Tony G trolling Phil Hellmuth. Or was he?

Tony G: "I'm sorry if I bullied you..." 

Phil Hellmuth: "...you showed your true colors... I don't think your the kinda guy that wants to show your true colors all the time."

Tony G: "well...your true colors can't escape you. You are who you are, Phil."

Phil Hellmuth: "yep" 

Tony: "I'm sorry, that's the way I am."   

(5:17-5:42)  

(*Pauses video. *Replays lines a couple more times at .75 speed for max enjoyment)

The truth of the matter is that there is actually no codebook of rules, etiquette, or any level of enforcement that will deter a player from doing anything to win at any moment.  Internalizing this reality while playing poker could save one great disappointment and grief - especially when one finds himself in the crosshairs of such a diabolical opponent like Tony G, who feeds off of players lack of judgement, instinct and emotional fortitude. 

This begs the question- Is always upholding popularly accepted forms of poker Etiquette ever truly warranted during play? Should a player faithfully, yet blindly trust and expect integrity out of an opponent, if he so chooses to? - To those like Phil Hellmuth, who place poker etiquette and morals on a very high pedestal, the answer would be a clear cut yes more often than not; but what does lying to an opponents face mean to those who disregard moral and ethical codes at times in order to achieve victory over others? Actually, would it mean anything at all?

'Karmically', perhaps Tony G did deserve to lose the pot, but what cannot be denied is that Phil Hellmuth was at fault.  Of course, the bigger picture highlights the danger that comes with living in a fairytale at the table. A fairytale that entails all poker players uphold the same beliefs, same ideologies, and same level of regard for politeness and actions deemed just. 

Tony G, through his unforgiving nature, and brute tactics at the table, which aren't warmly received by many, foreshadows a painful truth that remains hard to swallow for some -  there are many of us (whether we admit to it or not) willing to do whatever it takes to win at any given opportunity. There is no amount of public scolding or fear of breaking publicly agreed upon code of ethics and etiquette that will truly intervene with a players decision to 'cross the line.' 


A more severe case of angle-shooting given the circumstances, but once again- Should these codes of ethics truly be regarded when Only winning matters? You be the judge. 

Familiar terms like, angle-shooting, deception, lying, low-balling and more are merely all actions that we categorize and use to judge a players caliber only after the fact. After the dust is settled and damage is done the only things that can be left to ponder or be expected is for players who are on the receiving end of these actions to be more vigilant.  

A shared regard for ethics and integrity at the table present no true safe-haven or fairytale-like setting where all players should not be on guard all of the time.  

Feel bad for Phil Hellmuth? Cool... But hate Tony G? Maybe. . .