Shock and Awe

  Those people reading this who are fans of Mixed Martial Arts genre of fighting such as the UFC (often referred to as cage fighting) are probably familiar with a guy named Ken Shamrock. Mr. Shamrock has lifted the UFC championship belt a few times in his life, and has cultivated a reputation for not only being a very competent competitor, but also a rather brutal one. There are those of us who are much bigger and stronger than Ken, but if confronted with possibility of having to get into a bar fight with the man, would probably just submissively urinate and go order a drink with an umbrella in it. The fight was over before the first punch was thrown. Shamrock is getting up there in age, and somebody younger and faster could probably clean his clock, but because of his reputation chances are most guys would just back down.  More than one big named poker player has won a hand based on nothing more than their reputation. Annie Duke is a very good player, and it will never hurt someone to respect her talent with the game, but to be in awe of someone like her at the table will often translate into playing scared, or being too aggressive in an attempt to get an edge on them.  Thousands of people, including more than a few reading this, will be playing at this year's World Series of Poker. They will suddenly find themselves at the same table with people that they have probably watched on television for years. The best way to ensure that their tournament experience will be a short one is to be in debilitating awe of these people. Stand up, play your game, and take a swing at these darlings of the poker world. You may find it is easier to knock out a legend than you think.