Answers from Barry Greenstein!

[RailJoe]

chievo85:
Why did you start playing poker and when did you realize that you were good at it?

I started at age 12 and always did well, so I at least knew I was better than my opponents.


megakillah:
Who, in your opinion, is the best high stakes player?

I think the concept of ”best” is flawed. ”What is the best movie” doesn’t make sense to me either. No one is the best in all poker situations.


Rebonius:
Would you rather win $5 million against Guy Laliberte in a cash-game or $3 million in the WSOP HORSE $50k event?

I like Guy, and so I would take less money from somewhere else.


Supertequila:
In your book, and when you comment on poker, you emphasize always betting turn when called on the flop. This goes against the idea of pot control with a marginal hand, but you maintain that the meta game aspects of turn aggression overweighs advantages of pot control. Would you like to elaborate on that?

I pick up enough pots when I have nothing to compensate for the other situations.


Kape:
For what amount would you quit playing poker?

I can’t be bought. I do what I want to do.


sturedenstore:
For how long do you think that poker will continue to grow, and do you think it will become as big in Asia as it has in Europe and the USA?

I don’t expect poker to get as big in Asia, because they already have their traditional gambling games.


Ingerik: (winning question)
If you were the only one allowed to add unlimited starting stacks of $10k each to your stack before the WSOP main event in 2008, how many would you buy and why?

I wouldn’t want to win with an unfair advantage, so I would decline the offer.


TRB1965: (winning question)
If you have to single one aspect of the game that most amateur players are deficient at out, what would that aspect be and what advice would you give those players on improving that aspect of play?

Beginners need to learn better hand selection, and intermediate players should study betting patterns and amounts of better players.


Duhstin: (winning question)
If you could say one last thing to Chip Reese, what would it be?

You weren’t suppose to leave. The game wasn’t over.


icecoldkiller:
Some people think that premier players, like yourself, play the major tournaments just to win "bracelets" rather than to win money. What is your response to this?

Take away the prize pool and see how many of us show up!


wheeler02:
Sometimes my heart gets to beating so hard I know the other players can hear it. Does this happen to you? What you do to calm your nerves when you are sitting at a table?

The more you play the less stressful playing will be. It’s old hat for me.


NBoy2: (winning question)
Personally, I have learned a lot of poker etiquette from your publications and articles. Honestly, what do you think of the current standard of etiquette, both online and live?

Actually, I think most of the young players are well behaved. Poker is in good hands.


yannick501:
What do you think about Annette Obrestad? Do you think you could win a MTT without looking at your cards like she did?

I sometimes look at my cards to make sure my hand isn’t too good to raise in the dark.


StormLindgren:
If you could set up your Dream Final Table, what players would be on it and why? Also on that Final Table if you made HU, who would you want your opponent to be?

I would be content to be up against bad players to win money, but other than that I would want my son Joe there at the end.


watchdog26:
Barry, I hear that Phil Ivey beat your high score on your own Pacman game at your house, is this true? How did that sit with you?

Phil is world class at PacMan.


Stan7777:
Several years ago, you were the leader after day 1 of the WSOP Main Event - a remarkable accomplishment in its own right. Could you please discuss why the day 1 leader fails to win this tourney year after year? Generally, you would think having the big stack and being able to play bully poker would be a huge advantage.

I still had only 1% of the chips. It’s a long tournament and you need good things to happen for several days. I was probably the favorite against any individual player at that point, but I was still a 50 – 1 underdog against the field.

[sohail]

I asked the question, but I didn't get the answer. I thought it was a fair and very important question. Why would you disregard it?

[astrogini]

Originally Posted by sohail

I asked the question, but I didn't get the answer. I thought it was a fair and very important question. Why would you disregard it?

There were many questions by other members as well. I'm sure it was a tough decision for them to choose which ones to present (assuming that's how it was done)to him to answer as there was many great questions presented.


Great answers! Thank you.

[StiveG]

Nice interview

Congrats!

[icecoldkiller]

nice selection of questions, too bad everyone selected could not win a prize. It was nice though that you picked a good range of questions so we could learn more about the subject.

I really like the questions to pros and answers from them, hope more is coming. Lmao Phil Ivey is world class at Pac Man

[alanchiras]

I worship the ground this big hearted man walks on and thought that most of the answers showed that he has calm confidence. i DID see that the one question he gave the swerve to was about my favorate teen-ager Annette. I think a lot of Poker Pros fear her 21ST birthday party.

The Annette Show anyone?

Barry Greenstein is a man at peace with himself and the world.

Refreshing.

Thanks! Alan Chiras.

[watchdog26]

I thought railjoe picked a good variety of questions. Good job.

C'mon how many of you knew the Phil Ivey busted his high score on pacman on his own machine?

[Supertramp77]

Great Answers from a World Class Poker Pro!

[Dragoneyes]

Originally Posted by alanchiras

I worship the ground this big hearted man walks on and thought that most of the answers showed that he has calm confidence. i DID see that the one question he gave the swerve to was about my favorate teen-ager Annette. I think a lot of Poker Pros fear her 21ST birthday party.

The Annette Show anyone?

Barry Greenstein is a man at peace with himself and the world.

Refreshing.

Thanks! Alan Chiras.

sorry my friend, you got this bit wrong....

poker pro's dont fear her...EVERYONE DOES
the moment she turns 21, poker (should) turn on its head, litrally

anyway, smashin answers barry, nice work

(i actually once sat in the same tournament as Annette_15...i feared the moment i reached her table, sorry to say)