CREW DISSENSION..an epidemic?

There appears to be a lot going on with crews during this year's Crew Battle Series here on Pokerspace. So, I thought I would throw my two cents in on my observations on the subject.

First off, let me clarify one thing, the Crew Battle Series as it is currently constructed, while it is similar to the Crew Cup, it is not the same. With all the fallout from Black Friday and lack of support thereafter from all poker sites, running a true Crew Cup was not possible. I do think, however, that the Crew Battle Series is, at the very least, about as much as we all could hope for under the circumstance.

Moving on to the subject of this blog, prior to this year's Crew Battle Series, I do not believe I have ever seen as much bickering, name calling and infighting amongst members of the same crew in past crew play. So, I asked myself why, what is the problem? What does it take to be and/or become a solid crew?

In my opinion, there are there are several things required: getting six solid poker players together (regardless of their style of play i.e., NIT, TAG, LAG etc.); putting together six individuals who get along and communicate well so they mesh together; finding the right captain who can help the crew flourish.

I think that what is happening frequently during this Crew Battle Series is that members of crews are on the wrong crew for them in the first place. Let's face it, not every player needs the same thing to help the crew excel. Some need little or no input; others may need constant direction and assistance.

Playing team poker is different for each player. Some like, and maybe want or require, the what I like to call "dictator captain" who tells them their every play. Others may want to discuss ideas on the hand they are playing with input from their captain and/or crew mates. Still other players may want to be on a crew that just wants to have fun and who cares how they finish.

I would be remiss to not point out the obvious fact that there are a few crews who have stayed together for what seems forever with little or no changes to the crew itself and have done exceptionally well (Fortress, Stacked Connectors, DSA,), just to name a few. By the same token there are members who seem to captain or influence crews with great success; Iceman is the first that comes to mind.

At the end of the day, I think the bottom line is that you must find or create a crew that suits your needs and seeks what you want to get out of playing team poker. After all, what works for player X or player Y probably will not be the same as what works for you.

In parting, I would like to remind all that the captain of any crew does not own the members of his/her crew. This is not a professional team sport where players are purchased and sign contracts necessitating a trade to change teams (crews).

Remember there is no "I" in TEAM, and a crew is what its members make it, not any one player or captain.