Durr's challenge, a smokescreen?

[P-Wolf]

Listening to the 5th Feb episode of P-Beat made me really sit back and think about what Durr's challenge is and what it isn't (Thanks to Gary Wise). At it's basic level Durr has said:

He'll take on anyone at a 50K hands 4-tabling marathon. If he ends up a loser at the end of the 50k hands he'll pay $1.5 million to the other person's $500K. What Durr is saying is that he is 3 times as likely to come out ahead at the end of 50K hands than anyone else, which can be understood considering that this is apparently Durr's specialty. The $1.5m isn't what Durr is focusing on, it's the four tables destroying someone else that he is putting all his efforts into. The $1.5 to $500K is a smokescreen/slight of hand to attract opponants.

I know it's pretty obvious but I'm thinking a lot of people are getting distracted by the odds instead of the actual game being played. The money at the table is up for grabs, it doesn't get given back at the end of the challenge.

[Phildo449er]

I always though people were focusing on the sidebet amount too much.

Over 50k hands, there can be wild swings. The sidebet amount will be significant and come into play if the match is close, but if it isn't, there's a very good chance of someone losing millions just in the play.

[The 6th Wilbury]

OP, you're dead-on right and I believe Gary Wise touched on this during the first show... he said the 3-to-1 side bet is merely the proverbial carrot on the stick.

But when the bet first surfaced, we indeed hear people asking, "Does Durrrr really think he's a 3-to-1 favorite over everyone else?"

[P-Wolf]

6th,

So then I got to ask the question, are the people who have accepted the challenge going after the $1.5 million or do you think they are completely focused on what is happening in regards to being able to beat Durr at Durr's game?

[99 Problems]

Originally Posted by P-Wolf

6th,

So then I got to ask the question, are the people who have accepted the challenge going after the $1.5 million or do you think they are completely focused on what is happening in regards to being able to beat Durr at Durr's game?

I think they feel they have a small edge, and that will equal 1.5 million+ in winnings. Even if Patrick thinks that he is a 50.01% favorite, he will win 1.5 million plus the minuscule amount he is up, as opposed to having to have a large edge on someone (and keep them playing only you) to win 1.5mill+ playing 200/400.

[Phildo449er]

Originally Posted by P-Wolf

6th,

So then I got to ask the question, are the people who have accepted the challenge going after the $1.5 million or do you think they are completely focused on what is happening in regards to being able to beat Durr at Durr's game?

It's also the challenge aspect of it.

Everyone picked up on the 3 to 1 thing and ran with it as the story. The story is Durrr saying, "I'm better than everyone, I'm putting up this money, prove you are better than me." That counts for a lot in the poker world.

[Gary Wise]

Originally Posted by P-Wolf

6th,

So then I got to ask the question, are the people who have accepted the challenge going after the $1.5 million or do you think they are completely focused on what is happening in regards to being able to beat Durr at Durr's game?

Ivey said on "Tuesdays with Ivey" a few weeks ago "I know I'm probably an underdog, but there's something about that $1.5 million..."

[farmbag72]

Originally Posted by Gary Wise

Ivey said on "Tuesdays with Ivey" a few weeks ago "I know I'm probably an underdog, but there's something about that $1.5 million..."

Didn't Ivey also qualify that statement (same TWI I believe) by saying something to the effect of, Durrrr will be the favorite until I figure out HU 4-tabling ?

[Gary Wise]

sounds like him

[pacino]

Ivey sounded incredibly distracted on his weekly call with Barry just playing two tables against durrr, or was that just playful annoyance with Barry? I wonder if Ivey will be up to 4-tabling at the top of his game...i don't remember him doing it much.