Mike Sexton wants a more professional image for poker


4/19/2012 : SMARTEN UP AND FLY RIGHT, VETERAN TELLS POKER PROS
 
Elder statesman of poker Mike Sexton wants a more professional image for poker
 
Using his blog at Party Poker this week, veteran broadcaster and poker pro Mike Sexton urged his colleagues in the game – and especially the younger set – to smarten up and fly right.
 
Titling his suggestions "Poker Pros – Wake Up and Smell the Coffee,” Sexton lamented the scruffy appearance and unprofessional conduct of too many professional players, especially when they were in the eye of the media on prominent final tables.
 
“I feel many have no vision for the future or an understanding of the present," Sexton wrote. "They don’t see the big picture – growing our industry and making it a better place to play and/or work in and doing what it takes to bring sponsorship into the poker world. They just live in their own little worlds.”
 
Sexton offered suggestions on how professional players should comport themselves, recommending that they behaved responsibly in both public and media encounters; were courteous and cooperative with fans, other players and support staff at tournaments; develop a culture of punctuality and sobriety when in the public eye; assist in charity drives; and dress decently when playing before television cameras.
 
"At a recent WPT final table, I looked at the six finalists and saw four wearing T-shirts and another in a sweat shirt," wrote Sexton. "At other final tables this season, I’ve seen players wearing shorts and flip-flops. Look, I played poker for a living for a long time. I understand wanting to be comfortable while you’re playing, etc. Is it too much, however, to expect players to wear collared shirts, long pants, and shoes and socks on a televised final table?"