October 18, 2007
The greatest bluff you ever made in your life didn't even take place at a pokerstars table. It's like last year. I had this certain image of myself that was different than the way other people probably see me. "I grew up in the inner city." I have had a great start this year because of the results in two big pokerstar tournaments. Since last year's WSOP, Paul has proven himself to be a rising star, finishing in 12th place at the recent 2007 Crown Aussie Millions Championship and taking home $91,121. He's just the most gentle dog in the world. We don't disclose what that is but it does not in any way cover the $100,000. David remembers when Jack Binion used to run a pokerstars golf tournament for all the WSOP participants, where the betting overshadowed the tee shots and putts. And I read a couple of Sklansky's books.
I was honestly surprised by how easy he was to approach, even more surprised to find that he was a real person, not just some myth created by the ESPN crews. Now, casino management is noticing the impact of poker operations in other areas such as food and beverage, hotels, and table games. Where does the current President, Chuck Humphrey, have room for improvement? Esfandiari stole the show, delighting viewers by fiendishly antagonizing (and eventually eliminating) Hellmuth. I still have the mentality of a 19-year-old mind.
I had the pleasure of speaking with her about her poker star experiences and what's looking to be the place to be in Las Vegas poker. Or $2000-$4000. Then one weekend the junket went to the Dunes. Chiu is studying Asmo's $600,000 and playing with 18 blue ($500) chips. On August 10, 2006, Jamie Gold eagerly hunched over a poker table, hole cards clutched in one hand as he stared down his opponent, Paul Wasicka. Then along came Tom McEvoy and I watched him. I would also bet that most of us do not want to be full-time players, where making the rent payment depends on how well we did at the table last night. It will blow you away. This was my second trip. I live with it. You might even feel a bit of that excitement as they become all grins, hold those giant wads of cash over their head, but I have to tell you - it's nothing compared to seeing it in person.
The big money was in the pokerstar games up on what we called the 'Bloodthirsty Highway' where everybody there was some kind of an outlaw. "First things first - Seattles Best coffee, or Starbucks?" She chuckles, say"Starbucks." "Why?" "Because," Isabelle says." It seemed so incomprehensible, but it also seemed like a great challenge. The big game at the time was a one-dollar ante. I watched you play a few at the Sam Boyd Poker Classic in November, 1998. I think I am pretty aggressive. Sometimes I have nothing and move my chips in just because I know the other player doesn't have a big hand. For instance, last month we were playing in a big pokerstars game and -- I'm not going to use the guy's name -- he loaned this other guy in the game a million dollars. Then, they took our money. T.J. While he was making a name for himself in the business Kevin actually supported himself by playing poker and blackjack. Let's say you were the Commissioner of Poker. I breath a lot. The difference between us was, he carried a gun in a shoulder holster.
