The eccentric owner of 13 WSOP bracelets, Phil Hellmuth, said in an interview that young players today do not have reading skills.
The interview was granted to PokerListings site during the WPT Venice - event in which Hellmuth was eliminated in the first day.
He said the current players dominate the math, but not reading players, which he says is an advantage for older players - like himself, of course.
"I think there is an interesting trend in poker, now that everyone has a solid mathematical background and all seem to play too many hands. But sometimes I feel that many new players, even those who earn a lot of money and are very successful, they may not have reading skills.
All players of yesteryear have become major players because of their reading skills. The current players become great players because of their mathematical skills.
And for me this is great because now I can play with guys who are not good at reading people and hiding their own emotions. "
Hellmuth said that his 13 bracelets are not yet sufficient. "Maybe it's enough when I have 24, but then I'll have 30."
The interview was granted to PokerListings site during the WPT Venice - event in which Hellmuth was eliminated in the first day.
He said the current players dominate the math, but not reading players, which he says is an advantage for older players - like himself, of course.
"I think there is an interesting trend in poker, now that everyone has a solid mathematical background and all seem to play too many hands. But sometimes I feel that many new players, even those who earn a lot of money and are very successful, they may not have reading skills.
All players of yesteryear have become major players because of their reading skills. The current players become great players because of their mathematical skills.
And for me this is great because now I can play with guys who are not good at reading people and hiding their own emotions. "
Hellmuth said that his 13 bracelets are not yet sufficient. "Maybe it's enough when I have 24, but then I'll have 30."