Madsen's 6th Sense for Poker

Words: Ted Elrick Pictures: Giuliano Bekor

He’s the heir to all the Hollywood tough guys, like Robert Mitchum, Marlon Brando, Lee Marvin, Steve McQueen, whose very presence says this is a guy you don’t want to cross, but you’d love to have him on your side. He’s played vicious snakes like Vic Vega a.k.a. Mr. Blonde in Quentin Tarantino’s breakthrough film Reservoir Dogs or Budd, a.k.a. Sidewinder, in Tarantino’s latest Kill Bill, Volume 2.

Yet Michael Madsen’s equally known for a softer side, playing the father in Free Willy, and is the author of three books of poetry. In the upcoming ESPN original television series Tilt, Madsen is Don “The Matador” Everest, a poker champion.

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Words: Ted Elrick

Recently, 5th Street Magazine sat down with two powerhouses of the professional poker world, Jennifer Harman Traniello and Evelyn Ng. While both play tournaments, each prefers to play in different settings-Traniello in live cash games and Ng online.

While the strategies for the different games are different, we focused on the similarities and on why poker is an even playing field for men and women.

Do men try to intimidate women at the table?
HARMAN TRANIELLO > I just got an e-mail from a girl who wants to move up in levels. She’s so intimidated by men harassing her that she’s real scared to do it. So she e-mailed me on how not to be intimidated. Throughout the years I’ve gotten some abuse, but no longer. I’m respected as a pro.

Before, if a complete stranger asked me what I did for a living and I said, “I’m a professional poker player.” He’d say, “Yeah, right.” He probably would believe me more if I told him I was writing songs for Nirvana. Before, I feel that it was unbelievable for women to actually be poker players.

Full Story at 5th Street Magazine...