Mike Sexton calls out fellow pros

Mike Sexton calls out fellow pros

Thursday, 19 April 2012

Mike Sexton has taken to his blog to call out some of his fellow poker pros for what he perceives to be a lack of professionalism.

The Poker Hall of Famer wrote, “I feel many have no vision for the future or an understanding of the present. They can’t see the forest for the trees. They don’t see the big picture – growing our industry and making it a better place to play and/or work in and doing what it takes to bring sponsorship into the poker world. They just live in their own little worlds.”


Among the issues raised by the face of the World Poker Tour were the media friendliness of players and perhaps most controversially, standards of dress. “At ... final tables this season, I’ve seen players wearing shorts and flip-flops. Look, I played poker for a living for a long time. I understand wanting to be comfortable while you’re playing, etc. Is it to much, however, to expect players to wear collared shirts, long pants, and shoes and socks on a televised final table?” wrote Sexton, “If you were a corporation contemplating where to put advertising and marketing money, would it be with unshaven, irresponsible, and slobbish looking poker players? I doubt it.”


Sexton outlined a number or proposals that he considers would improve the game for the players involved and ultimately the wider poker community.


Be professional (such as being courteous to poker staffs and not verbally abuse other players),
1. Be responsible and on time,
2. Fulfill all media requests,
3. Sign autographs and take pictures with fans when asked,
4. If you’re fortunate enough to make televised final tables, dress nicely,
5. Continue to support charity events and
6. If poker is your profession, to paraphrase John Kennedy, “Ask not what the poker industry can do for you, ask what you can do for the poker industry.”


Read the full blog here.


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Tags: Mike Sexton, World Poker Tour