Actually played him with online once and he types a lot as well :lol

#also improved image of him when everyone on the table was given $25 straight to their accounts

IanT

Swearin on tv at major tourneys the odd time is ok i guess..however swearing and cursing and threats from online players is my main bugbear...i swear a lot at work with the boys but i think that that kind of behavour towards others when you are sitting snug on your pc is way over the top....at least Helmuth is face to face when he rants....and when do us brits get this years wsop as i cannot find it yet on sattelite?

I have to agree with xdmanx007 on this one guys. We're all adults(well some are) I agree he should have got a penalty for that crap. Very unprofessional with his antics with being a sore loser.

That 'The Shiek' guy needs an ass whooping. He is a total dick.

Richard Belzer is not a WSOP guy but I was watching that BRAVO show and he reminded me of the Sheik. Except Belzer thought he is a god to acting, poker, and the world and everyone should bow down to him even though he looks like a retarded monkey.:turtle:

I noticed one guy who had to leave the table for ten minutes for swearing. Doesn't that help your chances of ranking higher?

What is the penalty for swearing? You lose chips or something? I can't think of a penalty in poker...

The WSOP gave Mike 'The Mouth' for telling 'The Sheik' to 'Shut the **** up' a 10 minute penalty. 'The Sheik' Also got a 10 minute penalty for slamming his hands on table after the flop because he was annoyed his folded his hand that hit the flop.

10 minute penalty could help some but it means they give up their hands, antes, and blinds if they apply.

Well lets look at this logically, ESPN doesnt want a slew of swears to ruin their chances at making tons of money. The WSOP doesnt want to lose their contract with ESPN because of a bunch of guys and gals who cant keep their mouths shut, and if you do need to open your mouth, maybe we should all watch whats coming out of it. Clearly they didnt put this rule into effect just to mess with the players and make their live more difficult. This was a business decision and if you dont care that they dont want you to swear, like Matasuw, then just swear and cuss out the official so you can get a 40 min break, it worked for him, i guess. This should not be an issue for poker player's, part of the game is maintaining your composure. If you dont want to be penalized then dont curse. If you dont want to deal with keeping your mouth shut then just dont pay 10K to play in the trny, im sure they wont miss you. With responsibilities come sacrifices, i wouldnt mind watching my mouth for even a chance at a couple million dollars. And for the record, Hellmuth is a disgrace to poker. He should know by now that this IS a game of chance as well as skill, so if he is so good, he should be able to pick off others due to their mistakes right? His display at the Heads-up championship just goes to show that he has no class, no control, and i am questioning his ability to think at this point in my observation of him.....

You can also take it a step further by saying they are trying to 'nip it in the bud' now before things get out of hand... look at the craziness in sports celebration and taunting rules now in affect due to things having gotten out of hand in pro football. I think the officials are correct in putting their foot down now as the game becomes more and more popular and gets more and more media coverage.

Just to throw in a quick point, couldn't they just edit out the swearing? you know, with the 'beep' or just not show it. if they're trying to improve their image, they shouldn't have even shown that little episode between Mike The Mouth and that other guy in the first place. it was pathetic. everytime i see people acting so childish like that i feel sorry for them, that people will always remember them for acting that way. i don't like to swear either, but they're just words. I understand that some people might be offended by naughty language, but i think ultimatly, no one will remember who droped an f-bomb at the main event, and no one will remember them negativly for more then a few minutes. What people will remember is disgracefull behaviour, people who throw a fit when they lose, like a little kid who's mommy won't buy them the toy they want, and who gleefully and arrogantly celebrate their victories and the losses of others. It doesn't matter if you swear, what matters is what kind of person you are.

-n

rayzor1748 said:

You can also take it a step further by saying they are trying to 'nip it in the bud' now before things get out of hand... look at the craziness in sports celebration and taunting rules now in affect due to things having gotten out of hand in pro football. I think the officials are correct in putting their foot down now as the game becomes more and more popular and gets more and more media coverage.

Click to expand...

but they're not doing anything about the celebrations. they are not penalizing people for taunting, just from dropping f-bombs, and displays of poker misconduct. I started this poll to prove a point, that the bahavior that they are penalizing isn't as bad as what they're letting people get away with. They're trying to make poker a game for the family, so they dump the swearing, but they keep the petty conflicts and childish arguments, because that's drama, and that makes good TV. It's not about what makes sense anymore, it's about what the sponcers want and what gets ratings. i'm sorry, but it makes me sad.

-n

It's the crying I can't stand...
Cant they find a good game o parcheezi or something?

Crying should get you kicked out.
PS the WSOP sucks.

The championship should have always been a mixed game. Now it's a holdem festival. They are not even running half the other games.

THanks Harrahs. For making the world series of Texas Holdem.

Bring back the world series of poker, Mr. Binion where are you?

Bill

Was anyone here as suprised as I was that Mike Matusow took his losses as well as he did? I was very impressed with him all the way through. Always kind of a smart ass, but compaired to some, he was almost humble.

-n

although swearing is not appropriate ettiquette at the wsop nobody wants to hear phils whining over every hand....."if luck wasnt involved id win everyone" i really dislike phil

The dude I can't stand is the guy they call the "Sheik". Sheikian or something. Just bitter & rude. No joking. Just serious non-poker insults & whining. First he got into it with that lady from London. Then he tried to tangle with "The Mouth". He did nothing but make himself look like an A** on TV. He makes Phil & Mike look like Steve Martin & Dan Akroyd. At least Phil & Mike can joke about how worked up they get.

I'd love to have these fellas trying that shit with me,trash talk,swearing etc just bring it on.The industries i've worked in are full of this stuff and i'd have them crying in ten minutes flat.
Mike the mouth is the biggest arsehole in poker but to be honest playing the wsop is not an ambition of mine.Its a big love in for the overhyped and overrated american pros who try to outdo each other for tv time.
Gives me an idea for a thread though.