A Serious Question Put to Faldo

Matchy asked this:

“Poker seems to be mostly a young man's game. If you look at the top pros many are twenty-somethings save for a few Doyle Brunson types. This begs the question...how would would Faldo of today fare in a heads up game against the young Faldo? I am sure you have learned alot over the years, but would that knowledge overcome the bravado of youth?

For what it's worth the current Matchy would kill the Matchy of the past. Not saying I am anything special now, but I had no concept of pot odds or the math of the game back even 10 years ago.”

Faldo: Just like the athletes of yesterday would be no match for the athletes of today, the past “young” Faldo would lose to the current Faldo. Not quickly mind you, but would lose all the same.

But Matchy, you hit the nail on the head. The young Faldo had “onions” – and was willing to “back his read” to the hilt. Today’s Faldo, not so much – even though today’s Faldo is slightly better at reads, he can’t always pull the trigger.

In addition, the young Faldo could not handle certain types of players or some of their different Dealer’s Choice offerings. Today’s Faldo – although not happy with a lot of selections – can handle them all.

Experience is the best teacher, and I think everyone gets better over time. You have to improve as you go, because your opponents are.