james woods

[FloppyNuts 0]

James Woods makes regularly poor poker decisions if his IQ is what he says it is. But he's been playing poker for a relatively short time, so it's probably due to inexperience. He also plays higher than his actual skill level, since he's financially successful elsewhere anyway. In regards to IQ tests, they have a standard deviation of something like 16 points. If you ask someone who's taken more than one, they almost always tell you their highest score, maybe even pad it a little, and conveniently not mention their poorer performances.

[All_In 0]

played way too tight against chan. never raised when he should have...i bet chan couldn't believe it when they kept turning their cards over at SD and woods had a good hand, but didn't raise.

[JimmyWellington 1]

For example, my IQ is 167, but I tell people (when it comes up in conversations) that it is 147, so they don't feel too intimidated...lol :wink:

You mean conversations other than this one?

[Dirtydutch 8]

James Woods is a Very good player, maybe he's not one of the top pros, but he can hold his own.

[speedz99 145]

For example, my IQ is 167, but I tell people (when it comes up in conversations) that it is 147, so they don't feel too intimidated...lol :wink:

You mean conversations other than this one?

Ha! Nice catch.My take:1. He was obviously being sarcastic when he said he expected to win and Chan was not a big deal. The guy knows a ton about poker, and would never seriously say those things.2. He is extremely bright. Maybe not 184, but smart enough. When it comes down to it, any IQ over approximately 140 is completely useless, because that is how smart the people are who make the IQ test. How can you accurately test how smart someone is if they are smarter than you?3. Woods did fine against Chan. The guy hasn't played serious poker for too long, and any of us would be shaking like a leaf and folding to every raise in that situation.

[bigkg 0]

I just have a few comments on IQ...1.) Everybody that is saying they could easily get 140...please go research something about IQ then come tell us. 130 is gifted and 140 is genius, in case you were wondering.2.)The average IQ is 100, and I pretty sure the standard deviation is 15.3.) IQ tests are rarely even used anymore; the WAIS is normally used now.

[Hooha123 0]

He also claims to be hung like a horse. He did come off on that ESPN interview like someone who needs a piano dropped on his head, but he's still a great actor and just because he doesn't make blockbuster movies, doesn't mean he's not wealthy. He works consistently because he's always a potential oscar nomination. But yes, he definately is an egomaniac. Probably the worst of the bunch.

[whippedspoon 0]

Screw this IQ crap. He's an actor. If he's so smart, he should be doing something else with his brains. If he's so smart, maybe he should win a poker event. He should show me some results before I give him any respect. Nobody thinks Ben Affleck is a brain surgeon and he won a huge tournament. So forget this IQ garbage.

[neblon 0]

I took my IQ test the other day at the Univ. of the Internet. It rated me :l a genius,therefore I am.

[CrazyJoe 0]

i thought he played really well against Chan, a little tight sure, but i was thinking he was preparing to change gears when the blinds got higher, which wouldve been a good strategy if he had of made it that far

[FloppyNuts 0]

It's all about how he sells himself. If James Woods had instead stated that his IQ was 65 and the rest of the broadcast were exactly the same, I'd be more impressed. "Wow! Didja see how long that dumb guy held his own against Chan!"

[Koroshiya 0]

I thought Woods' performance was embarrassing and the match illustrated the vast gulf between a good home game player and a real pro. Woods started out aggressively and looked pretty good. He came close to winning once, but over-all his play was simply erratic and silly. After some early success he tightened up, and the randomness of his goofy decisions provided Woods' only strength in that it confused Chan. One would expect this because a big part of what pros rely on is some tactical insight into what their opponent might be thinking.Woods also falls into one of the traps smart people set for themselves, he thinks his IQ always gives him a significant edge. In this game knowledge of game-specific tactics and intuitive skills are more important than raw IQ. The last hand Woods went all-in with was dirt stupid, regardless of IQ. They were back to about even in chips and Wood's risked his tournament life on the classic "hand that looks pretty" dumb play.He barely did better than a drunk monkey.Koroshiya

[LooseCannon 0]

In the tournaments I've seen him in, he plays way too tight. I know you're supposed to be tight and aggressive but he's like a rock. You need to make some moves and throw in some raises with marginal hands to get some action and push the table around. He just waits for KK and when it doesn't come, he basically gets blinded out. I know they are crappy celebrity tournaments but he plays one hand about 2 hours into the thing and then he's out.

This could be indicative of a player who plays reasonably tight for a cash game, but who doesn't open up appropriately in a tournament situations. He's not a horrible player and he plays tight enough that he could get away with a lot more bluffs. I'm thinking he plays primarily limit cash games but has been swept into the no-limit tournament poker craze.

[koa 0]

really who cares about his IQ. Can he play cards? He showed glimpses of it with the AJ. But really that was his only good play. The huge that cost all his chips was a terrible call. He has a black QJ and the board is all hearts!!! and with a King, 10, blank, He checks and calls Chans all in for most of his chips. Really what does he have beat here. Yes he has an open end straight but there are 3 hearts on the board. So if Chan has a heart which he did, he loses two of his outs, second there is a K on board which makes his Q J under cards if Chan has a king which he did. I really don't see what he is excited about with that flop. With his two outs gone because of the flush draw and have two under cards its like have mid pair or almost as bad as a gut shot. It very easy fold yet he shove all his chips in and call which is even worst. So he Hits his ace for the straight dances around then the very reason which makes it a bad call comes on the river the fourth heart for Chans flush. Even if makes his hand he still has alot to dodge.

[troutsmart 0]

I don't doubt James Wood's IQ or capacity as a poker player. I took his comments in humor, and don't believe he pretends to think he is a world class player. Does he have the potential to be? Maybe so.As for IQ, as stated above, 187 is rare indeed. So extraordinarly rare that you might meet one person in your lifetime with such an IQ, and I even doubt that. Statistically, we shouldn't have such a person in the U.S., but I personally feel that the figures that the orginal test were based on might not have been accurate with their deviation, though not by far. I've always been viewed as intelligent by others, which continues to surprise me. I don't consider myself a whizkid, but math came easy, and my critical thinking scores have always been high. On the official IQ test, I came in at 135. I state that score, because I honestly have no clue how accurately it measures my intelligence. I personally thought the test, though interesting, could not possibly assign an intelligence rating. On a number of the questions, I could see how a person could intelligently come up with a couple different answers. In many ways, I consider myself to be very average. To me, the IQ score means very little.

[Speedy Petey 0]

When are these heads up matches on NBC? I have not seen any advertising and it sounds like I have missed two or three episodes already. Thanks.

[Tap the Glass 0]

Whenever someone says they have an IQ over 140 I usually either don't believe them, or assume they didn't take a real IQ test.

140 isn't all that difficult. I was a 142 or so when I was tested in 3rd grade (I'm 17 almost 18 now, so it was 9 or 10 years ago.) It's not common, but there's no reason not to believe it.

I hate to be a smartass, or a dumbass depending on your perspective, but if your IQ was that high wouldn't you be able to calculate exactly how many years ago you were in third grade rather than 9 or 10 years ago?And my feeling is that its hard to accurately gauge James Woods' ability based upon his showing in the HU tournament against a guy who has about 100,000 more heads up hands in experience.

[Nudjer 0]

I got to play with him at Foxwood's at the 50-100 NL table. He held his own, and isn't that bad of a player. It did get annoying with a couple ladies coming to the table asking for autograph. He was only at the table for a hour and a half, said he was there for mother's day and had to go to dinner with his mom. Kinda of funny. I did manage to take one pot from him for like 300 bucks, so I guess that makes up for some of the crappy movies I have paid for over the years.

[Stylistic 0]

I actually sat down at the same table as James Woods at commerce Casino last saturday night. I moved from a new table so I was not able to watch him play as much, however I was shocked to see him. He was short stacked.Also, one time I've played with his wife or girlfriend as well at commerce casino. They are one of the nicest couple I have ever met. I was actually admired by their personality. A big couple in the entertainment industry just living their lives enjoying poker. His girlfriend wasn't much of a player but she still participated in a 300 dollar buy in tournament. The whole time I was able to chat with her until i broke her and knocked her out of the tournament. She was so nice. That was about a year agoVery modest for celebrities. The first "HI and how are you doin" comes from James Woods the moment I sat down at the table. Im sure he knew that I knew who he was cuz I just kept starin in utter shock. It's actually funny because for like 4 hands I totally forgot I was playin Poker. This one particular hand I was extremely nervous not because I flopped a full house, but it's the fact that James Woods was starin at me while I was playing. I bet onto the flop with the full house stupidly and everyone folded while one guy was all in. So got to see my hand and saw my shakiness as I bet out with the chips with a powerhouse hand. LOL but it's funny, I wasn't nervous cuz of that. It's because of a big time celebrity observing my movements.I know this sounds ridiculous but, I am a film student so I admirer a lot of people in the entertainment industry. I wished that he lasted longer at the table that way I can come up with a conversation with him. TO be honest, I think it's quite difficult for celebs to learn poker. Because they simply don't have the time to learn. James Woods actually has a lot of passion for the game it seems. I mean he bought into small tournaments. He also asks questions about hands.Usually, the passion in teh game thrives from the amount of money that can be rewarded. James Woods is rich already, therefore you know that he is there for the sport of the game. The love of the game. I wouldnt misjudge people like him since they have all the money in the world to make any of us go broke heads up There was also this moment where James Woods saw a guy's card as the guy mucked it. This guy was sittin across the table on the other side. James Woods was nice enough to announce that he saw that guy's card and that it was an Ace. It was an important hand since Woods was involved with AQ. Sadly he got knocked out on a reraise flop when some other guy hit a set to his Wood's Top Pair Queens and Ace Kick. He gave a shrugged and walked out with every single person acknowledging him as he passes by table to table. Many respect this man :)Anyway that is my experience with James Woods. Very kind man...THey're actors, not poker players come on now guys But if anyone puts their mind to it they can be a pro at anything.

[Rocketwadster 0]

For example, my IQ is 167, but I tell people (when it comes up in conversations) that it is 147, so they don't feel too intimidated...lol :wink:

You mean conversations other than this one?

Apparantly, the IQ's of many of the forum members is extremely high, so my measly 167 wouldn't intimidate anyone. No, I was referring to conversations with all the crack whores and pimps that I have on a regular basis. :wink:

[Frills 0]

Simple, go to hollywoodpoker.com and on thurs nights they have a 10+1 celebrity tourney. James is usually playing it, knock him out and get a $20 bounty.Put up or shut up.

[21gambit 0]

I hear he moon lites as a transgender french-whore on his vacations in amsterdam....This is just what theyre saying around the water cooler, dont put much stock in it.

[Socrates 0]

If I'm not mistaken, hasn't James Wodds been playing higher level poker for quite some time now. I'm talking along before the big blowup of the WSOP and Moneymaker. I'd venture a guess that he's been playing longer than most people on this board have been alive. Another is Jerry Buss, I've heard people saying that he's an idiot and has been buying in on the hype. Truth of that is he's been a high stakes player for years as well.I think people need to do some research before they watch one episode on tv and ridicule good players who happen to be successful at other things. MOst of you come off as sounded jealous as hell.

[dmuoio 0]

First off...there isn't a 50-100 NL Holdem game at Foxwoods. Whoever wrote that is not telling the truth. I have played with him at Foxwoods, over the years, but I haven't seem him in a while. Secondly, I think a true measure of how good a poker player one is is determined by how well he/she does in live action. Think about it...all the people the you have seen in the past 2 years that have won WSOP bracelets and WPT championships. I mean how many can say that they can be consistently good and win or even cash in tourneys. Why do you think so many people play SNG's, because it's ONE table and not 1000-2000 people. It's crazy to think that the pro's don't think the same way. Why is it that Moneymaker, Raymer, Varkoni, and the other "amateurs" aren't constantly cashing at major events? Because they got lucky once? No it's because it's very difficult to wade your way through fields of 1000-2000 players consistently. By the way IQ means nothing, when your counting your BR.

[711Buddha 0]

Speaking of counting bankroll - My seven year old hit the derby winner and made $51.30 (because the deal was she picks a horse, I bet and if she wins we split it.) Anyway, we're hanging out on Mother's day and she has this little purse with her BR in it and she just can't keep her hands off it. She counts it, and we tell her to put it away. Happens over and over. About the 4th or 5th time, when I tell her to put it away, she looks up and says, "Its over a hundred if you count both ends."