The It’s hard for me to believe, but Football is here again. I have always loved football but I honestly
think the pure love I had for football and all other sports has diminished over the years. Now, as I said, I
still love football but a lot of that now has to do with betting on the games.
Let me make the disclaimer right up front-- it has been a long time since I bet any significant amounts on
any sporting event. And, even though somehow or other when I was a big sports bettor I managed to
actually show a profit, it became way too stressful and the swings were sometimes extremely painful.
Which leaves me now as a small $100 bettor and I really bet only when I am in Nevada and can do it
legally or maybe while playing poker I will bet someone at the table.
I guess my point is to justify some form of “gambling” in the sense that people in sports are banned from
betting as it would undermine the integrity of the game on the other hand if no gambling could be done by
the public how many television sets would be watching something else. So the tremendous revenue from
television would suffer and thus the players salaries, etc., so you can see everyone involved has to walk a
tightrope whenever the subject of gambling on sports events comes up.
The Legends of Poker has just concluded and thankfully it was successful for me. I had a couple of
cashes, one of which was for slightly less than $30,000. For whatever reason, the Legends discontinued
their Best All-Around awards which was a huge disappointment to me. I wanted to tell the powers that
be that I think that they lost quite a bit or revenue with that move. I know personally I only played 7 or
8 tournaments and, had there been an All-Around, I know I would have played almost all the events.
Maybe next year they will reconsider and reinstall their Best All-Around race.
The Commerce moved their California State Championship tournament to September this year. I am
sure their old time slot of June was changed not to conflict with the World Series of Poker.
Speaking of the World Series of Poker, there were many things that turned me off about the tournament.
But none that didn’t have to do with my own personal preferences with the exception of what I am about
to relate to you. It has to do with my friend Randall Skaggs--his story I will relay to you, as best I can,
the way HE told me personally.
One day, during the World Series, a friend of Randall's asked him if he could buy a $5,000 Bellagio chip.
She explained that the Rio wouldn’t cash it and she needed the money. Randall said no problem and was
happy to help a friend. Later that evening, Randall was leaving the Rio and went to get his car from
valet. That’s where the problem occurred. You see, Randall always gives the valet two dollars or two
one dollar chips. On this particular evening, Randall did the exact same thing only mistakenly gave the
valet attendant a one dollar Rio chip and one $5,000 Bellagio chip. Not that hard to do when it’s dark out
and both chips are white.
It isn’t until the next day when Randall realizes his mistake. Natur-
ally, he goes to the Rio and explains what has happened. After being told by the Rio personnel that the
situation would be rectified, days passed and, after several instances of being given the run around,
Randall has come to the conclusion he will not get his money from the Rio. It would be too long or
complicated to go through every step, excuse, etc., that Randall heard, but the bottom line is, Randall is
still without his money and it seems the prospect of getting his money back has gone to about nil.
Now, to me, the whole episode is unconscionable. How the Rio, who made millions and millions of dollars
off of the World Series, could come up lame to a gentleman who has played countless years and countless
events at the World Series is beyond me.
I would like to get Jack Binion’s take on the whole thing and I am sure Benny Binion is turning over in his
grave. What an injustice to such a nice, always generous individual.
For What it’s Worth
Vince
The WSof P has ended and we have a new multi-millionare poker player. I’m not sure of Dr. Jerry Yang’s
financial status before he won the main event, but I would guess it was okay. Now, needless to say, it is
much better. It was nice to see the winner and the winning without controversy. Hopefully, the Jaime
Gold incident will never happen again, not only in the main event, but also not in any event.
As far the W.S. and me, it was almost a wash as I played seven events and the main event and cashed
for approx. $4,000 and $10,000. The bottom line was a small loss of about $4,000. I had planned to
play several more events, but some problems came up that needed my attention, so I didn’t make it in to
Vegas for the first part of the tournament.
I have to admit, overall, the Series was a disappointment to me--it just seemed like too many people, too
many tournaments and basically too many and too much of everything.
I must praise the staff for the efficiency with which they were able to carry off having so many
tournaments going at the same time and repeating the process on a daily basis.
There were several things that I was unhappy with and some other things that I was pleased with. I
would go into those things now, but since I will probably try to repeat what I did last year and write an
open letter to the Commissioner, I will just hold off on giving my opinions until then.
Good news on the sales of my new book, it is going very well and I have had many-many compliments on
the content.
My first book, Pizza, Pasta and Poker, is continuing to do well and I have had several large re-orders in
the last month. All in all, I am happy and most of all flattered that both books have been so well
received.
The schedule for the Fall Poker Round-Up in Pendleton is out and can be seen by going to “Poker and
other interesting links” on my website, then clicking on Wildhorse Resort and Casino where you will be
able to get the dates and all the applicable numbers to call and make reservations. I’ve told you this
before, but I must repeat it, make your reservations early as we are expecting a very large turnout.
Until next time, Good luck in Poker and life.
For What it’s Worth
Vince