www.gulfcoastpoker.net

Saturday, August 15, 2009

A LITTLE NOTE ON 'ANONYMOUS' COMMENTS



To all of you readers who like to make comments:


I am quite open to any and all critical comments. I will publish pretty much everything. However, the days of publishing comments made by people under the signature of 'Anonymous' are over.


I have had a very distressing incident occur today. Upon arriving at the Beau, which by the way has changed the weekend start times back to noon, FYI...I was told by Employee #1 that I wasn't allowed to register, until I spoke with Employee #2, who happens to read EVERY one of my posts.


So I called Employee #2 on his cell phone. Employee #2 informed me that he read my blog, and based on THAT...I was being trespassed. Yes, trespassed. He wouldn't really engage me in conversation on the matter. But I came away feeling sort of violated. Last time I checked, I still reside in the United States of America, where Freedom of Speech is still a constitutional right. And I know that I have kept my behavior in check at all times at the Beau since my little 'completely misunderstood and totally blown out of proportion' incident from last year (i.e 'The Knee' incident), about this time. I wrote a fairly critical article the other night, wherein I called into question the attitudes of some of the dealers there, also wrote some things about a couple of bad players...and took the picture of one. Kai also got photographed. Kai loves the attention!


I was told by Employee #2 that I 'chased a player out to take his picture.' Huh? I did? I chased someone? Where is THAT picture? That would have required me to move about in a fashion that might come off as exercise. Nope, not me sir. Nope, I just took those three pics, and the one of my chips. Thats all. Pretty sure surveillance could confirm exactly how many times I actually left my table, and if I ever 'chased' anyone.


I also wrote about a competing casino, and talked of a few ideas for them to be successful. Pretty much the same stuff I always talk about. I didnt break any rules the other night. I didn't abuse anyone verbally. I didn't do anything that would have violated my 'terms of service' agreement with them when they let me back in.


So, I find it quite humorous when I go look at the 'COMMENTS' just now, and see one that sounds eerily like it might have been written by someone attached to this situation. And of course, its signed Anonymous. Matter of fact, I might just publish it in a few days. Maybe not. Because it's just SO blatantly sounding like a "hey look what you did, I am going to use this against you to get you 86'ed....mwwwwaaahhhhh mmwwwhaaaaaaaa!!!!!"


I have put in a call to a higher ranking official there, we will call him Employee #3. I am choosing to remain very calm. Not let this piss me off, not let it get me hysterical. And so therefore, I will not. I have a lot of respect for Employee #3, and I think he happens to have a good amount of integrity. I also believe that he KNOWS that I am a guy that the Beau Rivage would rather have working FOR them than AGAINST them.


Afterall, I have done nothing to warrant this reaction. Can't imagine they would want to throw out the biggest mouth in the south with the biggest keyboard for doing absolutely nothing wrong, other than writing a few critical remarks. If the strategy is 'if we 86 him our problems will go away' than that is a pretty silly strategy. When someone like myself uses a blog to write about things like I do, it is to promote change, to make the game better for the players. It worked with Harrah's New Orleans didn't it? They didn't seem to be too upset when they had record numbers of players turn out. I've worked closely with Venetian and look what a killer product they now have. Its not by accident that casinos and poker room managers either work WITH ME and turn out a better product, or work AGAINST ME and watch their product get worse.

At any rate, this comment centers around me 'being so stupid as to post a picture of another player, which is totally against the rules, and you should probably be thrown out and not allowed to play the upcoming tournament.'


Hmmmm...fishy? Yeah, maybe a little fishy. Whatever. What I think it is...is someone not liking what they read, and FINDING a reason to screw me. Please. I've been posting pictures (which by the way...FLASH photography is not allowed in the casino, says nothing about camera phone pictures) from the poker table at the Beau Rivage now for almost two years. And now, SUDDENLY, its an issue? Come on. Who out there is buying this?


The thing that also is very irritating is the this. My wife works there. Try coming home and explaining this to her. She never believes me when I say "sweetie, I didn't do anything." But then...even after THAT dark cloud lifts...there is the fact that I get 'trespassed' from the whole property? For what? That means, no going to see her at work, no going to eat at the restaraunt, no socializing at the clubs or lounges with our friends. And for what earthly reason? Pathetic.


The real bad part of that...is she might think I am right, but then this stuff starts. "I know you didn't do anything wrong...but why is it always YOU who gets in trouble! Its never anyone else. Always YOU! I work there! I have to deal with this! Why can't you just shut up!??" And thats usually followed up by the "why don't you QUIT writing that fucking blog! It justs gets you in trouble!" You know what? Those two statements are pretty fucking sick. Where do I live? Fucking CHINA!??? So, lets see...because of who I am, how I act, and what I write...its a weapon to be used against me? Guy reads this. Guy thinks to himself..."Hmmm...Monkey thinks he's gonna be critical of US? Well....I'll show him! And since he has a checkered past, it will be easy to 86 him without anyone really putting up much of a fight! Yeah!" Hey, no big deal that Constitution that our Founding Fathers signed. Ohhhhh...right, you're a casino, thats right, you have the right to BAN anyone you want for whatever reason...isn't that right? Good veil to hide under. I wonder what it would look like if that casino was featured on the 5pm news...on a feature, called something like...mmmmm "Trampling the 1st Amendment...alive and well here in Biloxi." I'm guessing having that ONE PLAYER 86'ed and trading it in for the avalanche of bad publicity that would follow would do wonders for the casino's business.

To think that I am expected to crawl into a shell, stop talking, stop being expressive, or animated...not share my thoughts and views, not be an advocate for change for the players I represent...to become, basically...a freaking INTROVERTED LITTLE TROLL...to exist within the walls of a specific casino, is damn scary.

So, I am leaving it right here for now. No reason to say anything inflammatory. This is what happened. Point blank. You all can rest assured that I didn't 'do' something that I am not telling you about. I was literally 'trespassed' on the merits of what Employee #2 read in my blog. PERIOD.


Have a Nice Day.


Anonymous Monkey (Yes, that is me under that Flag-like throw/blanket, and yes, I did just download the DEMO from 'WANTED: Weapons of Fate' and YES...I will be going on there now with the intent to kill criminals and suspected terrorists! And under the skill level of 'PUSSY' since to be ASSASSIN or THE KILLER you must buy the full version!!!!)

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Monkey wtf you just keep pissing off people everywhere. Yea a lot of these dudes have theier panites ridding a little to far up their ass, but its always you they target. Seem to be ridicolus to trespass you, but you have history there aperently. My one main thought is pictures of other players is unneccesory and pretty dumb. You can't just take a pic and post it to the world and then slam that person. I think "slander" or "defamation of character" or whatever that legal shit the casinos have to worry about is what may be behind this incident. Just as you mention this is a free country with free speach, but just the same there are things you can't say. ie scream fire in a crowed theater just for fun!, threaten the life of the President just to get a laugh, these are words that are not "FREE".
My advice coming from someone who has worked in casino industry 5ys and been a player for many more is no more pictures, apologize to the Beau for slaming a guest and dont take pics again! You can tell us about this assclown, just don't show us.
I hope you will be able to get though this and not be banned again. I enjoy the color you add to dry and boring poker scene, but I think you need to be a little cautious and protect your livelyhood.

John TN/Vegas

Poker Monkey said...

JOHN:
Since I know who you are your words mean a bit more. Even if your spelling sucks! ;)

Sure, I tend to agree to a degree. The thing is, I have been posting pictures on this thing for a LONG time now...as do other people in their blogs. Plus the players who I post...I TELL THEM Im putting them on my blog. NONE of them have ever objected. None of them.

If it was a problem for the casino, and a certain employee who reads my blog a lot, I would have expected one of them to have TOLD ME to cease doing it. Right?

Trust me...I do everything to follow what 'rules' have been laid out for me...but its kind of hard to comply with the ones that they make up as they go...know what I mean?

And as for things you can and cant write about...I think everything I write is opinion based. No threats, no slanderous or libelous attacks.

At any rate...thanks for taking the time to contribute.I appreciate it.

MONK

AlBrian said...

It's a double edged sword for someone who wants to use their space on the web to post things like you do.

On the one hand, you have the right to slam players AND properties ad nauseum. It IS your right to do and say as you please. Many of the famous voices in the world would have never been heard if they were restricted.

On the other hand, the casino does have a policy in place to protect their interests. These interests include the people who step foot on their property as consumers or employees.

Where does this leave you?

And if you do cater to their demands, where does that leave them? Able to tell everyone that has a beef against them to drop dead or conform?

I don't know who this person is who "told on you" but I do know that they are being a bit trite by 86'ing you based on some words that were "over the top" from them.

My advice to you will only be that...advice. Find out who this is that got you banned and find the REAL reason behind it all. There is no reason for this to happen if in fact it is only the blog that is the driving force. FUCK CENSORSHIP! Esp. if it's only to benefit "the man".

G. Thompson said...

Since your trouble at one of Harrah's properties this summer, I sometimes am advised to check on issues regarding your blog. I find it amusing, at best. It would seem Mr Souther, that in your eyes you singlehandedly have changed to face of poker in the modern world.

Unfortunately, I would like to remind you that you will not be participating in Harrah's events anywhere, including New Orleans. Since you now would also not be participating in events at MGM properties, your influence will be limited to events at the Venetian.

Good Luck with your poker career.

G. Thompson

Anonymous said...

I guess word just spreads from casino to casino to give you a hard time. I'm "sure" you don't do anything that would be deemed "offensive". It's just you that they ALL have blacklisted. Not once, not twice.. You get my drift? Maybe you should commit yourself to a place with those padded walls until you can figure out what the fuck your purpose in life is. Pissing people off right now is running away with my vote. How fucking hard is it to stay out of trouble? I've been playing poker for 8 years now and still to this day I have never been warned, threatened, banned, or accused of anything that would threaten my status as a casino guest. From Biloxi to New Orleans to Tunica to Vegas, to LA to AC.
I guess in short, i am saying that you are a complete fuckup, who is hopeless when it comes to change. People will never learn to accept you because you fail so miserably in those half-hearted attempts to do so. And if i had to guess, your poker "career" will be coming to a screaching halt soon. Ha! "Career". WHat a joke. You've been banned from casinos more than you have "Victories" under your belt, and at this rate, you may have just seen your last.

Anonymous Andy

Poker Monkey said...

COMMENT RESPONSES:

ALBrian:

I see where and what you are driving at. Kind of along the same lines as John up above. Bottom line is this: If I want to stay completely clear of 'things that may get me banned' I should really just right about the totally non-relative things to poker that I find entertaining, with an occasional anectdote having to do with my recent results. No dealer reviews, no tournament director assessments, no photos of scary players we all need to watch out for. Because the fact that BIG BROTHER is watching...and that speech really ISNT free...is something I must live with, if I expect to exist in the 'casino world' as a working professional. Pretty sad, but the obvious reality.

MONK

G.Thompson:

Your comments I cant really tell if you are a supporter or a detractor. You have to be corrected on something however. My Harrah's trespass, after having checked, is only for the Harrah's West properties..which really ONLY affects me for the World Series. And, I was told that my Trespass is for the Beau Rivage. Not that there are any other MGM properties that I am seriously thinking about playing at. I will NEVER step foot in TUNICA again...so I'm not real concerned about Goldstrike, even though that place will probably be sold in the next year. And as far as Venetian being my only option? Hardly. Borgatta is the next event. Fine to go there. Aruba in October. Fine to go there. Harrahs events in New Orleans and St. louis, fine to go there. I.P. here, when they get their tourney set to go...can play there. Foxwoods? Can play there. All the casinos in Los Angeles? Can play there. Yeah...there are PLENTY of places to play.

MONK

Poker Monkey said...

Comment Responses:

Anonymous Andy:

Mmmmm...I see, your back Andy. Just when I was startng to think you had some socially redeeming qualities you come out with this 'drivel.' Wow. Maybe you ARE guilty of all those things the other writers say about you. And to think I was giving you a chance, and taking the high road. I do believe sir, that I would like to meet you on the 50 yard line of any local high school football field at any specified time of your choosing, and request you to make even half of these comments to my face, directly. To see just how much a man you are. Its sad, disappointing to me really that a human being could be filled with such venom and useless banter. Nevertheless, lets address your stupid comment, since thats how I roll.

Word travels from casino to casino. I should commit myself to a padded cell, blah blah blah..you've never been in trouble...blah blah blah. Hmmm...well, lets see. Try this one. Actually WIN something one time. Have someone offer you a blog. THen write something intelligent, or thought provoking. Maybe controversial. That might be a start. Purpose in life? Well, amazingly, my purpose in life isnt playing poker. No, see I am a bit deeper than that. This is merely a means to the end. Your suggestion that my career is coming to a screeching halt? Why? Because a thin-thinned tourney director at the Beau doesnt want me to make critical remarks about his poker room so he orchestrates a cowardly 86'ing of me? Yeah your right...I should just QUIT! Been banned from more casinos than I have victories? Hmmm. I don't feel I have to even respond to that. That is just a moronic statement. You have major issues pal. You really do. Your single biggest accomplishment so far seems to me that you make inflammatory comments on my blog and manage to get them published. Just curious, does THAT show up on CardPlayer.com under lifetime 'cashes' or not? It would be fun for you to TELL ME and everyone your ACTUAL name so we can all see how many successful poker days YOU have actually had. In the meantime, keep making your gay-ass comments and I will keep responding to them. Schmuck.

Monk

yardjob24 said...

So much for me getting to dress up as "The Real Poker Monkey" for the Beau events. Thanks, Monkey, for ruining my Biloxi trip! Maybe I'll see you at the Rock or the IP grinding the kiddie games!!

Anonymous said...

Monkey, Im a big fan of your blog.
I think you do get out of line sometime, but nothing that should get you banned. That is just ridiculous.

But I have some bad news. I have a friend who knows a high ranking offical at Harrahs. And he said it
is confirmed that you cannot go
to any of Harrahs properties in the
U.S. for at least 3yrs. Then they
will reconsider. He said that is
standard practice.

Poker Monkey said...

Another response to another Anonymous statement:

You are a fan of my blog? Well, thank you. You think I get out of line sometimes, okay.

You have a friend, who has a friend, who says that my ban is Harrahs-wide? I don't know who your friend is, but your friend is ill-informed. How do I know this? Because I have a friend too, who happens to be a Harrahs Seven Star member, who went to his host, who happens to be WAY UP THERE, had him put in my NAME and MY PLAYERS CARD NUMBER...pulled up my name, and indeed, I am 86'ed from "Harrahs West Division" only. Harrahs has gotten so big, that they only 86 people from the entire company if they are 86'd for things like cheating or theft. Not to mention another couple of things. Ive already swiped my card and played at the Horseshoe up in Tunica last month. And also, when you get 86'd, you ALWAYS recieve a certified letter from the casino TELLING you that you are 'trespassed' from their casino. I have not recieved any such letter from Harrahs. So...with that in mind, you are either telling me this to scare me, or your so-called friend is just wrong.

Thanks for reading my blog.

MONK

Poker Monkey said...

ANOTHER COMMENT:

I just got a message from the guy I have labeled 'Anonymous Andy' and he has asked me NOT to publish the comment. He wanted to let me know that, well basically...someone else has taken on his moniker and been posting comments as him. I believe him. 100%. He has taken responsibility for a handful of comments and only those, the rest are some nameless, faceless asshole who thinks its cool to get on here to write the most offensive comments to me he can come up with. To that guy...I am letting you know...I WILL NOT publish your comments. They are useless, as are you. In between parking out front of elementary schools and day care centers you find the time to bash me? Thats admirable of you. So since I am not going to publish your bullshit, you need to go find another avenue to get yourself off. PEACE OUT FUCKER!

MONK

Bob from Atlanta said...

Jezes F'in Christ people... Relax! If you don't like what Monkey writes then DON'T READ HIS BLOG. If you want to give him shit then give him shit, but this is ridiculous. He writes a blog to entertain all of us. I personally enjoy it. I know most everybody else that reads it enjoys it too. It's always the few people that don't like something who feel entitled to speak for everyone. I have watched Monkey play in many tournaments and while he likes to walk the line, he rarely crosses it. When he calls someone out they enjoy it. I agree that he thinks his way is the best but when you look at his ideas for better structures it makes sense doesn't it? When he rags on the pissy dealers it rings true doesn't it? When he bitches because the valet is an asshole, we can relate can't we? Let him vent and entertain us or he will end up like the stutterer in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Is that what we want? No personalities in the poker world? I'm one who likes to read but never post but come on people.... RELAX
Bob from Atlanta.... not bad Bob

GJ said...

I am making my very first trip to Beau Rivage this September. I plan to play in the $1000 tripledraw event and a few other events including the main event.

They list a hotel for around $59 a night or so. Are there any other hotels real close like Super8 for around $40 a night or less.

I usually stay for free in Vegas and Tunica, but I would need a Harrahs in Biloxi to stay for free.


I actually love tournaments with low time-limit levels. I understand why tournaments like this as well. It allows the players who travel MUCH MORE time to lose money on the table games. It is really only smart for the house to have tournaments that finish quickly.

Anonymous said...

Monkey, you sure get in more trouble than anyone I know. Sorry the Beau is being ridiculously anal, but I read your blog on the "knee" incident, and I'm sorry, but in my opinion it was the true definition of collusion, and it is a big deal, for the intregrity of this game that we love so much. I'm amazed you continue to call it blown out of proportion and no big deal. To me, it seems like a big deal. Hope this thing works out at the BR. Can't imagine you not at the tournament.

Poker Monkey said...

GJ:

Actually the $59 rate being quoted by the Beau for that poker tourney is a pretty damn good rate. Up in Tunica it was more. And the Beau is a nice hotel. Not many more hotels in the area are going to give you a better rate or room. Plus then you don't have to worry about driving to and from. I would go with that deal. A lot of us players 'bunk up' with another player so cut THAT in half. I dont know though, being ALONE has its huge upside as well!

MONK

ANONYMOUS (again)

Cant you people just SIGN your name at least. Thanks for reading my blog. Thanks for not being able to imagine an event here without me. ;) The 'blown out of proportion' aspect of that statement comes from this. I could not have GIVEN this guy an actual KNEE becuase there was a CHAIR between us! They never would even consider looking at the video tape. Also, the only one I affected by telling the guy to fold previously was myself, costing myself money. (sorry, distraction, Brittany Spears is in a bathing suit doing the Top Ten list on David Letterman!) Um...where was I? Oh never mind. The knee, that was a figure of speech. But your right, I do get into a lot of trouble, most of it stupid and unnecessary.

MONK

Anonymous said...

RIDE EM HARD, don't let up or give up or I will see just another boring ass blogger who can't shut up. www.insidestl.com has a poker section and is mostly stupid boring crap and needs some controversy. St.Louis area casino's are real bad and need some ass whippin too (also).
Lou S.