Unsavory behavior

“This guy is a raving lunatic,” said commentator Nick Schulman about the self-anointed King of LA, poker’s newest bad boy Nikhil Arcot as he downed his umpteenth glass of Pinot Noir during a tumultuous seven hours in the PokerGO studio. 

Nik ‘Airball,’ as Arcot is better known, brought his signature smack-talk and rowdiness to proceedings from the get-go but as the wine took its toll, his schtick disintegrated into naked bravado and idiocy. It was noteworthy that his goader and cheerleader Doug Polk and Lynne Ji eventually stopped egging him on as it became apparent that he was off the rails, a dancing, shouting, burping buffoon. 

poker for the ‘Love Is Blind’ generation

It was a glorious circus and an inglorious horror-show, compelling viewing that revealed the worst of poker. It was not just madness but the cause of madness in others. It was poker for the ‘Love Is Blind’ generation except it was the audience that wanted to pluck out their eyes. 

Poker beefs

Needless to say, poker is a competitive endeavour and with competition comes rivalry and with rivalry sometimes you get genuine animosity between players. Poker players are a diverse bunch, coming from all walks of life with a variety of world views so, off the felt, there is probably more conflict than you would find in other communities too. 

Right now, it does feel like we are more polarized than ever before with arguments and disagreements between members of the community receiving more attention than the actual playing of the game we all love. These beefs dominate poker Twitter, occasionally spilling over to the felt. 

Whether it is real beef or manufactured beef, shows like Hustler’s ‘Max-Pain Monday’ have leaned into the professional wrestling model, accentuating the pre-game verbal altercations to spice up the eventual on-felt activities. The concern is, however, that while conflict is certainly the key to riveting drama, it can also put off a lot of people. 

there are a lot of people who are intimidated by the obnoxious carry-on”

My fellow VegasSlotsOnline News contributor Dara O’Kearney is fed up of the “for clicks” justification. In an upcoming episode of ‘The Chip Race,’ he says “this sort of behaviour might encourage people to watch poker but I don’t think it makes many want to play it. I know from personal experience of coaching students that there are a lot of people who are intimidated by the obnoxious carry-on. Worryingly, this group trends heavily towards demographics already underrepresented live, like females.”

Negreanu’s beefs cost him millions

Historically, one of the biggest poker beefs was between two of the games biggest content creators, veteran Daniel Negreanu and heads-up specialist Doug Polk. In July 2020, Negreanu finally had enough of Polk’s relentless jibes and accepted a challenge to play him heads-up. Seven months later, Polk had learned an important lesson about the price of trolling as he backed up the truck to the tune of $1.2m. 

Negreanu may have lost a chunk of money but, in taking on Polk, he learned a lot about the modern game. He was keen to demonstrate those new skills by reigniting an old rivalry with Phil Hellmuth. ‘The Poker Brat’ obliged and a rejuvenated Negreanu had his fish on the hook for a High Stakes Dual. 

The build-up involved a lot of boisterousness as Negreanu relentlessly criticized his rival’s belief in ‘white magic’ and questioned his record against tougher opposition. “On the major league high roller circuit, he cannot win,” said Negreanu, adding: “He may have been a GOAT of his era, but that era is long gone.” Negreanu also boasted of the additional side action he was taking on himself in the match. 

Hellmuth won 3:0 for a $350,000 combined win

In response, Hellmuth was cordial, respectful and complimentary of Negreanu and when the matches finally took place between March and June 2021, Hellmuth won 3:0 for a $350,000 combined win. “Where’s the window, baby?” said an almost giggly Phil Hellmuth, after completing the High Stakes Dual II whitewash. 

A World’s Fair of grudge matches

Other famous poker feuds include those between Polk and Charlie Carrel, Polk and Fernando ‘JNandez,’ Habegger and, more recently, Polk and Matt Berkey. There is also plenty of friction between Berkey and Nik Airball, Berkey and Ji, and Berkey and Eric Persson. It is against that backdrop that a live High Stakes Poker line-up was concocted by PokerGO Director of Programming Brett Hanks.

On April 17th, Schulman took to Twitter to break the news:

Billed as the World’s Fair of grudge matches, PokerGO had a hunch how things might go:

On Thursday night, Jean-Robert Bellande, Rob Yong, and Jennifer Tilly took their seats alongside the potentially explosive quintet of Polk, Persson, Ji, Berkey and Nik Airball. It was a tinderbox but some speculated that, in person, the players would adopt a more civil tone. Those thoughts were quickly cast aside when Berkey and Nik Airball clashed during the first orbit. 

Airball versus Berkey

Nik Airball is an investment banker and regular in The Hustler Casino Live cash game. He has risen to prominence in the past year for his brash and rambunctious demeanour and, more recently, thanks to an appearance on Doug Polk’s podcast on which he called Berkey a scammer. 

“When you run a training site and you can’t beat the games, you’re a scammer. You’re selling bullshit.

It just is what it is, you’re a scam-artist.”

It was spurious reasoning from Nik Airball whose sense of entitlement seemingly extends to the idea that poker players should just drop whatever they are doing and travel to LA to play him when he hollers. The whole incident wreaked of clout-chasing but in the end, Berkey took the bait, albeit under his own revised terms. 

Berkey offered to play Airball at the Bellagio at stakes of $200/400 every day for a month. Polk then offered himself as a replacement to which Berkey replied: 

“We’ll roll the red carpet out for you to come play full ring you washed up geezer. No one ever has nor ever will duck you in ring games. Stay in your lane.”

The fighting talk continued and after trading several more barbs on podcasts and on Twitter, the two combatants finally decided on a heads-up ‘death-match.’ They also mutually agreed on an arbitrator for future disputes. 

Enter Galfond

Run It Once founder Phil Galfond was asked to perform in the unenviable position of arbitrator for the grudge match. One of his first mediations was a potential deal-breaker for Berkey who refused to allow Nik Airball to have his friend Eshaan Bhalla on the rail. Galfond shared to Twitter how the negotiations were going:

After that issue was resolved, Galfond posted that the pair had agreed on a 100-hour match at stakes of $200/$400-$400 with a $100k minimum buy-in. They would play three sessions per week with 6.5 hours per session. Either player can quit if down $1m and there would be a $10,000 penalty for a missed session or quitting early. The match began on April 2 but not before the pair went toe to toe for a bizarre weigh-in of sorts:

Since then, there have been several more disputes over Nik Airball’s egregious break-taking and Berkey exposing hands at showdown. However, all in all, Galfond seems to be keeping the match on track. At the half-way point, Berkey is up $306,800 as the two combatants took their rivalry to a different location and a wider audience. 

Shots fired early on High Stakes Poker 

PokerGO aired seven hours of poker pantomime but it only took a few minutes to witness a clash between Berkey and Nik Airball. The former set his trap, limping blind versus blind with pocket Aces only to fall into that trap himself when the latter made a flush on the river. A $100,000 stack was shipped to Nik Airball but not quickly enough for his liking:

Although keen to participate in all of the banter going on, Polk who has been helping Nik Airball in his grudge match, was somewhat restrained when it came to Berkey. Polk insisted that he had nothing personal against him but rather his issues stemmed from how Berkey had negatively mischaracterized aspects of his new card club ‘The Lodge.’ 

For his part, Berkey mostly blanked Polk and the incessant cackling from Nik Airball and Ji. He was very much dialled into the poker, although on a Twitter Spaces after the session, he made it abundantly clear that his issues with Polk are personal, saying: “I really despise him.” 

Drinks flowing, pots growing 

As the night wore on, the drinks were flowing and the pots were growing. The deck served up some coolers as Tilly lost a few but then took a chunky one off Berkey. Then Yong and later Persson took big ones off Polk. Bellande bled all night until getting lucky with pocket Sixes versus Nik Airball’s pocket Aces in the final orbit. 

Doug realized that he might on the wrong side of history

While the chips were certainly flying, it’s fair to say that the real story to emerge was the degeneracy of Nik Airball who was loud and obnoxious, badgering his opponents at every turn. As he got messier, it seemed as if perhaps Doug realized that he might on the wrong side of history:

The session ended on a rather bizarre note with Nik Airball losing an unnecessarily large pot to the always classy Tilly but not before he wasted eight full minutes tanking whether he would call off another $87,000 with a deuce-high flush draw. Throughout the spot, it was unclear whether he had misread his hand or if he was genuinely considering a moment of madness. In any case, the clock was called by a clearly unimpressed Polk and a line was finally drawn under the torrid affair. 

Rubbernecking 

A few weeks ago, Vanessa Kade said: “Twitter has been such a terrible shit-show this week” and when I saw that I thought ‘what an evergreen tweet.’ The level of discourse has devolved into something more resembling school yard exchanges between people who should know better and it is unclear whether this episode of High Stakes Poker was either an extension of that or a lancing of that boil. 

The next morning, Polk expressed the dilemma facing livestream creators as it is undeniable that there were people who enjoyed the stream and people who were repulsed by the stream but rubbernecked it regardless:

I’ve been trying to focus on how we can put out the best poker stream we can. Here are the notes based on feedback.

– No quiet players
– No loud players
– Relatable stakes
– Six figure pots
– Excellent commentary
– No commentators
– Players Drinking
– Players not Drinking…

— Doug Polk (@DougPolkVids) April 28, 2023

In that segment for ‘The Chip Race,’ O’Kearney follows up by saying: “I do my best to dispel the idea that everyone who plays live is an asshole but it’s swimming against the current of all this supposed content.”

My own take is there is probably space for all types of poker streams, including this one, but it was disappointing to see an esteemed show like High Stakes Poker sully it’s brand by embracing the values of ‘The Jerry Springer Show.’ It is sadder still to think that PokerGO believed that they needed to co-opt the professional wrestling model to compete with the likes of Hustler Live. 

Final thoughts

In WWE wrestling, the storylines are written and the wrestlers are actors. In that sense, they follow the script and get paid for their performances. In livestream poker, however, the players are risking theirs and sometimes other people’s money while also playing the game within the game. The goal of that secondary game is achieving poker notoriety which can also bring supplementary revenue streams but is also desired by many in and of itself. 

everyone involved in today’s high profile poker beefs has something to sell

It cannot be ignored that pretty much everyone involved in today’s high profile poker beefs has something to sell. It also cannot be ignored that the livestream producers also have a product to sell. The issue is whether those objectives run in line with or afoul of the broader goal of selling poker to a wider audience. 

For better or worse, this episode of High Stakes Poker has brought eyeballs to poker. The question remains whether it will put bums on cash game seats or if it has just cast us as a bunch of dickish high-schoolers and fame-hungry wannabe reality TV stars with whom nobody would want to spend their recreational time. 

The post High Stakes Poker Live Was a Grippingly Entertaining Painfully Unwatchable Mess appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

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Games have been a part of human history for thousands of years. Evidence proves that board games have been played in ancient civilisations as early as 3000 BCE. With the advent of technology, the emergence of video games has forever changed the gaming scene.

Nowadays, there are games for every occasion, taste or preference. In the following lines, we will focus more on some of the most difficult games that you can find out there. Read along and find out what makes them so difficult and challenging to master.

Top 10 Hardest Games to Play– A Unique Selection

In this section, we have compiled a list of the top 10 hardest games to master in the world. These games are proven to have challenged even the most skilled players. Complex gameplay, intense difficulty level, and unforgiving mechanics are only a few of the aspects that you will encounter if you dare to try them. Here is an idea of what to expect:

Are you ready to test your skills and knowledge and take on these ultimate gaming challenges? Well, let’s dive into more details and see which games made the cut. We have featured board games, hardest video games, and even those that you can find among the most popular online casino games.

Go – Simple Rules, Complex Gameplay

 
Go, also known as Weiqi, is an ancient Chinese strategy game that is believed to have originated more than 2500 years ago. With that being said, the game is also perceived as one of the oldest board games in the world that is still played in the present day.

Although the rules of the game are simple, it is its complex gameplay that ranks Go among the hardest games of all time to master. With a vast number of possible moves and outcomes, you must come up with the right strategy and plan multiple moves in advance.

Go is played by two players on a 19×19 grid board. Players take turns in placing black and white stones. The objective of the game is to catch your opponent’s stones by surrounding them with your ones. A point is awarded when there are no more possible moves or for each of the captured opponent’s stones.

If the game of Go turns out to be a true challenge for you, there are also popular Chinese gambling games that you can try out. What is more, all of them are part of the rich historical heritage of the Chinese culture, so there is a lot to learn with every game.

Chess – Classic Strategy Game

 

The second position in our list of the hardest games to play is awarded to chess. Believed to have originated somewhere in northern India, the roots of the game can be traced back to the 6th century AD. Over the following years, the game spread to the Islamic world, which evolved into the form we know today.

Like go, chess is a two-player game that is played with 16 pieces on a checkered board with 64 squares. The objective of the game is to checkmate the opponent’s king. Such a situation usually occurs when the king is attacked and cannot escape capture. Moving the pieces on the board is done in a specific way.

Chess is considered a hard game to master as it comes with an immense number of possible openings and positions of the pieces. This requires players to predict the consequences of each move in advance. Strategic thinking and a deeper understanding of the nuances of the game are key elements to the overall success.

Bridge – Ultimate Partnership Game

 
The ancestors of the modern game of bridge can be traced back to the early 18th century in England. Bridge-like card games that were played during that period were popular under the name “Whist”. The modern form of the bridge card game was developed around the 1920s, with Harold S. Vanderbilt playing a key role in the standardisation of the game and its rules.

Bridge is considered to be one of the hardest games ever because of its high level of complexity and vast number of possible card combinations. Players must work closely with their partners to coordinate their plays and thus win the game. These along with other factors, are making bridge a challenging game to master, even for experienced card players.

Craps – Dynamic Entertainment

Craps is a dice game that is believed to have originated in the United States around the mid-19th century. A common belief suggests that the craps evolved from a similar dice game named Hazard that originated in England. Over time, the game was refined and is now played at some of the the best online casinos for 2023.

We have included craps among the world’s hardest games to play for several reasons. Firstly, the game has many potential bets and outcomes that players must take into consideration. What is more, the fast-paced nature of the game requires players to make quick decisions. Finally, the game has complex terminology, which can be confusing to some players.

If you are interested in challenging yourself with this dynamic game, we suggest that you explore the main rules of craps before you try it out for real money. The online casino scene is filled with plenty of operators where you can practice before becoming a skilled player.

Contra – Run-and-Gun Classic

 
Contra is our first choice for a difficult video game, a run-and-gun action video console developed by Konamis. Released in 1987, the game was originally meant.

Contra is perceived by many as one of the hardest video games because of its challenging gameplay and difficulty level. Many players have found it extremely difficult to advance in the game due to the limited lives and continue. What is more, the fast-paced action and the challenging enemies are also making it hard for players to complete the game.

Ninja Gaiden – Non-Stop Adrenaline Rush

 
Ninja Gaiden is an action video game developed by Tecmo and first released in 1988. The game comes in several series that quickly became popular due to their challenging gameplay and fast-paced action. Since its initial release, the game has seen multiple sequels, spin-offs, and remake available for play on a variety of different platforms.

The game is loved by many players due to its engaging storyline and innovative gameplay. Still, winning is as difficult as it gets, especially when we talk about traditional arcade gameplay. Furthermore, two players can enter the game simultaneously, which doesn’t make it any easier. The ultimate objective is to defeat the evil cult led by Bladedamus. As you can see, this isn’t a traditional card game, and it certainly doesn’t have anything in common with our following entry.

Magic: The Gathering – Intriguing Storyline

 
Magic: The Gathering is an innovative tabletop card game that was created by Richard Garfield, a mathematician and game designer. It is believed to be the first-ever collectable card game. The game quickly rose to prominence due to its intriguing gameplay, complex rules, and engaging storyline. Over the years, numerous expansions and digital adaptations of the game have emerged.

The game features several decks of 60 cards representing magical spells, creatures, and artefacts. The comprehensive rules and mechanics are what makes Magic: The Gathering one of the hardest games to play. In addition, the game is constantly evolving as new cards are released frequently, making it even more challenging for players to stay up to date with the latest strategies.

Eldritch Horror – Epic Adventure

 
Eldritch Horror is a co-operative board game that will take you on a globetrotting adventure to stop the awakening of the approaching ancient horror. The game draws inspiration from the works of H.P. Lovecraft and other horror writers. In addition, the classic board game Arkham Horror is another inspiration for the creation of the game.

In Eldritch Horror, players work together to investigate, gather clues, and solve mysteries to prevent the awakening of a Great Old One. The complex rules and mechanics of the game, along with the constantly evolving board, are what make it one of the hardest games in the world.

Playing board games is a favourite activity of many players. Those types of games are often associated with being a fun pastime for a gathering with friends. However, in recent years board games have also found their way into online casinos. If you are a fan, take your time to discover some of the best casino board games for 2023.

Boxing – Ultimate Physical Challenge

When researching for this article, we decided to shift our focus from the well-known board and video games and instead include examples in other domains as well. We believe that games and sports are somewhat similar, particularly in terms of structure and objectives. In addition, both often involve competition and can also be a source of entertainment.

Although determining the hardest physical game is subjective, we wanted to offer one of the most difficult games to play. According to one of the most widely-accepted lists of the hardest sports in the world, boxing ranks as the most difficult sport in the world.

Boxing is a physically demanding sport that requires a high level of skill, athleticism, and mental toughness. What is more, boxers must have excellent reflexes and strategic and tactical thinking. Planning not only their next moves but also those of their opponents is essential to winning. Taking into consideration all these factors lead us to believe that boxing is indeed one of the hardest sports ever.

World’s Hardest Game – Addictively Challenging

 
It seemed only reasonable to include in our list of the top 10 hardest games in the world a game called World’s Hardest Game. Developed by Snubby Land, this arcade puzzle game was first released back in 2008. The game features a simple but rather challenging objective that has posed difficulties for many players.

Players must guide a red square through a series of increasingly difficult levels while avoiding obstacles and collecting yellow coins. The game is considered to be among the hardest games to play because of its levels designed to require precise timing, careful planning, and quick reflexes. Yet, World’s Hardest Game has gained popularity among players thanks to its addictive nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

 
As usual, we are ending our blog post with a section dedicated to the frequently asked questions. Here, you will find information about the most challenging games to master in the world. Whether you are an experienced player looking for a new challenge or simply interested in learning more about what makes certain games so difficult, this section is for you.

Reference List – Reliable Sources

 
Before we write our articles, we dedicate enough time to do our research properly. We do so as we believe that research is one of the most important elements for the creation of any written piece. Using reliable sources adds up to our articles’ credibility and value.

Below we are offering you the list of the relevant sources that were consulted for this article. Explore them if you wish to deepen your understanding and knowledge of the topic and all aspects related to it.

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