Posted by Editor | Filed under FTOPS, Gavin Smith
I made sure to watch Gavin Smith’s Pro Chat on February 15. As I’ve written before, ANYTHING can come out of Gavin Smith’s mouth. I expected nothing less in the Pro Chat and was not disappointed.
One of the cardinal rules of gambling is that you should never ask a poker player what you should do with your money. Repentigny_54 asked Gavin, “I have been able to build my bankroll to over $75K in one and a half years playing PLO, NLHE & NLHE cash games and MTT. I was wondering about taking a crack at the games in Atlantic City. . . Any advice?
Gavin replied, “Yea you should loan it to me before you lose it.”
In contrast, Smith had no use for someone asking for money. Chris Penfield asked, “Have you ever staked somebody you just met through this site for a tournament out of the sheer goodness of your heart? If you haven’t, would you like to?”
“No I haven’t and no I don’t want to.”
Initially, Gavin seemed reluctant to share insights about strategy, other than that he was capable of doing anything, anytime. NickCC asked, “What do you call someone that calls a pre-flop raise with T-8o? And then goes all-in on a draw, first hand?”
“Gavin Smith.”
Another player asked, “Do you play A-8s in middle position?” Gavin replied, “In any position.”
Eventually, however, Gavin dispensed some great advice – especially if you read between the lines. Luckyshot05 asked. “I’ve been trying to plug leaks in my game, and one problem I have is sniffing out a set. Any advice on how to spot a set?”
Gavin told him, “Stop smelling and start watching.”
He also had an unexpected tip on one of the game’s intangibles. jhodge04 asked, “Is there any way to get better at putting people on hands besides a lot of experience?” Gavin replied, “Experience is best, but trying playing hands through your mind at the end of sessions, and that will go a long way toward helping you follow hands.”
The best advice he gave was when asked by DeLaSoya what books he recommended for improving someone’s poker game. Smith recommended just one, “The Full Tilt Strategy Guide.”
In general, Gavin followed the gambler’s code about downplaying his abilities and successes. To me, this puts Gavin Smith squarely in the category of “old school” professionals. Between ego and reputation and the impulse toward promotion, a lot of poker pros have forgotten or de-emphasized the idea that you get more action appearing to be an incompetent bumbler than money-sucking machine. I_Tend_To_Win asked, “Why are you so under-rated and when are you gonna get a bracelet?” Gavin told him, “I think I am over-rated.” Responding to the very next question, about his golf game, he said, “I am not very good.” (He did let slip a little later, though, that his best score was 77, which seems very good to me. Given a chance, though, Smith might tell you that was for nine holes, or for miniature golf.)
Of course, sometimes he found it impossible to resist. Wrap Pat on Cod4 asked, “Are you better than Jeff Madsen?” Gavin responded, “Yes of course I am.” Even though, when asked who is the biggest “playa” with the ladies and he said “Greg Raymer,” Gavin had this answer when asked, “Who is the sexiest man professional poker player?”
“Me obviously.”
Finally, Gavin displayed a level of self knowledge that is usually common among top players only at the table. Chris Penfield asked, “What is unique about you as a poker player that distinguishes you from the rest?”
Gavin Smith knows: “I am just myself at all times.”
Popularity: 2% [?]
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...3 Responses to “#971 – Words of Wisdom from Gavin Smith”
-
Jonathan Says:
February 24th, 2010 at 11:48 amI bet that anything we loan to Gavin would have a better ROI than most business ventures. LOL! Funny guy!
-
Nicholas Says:
February 26th, 2010 at 1:05 pmOld school indeed. Don’t you just love it when someone who appears so ordinary beat those all-knowing, i-am-the-greatest types? Then you see their faces afterwards like they can’t believe it. LOL!
-
The Diet Solution Program Says:
December 18th, 2010 at 8:36 pmSimply saying thanks won’t just be enough, for the wonderful readability in your documentation. I will instantly grab your rss feed to remain knowledgeable of any updates. Admirable work and far success in your online business endeavors!
Leave a Reply
Most Popular Posts
- Last Place Pays Freeroll Shootouts
- Ted Forrest: I Wanted To Show That The Impossible Was Possible - #1109 - 2010 WSOP #90
- One Wants to Die ... - #1111 - 2010 WSOP #92
- #1023 - 2010 WSOP #4 - Seen and Heard at the Series #4 - Banned Forever
- Summary - The Ted Forrest-Mike Matusow Weight-Loss Prop Bet of 2010 - #1117 - 2010 WSOP #98
