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ekgbeat
Legend
Bronze Level
Overall for the game of Poker: I thought that Will was great for the game. People at work who could normally careless about poker was talking about the broadcast. Not saying that he is going to start the next poker boom, but it's good that people who are not poker player are talking about poker.
I don't understand why everyone is so angry about his "speech play". He does the same thing that Daniel Negreanu does with the exception of understanding when to stop talking. Daniel only does this because he is in the public light as the ambassador for poker. If you watch video of him before he was an ambassador, then you might find yourself saying "Hmmm, that's something that Will would do". Also stories of Daniel early days in poker are not flattering when it comes to his speech play. Just keep that in mind when you are condemning Will.
I don't understand why everyone is so angry about his "speech play". He does the same thing that Daniel Negreanu does with the exception of understanding when to stop talking. Daniel only does this because he is in the public light as the ambassador for poker. If you watch video of him before he was an ambassador, then you might find yourself saying "Hmmm, that's something that Will would do". Also stories of Daniel early days in poker are not flattering when it comes to his speech play. Just keep that in mind when you are condemning Will.
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ekgbeat
Legend
Bronze Level
+1 ^^^^
CC did a great write up about how Will is breaking into the general media. GG Will, GG.
https://www.cardschat.com/news/will-kassouf-wsop-main-event-national-attention-abusive-behavior-34392
CC did a great write up about how Will is breaking into the general media. GG Will, GG.
https://www.cardschat.com/news/will-kassouf-wsop-main-event-national-attention-abusive-behavior-34392
papi1207
Legend
Silver Level
I agree, he is breeze of fresh air among those borred players who was crying and complaining when William dominated them, and was the only one interresting to watch. Feel very sad when he is bustted
Propane Goat
Grinder and paint make me the welder I ain't
Moderator
Just watched that episode last night, Benger made a total ass of himself when he blew up. Was Kassouf out of line sitting there and running his gums forever when this was a snap-call/shove with KK and his stack size? I think you can argue that he was, when also counting the constant tanking before even looking at his cards, but Benger had the choice of whether or not to let Kassouf push his buttons and he let Kassouf get under his skin.
T
TFing
Rising Star
Bronze Level
Benger blowup was calculated to entice Kassouf to call. He didn't put him on KK more like QQ his little blowup was to entice QQ to call.
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underdog140
Legend
Silver Level
I doubt that, since his blow up continued after the call.
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gypsytt44
Rising Star
Bronze Level
to me i didnt see anything he did wrong hes playing poker nobody says anything when phil helmuth talks or takes his time on a hand or phil lack so its ok for him but not for kassouf give me a break daniel naugreug takes a long time on hands when he stumped then he gets to talking and sammy also kassouf was playing poker the irratated ones was low anyway hope he gets all their chips
teepack
Legend
Bronze Level
My biggest complaint with Kassouf was his incessant tanking. He never got any useful information out of anybody when he was talking. He just delayed the game for everybody. talk all you want, but play your damn cards.
I do think Benger kind of lost it, but I wonder if he was trying to goad Kassouf into calling. Benger had the absolute coconuts, he was ahead at the moment, and he wanted Kassouf to call. And he didn't launch into his tirade until right after the clock was called. I found the timing curious to say the least. If you watch Kassouf, he's really not even thinking about his hand and rushes into his shove. But then again, he knew he was going to shove as soon as Benger re-raised him, so him waiting so long that someone called the clock on him is just another example of him being a jerk.
Plus you have to remember that the TV show is edited, so there is really no telling how long Kassouf took until the clock was called.
I do think Benger kind of lost it, but I wonder if he was trying to goad Kassouf into calling. Benger had the absolute coconuts, he was ahead at the moment, and he wanted Kassouf to call. And he didn't launch into his tirade until right after the clock was called. I found the timing curious to say the least. If you watch Kassouf, he's really not even thinking about his hand and rushes into his shove. But then again, he knew he was going to shove as soon as Benger re-raised him, so him waiting so long that someone called the clock on him is just another example of him being a jerk.
Plus you have to remember that the TV show is edited, so there is really no telling how long Kassouf took until the clock was called.
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Propane Goat
Grinder and paint make me the welder I ain't
Moderator
That's what I thought at first, and I thought it was a really good move, but Benger kept yelling and posturing after the cards were turned over so that changed everything. If he had started laughing instead that would have been soooo sick......and Kassouf might have blown up at that point, who knows?
Shumkoolie
Legend
Silver Level
At first, I thought so as well, but he kept saying the same script over and over. It's like watching the same episode of a TV show or listening to the same song way too many times. It starts to get old, then the act wears thin.....no better than hooded mutes at the table.
Then you factor in his stalling of the game and it's terrible for poker.
At least be dynamic and say different things, then I'd be alright with it.
Kenny Hallaert was interviewed on the 2+2 Pokercast recently and he was saying that what bothered the players more was the constant delaying of the game. If your playing 20-30% fewer hands than other tables, that's an issue.
It's NOT just William's fault, as others do the exact same thing too. It should be interesting to see what is going to be done to combat that.
None of those guys you mentioned stall the game like Kassouf does.
Daniel Negreanu only takes times when he actually needs it, not on every single hand, every single street. Same with Hellmuth and Laak.
The constant tanking every single hand and street is the biggest problem I have with him. He can talk all he wants, but play at a reasonable pace. If you NEED to tank for a big decision, I have no problem with that, but you can't be afforded that every single hand because you are not faced with a big decision every time.
But you're also right in that it is edited for TV, but I'd have to say that it still does paint a fairly accurate picture of what happened. Multiple players said the same thing, though where I also take issue is when you resort to being insulting to Kassouf. But that's where the tournament staff dropped the ball.
That said, I'm really looking forward to the final table. There's going to be some great (maybe not so great) poker played, with a very interesting mix of players. You have the amateur (Fernando Pons) who I hope doubles up to see how he plays with 20-25+ big blinds, two close friends (Gordon Vayo and Jerry Wong), a Belgian tournament director who has enjoyed success in HUGE tournament fields previously (Kenny Hallaert), the raccoon hat sporting baccarat gambler (Qui Nguyen), New Jersey pro (Michael Ruane), Czech player Vojtech Ruzicka, GPL commentator and proficient video gamer (and perhaps villain of the final table) Griffin Benger, and online MTT legend and multiple wsop bracelet winner, formerly known as JohnnyBax, Cliff Josephy.
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dlam
Visionary
Silver Level
Just catching up on the all the Kassouf antics on YouTube and I do think he's entertaining for TV but I would be more annoyed and less entertained if I was sitting at the same table with him.
I think what would upset me isn't so much the tanking. As there are a lot of quiet players that tank. It's the non stop verbal Banting when the action on the other player. I think they have a right to tell him to shut up and time clock used more often.
I think what would upset me isn't so much the tanking. As there are a lot of quiet players that tank. It's the non stop verbal Banting when the action on the other player. I think they have a right to tell him to shut up and time clock used more often.
Shumkoolie
Legend
Silver Level
Alex Keating wasn't interesting to watch? He was quite a character as well, AND more importantly, he didn't stall the game, which is Kassouf's biggest issue. If Kassouf didn't stall the game so much, I'd have less of an issue with him.
But when I listened to the Pokernews recap of the WSOP final table, I think they summed it up best. Kassouf was a part of the event, but as the final table played out, his storyline faded justifiably because there was some excellent poker player by the final 9, and the pace of play was very reasonable.
I like characters too as part of the coverage, but as long as they're not doing anything to the detriment of the game (stalling being the biggest detriment to the game today).
If I see Kassouf in next year's coverage, I won't mind. I just hope that he's not taking so long for EVERY SINGLE decision, and he at least has some new material when he talks, because it got pretty dull fast. It was the same act over and over, and that in itself is no better than those that sit there like mutes and exude little to no personality (though they're not there to entertain us as a TV audience, they're there to play and win money so I don't begrude them of that either).
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Rodrigo sampaio
Enthusiast
Silver Level
disqualified
Is a tactic he uses that favors his game a lot, I hate playing with people like that. I ended up losing patience and ended up being more prone to mistakes, so I think he abused a bit of it and so it was put on a few times. In a few moments I even thought he deserved to be disqualified, but he will understand
Is a tactic he uses that favors his game a lot, I hate playing with people like that. I ended up losing patience and ended up being more prone to mistakes, so I think he abused a bit of it and so it was put on a few times. In a few moments I even thought he deserved to be disqualified, but he will understand
t1riel
Legend
Silver Level
The last hand where the guy who took him out (can't remember his name) started accusing him of verbal abuse was out of line. I don't remember Kassouf calling anyone names or insulted them to the point of verbal abuse. It's clear Kassouf got under his skin.
The rest of the table got a little ridicoulous too. Don't let him think he is getting to you. Say nothing, call clock if he takes too long and focus on your game so he can take his chips.
Yes, Kassouf can be an asshole who can't shut up but I know lots of players like that when I play. You have to stay focused which is what Kassouf was trying to prevent his opponents in doing.
strodawg
Rock Star
Silver Level
My opinion
I think the guy put on a show. He made me laugh. I myself don't like the blind times get eaten up, but I also think it was totally fair play. Everyone get a certain amount of time to make a decision and whether that decision can be made quick or not. It's their time to do what they want. I believe everyone over reacted on his speech play. Everyone can ignore him and not respond. Everyone else has the same right to table talk as long as its said on what could be not what it is. Like flipping a card is what it is and if one wants to suggest what another could have aloud is what could be. some ppl can think in their head and other have to talk to themselves. When he directed a suggestion to someone asking "what you got, can u beat, ect." Thats the wrong speech to use. But their were times he said "u could have, if u got I could, ect." I am quiet honestly but someone talking to me has no affect.
I think the guy put on a show. He made me laugh. I myself don't like the blind times get eaten up, but I also think it was totally fair play. Everyone get a certain amount of time to make a decision and whether that decision can be made quick or not. It's their time to do what they want. I believe everyone over reacted on his speech play. Everyone can ignore him and not respond. Everyone else has the same right to table talk as long as its said on what could be not what it is. Like flipping a card is what it is and if one wants to suggest what another could have aloud is what could be. some ppl can think in their head and other have to talk to themselves. When he directed a suggestion to someone asking "what you got, can u beat, ect." Thats the wrong speech to use. But their were times he said "u could have, if u got I could, ect." I am quiet honestly but someone talking to me has no affect.