Poker Then and Now
This week, we'll be highlighting some of the changes the game of poker has gone through by comparing the past to the present.
Game Security
Then: Road games guarded by firearms.
Now: Casino cameras, encrypted passwords, and VPN devices.
Top Poker Strategy
Then: Super/System by Doyle Brunson
Now: CardRunners, PokerTips.org
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Figuring Out Your Opponents
Then: Observing
Now: Buying the right software
How to Complain About a Bad Beat
Then: Call Mom
Now: Post on Facebook
Sign You're a Baller
Then: Bills get paid, no outstanding debts, casino owner knows who you are.
Now: PP watch, six-figure sports car, stable of horses, condo in Vegas, 19 year old boys idolize you.
Most-Talented Age Group
Then: Mid- to late-thirties, early forties.
Now: Early twenties.
Jaw-Dropping Field Size
Then: 200
Now: 100,000
Best Poker Writer
Then: Andy Glazer
Now: Pauly
Paradise Poker
Then: Largest online poker room
Now: Defunct (??)
Plays Insane
Then: Stu Ungar
Now: Russians
How Little Delinquents Get-Around Being Underage
Then: Fake ID
Now: Create online account
Best Non-American Player
Then: Johnny Chan
Now: Nowhere close to consensus.
What to do when you Win a Bracelet
Then: Go to Spearmint Rhino
Now: Go to Spearmint Rhino
Place with the Most People Playing Poker
Then: Binion's in May.
Now: Zygna on Facebook any hour of the day.
Tournament Duration
Then: One long day
Now: Either four long days (live) or seven hours (online)
Number of Decent-Looking Girls in the Poker Room
Then: 0
Now: 2 if your standards are loose
Something for Nothing
Then: Sports-betting tip from the nearest degenerate.
Now: $8 at 888 Poker.
Mecca of Poker
Then: Vegas
Now: Your living room.
What People Talk About on Breaks
Then: Whether Chicago will cover four points.
Now: Whether they should have gone for more river value with their flush.
Best Poker Movie
Then: Cool Hand Luke
Now: Rounders
Biggest Celebrity Serious About Poker
Then: Gabe Kaplan
Now: Emmitt Smith, Matt Damon, Shane Warne
Nicest Guy x Best Player
Then: Erik Seidel
Now: Erik Seidel
In the Air
Then: Cigarette smoke
Now: Soapy perfume
Typical Leak
Then: Pit games, strippers, and coke.
Now: Playing too many tables, bad game selection, poor focus, bad bankroll management, unhealthy lifestyle.
Poker's Biggest Legal Opponent
Then: The Texas Rangers
Now: Republicans on Capitol Hill
How to Get Fans
Then: Throw the best parties
Now: Update Twitter regularly
Maximum Number of Online Tables
Then: One
Now: Thirty
Funniest Thing in Poker
Then: Scotty Nguyen's table talk
Now: The Micros, Internet memes, and Xtranormal videos
Justice for Cheaters
Then: Broken bones, facial lacerations.
Now: Forum post, status quo.
In the Typical Player's Pockets
Then: Cigarettes, sports-betting ticket, lucky gold coin.
Now: Cigarettes, smart phone, high-denomination chip.
Best Poker News
Then: CardPlayer monthly newsletter magazine
Now: PokerNewsDaily.com
Emerging Market
Then: People from L.A.
Now: Brazil, Russia, maybe even China.
Poker's Grandfather
Then: Doyle Brunson
Now: Doyle Brunson
Best Vegas Poker Room
Then: Binion's Horseshoe
Now: Bellagio or Aria