Maria Konnikova is the latest poker player to come under fire from Doug Polk. The retired pro is upset that she was described as a “Top Poker Player” in a recent CNN article.
"Top Poker Player" Maria Konnikov pic.twitter.com/klioDG5jxn
— Doug Polk (@DougPolkVids) June 8, 2021
Doug Polk firing shots
Polk likened the tag to various other versions of the “top” label, including himself in the joke with several tweets: “Top Fashion Model” Doug Polk, “Top Anger Management Therapist” Luke Schwartz, and “Top feminist activist” Dan Bilzerian.
His comments weren’t enjoyed by some, however, with Jaime Staples getting into an argument with the Upswing Poker boss and Polk having a dig at the partypoker pro in return…
"Top MTT Pro" Jaime Staples
— Doug Polk (@DougPolkVids) June 8, 2021
Polk had tweeted: “Also lol all the nonsense comments “omg so mean” Are we going to call a spade a spade or not. Its insulting to the game to call amateur players “top” players.”
However, as many pointed out, Konnikova’s live winnings actually put her in the top 1.5% of all those listed on Hendon Mob, making the discussion one about where you draw the line for the description “top player.”
She’s 7,477 out of 528,448 which means top 1.5%, where would she have to be for you to consider her “top poker player”? Exact percentage please xox
— Emma Barnes (@emmaserena) June 8, 2021
English pro Liv Boeree stepped in to point out the most obvious reason for the title being used: “Bear in mind Maria will have had no choice in the headline they run with – editors *love* to go max clickbait. Afaik she’s never claimed to be a top pro, but she’s a great writer & this kind of mainstream promo is surely great for the game on net.”
Maria then entered the conversation herself, hinting at the book she wrote about her foray into poker…
Liv is right–I didn't see the headline. In fact, even the writer of the piece likely didn't see it. There's a separate editorial team for that. And I've always been completely transparent about my poker background. There's a whole book about it ;). Top pro never enters into it.
— Maria Konnikova (@mkonnikova) June 8, 2021
Konnikova’s success story
Konnikova, a Harvard graduate with a PhD in psychology, was already a successful author when she had the idea to write a book about the poker world, in a bid to learn more about the importance of luck in our lives.
Enlisting the help of “top poker pro” Erik Seidel as her guru along the way, the result was “The Biggest Bluff”, tracing her steps from absolute poker newbie to tournament winner.
Maria took down the PCA National at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in 2018 for $84,600, her biggest score to date, and has since bagged six more 5-figure scores.
Konnikova may not be an elite player, but “top poker player” isn’t that far-fetched for a non-poker audience. And there was a definite upside to CNN’s article according to one Twitter poker fan…
At least the media interviewed someone other than Annie Duke for once.
— Bing Bong Crosby (@DanielJacobBerg) June 8, 2021
Regular readers of VIP’s pages will be well aware of Doug Polk’s past when it comes to picking Twitter fights. His beef with Daniel Negreanu is infamous, leading to the “Grudge Match of the Century”.
Last year he took aim at half-a-dozen rivals in one long rant, with Matt Berkey, Alec Torelli, Charlie Carrel, Johnnie “Vibes” Moreno, Mike Postle and Luke Schwartz all caught in the crosshairs of his Twitter scattergun.
Just a couple of months ago the godfather of poker, Doyle Brunson, blocked Polk after he made fun of his religious tweet, and due to his constant negativity.
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