Everyone has their own way of dealing with adversity, and the world of famous poker pros is no different. Self-isolation, turning to the Bible, getting rid of the tinfoil hat and offering free poker training are just some of the surprising methods players are using to get through the coronavirus lockdown.
Mike Matusow’s Turnaround
Let’s kick off with Mike ‘The Mouth’Matusow and a turnaround that very few in the poker community expected.
I say a lot of things people dont like but sometimes I’m wrong and I admit it! The it’s just the Flu is something I was wrong on! Stay safe, have compassion for others, try to help as many people as you can to get us through this! #positivity
— Mike Matusow (@themouthmatusow) March 16, 2020
Not quite what we’ve come to expect from the right-leaning, conspiracy-addicted Matusow of recent years, but perhaps Danielle ‘dmoongirl’ Andersen said it best…
It takes true character to admit when one is wrong about something. Many people will go their entire lifetime having never done such a thing. They’ll choose pride over introspection & growth because it’s easier. You’re a loveable idiot sometimes, but I’m proud of you Mikey. 😘❤️
— Danielle Andersen (@dmoongirl) March 16, 2020
Mike’s fellow poker legend Doyle ‘Texas’ Dolly Brunson has seen more than his fair share of incredible life experiences over his more than eight decades.
But even he realizes that some things in life are too precious to put at risk.
That looks like a 1st edition. Pretty expensive.I'm in a self quarantine mode. The Corona can't touch me, I've been robbed at gun point 5 times, been stabbed, beat cancer 3 times and survived 3 car wrecks. But I don't want to infect my wife, she is too dear to me to take a chance https://t.co/mILkh0OETd
— Doyle Brunson (@TexDolly) March 12, 2020
And of course, Doyle has a story for every occasion, trumping Matt Glantz’s recent macabre coronavirus prop bet…
Reminds me of Stu Unger. When someone asked "would you play Russian Roulette for 20 million". That means 1 bullet and 5 empty chambers. Stu said "for 20 million, you can put 5 bullets in a six shot pistol and I'll do it". https://t.co/W2AqWquxOa
— Doyle Brunson (@TexDolly) March 15, 2020
…but Doug Polk is enough to send most people stir-crazy eventually, and the US is barely a week into the new crisis…
Excuse me, get a Bible and read it. While it isn't the end of the world, it could very well be the beginning of the end times. All you atheists go ahead and laugh. https://t.co/4Ws0ulqYWk
— Doyle Brunson (@TexDolly) March 13, 2020
Laak and Tilly not leaving the house due to coronavirus
Jennifer Tilly is another big name who has decided to shut herself, and husband Phil Laak, off from the world while the Covid-19 rages globally.
Thankfully, though, the rest of us aren’t relying on her culinary skills to get through it all…
Phil and I are hunkering down & not leaving the house for a very long time. I have stocked up.
I even bought dried lentil beans. I’ve never eaten lentils in my life but it seemed like the thing to do.
I also bought 10 boxes of pop tarts. #NoExpirationDate 🤷🏻♀️— Jennifer Tilly (@JenniferTilly) March 13, 2020
Legendary Hendon Mobster, Barny Boatman, had a bit of a coronavirus scare this week too.
Well, I’ve been isolating as much as possible, and for the last few days had something like a normal cold. Today I’ve gone downhill rapidly and pretty much have the battery of symptoms. @padraigpoker, I’ll get back to you about that deadpool thing in a week or so. 😁
— Barny Boatman (@barnyboatman) March 16, 2020
Barny was part of the London quartet along with his brother Ross, Ram Vaswami and Joe Beevers who made poker seem both edgy and cool before it ever was in the UK.
Thankfully it seems that Barny had jumped the gun a bit with his self-diagnosis…
Thanks for all the lovely messages, but now I feel embarrassed. I did have dinner a while ago with three people who are all now ill , but I feel better than I did yesterday and already suspect it’s probably not the virus. 🙄
— Barny Boatman (@barnyboatman) March 17, 2020
Podcast guru and GPI Journalist of the Year for his delve into the Postlegate cheating scandal, Joey Ingram is another hiding out in Vegas.
Things I’m doing during self-quarantine:
1. Lots of water + vitamins + fruits to boost immune system.
2. Check in on friends to see how they’re doing.
3. Not get obsessed w/ worst case scenarios.
4. Living room jiujitsu w/ my girl
5. Edibles…. edibles stockpiled— Joey Ingram 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽 (@Joeingram1) March 17, 2020
Ingram is never one to waste an opportunity, however, and soon he had produced a video of his thoughts on poker in the times of the coronavirus…
New YouTube video exploring how the Coronavirus will impact the poker world.
-What will happen to the WSOP
-How will online poker change
-Where should players look to play
-How to stay productive in self-quarantine
-How I'm spending this time pic.twitter.com/DlhmqvgNtS— Joey Ingram 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽 (@Joeingram1) March 17, 2020
It’s often been said that poker pros are a pretty self-absorbed, even selfish, bunch at times, but Timothy Adams is certainly proving himself an exception.
Coming off back-to-back Super High Roller Bowls wins, the Canadian crusher decided to cheer up his fans and followers with a very sweet giveaway…
I’ll be picking 3 random ppl for 5 hours of free coaching. Will be over Skype & will be centred around HH review/strat talk (no Pio, Monker)
Stipulation:
– You’re an amateur looking to improve (Your main income comes from something that isn’t poker)
– You’re also self-isolating— Timothy Adams (@Tim0theeAdams) March 17, 2020
WPN CEO Phil Nagy loses his brother in law to Coronavirus!
Of course, the coronavirus situation is a very serious one, and it was brought home to Phil Nagy just how quickly lives can be changed as he lost his brother in died from Coronavirus 3 days ago!
So this just got real my bother in law just died lives with my mom and sister now the house is under quarantine. If you think this is like the flu, you're wrong.
— Phillip Nagy (@WPN_CEO) March 17, 2020
Our thoughts go out to Phil and his family, and we’d urge all our readers to take care out there and minimize the risk to friends, family, and fellow poker community members.
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