Would he really make a decent poker player?

Author: Simon Dexter

I’m indebted to a company called PanPoker Consulting for forwarding details of public figures they have “assessed” (although I’m not quite sure how scientific this assessment actually is) who they believe would make ideal poker players. Of course it’s possible that several of them are already accomplished poker experts, but PP’s main criteria for making it onto their list are as follows:

1. Candidates should display a measure of practical and strategic thinking which sets them apart from their peers.
2. Candidates must be numerate.
3. Candidates should provide regular examples of their problem solving prowess.
4. An ability to say, or appear to do, one thing when meaning, or doing, another would be an advantage.

There are several more prerequisites for making the list, but 85% of PP’s measure of poker ability is covered by the above four.

Given the final measure, one might believe the list would be packed with politicians, although few would score heavily on the first three measures. In fact, only one, Margaret Thatcher, is deemed to be sufficiently well-rounded enough to make the poker table. Not surprisingly, two business leaders, Sir Terry Leahy, head of Tesco and Charles Dunstone, Carphone Warehouse’s head honcho, make the top ten, yet there are three from the world of sport.

The man described as “determined and bloody-minded” could only be Sir Alex Ferguson, although Formula One supremo, the diminutive Bernie Ecclestone, is considered by PP to be the better poker player. Former England cricket captain Mike Atherton is the most surprising choice, but PP reckon he “combines intelligence with drive and has the perfect poker face.”

The company also list some of those who they consider would lose their chip stack in double-quick time. These include former Arsenal forward Ian Wright, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay (I’m sure his exclusion keeps him awake at night) and the man once memorably described as the “BBC’s regimental goat”, Jonathan Ross.

We’ve got in free chips to give away to the reader who comes up with the most amusing top and bottom 5 people in the public eye who they feel would make the best and worst poker players – and why. Email us at Steph: email address here? with your entries.

Tags: celebrity poker players, poker players, Poker Strategy

This entry was posted on Friday, May 30th, 2008 at 9:54 am and is filed under News & Promotions Blog.