49 Random Observations about Poker Today

So… yea. Seven years ago I started my journey with PokerNews as the site’s Editor-in-Chief. I can still remember the nerves, the excitement, and even panic I felt when the day I started. For those who don’t know me, I had cut my teeth in the poker industry as the Managing Editor and Editor-in-Chief of Bluff Magazine, so it was not like our industry was foreign to me — but at the time transitioning from a print-based magazine to an online poker portal was like learning a new language.

Luckily PokerNews had (and still has) a fantastic team of writers and editors in place that helped me find my way, and I’m very proud of how the site developed during my tenure as editor. As the industry shifted and PokerNews grew, I began taking on a different role with the company. I won’t bore you with the details, but it entailed a lot of behind the scenes development of our poker products, in addition to launching sites like CasinoSmash, BookieSmash, and FantasyWired — all of which I’m very proud of.

With Donnie Peters leaving us high and dry (just kidding Donnie, you know we still love you) the time seemed right to get involved more directly with PokerNews once again — not only work to maintain the level of quality on the site, but also to take some chances and bring about some exciting new offerings to our readers. Aside from what you’re already used to, my goals are simple: first, put some fun back into poker and make it easier and more accessible for new players to get started, and second give those who are eager to have their voice heard in our community a platform to connect with those who are eager to listen, learn, and debate.

Yea, I get it — I’m not shaking the earth with the above, but I think both are important ideas that we take for granted in the industry. We can sometimes miss things when we’re down on the playing field, so to speak. It’s similar to how coaches can see plays develop differently from the coaches’ boxes at the top of a stadium, rather than being on the sidelines. So here I am, taking some of what I’ve learned from up in the coaches’ box, and using that to try to provide a positive influence on the game of poker going forward. I’m extremely excited to work with the PokerNews team to continue to grow our community, and share this game with as many people as we can.

What else did I learn from the outside looking in? Seems like a good time to share a bunch of random thoughts and observations I’ve been collecting over the years. Although I have to admit — I’m totally terrified to share this on Twitter (see #7).

1. Poker lingo has become much more sophisticated over the years. Triple range merge? I remember when three-betting became a thing and thinking how complicated that was to explain. 2. It doesn’t matter what kind of hero you once were to poker, when you mess with poker players’ money, be prepared to be crushed (rightfully so) by the poker …

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