It's been a week now and I still find myself thinking about the self proclaimed "Candyman" at the last TOC. Talk about single handedly ruining an otherwise fun day of poker.
I was so turned off poker by his antics that I skipped my next two normal nights of playing and have only played 1 & 1/2 nights since - both at venues I was sure he would not be at.
Funny thing is, at all 3 of these tournaments, table conversation about the TOC (How'd you do in the TOC?) turned to the "Candyman". The only word fit for print that players used to describe him was "child". I thought it was just me letting him get under my skin - even though I was never directly involved in a hand with him or the object of his buffoonery - but apparently most everyone within earshot was bothered or as I was, extremely annoyed with his obnoxious antics. With a half hour remaining until the later round, I actually thought it over and decided not to play because of his presence.
I realize this is poker and there are those that will use obnoxiousness and rudeness as a strategy - and I'm sure it is a usefull technique as we've all seen from televised tournaments with Mike Matusow and other professionals that employ it so well. However, they are professionals and there are television cameras. We are playing at bars for free with other patrons of the bars. Read: "Other PATRONS of the bars".
If you were at a bar enjoying another activity where there might be some trash talk involved, such as watching a sporting event on TV, would it be appropriate for someone rooting for a team different than another customer's to leer her up and down and tell her she was the prettiest girl there? And I don't mean in a cheesy pick-up line sort of way either, more in an intimidating fashion. What about being so loud and obnoxious in declaring himself the greatest fan of his team in the world, that it was bothering customers at nearby tables trying to watch their teams play on different TVs?
I venture to say that you might ask management of the establishment to do something about the jerk. But since this is poker, different rules apply. Should they?
I don't fault Poker Pub or the establishment. It is my understanding the situation was dealt with in the later round. I only wish it had been dealt with earlier - or that maybe I would have voiced my concerns earlier.
On a final note, you might ask what makes my having a good time more important than another's good time. My answer is that it's not just my good time being ruined. The good of the many outweighs the good of the few.
Sorry for the long winded-ness! Those of you that know me know that's one of my hallmarks! I would be interested in any one else's comments on this type of situation, how you would have handled it, how should it have been handled, I need to get a life, etc.!
BTW, lest this be taken as an anonymous degradation, Candyman: we've played and spoken many times before and I normally don't have a problem with your style of play. However, if you've read this far, you should be able to tell I thought you went too far and were way out of line last week. To the detriment of my eardrums I tried to ignore you by turning the volume up on my MP3 player to no avail. One more thing - you're not bothering me, so you may as well quit with the Irish Spring schtick.
