Dan Colman Speaks Out on the 'Ugly World' of Poker, Daniel Negreanu Looks on the Brighter Side

@Daniel Colman has spoken out on 2+2 and, unsurprisingly, his post immediately provoked an avalanche of opinions ranging from unconditional support and admiration to outrage and mindless trashing; from romanticized views of the game as a family-bonding and socialization tool to cynical observations on the exploitative nature of capitalism.

Between them, Colman and @Daniel Negreanu won more than 23 million in the world’s biggest buy-in tournament, Big One for #OneDrop. They represent two very different generations and schools of poker and perhaps more surprisingly, diametrically opposed views and feelings about poker. The controversy surrounding Daniel Colman’s decline to talk to the media is still hot on poker forums. Both Colman and Negreanu make some thought-provoking points and all of us who love the game of poker should maybe take the time to answer the questions they raise for ourselves.

I really don't owe anyone an explanation but Ill give one...

First off, I don't owe poker a single thing. I've been fortunate enough to benefit financially from this game, but I have played it long enough to see the ugly side of this world. It is not a game where the pros are always happy and living a fulfilling life. To have a job where you are at the mercy of variance can be insanely stressful and can lead to a lot of unhealthy habits. I would never in a million years recommend for someone to try and make it as a poker pro. 

It is also not a game where the amateurs are always happy to be losing their money for the sake of entertainment. The losers lose way more money at this game then winners are winning. A lot of this is money they cant afford to lose. This is fine of course because if someone is dumb enough to gamble with money they cant afford to lose, that's their problem. Im not really buying that though. In a perfect world, markets are based on informed consumers making rational transactions. In reality sadly that's not the case, markets are based on advertising trying to play on peoples impulses and targeting their weaknesses in order for them to make irrational decisions. I get it if someone wants to go and play poker on their own free will, but I don't agree with gambling being advertised just like I don't agree with cigarettes and alcohol being advertised. 

It bothers me that people care so much about poker's well being. As poker is a game that has such a net negative effect on the people playing it. Both financially and emotionally. 

As for promoting myself, I feel that individual achievements should rarely be celebrated. I am not going to take part in it for others and I wouldn't want it for myself. If you wonder why our society is so infatuated by individuals and their success, and being a baller, it is not that way for no reason. It is their because it serves a clear purpose. If you get people to look up to someone and adhere to the "gain wealth, forget all but self" motto, then you can get them to ignore the social contract which is very good for power systems. Also it serves as a means of distraction to get people to not pay attention to the things that do matter.

These are just my personal views. And yes, I realize I am conflicted. I capitalize off this game that targets peoples weaknesses. I do enjoy it, I love the strategy part of it, but I do see it as a very dark game. 

Happy to read any ones opinions that could convince me otherwise of my views.

@Daniel Negreanu as we know him could obviously not stay away from a controversy that just seems to be begging for his opinion and we didn't have to wait long for a response from him. These are the final two passages and you can read the entire post here:

Whatever it is you choose to do in your life, make sure INTEGRITY is at the core of it. If you are genuinely having an issue with the morality of playing poker for a living, make a choice. Don't compromise your own moral code for money. If you truly believe in your heart that what you are doing hurts people, and you don't want to hurt people, you need to make a choice.

If I may make a suggestion, why not continue to do what you love, empower others, educate others about the dangers of this lifestyle, and use the money your talents allow you to earn, to make a difference in the world? Not by staking people btw! Lol. You have the potential at a very young age to make a positive impact on the world, both with your money and intelligence. Don't waste the gifts you've been given, and be grateful for the kind of life you are able to create as a result of those gifts.

More on RankingHero:

Second-Biggest Winner in Poker History Refuses to Promote the Game

Daniel Negreanu on Top of the World

Terrible Day for AA in Big One for One Drop with Two Bad Beat Eliminations