Daily 3-Bet: Big durrrr Issues, Gold Brands Again, Stars > Strategy

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Today in the 3-Bet we find Tom "durrrr" Dwan alluding to "issues" between himself and Full Tilt Poker, Jamie Gold showing his name still carries a lot of poker weight and Daniel Negreanu pleads for more backstory, less strategy in poker coverage.

1) Tom Dwan: "Issues" with Full Tilt

In the midst of the "poker is dying" uproar from Australia last week this caused less of a stir but another big-name in poker in Tom "durrrr" Dwan also dropped some big news to the Bluff magazine cameras.

Appearing particularly bleary-eyed after an all-night session durrrr alluded to mysterious "issues" that led to his departure from Full Tilt Poker and, he says, that are making it difficult to complete his durrrr Challenge with Dan "Jungleman12" Cates.

He'll speak about it more soon when he's not runnng on three hours sleep, he said.

An email from a Full Tilt rep said the site is not ready to comment on the situation. Here's the interview from Australia:

2) Jamie Gold Brands Again

Despite recent discussions to the contrary 2006 WSOP Main Event champ Jamie Gold is still very much one of the most recognizable - and brandable - names in poker. Maybe not an "ambassador" per se, but undoubtedly a very, very popular name in poker.

Case in point: Even with a disappointing end to his Jamie Gold Poker Room at the Tropicana in Vegas Island Breeze Casinos will now carry the Gold name with a new JG Poker Room opening in Palm Beach, Florida:

3) Negreanu: In with Back Stories, Out with Strategy

We have a feeling this "poker is dying" story will linger for a while but in the interim Daniel Negreanu, perhaps the most vocal/accurate barometer of poker's mainstream pulse, suggests we look to the ongoing Olympics to lead us back to the TV promised land:

Winter Olympics provide a great example. Public doesn't know the people or the sports but with great story telling fans & stars are created.

— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) February 11, 2014

Much of the poker boom should be credited to ESPN and 411 Productions who spent time developing stars of poker. We have gotten away from it.

— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) February 11, 2014

There is something interesting about EVERYONE! It's up to the production team to find out what that is, then sell it to the public.

— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) February 11, 2014

I have ALWAYS believed the focus should never be on the game, but on the characters who play it. We waste time appeasing the wrong demo.

— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) February 11, 2014

The idea that the game needs to be "taken more seriously" is exactly the opposite of what I believe. It's the totally wrong approach IMO

— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) February 11, 2014

Poker stars were created, somewhat on their own merits, but mostly because ESPN and 441 Productions made them stars. Myself included obv.

— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) February 11, 2014

Out with the high end analysis during broadcasts and in with the back stories, character development, and connection to fans.

— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) February 11, 2014

Will be doing a blog about this, the super high rollers, and the overused term "bad for poker" very soon.

— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker) February 11, 2014

As always, stay tuned...