I've been blogging on this site now for 4 years. The most 'hits' I ever received in one day was the day after we killed Osama bin Laden...and posted a doctored photo of his face all shot to hell, one that I'd found...hell, somewhere. That day I got 915 hits. My previous high up to then was 550.
They say there is no such thing as 'bad' publicity. Is that really true? The fact that I have gotten 3200 hits...with a high of 1100 on Wednesday...in the past four days...is almost alarming. Because I know why they are here. During this summer...when I was chasing a dream...only to get derailed in Day 5...I got over 7500 hits in July. Those were hits that felt good. People wanted to know more about me, the poker player...who was running good. Who had a beautiful new daughter in his life. Who had sold what some were bashing as a ridiculous scam...a share package to a group of 30 people I affectionately started calling 'Monkey's Summer Gang of 30.' Yeah...July...despite the way it ended at the hands of the lovely Miss Elisabeth Hille and her pocket 10's that became quads by the river...was a good month to feel good about pretty much everything.
Boy how a month or two can change things. Don't get me wrong...I still feel great about my 'non-poker' life. Me and my wife have a newly found appreciation for each other...made possible by our wonderful daughter. I'm as in love with Squirrel as I have ever been in the 10 years we've been together. And my daughter has turned the lights on in my head for all that can be fun again. I get to be Santa Claus! And the Easter Bunny! And teach her things...things I'd long since taken for granted and even grown burnt out doing. Fishing. Skating. Swimming. Playing ball. All kinds of things that come with being a 'Daddy.'
I went to Bossier City for the first WSOP-circuit event of the year...and had minimal success, final tabling the PLO tourney...winning a nightly, and a couple min cashes. I came home hungry to do better. My backer-pack had been narrowed to two...as the desire to get ALL the action came from a certain duo. And so...I was set for Hammond, a place I have had a good amount of success, and where I truly like. Big room, lots of space, good dealers and staff. Players who are very predicable. Bottom line, I was psyched. The first event went well...made it out of Day 1 26th out of 310 players in chips...with a massive starting field of 2498. A bad run of cards on Day 2 saw me bow out 133rd for a miniscule $952 (in comparison to the $110,000 for first that was the ultimate goal). Later that night, I would win the Mega Satellite, invested for a total of $550 to win the $1675 seat. So things were going fairly well so far.
That's when everything went to shit. And I don't even know how, or why. Some people have suggested that 'karma' has dealt me this 'bad beat.' I would like to think if karma were going to do anything in regards to me...it would be doing just the opposite. It would be letting my KK hold up against Hille's 10's and see me make the Final Nine this fall. I surely would have finished in the Top 50. Karma might have seen my AK on Saturday find an ace against the KK's. Or river a heart for a flush...and propel me on a deeper run than 133rd.
Here is the thing about doing nice things for people; you aren't allowed to tell people you are doing it. Because if you do...it looks like you are overcompensating for a lifetime of wrongdoing. I find a lot of people that attend church on a regular basis, are doing so because they are harboring a lot of guilt for the way they have lived their life. They think going to church will 'make everything square' with the man upstairs. A lot of you (the regular readers...not you newbie 2+2 folks or the others who are rushing over to see the bloody crime scene) are aware of the efforts I've made to help people, of the volunteering I've done in disaster areas, and the money I've raised through the large number of contacts I have...to help those in need. I am proud of those efforts. But I didn't do them seeking praise or credit. As a member of the planet Earth, and a member of the human race, I feel it is my responsibility to do things for those who can't help themselves. In doing so, it makes me feel better about myself.
I've spent the better part of the past two days reading all the hate and absurdity that has been posted about me on 2+2. I can't for a second say that I've read it and just laughed at it, or brushed it away as a bunch of internet nerds just starting shit. Or commenting on things they know nothing about. The truth is, there are a LOT of comments in there, from people I've played against in the past...who make a lot of ugly comments about me. About what they observed of me at the table. True, most of these examples were from more than three years ago. And yes, most of the comments I'm seeing are greatly exaggerated and even grossly embellished. I know this because some of them I actually remember...and what these people are saying, is about 14% factual, and 86% fantasy. But...the horrible thing about it? If you (or me, specifically) try to refute the stories or correct them? They just come back at you even harder, and uglier. Every single part of my personal life appears to be open game to these people. In the past day I've become a guy who beats his kid, cheats on his taxes, and hates all races except my own.
Some people probably view me as being really confident, maybe even cocky. Those who truly know me...know of my abusive childhood...that I grew up always being severely insecure with myself, always trying to impress people and win their admiration. The years taught me a lot about myself, my wife has made me a better person, and taught me how to deal with people a lot better. But this stuff I am reading in the past two or three days? I am not equipped to deal with. I just don't have the ability to read this stuff and not be heavily impacted. Do I regret the way I talked or acted to people at a poker table? I don't know. It's kind of a tough question. Because what those people didn't understand...is that my comments were never meant to be ugly and/or personal. I'm just a very sarcastic person with a unique sense of humor. Some people get that...and those seem to be my supporters. Some just don't. And they choose to call me an asshole. Do I care? Of course I care. Who WANTS to be called an asshole? I wouldn't think anyone. But at the same time...there are some people, in poker specifically, who I both don't like nor do I care if they like me. Life on this planet is too short to worry about some people not liking you. Don't tell that to my wife. EVERYONE likes her...and if they don't, she will MAKE THEM like her.
My radio co-host, Scott Clark called me today...wanting to know what I want to do about this Sunday's show. I knew this call was coming eventually. Knowing that I am kind of the clown of the show...the guy who airs his rants on a regular basis...I think Scott was hoping I would attack this thing and treat it like I have been victimized, and that I am going to fight like hell to right the wrongs of this injustice. Only problem is..I don't currently possess that fire necessary to do that kind of show. In fact, I've been kind of moping around the house feeling depressed. And defeated. And hopeless to an extent. And jeezuz...what am I going to go on the air Sunday and say? What is it going to change?
For those of you who know me, and my poker story...you know about the battle I fought with Jack Effel and WSOP for three years. It was one of the most excruciating and frustrating episodes of my life...all made possible by a prick from Austin named Maz....who magically showed up on the 2+2 forum...pitching in with his little story, of course leaving out the important parts, like how he was the one who perpetuated the whole 'spat' between him and I, and that I in fact, never threatened him in any way. But by the time he had played his version to Jim Pedulah (since fired by Caesars for a litany of things) the next day...I walked in to find I'd been DQ'd from the tourney with 23 players remaining, and $19k for first...told I'd been 86'd for 'threatening another player' despite there being not ONE witness account, video evidence, or even a report from the nightly shift manager. Nope, see, Pedulah had gotten a bug up his ass about this 'Poker Monkey' guy since he had been blogging about his horrendous Mega Stack series...bad starting time (competing against ALL the other noon tourneys in Vegas) and terrible structures. He had heard the rumors that I was openly telling people to avoid Caesar's and play at Venetian, a much better product, all around.
He followed that up by calling then WSOP honcho Jeffrey Pollack, telling him that he had just 86'd a player for threatening another player...and that he was of the opinion that I should be banned from playing any WSOP events. So...acting on this information, and teaming up with Jack Effel...he banned me from all WSOP events. This ban carried over...for the next year...and then the NEXT year...despite assurances that if I 'kept my nose clean' that I would be allowed back in for 2010. I kept my nose clean. Yet still wasn't allowed back in. I had several people offer their legal services to sue Jack Effel, and/or the WSOP. I relented. I chose, instead...to try to win over these people. I also tried to work some on my own personal behavior. I stopped talking so much at the table...because it seemed like no matter how 'friendly' I was trying to be...I was always managing to piss someone off. When I would take a bad beat, which happens frequently in poker...I simply bit my tongue. People DID start to take notice. But it didn't change Jack's reluctance to let me back into the WSOP.
Despite all this, I was permitted to play in the WSOP circuit events. This always struck me as odd...because I had NEVER...not once, been in trouble at the WSOP-Las Vegas. But I had been in trouble on the circuit, in a couple of episodes that I was ashamed of. But those were back in 2005. That is a lot of time, a lot of played hands, and a lot of water under the bridge. So what happened? I won a ring. Then I qualified for the National Freeroll. Suddenly, people wanted to know why the hell I wasn't being allowed to play the Freeroll. A woman who now is the Table Games Manager in Cleveland, and to whom I owe a debt of gratitude...got involved when it was suddenly announced that I wasn't going to be allowed to play the circuit event in New Orleans, where she was the Manager at the time. I was literally yanked from my table during the middle of Event 3. This, I assumed, was Jack's effort to try and prevent me from qualifying for the Freeroll...as I was clearly on the bubble.
After a little digging, by their legal department, it was discovered that an '86' had been entered on me from a person in Atlantic City. At the bequest of someone in Vegas. Only problem with that? I was never IN Atlantic City for the event I was supposedly '86d' from. Interesting, huh? Well, legal in Vegas apparently thought so too. Despite missing the rest of the event, but oh! Being allowed to play cash SNG's...and any other live games there...I still managed to qualify for the first National Freeroll. A week later, I was contacted by the Tournament Director from that event and a pretty good friend (I think, anyway...these days I'm not positive anymore who my good friends within the WSOP are) telling me that top brass at WSOP had ordered me reinstated. That I would be cleared to play in the Freeroll and all other Rio events in the summer of 2011.
Four days later, I got a call from Jack Effel...who tried to come off as the deciding principal in my getting back into the WSOP. I already knew that was bullshit. That he had to be forced to make the call to me. When he was told (by me) that I already knew I was back in...and that I'd been told by someone before him...he was furious. I listened to his long-winded speech, which, if you've ever had to sit through one of his bracelet presentations during the summer...you know how painful and mind-numbing these can be. Included in his speech was a disclaimer...wherein I was warned that ANY slip ups...would see me barred for life. This troubled me mightily. Because I knew it was very, very possible that he would be looking for ANYTHING to screw me. That he was even likely to put someone up to it. You can say I was paranoid...but this is a guy I know a LOT about...not just with dealing with me...but also with the people he works with. I have more dirt on Jack Effel than his own gardener in Las Vegas. I was given assurances by some who I thought knew enough about the situation to tell me that with confidence....I had nothing to worry about. That if anything, they were now watching him closer than me.
I actually allowed myself to kind of believe this. Jack put on an overly nice act to my face. I wanted to buy into it...but common sense just wouldn't allow me to. But I kept my mouth shut. I didn't say a single negative word about him, or WSOP. I was just happy to be back in. I wasn't going to do anything to screw it up. The summer of 2011 went without incident. I didn't run particularly well...losing midway through the Freeroll, busting out of three other WSOP events...and busting on the FINAL hand of Day 3...in the Main Event...missing the money by about 120 spots.
After returning home from the Series last year...I trekked up to Bossier City/Shreveport for their first attempt at running a circuit event. I ran terrible. And while running terrible had to play in that tent, that fluctuated from 178 degrees in the day to 26 below zero at night. It was miserable. Towards the end of that event...an 'incident' occurred. It doesn't matter what it is. What matters, is how it was handled. Because it conflicts greatly with how this current mess in Hammond was handled. See, I didn't bother blogging about that incident, because (a) I didn't want to upset my wife, and (b) I had a pretty good idea that once I talked to the security manager, it would be resolved. I wonder...now...had I blogged about that incident...would Jack Effel have picked up his phone and fired off a call to me first thing in the morning, telling me (despite first pumping me full of all the wonderful superlatives that he had to say about me on a personal level) how I had failed to hold up my end of the bargain...you know? Not getting in trouble, or mis-stepping? And would he then have lowered the boom on me, like he just did after this ridiculous twist of words in Hammond? With the 'ol "its not me, my hands are tied, Will...I'm just following protocol...because you have been 86'd from one of our properties, I am the one who has to inform you that you may now NOT be allowed to participate in any other CEP events (caesars entertainment property)"
Hmmmmm. But see...since I never eeked a word about this 'incident' in Bossier City...I deprived him of that chance. Because, as I predicted, after I finally got a hold of the Security Manager up there, who for the record, turned out to be a really wonderful guy...and explained things from my point of view...and after he reviewed the surveillance tapes, and actually SPOKE to WITNESSES...he determined that, in fact...I had done NOTHING WRONG! I was immediately exonerated, promised (promise kept) that it wouldn't affect me at any other properties, and told me he hoped that I would come back the following year. Which I did. See...this was an example of an incident being handled...um, whats the word I'm searching for here.....oh yeah, PROPERLY!
Any of you know a lady by the name of Breezy Zuckerman? I didn't know the name. It turns out...she was seated in the 7 seat on my opening table in this year's WSOP Main Event. I was in the 3 seat. Ahhh maybe 4.One or the other. There was a large person in the 7 seat...who from appearances seemed like a strange looking man, probably from Europe, as the dress suggested that. I won't lie...I had spent a fair amount of time trying to figure it out...to be positive. At some point...not sure when...it spoke to me. And I was pretty certain it was a man. To which I responded by addressing her as 'sir.' When we went on break...it was either the dealer, or another player...who informed me that it was actually a woman. HOLY SHIT! I felt terrible. Embarrassed. I think we have all been in that spot at least once. It's a very awkward feeling. I spent the rest of Day 1 trying to overcompensate by being overtly nice to her. She didn't seem interested whatsoever. Oh well...my bad.
Well, tonight...wouldn't you know? I get a heads up instant message on Facebook from a poker acquaintance of mine...letting me know that 'ol Breezy had just, in the last hour, posted something VERY, VERY inflammatory about me. Check this out: I took a screenshot on my iPad...knowing that after I confronted her about this she would likely block me. I was right.
You guys know the little tongue-between-finger motion she is referring to? Made famous I think by Andrew Dice Clay...and maybe in Saturday Night Fever? Perhaps its been seen on 'Jersey Shore' once or twice...I can't be sure, since I don't watch the show, but imagine those are the types of people who might use that stupid move. I laugh at being accused of doing things, or saying things...that anyone who even knows me a LITTLE bit knows I would never do...but at the same time, it pisses me off that someone would throw that out there and try to convince others that I might. Yeah, I'm playing for $8m but have time to pull that BS? Seriously? Who in their right mind would believe this...ahem, woman? She also claims that she was 'trying to send Tweets' to Effel during the event, in an attempt to get me in trouble. I can only begin to TRY and imagine what my reaction would have been had I been approached by security during the Main Event (with, again...a good stack) and been told I was getting removed for doing 'the lizard' to players and dealers at the table. You would have needed a straight jacket to refrain me...I can tell you that, for sure!
I wonder who is next? What other dastardly deeds am I about to be accused of? Not sure if I mentioned it...but after two people left (albeit anonymously) comments on here, telling me that Aaron Lashlee...a dealer I thought liked me, and who has been a friend on Facebook for a few years...a guy I have always been nice to at every event I've ever seen him at...was the person responsible for getting in the ear of Ms. Belarusian Career Wrecker and suggesting she go to security about me and my OUTLANDISH statement. That he was sitting there and heard it! Yeah. He was sitting there. I remember seeing him. This is what blows me away. For starters? I'm pretty sure all of the dealers had to know that they were using off-duty dealers to escort the players who had just busted to the back of the theater to get paid out. I also knew all the dealers except HER. I'd never seen or had her deal to me before. I honestly didn't even know for sure if she was a dealer...until I had her dealing to me in the Mega satellite a few hours later.
You bust out of a tourney, you try not to be too glum, or exit like a jackass. I was trying to keep it light, stay positive, as much as possible. I see Aaron, he gives me an expression that asks "what happened?" I tell him...AK...thought I caught him stealing, finally. Nope. KK. I'm out. And he makes a face suggesting he feels bad for me. Standard reaction from a dealer I'm friendly with.
I walk up to where the 8 other dealers are standing...and ask (to know one in particular) who wants to 'escort me back to get my thousand bucks'...a couple of them smiled, the Belurusian girl basically snarled at me. Whoa. I didn't even think twice about her reaction. At the time. Of course I did later...when replaying it in my mind. So I am to understand that Aaron...with his back turned to this...as dealers are required to do...heard this statement, and took it upon himself to play superhero? First, totally misunderstanding what I said, and second, involving himself for what reason I have no idea?
I sent Aaron a message on Facebook...trying to give him the benefit of the doubt...and hoping someone had put him in the line of fire to maybe get back at HIM for something. I fully expected a response denying any involvement whatsoever. A day went by. I sent him another message. Nothing. Last night. I left one more. Ah. He finally responds. His response?
Aaron Lashlee
Oh. So he had time to make Facebook wall posts, entailing his college and pro football picks for the weekend, but when it comes murdering someone's career he couldn't find five minutes to explain his actions?
I'm pretty sure I don't even need him to respond. His actions have spoken volumes. The person who left the comment said the girl wasn't even going to say anything. Maybe. Maybe not. I've had several people (players) leave me comments telling me they have had her deal to them in other venues and that she was incredibly hostile towards the players, snapping at them, acting as though she were inconvenienced by having to deal with them. I do know, that when she dealt to our table during the Mega satellite, she was incredibly snotty. After hearing her talk...I innocently asked if she was Russian? "NO! I am from BELLARUS!!!" Okay. You do realize, that Belarus was a former Soviet republic? Then there was the snotty request to stop touching her leg? "Huh? What are you talking about?" I looked under the table and saw her very long legs and 6 inch heels and decided it was possible that I had maybe stepped on her foot. "I'm very sorry if I stepped on your foot, it certainly wasn't intentional."
"Good, because if you do it again, I will tell my boyfriend...who is dealing at the table right over there!" What the!??? To be honest...at that point....the floor was almost called right then and there...BY ME! I couldn't remember EVER being spoken to by a dealer like this. But I chose to just let it go. Big mistake. I regret that decision more and more every day.
I don't know for sure how this whole deal went down. Who was behind it. Did my past, my reputation, the certain jealousies that exist in poker play a role in this? I'm sure it did. Am I delusional and think I am TOTALLY 100% innocent in everything I've ever had happen to me in poker? Nope. I'm not. My smart-ass mouth has admittedly gotten me into a mess or two. But this shit in Hammond? Total hogwash.
The real shitty part about this? In talking to Mr. Effel when he called me with his (for him) good news? Even if I were able to go to the Security Manage in Hammond, and get this cleared up? He would STILL most likely make it impossible for me to get back into all the other events. He has been dreaming of this opportunity. And it doesn't matter whether I was guilty of wrong doing or not. He so much as ADMITTED that on the phone with me. "You know, Will...you might be totally innocent. But because it happened, and you got tossed, there is just no way you can fix that." Roll that around in your head for a bit. Guy puts you on secret double probation. You 'walk the line' for over two years. Watching your every step. Then something happens that you had NO ROLE in...NO GUILT whatsoever...and because it gets misconstrued, and isn't able to even TRY to be repaired by me...before HQ hears about...the trigger finger belonging to Jack Effel has assassinated me. No hearing. No trial. No witnesses. No surveillance. NOTHING.
You know what? Fine! If that is the kind of petty, pathetic human being he is...why should I let it eat me alive? You know what bothers me? The guy solely responsible for getting me back in, Ty Stewart...is Jack's boss. I met Ty. He is a very good guy. And people ALL speak highly of him. Nolan Dalla is another great guy at WSOP. I know he reads my blog. I know he knows of the road I've traveled in my struggles with the WSOP. My only hope...is that these two guys somehow get involved, see the through the smoke screen...and right the wrongs. But I am also not stupid enough not to realize that these guys have a LOT of other things to worry about than little 'ol me. But I've seen crazier, and more surprising things happen.
There is plenty of poker tourneys for me to play...at venues that I know welcome me. Sure...there are some places I can't play. I'm not proud of that. But I do feel I've done NOTHING to warrant being 86'd from ANY of them. It is what it is. Reading all these haters' comments on 2+2...and a handful of comments left here? You know what they do? First, they make me really feel lucky that I have such a great family and friends. Second, they really have me motivated now to go out and really kick some ass. As far as I'm concerned, it's the easiest way to shut people up. What might be even MORE fun...is playing all the WSOP circuit events that aren't Caesar's properties...where my results will count...where rings won will stay on my finger...where I will add to my 27 career circuit cashes (tied for 5th)....and where I might just qualify for the National Freeroll...but not get to play it. But it will be a lot of fun listening to Jack explain to people why. In fact...yeah...I think that just kind of became my goal for this poker season!
Time to go watch some college football and play with Carley Grace! Have a nice weekend.
MONKEY
They say there is no such thing as 'bad' publicity. Is that really true? The fact that I have gotten 3200 hits...with a high of 1100 on Wednesday...in the past four days...is almost alarming. Because I know why they are here. During this summer...when I was chasing a dream...only to get derailed in Day 5...I got over 7500 hits in July. Those were hits that felt good. People wanted to know more about me, the poker player...who was running good. Who had a beautiful new daughter in his life. Who had sold what some were bashing as a ridiculous scam...a share package to a group of 30 people I affectionately started calling 'Monkey's Summer Gang of 30.' Yeah...July...despite the way it ended at the hands of the lovely Miss Elisabeth Hille and her pocket 10's that became quads by the river...was a good month to feel good about pretty much everything.
Boy how a month or two can change things. Don't get me wrong...I still feel great about my 'non-poker' life. Me and my wife have a newly found appreciation for each other...made possible by our wonderful daughter. I'm as in love with Squirrel as I have ever been in the 10 years we've been together. And my daughter has turned the lights on in my head for all that can be fun again. I get to be Santa Claus! And the Easter Bunny! And teach her things...things I'd long since taken for granted and even grown burnt out doing. Fishing. Skating. Swimming. Playing ball. All kinds of things that come with being a 'Daddy.'
I went to Bossier City for the first WSOP-circuit event of the year...and had minimal success, final tabling the PLO tourney...winning a nightly, and a couple min cashes. I came home hungry to do better. My backer-pack had been narrowed to two...as the desire to get ALL the action came from a certain duo. And so...I was set for Hammond, a place I have had a good amount of success, and where I truly like. Big room, lots of space, good dealers and staff. Players who are very predicable. Bottom line, I was psyched. The first event went well...made it out of Day 1 26th out of 310 players in chips...with a massive starting field of 2498. A bad run of cards on Day 2 saw me bow out 133rd for a miniscule $952 (in comparison to the $110,000 for first that was the ultimate goal). Later that night, I would win the Mega Satellite, invested for a total of $550 to win the $1675 seat. So things were going fairly well so far.
That's when everything went to shit. And I don't even know how, or why. Some people have suggested that 'karma' has dealt me this 'bad beat.' I would like to think if karma were going to do anything in regards to me...it would be doing just the opposite. It would be letting my KK hold up against Hille's 10's and see me make the Final Nine this fall. I surely would have finished in the Top 50. Karma might have seen my AK on Saturday find an ace against the KK's. Or river a heart for a flush...and propel me on a deeper run than 133rd.
Here is the thing about doing nice things for people; you aren't allowed to tell people you are doing it. Because if you do...it looks like you are overcompensating for a lifetime of wrongdoing. I find a lot of people that attend church on a regular basis, are doing so because they are harboring a lot of guilt for the way they have lived their life. They think going to church will 'make everything square' with the man upstairs. A lot of you (the regular readers...not you newbie 2+2 folks or the others who are rushing over to see the bloody crime scene) are aware of the efforts I've made to help people, of the volunteering I've done in disaster areas, and the money I've raised through the large number of contacts I have...to help those in need. I am proud of those efforts. But I didn't do them seeking praise or credit. As a member of the planet Earth, and a member of the human race, I feel it is my responsibility to do things for those who can't help themselves. In doing so, it makes me feel better about myself.
I've spent the better part of the past two days reading all the hate and absurdity that has been posted about me on 2+2. I can't for a second say that I've read it and just laughed at it, or brushed it away as a bunch of internet nerds just starting shit. Or commenting on things they know nothing about. The truth is, there are a LOT of comments in there, from people I've played against in the past...who make a lot of ugly comments about me. About what they observed of me at the table. True, most of these examples were from more than three years ago. And yes, most of the comments I'm seeing are greatly exaggerated and even grossly embellished. I know this because some of them I actually remember...and what these people are saying, is about 14% factual, and 86% fantasy. But...the horrible thing about it? If you (or me, specifically) try to refute the stories or correct them? They just come back at you even harder, and uglier. Every single part of my personal life appears to be open game to these people. In the past day I've become a guy who beats his kid, cheats on his taxes, and hates all races except my own.
Some people probably view me as being really confident, maybe even cocky. Those who truly know me...know of my abusive childhood...that I grew up always being severely insecure with myself, always trying to impress people and win their admiration. The years taught me a lot about myself, my wife has made me a better person, and taught me how to deal with people a lot better. But this stuff I am reading in the past two or three days? I am not equipped to deal with. I just don't have the ability to read this stuff and not be heavily impacted. Do I regret the way I talked or acted to people at a poker table? I don't know. It's kind of a tough question. Because what those people didn't understand...is that my comments were never meant to be ugly and/or personal. I'm just a very sarcastic person with a unique sense of humor. Some people get that...and those seem to be my supporters. Some just don't. And they choose to call me an asshole. Do I care? Of course I care. Who WANTS to be called an asshole? I wouldn't think anyone. But at the same time...there are some people, in poker specifically, who I both don't like nor do I care if they like me. Life on this planet is too short to worry about some people not liking you. Don't tell that to my wife. EVERYONE likes her...and if they don't, she will MAKE THEM like her.
My radio co-host, Scott Clark called me today...wanting to know what I want to do about this Sunday's show. I knew this call was coming eventually. Knowing that I am kind of the clown of the show...the guy who airs his rants on a regular basis...I think Scott was hoping I would attack this thing and treat it like I have been victimized, and that I am going to fight like hell to right the wrongs of this injustice. Only problem is..I don't currently possess that fire necessary to do that kind of show. In fact, I've been kind of moping around the house feeling depressed. And defeated. And hopeless to an extent. And jeezuz...what am I going to go on the air Sunday and say? What is it going to change?
For those of you who know me, and my poker story...you know about the battle I fought with Jack Effel and WSOP for three years. It was one of the most excruciating and frustrating episodes of my life...all made possible by a prick from Austin named Maz....who magically showed up on the 2+2 forum...pitching in with his little story, of course leaving out the important parts, like how he was the one who perpetuated the whole 'spat' between him and I, and that I in fact, never threatened him in any way. But by the time he had played his version to Jim Pedulah (since fired by Caesars for a litany of things) the next day...I walked in to find I'd been DQ'd from the tourney with 23 players remaining, and $19k for first...told I'd been 86'd for 'threatening another player' despite there being not ONE witness account, video evidence, or even a report from the nightly shift manager. Nope, see, Pedulah had gotten a bug up his ass about this 'Poker Monkey' guy since he had been blogging about his horrendous Mega Stack series...bad starting time (competing against ALL the other noon tourneys in Vegas) and terrible structures. He had heard the rumors that I was openly telling people to avoid Caesar's and play at Venetian, a much better product, all around.
He followed that up by calling then WSOP honcho Jeffrey Pollack, telling him that he had just 86'd a player for threatening another player...and that he was of the opinion that I should be banned from playing any WSOP events. So...acting on this information, and teaming up with Jack Effel...he banned me from all WSOP events. This ban carried over...for the next year...and then the NEXT year...despite assurances that if I 'kept my nose clean' that I would be allowed back in for 2010. I kept my nose clean. Yet still wasn't allowed back in. I had several people offer their legal services to sue Jack Effel, and/or the WSOP. I relented. I chose, instead...to try to win over these people. I also tried to work some on my own personal behavior. I stopped talking so much at the table...because it seemed like no matter how 'friendly' I was trying to be...I was always managing to piss someone off. When I would take a bad beat, which happens frequently in poker...I simply bit my tongue. People DID start to take notice. But it didn't change Jack's reluctance to let me back into the WSOP.
Despite all this, I was permitted to play in the WSOP circuit events. This always struck me as odd...because I had NEVER...not once, been in trouble at the WSOP-Las Vegas. But I had been in trouble on the circuit, in a couple of episodes that I was ashamed of. But those were back in 2005. That is a lot of time, a lot of played hands, and a lot of water under the bridge. So what happened? I won a ring. Then I qualified for the National Freeroll. Suddenly, people wanted to know why the hell I wasn't being allowed to play the Freeroll. A woman who now is the Table Games Manager in Cleveland, and to whom I owe a debt of gratitude...got involved when it was suddenly announced that I wasn't going to be allowed to play the circuit event in New Orleans, where she was the Manager at the time. I was literally yanked from my table during the middle of Event 3. This, I assumed, was Jack's effort to try and prevent me from qualifying for the Freeroll...as I was clearly on the bubble.
After a little digging, by their legal department, it was discovered that an '86' had been entered on me from a person in Atlantic City. At the bequest of someone in Vegas. Only problem with that? I was never IN Atlantic City for the event I was supposedly '86d' from. Interesting, huh? Well, legal in Vegas apparently thought so too. Despite missing the rest of the event, but oh! Being allowed to play cash SNG's...and any other live games there...I still managed to qualify for the first National Freeroll. A week later, I was contacted by the Tournament Director from that event and a pretty good friend (I think, anyway...these days I'm not positive anymore who my good friends within the WSOP are) telling me that top brass at WSOP had ordered me reinstated. That I would be cleared to play in the Freeroll and all other Rio events in the summer of 2011.
Four days later, I got a call from Jack Effel...who tried to come off as the deciding principal in my getting back into the WSOP. I already knew that was bullshit. That he had to be forced to make the call to me. When he was told (by me) that I already knew I was back in...and that I'd been told by someone before him...he was furious. I listened to his long-winded speech, which, if you've ever had to sit through one of his bracelet presentations during the summer...you know how painful and mind-numbing these can be. Included in his speech was a disclaimer...wherein I was warned that ANY slip ups...would see me barred for life. This troubled me mightily. Because I knew it was very, very possible that he would be looking for ANYTHING to screw me. That he was even likely to put someone up to it. You can say I was paranoid...but this is a guy I know a LOT about...not just with dealing with me...but also with the people he works with. I have more dirt on Jack Effel than his own gardener in Las Vegas. I was given assurances by some who I thought knew enough about the situation to tell me that with confidence....I had nothing to worry about. That if anything, they were now watching him closer than me.
I actually allowed myself to kind of believe this. Jack put on an overly nice act to my face. I wanted to buy into it...but common sense just wouldn't allow me to. But I kept my mouth shut. I didn't say a single negative word about him, or WSOP. I was just happy to be back in. I wasn't going to do anything to screw it up. The summer of 2011 went without incident. I didn't run particularly well...losing midway through the Freeroll, busting out of three other WSOP events...and busting on the FINAL hand of Day 3...in the Main Event...missing the money by about 120 spots.
After returning home from the Series last year...I trekked up to Bossier City/Shreveport for their first attempt at running a circuit event. I ran terrible. And while running terrible had to play in that tent, that fluctuated from 178 degrees in the day to 26 below zero at night. It was miserable. Towards the end of that event...an 'incident' occurred. It doesn't matter what it is. What matters, is how it was handled. Because it conflicts greatly with how this current mess in Hammond was handled. See, I didn't bother blogging about that incident, because (a) I didn't want to upset my wife, and (b) I had a pretty good idea that once I talked to the security manager, it would be resolved. I wonder...now...had I blogged about that incident...would Jack Effel have picked up his phone and fired off a call to me first thing in the morning, telling me (despite first pumping me full of all the wonderful superlatives that he had to say about me on a personal level) how I had failed to hold up my end of the bargain...you know? Not getting in trouble, or mis-stepping? And would he then have lowered the boom on me, like he just did after this ridiculous twist of words in Hammond? With the 'ol "its not me, my hands are tied, Will...I'm just following protocol...because you have been 86'd from one of our properties, I am the one who has to inform you that you may now NOT be allowed to participate in any other CEP events (caesars entertainment property)"
Hmmmmm. But see...since I never eeked a word about this 'incident' in Bossier City...I deprived him of that chance. Because, as I predicted, after I finally got a hold of the Security Manager up there, who for the record, turned out to be a really wonderful guy...and explained things from my point of view...and after he reviewed the surveillance tapes, and actually SPOKE to WITNESSES...he determined that, in fact...I had done NOTHING WRONG! I was immediately exonerated, promised (promise kept) that it wouldn't affect me at any other properties, and told me he hoped that I would come back the following year. Which I did. See...this was an example of an incident being handled...um, whats the word I'm searching for here.....oh yeah, PROPERLY!
Any of you know a lady by the name of Breezy Zuckerman? I didn't know the name. It turns out...she was seated in the 7 seat on my opening table in this year's WSOP Main Event. I was in the 3 seat. Ahhh maybe 4.One or the other. There was a large person in the 7 seat...who from appearances seemed like a strange looking man, probably from Europe, as the dress suggested that. I won't lie...I had spent a fair amount of time trying to figure it out...to be positive. At some point...not sure when...it spoke to me. And I was pretty certain it was a man. To which I responded by addressing her as 'sir.' When we went on break...it was either the dealer, or another player...who informed me that it was actually a woman. HOLY SHIT! I felt terrible. Embarrassed. I think we have all been in that spot at least once. It's a very awkward feeling. I spent the rest of Day 1 trying to overcompensate by being overtly nice to her. She didn't seem interested whatsoever. Oh well...my bad.
Well, tonight...wouldn't you know? I get a heads up instant message on Facebook from a poker acquaintance of mine...letting me know that 'ol Breezy had just, in the last hour, posted something VERY, VERY inflammatory about me. Check this out: I took a screenshot on my iPad...knowing that after I confronted her about this she would likely block me. I was right.
You guys know the little tongue-between-finger motion she is referring to? Made famous I think by Andrew Dice Clay...and maybe in Saturday Night Fever? Perhaps its been seen on 'Jersey Shore' once or twice...I can't be sure, since I don't watch the show, but imagine those are the types of people who might use that stupid move. I laugh at being accused of doing things, or saying things...that anyone who even knows me a LITTLE bit knows I would never do...but at the same time, it pisses me off that someone would throw that out there and try to convince others that I might. Yeah, I'm playing for $8m but have time to pull that BS? Seriously? Who in their right mind would believe this...ahem, woman? She also claims that she was 'trying to send Tweets' to Effel during the event, in an attempt to get me in trouble. I can only begin to TRY and imagine what my reaction would have been had I been approached by security during the Main Event (with, again...a good stack) and been told I was getting removed for doing 'the lizard' to players and dealers at the table. You would have needed a straight jacket to refrain me...I can tell you that, for sure!
I wonder who is next? What other dastardly deeds am I about to be accused of? Not sure if I mentioned it...but after two people left (albeit anonymously) comments on here, telling me that Aaron Lashlee...a dealer I thought liked me, and who has been a friend on Facebook for a few years...a guy I have always been nice to at every event I've ever seen him at...was the person responsible for getting in the ear of Ms. Belarusian Career Wrecker and suggesting she go to security about me and my OUTLANDISH statement. That he was sitting there and heard it! Yeah. He was sitting there. I remember seeing him. This is what blows me away. For starters? I'm pretty sure all of the dealers had to know that they were using off-duty dealers to escort the players who had just busted to the back of the theater to get paid out. I also knew all the dealers except HER. I'd never seen or had her deal to me before. I honestly didn't even know for sure if she was a dealer...until I had her dealing to me in the Mega satellite a few hours later.
You bust out of a tourney, you try not to be too glum, or exit like a jackass. I was trying to keep it light, stay positive, as much as possible. I see Aaron, he gives me an expression that asks "what happened?" I tell him...AK...thought I caught him stealing, finally. Nope. KK. I'm out. And he makes a face suggesting he feels bad for me. Standard reaction from a dealer I'm friendly with.
I walk up to where the 8 other dealers are standing...and ask (to know one in particular) who wants to 'escort me back to get my thousand bucks'...a couple of them smiled, the Belurusian girl basically snarled at me. Whoa. I didn't even think twice about her reaction. At the time. Of course I did later...when replaying it in my mind. So I am to understand that Aaron...with his back turned to this...as dealers are required to do...heard this statement, and took it upon himself to play superhero? First, totally misunderstanding what I said, and second, involving himself for what reason I have no idea?
I sent Aaron a message on Facebook...trying to give him the benefit of the doubt...and hoping someone had put him in the line of fire to maybe get back at HIM for something. I fully expected a response denying any involvement whatsoever. A day went by. I sent him another message. Nothing. Last night. I left one more. Ah. He finally responds. His response?
Aaron Lashlee
- u can wait until I have a day where I have not worked for 16 hrs for my response. it will be either tomorrow or the next day g'night monkey
I'm pretty sure I don't even need him to respond. His actions have spoken volumes. The person who left the comment said the girl wasn't even going to say anything. Maybe. Maybe not. I've had several people (players) leave me comments telling me they have had her deal to them in other venues and that she was incredibly hostile towards the players, snapping at them, acting as though she were inconvenienced by having to deal with them. I do know, that when she dealt to our table during the Mega satellite, she was incredibly snotty. After hearing her talk...I innocently asked if she was Russian? "NO! I am from BELLARUS!!!" Okay. You do realize, that Belarus was a former Soviet republic? Then there was the snotty request to stop touching her leg? "Huh? What are you talking about?" I looked under the table and saw her very long legs and 6 inch heels and decided it was possible that I had maybe stepped on her foot. "I'm very sorry if I stepped on your foot, it certainly wasn't intentional."
"Good, because if you do it again, I will tell my boyfriend...who is dealing at the table right over there!" What the!??? To be honest...at that point....the floor was almost called right then and there...BY ME! I couldn't remember EVER being spoken to by a dealer like this. But I chose to just let it go. Big mistake. I regret that decision more and more every day.
I don't know for sure how this whole deal went down. Who was behind it. Did my past, my reputation, the certain jealousies that exist in poker play a role in this? I'm sure it did. Am I delusional and think I am TOTALLY 100% innocent in everything I've ever had happen to me in poker? Nope. I'm not. My smart-ass mouth has admittedly gotten me into a mess or two. But this shit in Hammond? Total hogwash.
The real shitty part about this? In talking to Mr. Effel when he called me with his (for him) good news? Even if I were able to go to the Security Manage in Hammond, and get this cleared up? He would STILL most likely make it impossible for me to get back into all the other events. He has been dreaming of this opportunity. And it doesn't matter whether I was guilty of wrong doing or not. He so much as ADMITTED that on the phone with me. "You know, Will...you might be totally innocent. But because it happened, and you got tossed, there is just no way you can fix that." Roll that around in your head for a bit. Guy puts you on secret double probation. You 'walk the line' for over two years. Watching your every step. Then something happens that you had NO ROLE in...NO GUILT whatsoever...and because it gets misconstrued, and isn't able to even TRY to be repaired by me...before HQ hears about...the trigger finger belonging to Jack Effel has assassinated me. No hearing. No trial. No witnesses. No surveillance. NOTHING.
You know what? Fine! If that is the kind of petty, pathetic human being he is...why should I let it eat me alive? You know what bothers me? The guy solely responsible for getting me back in, Ty Stewart...is Jack's boss. I met Ty. He is a very good guy. And people ALL speak highly of him. Nolan Dalla is another great guy at WSOP. I know he reads my blog. I know he knows of the road I've traveled in my struggles with the WSOP. My only hope...is that these two guys somehow get involved, see the through the smoke screen...and right the wrongs. But I am also not stupid enough not to realize that these guys have a LOT of other things to worry about than little 'ol me. But I've seen crazier, and more surprising things happen.
There is plenty of poker tourneys for me to play...at venues that I know welcome me. Sure...there are some places I can't play. I'm not proud of that. But I do feel I've done NOTHING to warrant being 86'd from ANY of them. It is what it is. Reading all these haters' comments on 2+2...and a handful of comments left here? You know what they do? First, they make me really feel lucky that I have such a great family and friends. Second, they really have me motivated now to go out and really kick some ass. As far as I'm concerned, it's the easiest way to shut people up. What might be even MORE fun...is playing all the WSOP circuit events that aren't Caesar's properties...where my results will count...where rings won will stay on my finger...where I will add to my 27 career circuit cashes (tied for 5th)....and where I might just qualify for the National Freeroll...but not get to play it. But it will be a lot of fun listening to Jack explain to people why. In fact...yeah...I think that just kind of became my goal for this poker season!
Time to go watch some college football and play with Carley Grace! Have a nice weekend.
MONKEY
Posts
16 comments:
Monkey: I don't know you but I am familiar with 2+2 forums. The reason people there post craziness and you see dupe accts (with 1 post) posting stories about you is that they are trying to tilt you. Every time you respond to them you are letting them win. Ignore them and the post regarding you. That is the way that you beat the trolls - like misbehaving children if you ignore them they get bored and stop.
Good luck.
Yup. X2. The court of public opinion is a fool's court. Benefit of the doubt is out the window. Start suing some folks and keep your mouth shut. They will wonder what you have and probably fold early. Sounds like poker to me.
This same sort of shit seems to happen to me. I get blamed for everything. You make one remark to someone with one intention and they take it another way.
I know that you circle of trust has gotten smaller, but I can assure you that I have never told anything to a tournament director or security. You are great for these properties! People read your blog and will actually show up at events. Hell I used to show up just to try and beat you!!!
You may not know who this is, but this should help you out. In the first event that I ever went to in Biloxi (maybe second, but i didnt know you for the first one) I played in a $125 sit and go. You asked about a $20 last longer from everyone and I recognized you. I didnt say who I was, but I asked to bet a $100 heads up last longer against you. You agreed. My point being is that I was not even going to play in that sit and go until I saw you in it. Hell I might not have even shown up at the event at all! I am glad that I did because I won one of the Circuit Rings at that event.
And then the next year, I played with you again in the ME of the IP WSOP tournament. Not saying that I showed up because of you, but because you advertised the event in a way, I knew more about it and showed up.
Let me know if you ever need someone else to call someone at the WSOP and give them an idea about how much you actually do help the bottom line! I actually have alot of time on my hands right now anyway come to think of it
That's actually a pretty good take. I don't know why I feel I need to respond to some of those comments. I guess I'm just very defensive, and maybe a little too proud. The other thing...is I KNOW I could just ignore those shitty comments...but knowing they are there...and knowing people I might really care about could see them? It makes me feel like I have to fight back at least a little bit. Stupid, though, right?
Garrett...you didn't make it very hard to realize who this was/is! Yeah if you haven't noticed, the powers that be in poker...they keep charging us MORE and MORE juice...and keep over-managing the game...to the point they expect, or at least hope, that we will all just turn into these little robotic drones. No emotion is to be shown. No jokes to be told. No personality to be displayed. The political correctness that has invaded mainstream society now has its ugly mitts on this corner of the world. Might be time to go become a professional craps player! Way more benefits...and you seem to be able to get away with, well ANYTHING!
MONK
That's the natural reaction which is exactly why they attack. There are very few people you need to defend yourself to and none of them are reading these posts.
By the way, you might get a kick out of this! I got a 24 hour poker room ban when I was in Bossier City. Turns out that it didnt really matter much since i was going to Coushatta the next morning but here is what happened.
I had suffered a few bad beats in 2 previous sessions of live 2/5 and this time I had a set of 8's and I lost to four queens! Cost me around $1250 and I tore up my 8's into about 10 pieces and gave them to the dealer and started to leave. Well I was stopped and given a stern lecture (wasnt listening) and the 24 hour ban. Was it worth it??? You God Damn right it was worth it! IT felt great
Actually, not stupid - just human nature. It is not easy to ignore personal attacks. However, the NVG-Tards have turned online trolling into an art. Most, don't have even 6k of winnings and get off on bringing down those that do what they don't have the talent, or balls, to do.
Keep your head up - living well IS the best revenge.
Ps. I played at a table with you once a number of years ago and thought you were funny as hell.
nice blog too bad when you mentioned my name and message you failed to post your own previous messages and veiled threats to me for instance this little message:
You should probably respond to me Aaron. Do you THINK you aren't ever going to come across me again? How do you THINK that is going to go down? I simply want to know WHY you would pull something like this. Did i do something to you that I'm unaware of? Don't try to pretend like you aren't seeing these messages, I know you are.
Why don't you try telling the whole truth for a change and not just what benefits you alone.
Aaron: What point are you trying to make? You post my prior Facebook messages and imply veiled threats? I think you saw them that way...because your were freaking out that I was informed of your role in this. These weren't threats. This was me seeking information. This was me, wanting to know if you betrayed our friendship, and longtime player/dealer relationship. And for what reason? I could not begin to image. Is it that you were trying to make points with this woman? Or is it that, knowing what getting this girl to make these charges against me...and my past with WSOP...would result in, that you were trying to give your languishing existence a shot in the arm? Be 'the dealer who took down the Monkey!' Write yourself a golden ticket to a future promotion with the WSOP? Is that what it was? Your pathetic effort to tell me that you didn't know who the player was...UNTIL you took her to Charlie, and she told him? Buddy, I wasn't born yesterday. You told me "I asked her if she knew the name of the player, and she told me she did....but I didn't ask her who it was before taking her to Charlie." Who...in the FUCK...do you think believes that crock of shit?!! First of all...I KNOW YOU. I know you didn't go seeking that information, only to NOT ask her who it was. You...are FULL OF SHIT. Aaron...you are on the level of Judas. You have knowingly and willingly sabotaged my career...and for what? I never have been nothing but NICE to you...and contributed mightily to your income. You think you did 'the right thing?' You don't even know what you DID! Listened to some drama queen with an already bad reputation with OTHER players spin some tale...and instead of maybe doing a little investigation of your own...you take me, my life, my livelihood...and you throw it straight into the burn pile. Threats? Yea....you could say that I will now be making every possible effort made available to me to ruin your career, and everything that is important to you. And to be honest...I'm giving a lot of thought to a lawsuit against you for personal injury. Only problem with that? I have no interest in your stupid SD Charger jerseys...and that's probably about the extent of your estate.
WILL
Monkey,
I've never written a comment on any of your posts before but have read your blog for awhile. It is always entertaining.. Anyways, I just want to offer some advice.. You know how long you have been around and are being noticed now right? and we all know that you have been trying to improve your image and contain your temper over the past couple of years.. You just need to understand that because of your increased following now you are a target. The only way to deal with that is to be exceptionally polite, extra nice and always a gentlemen. Anything less and you are back in the same boat as two years ago... Think about it what I'm saying here. It sounds like your wife has already figured this out.. Listen to her. Best of luck to you.
Monkey,
I don't know you but it is obvious based on your writings. Your sarcasm hurts people. Your sense of humor angers people. What you think is okay is NOT okay to a lot of people, especially women. You are a father and a husband. It is time you stop being angry at the world and blaming others for all the trouble you put yourself in. You sound like you have been trying, but can't control it all the time. Use the time away from poker to get help and to really understand the hurt your actions are causing. The poker community is very forgiving, but you don't have an endless leash. I sympathize for your wife and daughter. They need you to be a man, earn a good living for them and care and provide for them. That your wife has to deal with your drama and constantly counsel you I'm sure is taking its toll. Please, let this be a wake up call. Knock off the inappropriate behavior, stop the "everyone's out to get me" shtick, grow up, dig deep and use your energy and drive to put your family first and focus on being productive.
Monkey;
I am sure you have no idea who I am or remember playing with me. I played with you on more than one occassion some years ago in Tunica. I am writing this because I hope it makes you feel slightly better.
I always enjoyed playing at your table. Those awful red drinks you ordered and your sense of humor always brought a smile and made the day a little brighter. Hope you work through all this B.S.
Larry Lubliner A.K.A. TheBadJoker
Hey Eddie: I appreciate your comment...and you reading my blog. It's kind of a tough sell, but if you read my blog, but DON'T play at the table with me much (or ever) you would think the person at the table is the person you read here on my blog. But it's just NOT. It can't be. I would NEVER get through a week at an event. I use my blog to vent, to share my thoughts with all of you on what I was THINKING...not what I was doing or saying (most of the time) Is that painting a good picture of what I'm trying to convey? I think if you lined up 100 random dealers, I would wager a guess that 87-92 of them would give a very favorable rating to me as a player that is pleasant, courteous and polite to the other players and dealers. And I'll tell you another thing...with this blog? I run into a LOT of readers, sometimes when I'm in a tourney and running terribly...and I always try to put that on the back burner when approached, and put on a happy face, out of sheer consideration. That, at times...is one of the toughest challenges I face.
Monk
I'm sure you are surprised that I posted your comment. Especially since it wasn't signed, but posted ANONYMOUS. It would carry a lot more credibility if it was signed, but whatever...no big deal. You really have kind of a bad interpretation of who I am here. You are assuming I am out offending the masses (women included, or at least highlighted by you) with my sarcastic sense of humor. That I am hurting people. First of all, I am certainly not MAD AT THE WORLD...and 100% am not going out on a blame campaign. When I have something that is truly my doing, I am the first to take accountability for it. You can ask my wife and/or friends about THAT one. As far as 'using the time away from poker' to work on my anger and other issues...well, I won't be AWAY from poker for any reasonable amount of time...to be clear on that. And I'm a bit (as most people would be, I think) annoyed when a person who doesn't even sign their statement feels qualified to direct someone they don't even really know to seek help (I can only assume that means a form of counseling). As for you saying the 'poker community is very forgiving?' Which poker community are you referring to? Certainly not the one I am a part of. The poker community I play within is probably made up the most hate-mongering group of people in ANY profession. Been on 2+2 lately? See those kind of hateful war-on-accused in any other line of work? I don't. I'm quite aware that I am a father and a husband. I don't need a stranger telling me they 'need me to be a man.' Okay? It's out of line of you to even put that out there. As is the suggestion that my behavior is inappropriate. As for the 'everyone is out to get me schtick' you refer to? I have never said that EVERYONE is out to get me. The list, actually, is pretty short. I know who they are....they KNOW I know who they are...and they have always been there. If you would like to reply with your NAME, and PHONE number...we can talk on the phone...and you can ask your questions...and maybe at the end of that conversation you will come away a bit more enlightened, and understanding of my situation with certain characters in the 'poker mafia' that have been making my life miserable for 5 years now. And just so you don't worry too much about me? I have PLENTY going on away from the poker table, sir (or maam)...one thing you don't have to worry about, is me being 'productive.'
MONK
Hello Monkey,
First....I have been both impressed and entertained by your writing and story. I don't know you, but I do follow Scotty and respect his poker opinions. So, I signed your petition when I saw it today. I can also see you have a beautiful Family, and a good job that you are in the top of your class in. So far so good!!
Unfortunately you have run into a challenge with people in power and some control over your career. These people may abuse this power, or have an Agenda, and I agree you should pursue your rights. I think in the past you have put yourself in positions that have not helped you...and I see you have admitted this in several spots. Good for you for owning it. I guess my feeling is, perhaps consider all of the BS you have been through, and ask how you can avoid this going forward? What can you do to change (sounds like you have made many since 2005), so that you can meet your goals and have less crap to fight through. And I would agree...with others here, that suggest stop defending yourself, and pursue legal actions, including the vendetta Jack has on you, and move forward. You have lots of talent, and if you keep out of toxic situations, I think you will hit a 6 figure score sooner than later......
Best wishes and hope to battle you on the felt some day...
John Parvin
Portland Maine
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