"Why would you spend your time writing informational blogs educating lesser players like myself, indirectly costing you money?"

Ummm, because he makes money as a teacher. It's a business for him dude.... and i'm sure his income from his teaching business is a lot more stable than poker profits.

Many people like to share knowledge. It makes people feel good about themselves to discuss something they are good at. It is both selfish and giving at the same time. Selfish because sometimes people share information so that they can get other's respect and attention. Giving because sometimes people truly want others to learn and enjoy something as much as they do. Either way, the general public benefits. PLUS, great poker will always be more instinct than math and systems and folding weak hands preflop. Great poker players are TALENTED, and all the studying in the world will not make Joe Schmoe into Gus Hansen or Phil Ivey. Just like all the practice in the world did not make Rudy (RUDY, RUDY, RUDY) into a great Notre Dame Football Player.

In short, there are many reasons they share, and I don't think any of those are malicous. I'm just glad they do. That being said, I do beleive that some of the information out there is incorrect - put out by people who THINK they are a great player but are not. We just have to use our own instinct to tell the difference.

Randy

Theres a time and a place for everything, well OK not everything but you get the point. Fox's article was right on and reminds me that even if it is once I've been busted out of a tourney still no need for tapping on the glass.

I have said this a lot recently and I think you are making a great point and it is difficult going against someone as respected as Fox. Fox is losing money by doing what he is doing. Where you are wrong however is how much he is losing.

I used to play a TON of HU poker. I recently started back and I am amazed at how people treat someone who draws out on them. But worse they begin to tell then how exactly they were wrong. Not only are they chasing away the fish but they are trying to make them better. What Fox does with his teachngs isn't close to that.

One of my favorite quotes of all time was by Roy cooke and I will have to paraphrase. He takes a pot off of a guy on an impossible draw and the guy looks at him and says "what the hell were you thinking?', Roy Cooke then says quietly to himself "hmmmm, I should be thinking."

I loved this article. Sometimes at a table I cringe from just these situations, whether online or live. (Seems even worse playing live) Too many peeps especially inexperienced, insecure ones want to be in the loop or perceived that way. So they watch poker on TV , hear the commentary and always have to tell other individuals what they did or are doing wrong. They need to QUIT IT. IN reference to Fox's articles and blogs, thats a different matter entirely. The fastest way to get better at something and expand your knowledge is to teach someone else how. And other posters are right about those looking to improve are not the same as having an opinion about your play shoved down your throat in a game. That either makes players improve or get uncomfortable and go away. I read through Daniel Negraneaus blogs about his background and coming up through the ranks. He refers to this one game where he and a few other guys were making a living off of some local fish. He makes it real clear those guys pretty much knew they were losing long term. Daniel and friends were very careful to make sure those guys had a good time. He likened it to being the host at a party where you want everybody to be comfortable and enjoy themselves. So those guys kept coming back cause they had a good time. WE all need to help those players HAVE A GOOD TIME so they will come back. Kat

Matt (moss4mvp),

Seems to me that Fox's article made a lot of sense. I disagree with the general tendencies and opinions you posted on this thread, though.

I commend Fox for putting in the effort to help us improve our games... just like I thank Beanie and grapsfan for their opinions, and many others for their contributions to the Pocket 5's site that I call home. There are even times when I myself attempt to enlighten other players the best I can through my limited abilities.

The fact is the vast majority of poker players possess no desire to improve their games through hard work. They just can't come to terms with poker being a lifetime lesson, and tend to look at an online poker career similar to the way they look at most Role-Playing video games... expecting to completely dominate in all aspects after "leveling-up".

Long-term, we'll ALL have to continue to adapt our play as the game evolves. Whether or not a player shares his/her insights has very little (if any at all) impact on the flavor and texture of the game in general. These articles primarily serve to lend helping hands to players who are genuinely interested in true progress (regardless of your specific opinion about a particular article or piece of advice).

In my opinion, if those of us who put our heart into this site can improve a fellow Pocket 5'ers game through our insights and experience (as well as learning from those same players and others on the site), then that's a great thing indeed! After all, that's what most of us are here for anyway.

As for changing the complexion on the online game in general, we shouldn't flatter ourselves... the combined power of ignorance and denial is much stronger than knowledge or prudence. In other words, we'll continue to try our best to be a positive influence - and while most players concentrate on the peripherals, we'll keep pounding away at what really counts: improvement and self-discovery.

David Huber
(dhubermex)

moss4mvp1010 brings up a good point actually. When I was first invited to write for P5's I talked to my business partner about it. He is a professional writer and had some good takes on it that convinced me not to worry too much.

1. As much as I would like to think I am brilliant (and often do) the fact is that I am very rarely giving out any information that isn't available through a quick google search and / or a trip to the bookstore. Players who want to learn and have the drive to become great players have the information available to them already. to quote my buddy Hatfield "The information is out there already, you just get to be the one presenting it and maybe make a little name for yourself."

2. Someone brought up ego. Good point. I certainly have one, though I do my best to keep it in check. When someone tells me they loved my article it makes me happy.

3. Something Adam said to me on messenger one day. "Writing helps my game." That's for sure. I find that being a scholar of the game and writing about things helps me to clarifiy them in my head. Writing definitely helps my game.

4. Articles like the Professor article may actually help my income as much as the educational articles hurt it. Less professors = more profit.

5. Other sources of income. A bit of notieriety from my writing helped me get students for awhile, though I have cut back on that because poker pays better. The writing also has the name of my site attached to it in thsi case, and every article helps get us more members so we can be an even better site and make a few bucks while we're at it.

6. I'm about halfway done with a book on no-limit cash games and I have a few connections in the publishing world through friends. If I achieve some notieriety through my writing, make some contacts, and increase sales of my book it's extra income as well.

7. Beanie pointed something out to me once. We were arguing about where the real money comes from in poker, and he said the big bucks come from being one of the big names that gets invited to play in those huge freerolls that pay a million bucks and get all over TV and in getting sponsorship deals. I'm usually right when Beanie and I disagree, but in this case he had a good point. Fame can lead to money if you get enough of it. There are some less than brilliant players who are famous these days, and those guys are getting paid well simply because of their fame.

I don't know if all of those things actually offset the money I amy cost myself by writing, but in my case I really enjoy doing it and I'm sure I will continue to do so even if it hurts my win rate slightly.

The point about false information is a good one as well. I have seen it happen with other writers, though it is very rare. I saw a few examples of it on the WPPC 2004 DVD I just got too. The best pros in the world sharing secrets on how to beat them? Nope. Mostly basic stuff and platitudes, though there were some very useful things in it. It was easy to see that some of the pros were holding back on giving away too much to the general public.

One of the most pointless articles written Mr. Fox, im sorry but how many times have i heard that. NOBODY cares

anything written by gigabet can be found on twoplustwo.com, doing a simple username search. oh, and by the way, open your mind and clear your thoughts.