The Muck: Is the Poker Term "Fish" Insulting to You?
Tiffany Michelle shared a hand history on X from the Arizona State Poker Championships at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale.
That isn’t the full story, though. Michelle’s a longtime respected and talented poker content creator who has reported on more tournaments than we can count. But in this event, she unintentionally caused quite the controversy on social media when she used the term “fish” in a tweet when referring to a recreational opponent.
Players have been calling those they don’t deem to be skilled at poker “fish” for many years. Donkey and nit are a couple other common ways to insult an opponent. But when one poker media veteran casually referred to an opponent as a fish, it caused quite a stir.
The poker player asked her followers if she punted on the bubble. She explained in her tweet that she had about 15 big blinds and min-raised from middle position with A♥7♥. Only the big blind called to see a flop of 4♣9♥7♦, and Michelle moved all in with middle pair and received a call from top set. No help would come on the turn or river and she was out, but she tweeted a video of the hand, which included showing the player she referred to as the "BB fish."
Kessler Takes Issue
Michelle, who finished 17th in the 2008 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, isn’t usually one to spark controversy on social media. And she clearly had no intent in doing so when she posted the above tweet. She has a pretty chill demeanor and her tweets and Instagram videos are typically light-hearted. But, as is often the case on X, one minor comment had some up in arms.
"Not a good look to call someone a fish and video them," Allen Kessler wrote.
Michelle fired back at the "Chainsaw," who recently won a $1.2 million Buffalo slot machine jackpot at Thunder Valley Resort Casino in Lincoln, California.
"I disagree with you and am disappointed by the level of sensitivity I’m observing over me using a poker term that is WIDELY used in this game, without much consideration or interest when stated by a dude. Fish is simply a poker term to reference a player’s experience and has nothing to do with one’s RESPECT for the opponent, or a lack thereof," Michelle responded on X.
"You're an ambassador for the venue. You shouldn't even consider calling customers 'fish' and then taking video of them imo. This has nothing to do with you being female. Not sure why you brought that up tbh," Kessler fired back.
"I DO NOT come on here and agree wholeheartedly with Allen very often. Today Chainsaw is totally correct and on point," @bello_christo commented.
Katie Dozier argues that "fish" has "negative connotations," and says that "being female has nothing to do with it." She wasn't in the minority as many others criticized Michelle for going down that route.
Arieh and Other Poker Players Come to Michelle's Defense
Josh Arieh is fed up with the poker X "woke" mob, and he voiced his displeasure with those who took offense to Michelle's tweet. The six-time WSOP bracelet winner and Poker Hall of Fame nominee had some choice words for the "SJW" crowd.
"So lemme get this right. It's ok to talk behind someone's back and call them a fish. Just make sure they don't hear you? Every one of you calling out @TiffanyMichelle are full of f*****g s**t! Every single one of you call people fish when you're telling bad beat stories! GTFOH with the SJW bull s**t! Fish are why most of you bums don't have to have 9-5 jobs," Arieh tweeted.
Plenty of other poker players defended Michelle for calling an opponent a fish, although some did say the term is fine to use, but filming said "fish" crossed the line.
"My god poker players are such little whiny b*****s. If someone got butt hurt by the word 'fish' play better then GTFO with your weak a** feelings," writes @sharkslayerrr.
"To be fair, does anyone really care what Chainsaw thinks?" @BadBoyOfBowls asked Michelle.
"My take is that people can call me whatever they want to when I'm stacking their chips," @mcmcgurk joked.
"You did nothing wrong people are way too sensitive," @callmeBRICK commented.
What do you think about Michelle referring to an opponent as a fish and recording him as he stacked her chips? Vote in the poll below.
