They say the modern game requires more skill. That’s not necessarily true. For example, borrowing money used to be a much trickier proposition at the WSOP in Binions. These days, a story about a wire transfer that’s been delayed /lost usually does the job. A little bit of homework is helpful. Like figuring out what bank the wire would have gone if it wasn’t a work of fiction.
Back in Binions timing was everything. First of all, you had to find a blinding game in the middle of the night and then you had to find a victim. Preferably one who’d just come back from a liquid dominated dinner. Then you had to convince the guy the game was the best ever, you’d lost the key to your box and the guy with the drill didn’t start work till 10am. Then you had to minimise losses until your sponsor went to bed and you could hit the airport. Of course, it also helped if you actually had a box albeit an empty one.
Was driving around town the other day with legendary WSOP floorman Scof. He’s been in town since shortly after WW1 and is in the habit of pointing at places and telling you what used to be there. He pointed at one spot and told me a guy from New York who was a connected guy once told him he and his buddies were planning to open a casino there and wished to hire him as manager. He was presently surprised when told what salary they were proposing to pay him. He laughed and asked “Who do I have to kill for that kind of money?”. The other guy didn’t laugh and replied : “You don’t have to kill anybody. We will look after that end of the business.” No. He didn’t take the job!
Went for dinner with Team888 a few nights ago. They took us to a fabulous Brazilian joint where guys kept coming around with meat until people were so bloated they couldn’t move. One guy came up with a theory that the place was secretly funded by the US government for the purpose of turning everyone into Americans.
In a classy move, the WSOP awarded an honorary bracelet to Chad Brown. Just twelve months ago, I was having a laugh with Chad here as he was planning a trip to Ireland to play poker. I told him he’d love it. I wasn’t kidding. Sadly, it’s not going to happen as Chad is receiving hospice treatment. The blog he wrote about his circumstances is all about class and courage. I’m not talking about the courage to stick your chips in the pot. I’m talking about the real thing.
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Back in Binions timing was everything. First of all, you had to find a blinding game in the middle of the night and then you had to find a victim. Preferably one who’d just come back from a liquid dominated dinner. Then you had to convince the guy the game was the best ever, you’d lost the key to your box and the guy with the drill didn’t start work till 10am. Then you had to minimise losses until your sponsor went to bed and you could hit the airport. Of course, it also helped if you actually had a box albeit an empty one.
Was driving around town the other day with legendary WSOP floorman Scof. He’s been in town since shortly after WW1 and is in the habit of pointing at places and telling you what used to be there. He pointed at one spot and told me a guy from New York who was a connected guy once told him he and his buddies were planning to open a casino there and wished to hire him as manager. He was presently surprised when told what salary they were proposing to pay him. He laughed and asked “Who do I have to kill for that kind of money?”. The other guy didn’t laugh and replied : “You don’t have to kill anybody. We will look after that end of the business.” No. He didn’t take the job!
Went for dinner with Team888 a few nights ago. They took us to a fabulous Brazilian joint where guys kept coming around with meat until people were so bloated they couldn’t move. One guy came up with a theory that the place was secretly funded by the US government for the purpose of turning everyone into Americans.
In a classy move, the WSOP awarded an honorary bracelet to Chad Brown. Just twelve months ago, I was having a laugh with Chad here as he was planning a trip to Ireland to play poker. I told him he’d love it. I wasn’t kidding. Sadly, it’s not going to happen as Chad is receiving hospice treatment. The blog he wrote about his circumstances is all about class and courage. I’m not talking about the courage to stick your chips in the pot. I’m talking about the real thing.
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