Poker From The Rail

Almost $5 million

Over $400K

Our survey says that $5 million is greater than $400K. Congratulations Gavin Smith, you’ve just won our first category of the day! But don’t get too cocky yet Gavin, there’s still plenty of riveting action to come.

1 WPT title

Gavin had a pretty ridiculous run during season four of the WPT, winning one tourney and making two other final tables. He won Player of the Year honors for his play that year, deservedly so. Don’t overlook Traniello though; he’s a solid player who will most likely end up with a gold bracelet around his wrist one day. Until then, this category belongs to Gavin. The score stands at 2-0.

Does a Canadian say aboot? Hells yeah!

Does an Italian say something an Italian says? Hells yeah!

Both of these guys are excellent tourney players. Gavin is probably one of the more underrated players on the circuit, drawing more attention for his lifestyle than his play. Don’t let Gavin’s demeanor fool you, he’s a shark at the table. And Traniello is no slouch either, as he set a record for number of cashes at the WSOP in 2005. But once again, until Traniello can take down a tourney rather than just make the money, this category has to go to Smith.

Loves to hit up the side games at all the major tourneys.

Learned the game from the best players in the world while playing in his wife’s home game.

In case you don’t know, Marco is married to Team Full Tilt’s Jen Harman. Yes, it does pay to know the right people. As for the matter at hand, the question here is who’s a better cash game player. As I’ve never had the opportunity to play in a cash game with either of these guys and they’re both known more as tourney players than cash game players, it’s a tough call to make. I’ll have to go with my gut on this one, and all my gut is saying right now is that it wants a burrito. Hey, I bet Gavin Smith likes burritos as well, let’s give this category to him. Gavin is running away with this one, the score stands at 4-0.

Drunken Boxing

Italian Smooth

I just want to make one thing perfectly clear here: we are not implying in any way that Gavin Smith is a lush. What we are implying is that Gavin loves to drink, and you know what? That’s perfectly fine with us (surprise, surprise). At any rate, Gavin’s drunken boxing style will surely take down Marco’s Italian smooth any day of the week. We are all in awe of the rum-fuelled mayhem Smith wreaks upon his opponents.

The Hairdresser

We have no idea where the nickname Birdguts comes from. And you know what? We don’t want to know. We will not pry into these mysteries with simian fingers, but rather let them pass quietly in the night. Marco actually has no nickname, but being that he was a hairdresser before turning into a poker player, we thought that would do. Either way you look at it, it’s very slim pickings in this category. I guess we’ll have to go with Gavin again here. Standard, IMO.

He loves the prop bet. Loves it!

Did we mention Marco was a former hairdresser? Enough said.

We wouldn’t go so far as to crown Gavin king of the prop bet, but he’s near the top of that short list. Then again, he has Joe Sebok’s initials tattooed on his shoulder, so that can’t be good (kids, don’t try this at home). And while the world needs as many hairdressers as it can possibly get, it’s safe to say Marco probably doesn’t miss his former life too much. As a hairdresser, sigh. Needless to say, Gavin takes down this category and leads by a score of 7-0. Somehow I don’t see Marco making a comeback in this one, but you never know.

Best friends with fellow Full Tilt Pro Erick Lindgren, who helped Gavin develop his game.

Married to Jen Harman, who helped Marco develop his game (and his children).

I might be going crazy, but I think I have to give this one to Marco. Nobody should be forced to eat a donut like this, especially not one gift wrapped by Gavin Smith. Don’t call it a comeback (really); the score is now 7-1 (hooray for pity points!).

Pro Tip #101 – “Table Talk”

No pro tips available (whoops, my bad!)

So I guess I screwed the pooch on this one. I honestly thought Marco had done at least one Pro Tip. Not to worry though, I swear from this moment forward I will make it my sole mission in life to get a Pro Tip from Marco up on the site. I will not rest until this happens, for it is my destiny (cue heroic journey music, I’m thinking “Fantastic Voyage” by Coolio). Until then, this category goes to good old Birdguts.