ShareShaun Deeb has been talking to PokerNews and he’s given us some insight into why he cares about poker so much, what he thinks can be improved, and his plans for the 2023 World Series of Poker.
There can’t be many people in the poker community who aren’t familiar with Shaun Deeb’s combative approach to social media. Put it this way; he isn’t shy to speak up and have his say on just about anything in the poker world.
"I've been in the poker scene for almost 20 years now. I've seen most situations, so usually I'm a pretty good judge when it comes to the rules and what should be done.
"I interject my opinion because I think that, because of my history and my expertise, people should blindly listen to me — almost always."
When asked about how these arguments come about mostly, the conversation turns to staff members at various properties who think that because they’ve ruled in a particular way for a long time they must be right.
"Thinking back, there have been so many controversies that fit into every one of those categories. What I will say is that some of the most difficult arguments that I've had with staff members — at different properties — are with those who think they're more experienced. They're quick to say they've been doing something for twenty years. And I'm like: consistency doesn't make it correct."
Prepping for the 2023 World Series of Poker
With five WSOP gold bracelets to his name, Shaun Deeb is one of the most successful players the series has ever seen. After picking up his first win in 2015, Deeb is now determined to pick up his sixth success, and with a whopping 90 bracelets on offer these days, who would bet against him?"You have 90 events playing 25 different forms of poker, with buy-ins are from $300 to $250,000. Every year you get this chat about the dilution of bracelet events, but there is no dilution! There's inclusion. To win a $1,000 No-Limit [Hold'em] bracelet, yeah, it's a little different to winning a $10,000 mixed event — but it's such different player pools. The WSOP is there to appeal to all players in poker."
What Could Be Improved?
When asked about what needs improving, Deeb quickly responds about the always contentious bubble situation and how so many players resort to stalling, ruining the experience for the other players. He insists that going round for round on the bubble on each table is the way forward.
"It solves so many things, while also allowing people to take their time while they're making decisions for a lot of equity. So I wouldn't be shocked if in the next five years of poker that's one of the big changes that I've pushed for that actually ends up happening."
As for players who try anything to dodge their big blind, Deeb isn’t impressed with them too.
"It's just unfortunate that these people want to push those small edges and they're just stealing equity from the other players at that table for no good reason. It's like they're seeing like an old guy drop $20 out of his pocket, and they're seeing an opportunity to pick it up — knowing full well whose money it is."
