This Lance Armstrong cheating business got me thinking about drug testing in other sports and before long I was wondering what would would happen if they introduced it to the big poker tournaments?
Numerous players over the years have been partial to the odd illicit substance.
In Des Wilson’s book “Ghosts at the Table” he revealed that Bobby Hoff, the 1979 WSOP main event runner up, used to leave a line of cocaine by the bedside for when he woke up. Could this have given him an unfair advantage?
And if you’re going to talk about banning illegal drugs, why not prescription drugs too? You could argue that whacking a load of valium into your system to keep calm might give you a better poker face while you’re enjoying that warm comatose feeling. And what about alcohol?
Most people would probably be happy playing a drunk but Scotty Nguyen took down the 2008 $50k H.O.R.S.E event while getting obnoxiously smashed and T J Cloutier had a friend who could be the toughest player in the world slightly drunk but the biggest fish ever once he was totally hammered.
So this week’s question is: “Should poker players ever be drug tested?” Answer this week’s poll and leave a comment with your Twitter username to be in with a chance of winning an Irish Open satellite token.
Congratulations to @theblackrose84 for winning last week’s poll.
I had to vote “Yes, Sometimes” if only because I’d love to see what the oddest things people test positive for are. Having said that I don’t think illegal drugs should cause people pickup bans in sport generally speaking its not giving them an edge,a footballer who tests positive for marijuana say isn’t getting a performance boost from it. Testing for PED’s should be about catching scum like Armstrong cheating not banning a guy cause he was using something recreationaly . Back to poker I’d also love tosee guys have side betson what they could test positive for mid tournament who want to see Tom Dwan test positive for high levels of estrogen, anyone?
No…for this simple reason – Why? What is the advantage/point of doing such a test? It would be a total waste of time/money. Leave it be, if someone wants to be high/smashed while playing poker so be it…It will be them that loses in the long run. @pcbunter
@pauldoc9
I would say people should be tested an I will explain why. If people are high on drugs they may have an addiction to it. That alongside gambling at the poker table could be a bad combination for that individual.
Yes of course it’s better for every other player at the table if the player is drugged up an not with it so to speak.
However with what has happen in the cycling world, would the poker industry like to keep a clean image before some story like that breaks.
How would it be tested and controlled is another issue. It’s a tricky one and will certainly divide people on what side they choose. @djdoc2001
If there was testing maybe we could enjoy Stu Ungar for some more….
@ironnutzpoker