Lead Commentating Becomes Final Table Training Sessions

If you have tuned into ESPN3 recently, you may have seen some World Series of Poker shows other than the WSOP main event final table. And you may have recognized the host of the show (HINT: the author of this column).

Yes, it was me!

Recently, I was honored to be named the lead commentator for the WSOP Circuit live stream. For the remainder of the 2012-2013 schedule, ESPN3.com will air each WSOP Circuit main event final table. During the broadcasts, I will call the action, alongside other guest poker players who will provide commentary in the booth. During certain events, there will be a 30-minute delay, allowing us to reveal the players’ hole cards.

I have commentated poker final tables since 2008, and coincidentally my first was a WSOP Circuit main event in Atlantic City. Since then, I have been the lead commentator or analyst for several WSOP bracelet events and I even did some Internet coverage for the 2010 WSOP main event.

While I love the commentary work itself, I also recognize that there is a tremendous side benefit to witnessing the hours of poker coverage: the ability to learn and gain additional experience from watching the final table dynamics.

Practicing playing at a final table has always been a difficult task. The only real way to practice final table play is to make the final nine yourself. However, if you are fortunate to make it that far, one mistake and your “practice” session could be over in an instant. Additionally, people have suggested playing a one-table sit-and-go. However, these events have all the players starting with the same stack size, which does not replicate a final table situation. With regards to the money, usually only the top three players cash in these sit-and-gos, where the final table money ladder spans from top to bottom.

As for my learning, I am a very visual person. While I have read and discussed numerous poker strategies with some of the best players in poker, it can be hard to recognize the perfect situation for a specific move (for example, three and/or four betting preflop based on stack sizes). The final tables in which I commentate create the perfect backdrop to showcase these moves. Moreover, I have also learned a significant amount from just watching these young Internet whiz kids at work. While I may not be able to implement exactly their aggression and style, I am able to recognize their rationale and timing. This in-depth understanding may allow me to not only execute their strategies, but also counteract their moves when I face them at my next final table. Conversely, examining the play of amateurs provides more information on how to extract the most possible chips from these players.
Furthermore, thoroughly watching the movements and reactions of all the players allows me to practice picking up any physical tells during play.

One of the incredible bonuses being in the commentary booth is that I have been able to listen and discuss strategies with some of the best poker minds in the business. As they assess the situation and strategies during the final table, I have gained invaluable experience, ultimately being able to implement some of these concepts in my own play. This summer during the WSOP, I was so fortunate to share the time with poker superstars including Jason Somerville, Max Steinberg and host David Tuchman. Recently, I worked the entire WSOP Circuit final table in Vancouver with poker professional Matt Affleck.

Even the guest commentators feel that they learn during the experience. Poker pro Matt Affleck told me after his recent guest appearance that “commentating the final table was super educational for me. Seeing the hole cards got me to think on the amateurs’ level.”

Affleck noticed that amateurs often couldn’t take the aggression to the next level. Affleck summarized that “most of the players knew they needed to play ‘aggressive’ which involved raising wide preflop. However, the players couldn’t take that aggressiveness to the next level (three and four betting preflop and turn and/or river aggression). Most players had difficulty pulling the trigger in key spots.”

As for professional players, we must also recognize and adjust to any situation in front of us. Affleck noticed, “most amateur players have difficulty adjusting to the ever-changing dynamics at the final table. This is where the professional players have such an advantage, as they can adjust to the specific situations and need to realize that the majority of amateur poker players won’t ever change.”

Overall, poker is taking imperfect information, incorporating the different styles of each player, and ultimately trying to make the best decision for a specific situation. With so many permutations, it is practically impossible to think of every imaginable situation. Thus, watching the final table increases your experiential knowledge base. Moreover, while you are watching the final table, you can make decisions purely on the facts, allowing you to leave the final table nerves and gravity of the situation out of the equation.

Obviously, you can’t readily commentate a major tournament like the WSOP Circuit. However, you can watch all the action and try to cultivate an updated strategy to remain aggressive throughout the final table. Listening to the commentary of my guest professional players and myself can give you a fresh perspective about your own final table play. If you have missed previous action, you can watch the archives on WSOP.com or YouTube for past WSOP coverage. Overall, I fully believe that this is a great way of improving your game and listening to some of the best minds in poker.

Over the past several years, I have the best job in the world. I play poker professionally for a living, having made dozens of final tables throughout my career. However, I am also part of the poker media, covering some of the biggest poker tournaments in the world. Incorporating these two worlds has just enhanced my experience and improved my skills dramatically. In the end, I hope that I have become a better poker player as a result.

So join me for the next WSOP Circuit final table on ESPN3.com. You and your poker game will be glad you did. ♠

Bernard Lee is the co-host of ESPN Inside Deal, lead commentator for WSOP Circuit live stream, poker columnist ESPN.com, author of “The Final Table, Volume I and II” and radio host of “The Bernard Lee Poker Show,” which can be found on RoundersRadio.com or via podcast on iTunes. Follow Bernard Lee on Twitter: @BernardLeePoker or visit him at www.BernardLeePoker.com.