Why don't they play live at the same table against each other? That would bypass all the suspicions of using artificial help, would be much more fun to watch as watching players play online is so boring, would give Negreanu the chance to use his amazing live reads when Polk eats oreos, and have table banter which would be entertaining, as they love to wind each other up, and also give scope for spectators which would make the challenge livelier, as both players have lots of support so would make it more of an event. Maybe not all the hands at a table together, as I know live is slower than online, but some live together at a table would be really good.

Lol. Doug and his charts. Stick those charts where they are comfortable boi. If you can't beat that donk straight up, you are a fkn joke anyway.

I'd bet DNegs has a price for that. <---was at TreadL's post

Playing this challenge with a preflop chart's ridiculous. DNegs is already handicapped by being DNegs.

Yea Doug should really let the preflop chart thing go.

I get that from his perspective, it's a "matter of principle" in regards to DNegs acting like he gets second-say on every single agreement point, and on his schedule (although, to be fair, he's the whale in this scenario, and Doug is the one who challenged him, so, it sort of should work that way to at least some extent)

And also that he's just tilted on a gut level of feeling like he "wasted" countless hours in prep time due to not being able to square away all the conditions right off the bat due to Dnegs being all vague and douchey with him or whatever.

That said... Doug should just take a moment to realize that his edge will most likely be BIGGER if they both can't use preflop charts, not smaller. Since Doug will be closer to playing preflop-optimal than Dnegs. So that just adds to his edge, rather than subtracts from it (and that's even including the scenario where Dnegs was predicting this exact turn of events of Doug thinking he'd get to use charts, while Dnegs slightly studies preflop this whole time while Doug doesn't, to try to spin some edge for himself prep-wise in that way or something. Even in that scenario, Doug still probably comes out further ahead than Dnegs without the charts than with the charts).

Also just bigger bragging-rights vibes for Doug if he beats him in the most "pure" and straight-up way possible (i.e. no charts or helper stuff of any kind). The more charts or helper tools he uses in beating him, the more the avg idiot will try to handwave Doug's win away as being augmented with impure stuff or whatever.

So, even more reason yet, to not use that stuff, on top of everything else.

So yea, really really wish Doug would just agree to not use the helper stuff.

That's not to say Doug should be a total pushover if Dnegs tries to put some truly ridiculous stipulation at the last second of something way more unreasonable and drastic.

Just saying as far as this specific thing, yea, this one is not a "good hill to die on" as someone else phrased it. Doug should definitely let this one slide. It's to his own benefit, in more ways than one. Even if he is tilted by the surrounding dynamics of it or whatever.

DP has come across a wee bit petulant about the sheets. Just say 'okay fair doos, when we starting' and get on with it.

Also, as someone else said, they should just discuss this privately instead of the pathetic public shitshow that is both their twitter feeds right now.

Edit - and this is from a DP fan.

There is no argument, imo. Both should be banned, but it's hard to police.

Lol yes

Kinda weird from both parties.

Doug should say "okey whatever" and let it go, cos like Phil Galfond said, there's no way he is gonna be playing what his charts say after he gets a feel for what DN is doing.

And then from DN's point of view, just let the guy have his charts lol, best case sceneario for you is him playing exactly what the charts say and not max exploiting you. Also, if he wants to print his 5 charts and have them on his desk, there's just nothing you can do about it

maybe dnegs should just play galfond instead

I'd love to see Dnegs pull out and play Galfond instead, imagine that plot twist.

Haha sounds like he’s asking for Dnegs

If they agree it’s no charts you think it’s cool for Polk to cheat just because he can?

This. Polk would burn.

I do not understand Polk's logic in saying he'd use a preflop chart. It feels like he wants to find an excuse to get out of this.

I can’t believe DP seriously is arguing for charts and making DN be out to be the bad guy. Super cringe.

I feel bad for Ryan Fees. Imagine this being your business partner. You know you'll make 20K ez if this goes through and the 6:1 favorite, your business partner wins. You can sell how I beat DNEGs on Upswing.

Instead Polk comes and says I need to a use a preflop chart?! LOL! As if any HU pro would ever need to use one. How stupid is that stipulation? Actively trying to discourage action? Making DNEGs feel like more of a fish than possible already?

A former Hu expert who finally gets an insanely good spot and will not concede anything and literally is lessening the chances of him getting actions by not conceding anything. What a chump Polk looks like.

Fees. I hope you can get out of this contract with Polk.

Polk is terrible at business.

What a dick move by Galfond. Not everyone is confident in their game like he is. Doug obviously has different opinions on the charts just like Phil thinks Hellmuth is great and many others don't.

Devils advocate but I think it's fairly clear why Doug is saying this. If you start bending to one demand then soon it'll be another and another and another. Hate using a politics analogy but I cant think of any other off the top of my head, it's the same reason Biden wouldn't agree to a drugs test or any other demands from Trump. **** easily snowballs.


That being said I think it's bad optics for Doug to not relent here. I imagine Doug has put in a lot of effort to be prepared for whatever weird strategy Dnegs throws at him. Dnegs has already insisted no HH's be saved (and some other stipulation I can't fully remember). I can sort of understand Doug wanting to put a line in the sand, just doesn't look great from the outside.

I originally had typed something similar but then I saw it is apparently over preflop charts and laughed instead.

except there is no contract and little retribution except from internet nerds that DNEGs won't play. It's ridiculous that Polks is stipulating anything considering how much EV he will sacrifice if DNEGs pulls out for any reason.