If you would have told 21-year-old me that I’d someday get to be in the same room with those two legends, I’d be beside myself. Hell, 41-year-old me typing up these words still can’t believe I had that opportunity just a few short hours ago.

You might be asking yourself, “what was so special about that opportunity?”

There’s an old saying that you can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep. As much as the 2023 WPT Honors ceremony was about the honorees, in my eyes it was similarly about the group that assembled to pay tribute to said honorees.

A Ceremony Like No Other

A good deal of pomp and circumstance went into the ceremonial aspects of the event, with numerous individuals stepping up to the podium to “make the case” for each nominee’s worthiness of receiving the WPT Honors to the dutifully bespectacled and robed WPT President Adam Pliska. The World Poker Tour might be unrivaled in our industry when it comes to putting on special events like these, and to have had a seat at the ceremony was akin to witnessing a very special episode of poker’s greatest show.

After Angelica Hael officially nominated Vince Van Patten, a parade of World Poker Tour stalwarts including Matt Savage, Lynn Gilmartin, Tony Dunst, and company Founder Steve Lipscomb ascended to the mic to heap oodles of praise upon their longtime colleague and friend. Beyond their obvious outpouring of love and appreciation for the man, what stood out to me from the speeches about Vince was his colleagues’ admiration for his work ethic. Plainly speaking, the man showed up every single day and just put in the work. But Vince hasn’t just “clocked in” for 21 years; he’s done so with the same vim, vigor, and joie de vivre with which he showed up on his first day. A rare quality, to be sure.

Ever humble, Vince deflected the praise to in turn show appreciation for his World Poker Tour colleagues and the late Mike Sexton; the people who helped and supported him along the way. In response to the deluge of kind words spoken about him, he humorously quipped that “this is like attending your own funeral.”

I couldn’t help but draw direct lines of comparison to the reactions when Cal Ripken Jr. broke Major League Baseball’s consecutive games streak years ago; a veritable poker Iron Man was getting his due. How sublime for someone who has worked so hard for so long to enjoy such a special moment of public appreciation.

A similar cavalcade comprised of Jeffrey Haas, Hermance Blum, Lance Bradley, Israel Rosenthal, and Sven Stiel took to the stage one by one to express their gratitude and appreciation for Isai Scheinberg’s contributions specifically to their careers as well as to poker on the whole.

From my perspective, it was astounding to note the attendance of so many former PokerStars employees who had worked under Scheinberg until the then-privately owned company was sold in August 2014. It’s simply surreal to think that one man was ultimately responsible for putting together such an impressive array of talent. All of those people have since moved on to other successful endeavors and roles in the subsequent years, many still within the poker industry. But witnessing “the old PokerStars family” reunite under one roof felt like watching the Avengers assemble.

They spoke of Isai’s three simple, straightforward rules: never lie, never cheat, and always do the right thing. While simple, rules like those aren’t always easy to adhere to in an industry with billions of dollars at stake, as history has taught us.

Scheinberg has always been notorious for his preference of privacy. The entire poker world knows of his accomplishments, but the great man rarely, if ever, surfaced publicly. Being at the 2023 WPT Honors ceremony to see Isai accept his award felt like being transported to PokerStars’ headquarters prior to 2014; a place full of people who never lied, never cheated, and always did the right thing. No wonder it proved to be such a successful venture.

While fish may be surrounded by water, they still rise to the surface when it rains to welcome new droplets. So, too, the entire room full of luminaries could be seen leaning in to listen closely to the soft-spoken Scheinberg during the latter’s acceptance speech. It was a telling moment.

Reflections From Fellow Attendees

Reader can clearly identify my long-held esteem for both the World Poker Tour and PokerStars, but I’ve always been an outsider and independent media voice. So, in order to gain a greater understanding and appreciation for what I had borne witness to, I asked a few insiders who worked with Vince and for Isai, to share their thoughts and perspectives on the evening. Here’s what they had to say:

“There are two men in my life who have been incredible role models of what it means to be an honest entrepreneur. One of them was my late father; the other is Isai Scheinberg. I didn’t think that I was going to get into the world of gambling and learn more about honesty than I had learned before in my life as a journalist. Isai taught me that you can be a good businessman and you could be a good person at the same time. He was more generous with me than any other boss or company owner ever has been, and I think he is worthy of every honor he’s been given and more.”

Brad Willis, Editor-in-Chief of Poker.Org, formerly the Head of Blogging at PokerStars

“Both of these gentlemen have meant so much to me in my poker career. Isai doesn’t realize it, but of course being a part of the poker industry just would not have been the same without Isai Scheinberg. I want to thank him. He hasn’t received the accolades that he deserves; I think he should of course be in the Poker Hall of Fame.

And I think that Vince Van Patten deserves recognition for all that he’s done for the game. It’s not very often that you see someone who has been around in the game for as long as he has been. He’s become like family to me, so I speak from the heart: we’ve spent a lot of time together sharing our passion for poker. I really appreciate everything both of these guys have done.”

Matt Savage, Executive Tour Director of the World Poker Tour

“I’ve been in poker for just over seven years. It’s incredible to hear the historical stories and learn how our industry has evolved. We get into our positions these days and de facto only think about our current time and present roles. To go back and see the history is just incredible. There are so many stories from the people who came before us, and it’s important to appreciate them.”

Eric Lusch, Media Relations Manager with the World Poker Tour

“I have not been to a poker event since 2016. The only reason I came tonight was because of Isai Scheinberg. All the things that have been said about him; it wasn’t enough, about what this man taught me and what he taught everybody in the room. Not just about business and about poker, but about life and how to treat people the right way.

The emotion that I feel tonight is because of the sense of community that I’m feeling and don’t remember poker having had for a very long time. I miss it. The World Poker Tour was always the rival to the organization that I worked for… and I didn’t realize until tonight just how super cool the people who work for the World Poker Tour are, from the top down… and there’s no such thing as ‘down’ with them! Everybody’s got an important role to play in the World Poker Tour. I’m so impressed with the WPT, what they’ve done tonight, the sense of camaraderie they have, and the love they have for each other.

When we talk about playing poker, sitting around a table, and competing to take each other’s money… the game is about more than that. It’s about the friendships, and the love, and the trust, and the lessons you learn from one another. Even though I was here for just two hours tonight, I came away with a great sense of energy.”

Nolan Dalla, former Director of Communications at PokerStars

The Coolest-Ever Poker After-Party

Poker.org owner Eric Hollreiser, himself a former PokerStars employee, hosted a swanky afterparty in one of the Wynn ballrooms that featured an open bar, flowing chocolate fondue fountains, and the most succulent strawberries to delight our tastebuds as we mingled to mellifluous music. Designed to orchestrate a reunion of former PokerStars employees, many World Poker Tour personages could also be found among the attendees.

You can tell a lot about people by the folks they surround themselves with.

I hesitate to use the word “magic”, but there was something indescribably unique in the air throughout last night’s festivities.

I suppose that’s what happens when the spotlight shines on poker’s best. The entire room lights up.

Lou Krieger was one-in-a-million, a remarkable man. I was one of his columnists when he served as the editor of the Poker Player Newspaper. He was a delight to work with.

Lou Krieger was born in Brooklyn, New York, where he learned poker at age 7, watching his father’s weekly game at the kitchen table. He developed a love of the game that carried him throughout his life as he grew to become one of the world’s greatest poker experts. Poker guru Nolan Dalla once summed it up: “Reading Lou’s advice is like getting painting lessons from Rembrandt or being taught the violin by Stradivarius.”

Krieger’s contributions to the poker world were so great that, in 2000, Casino Journal Magazine named him one of the most influential gaming writers of the past 100 years, an honor bestowed upon only four other poker authors.

Krieger began his poker book writings in 1995 with Hold’em Excellence: From Beginner to Winner. This was followed in 1997 by More Hold’em Excellence: A Winner for Life and his third book, Poker for Dummies (a best-seller, co-authored with Richard Harroch) in 2000. Next came Gambling for Dummies in 2001; in 2003, Internet Poker: How to Play and Beat Online Poker Games, followed shortly after by Winning Omaha/8 Poker (with Mark Tenner). In 2004, Krieger wrote The Poker Player’s Bible, focused on beginning players.

Other books by Lou Krieger:
2006 – Secrets the Pros Won’t Tell You About Wining Hold’em Poker (co-authored with Sheree Bykofsky)
2006 – The Rules of Poker: Essentials for Every Game (with Sheree Bykofsky)
2007 – The Portable Poker Pro: Winning Tips for Texas Hold’em (with Sheree Bykofsky)
2007 – 52 Great Poker Tips (at home, tournament and online)

Along the way, Krieger hosted the radio show “Keep Flopping Aces” on Rounders Radio and often appeared as a guest on radio talk shows.

Starting in 2001 until 2005, Lou served as the editor of the Poker Player Newspaper, a highly popular weekly magazine. That was when I got to know this gentleman who so endeared himself to our poker world.

By the time of his untimely death in December 2012, Lou Krieger had achieved a “mountain-full” of accomplishments for the betterment of our poker world. We honor his memory…

Editor’s note: When I first “broke into” the poker media business, Lou Krieger’s was a name I heard bandied about a few times. Sadly, our periods of activity never really overlapped much. Back “in his day” the poker industry was in its relative infancy and he was one of the trailblazing forces creating what’s known in more modern times as poker media. Folks like me and audiences like you take for granted the fact that there are poker media sites covering the game we all know and love, but if not for people like Lou Krieger it’s debatable whether our niche field would’ve developed to the extent it did and have gotten off the ground. Now we’ve got the full gamut of gaming media sites, including everything from this one all the way to review portals offering info on sites like Aladdin Slots.

In any event, I’m grateful to George Epstein for having produced this tribute to a man, Lou Krieger, who I’d loved to have met. I hope Cardplayer Lifestyle will do Mr. Kreiger’s poker media legacy proud.

Not realizing that there was a distinct parking lot on the far side of the property and a separate, direct, entrance there to the Rio’s Convention Center area, my Dad and I parked and walked in through the hotel-resort’s front entrance. Dad gripped my hand tightly, and I’m sure he felt me trembling with excitement, as we followed the signs to the far end of the complex.

WATCH THE VIDEO: My First WSOP

Sitting and reflecting on the experience now, back here in Israel, that incredible feeling still hasn’t worn off. Time seemed to slow down as, slowly but surely, I approached poker’s grandest theater. My eyes darted, Ivey-like, from right to left and back again, trying to take the entire scene in. After all those hours spent in front of TV and computer screens consuming WSOP footage over the years, what and who would I recognize first?

Then, I saw it in the distance. A black banner draped across the width of one of the hallways with a white-lettered greeting: “Welcome to the World Series of Poker”. I looked down at my phone – it was 11:18 pm on Monday, June 20th, 2016; that’s the moment my “poker life” changed forever. After 13 years of yearning, I had finally reached “Destination WSOP“.

Follow Me; I’ll Show You Around

After picking up my media credential, I asked where WSOP Media Director Nolan Dalla was seated. After forging a great relationship with one another over the last couple of years and using social media to keep in touch, I couldn’t have pictured a warmer in-person welcome; it was a true pleasure finally getting to meet him for the first time. Nolan was kind enough to give me and my Dad “a tour of the place”. “You’re standing in the Amazon Room,” he said. “There’s also the Pavilion Room and the Brasilia Room.” I’m usually not at a loss for words, but during those few minutes I sure felt like a deer in headlights, simply overwhelmed by the occasion. Of course I knew where I was, but it felt too surreal.

Most things don’t appear the same during the day as they do at night, and the World Series of Poker is no different. Thus, I also thoroughly enjoyed “tour #2”, which I got the next day when I met Kevin Mathers (a.k.a., Kevmath) for the first time. Actually seeing the masses throng the hallways, I suppose that’s when things started to feel a little bit real.

Taking It All In, Bumping Into Poker’s Superstars

Over the next few days, I would spend a good deal of time walking around the Rio, witnessing up-close a poker world that had been painfully out of arm’s reach for far too long.

The sheer enormity of the World Series of Poker is difficult to describe, but my feet can attest that I did my fair share of walking around. For the six days and nights that I got to spend at the WSOP, it seemed as though every new step I took brought along new delights. Every place I looked I was surrounded by poker and it’s standout performers. All those faces and Twitter handles I’d gotten so used to seeing were suddenly real, walking those halls along with me.

To any Las Vegas local, Rio employee, or tournament circuit grinder, bustling WSOP hallways full of poker celebrities are “the norm”. For a poker fan who lives half a world away, having the briefest of opportunities to be immersed in that mythical poker culture is practically indescribable. So many things happened over those few days that have given me so many mini-stories to tell. Here’s a small sampling:

• I randomly bumped into WSOP Tournament Director Jack Effel in a Starbucks and discovered after a couple minutes of conversation that he was also Jewish.
• For the first time in my life, instead of “cheese” I said “shark” while posing for a picture… with Humberto Brenes, of course. Later on, I got prompted to “smile, baby”, from none other than the Prince of Poker himself, Scotty Nguyen.
• I passed by Jonathan Little so many times that I felt like his neighbor… and then we ended up parking next to each other one morning.
• Speaking of the parking lot, I refrained from using any of the Rio’s infamous outdoor toilets, but while headed out to my car one afternoon, that’s precisely where I bumped into “the Toilet” himself, Faraz Jaka.
• On another trip down the hallways, I looked over to my right and noticed a guy sitting on a bench, only to realize that it was Anthony Zinno. I built up a bit of courage to approach him, as he didn’t really know me, and then he ended up thanking me for coming to introduce myself and tell him “what I do in poker”; go figure!
• My Dad and I bumped into a just-got-off-the-plane Eugene Katchalov who, despite his fatigue, kindly took the time to chat with us for a few minutes, but I couldn’t follow half of the conversation because it was being conducted between him and my Dad in Russian.

Branded Decks Lead to Smiles, Success, and More Stories

I decided to give out close to 150 decks of branded Cardplayer Lifestyle cards while I was in Las Vegas. When was the last time anyone looked at a business card, right? A free deck of cards though? THAT, someone could use

Anyhow, among the recipients were Jason Mercier, who got engaged about a week later, and Brian Rast, who won the $50K Poker Player’s Championship a few days after that. Now, I’m not going to claim that my decks bestowed upon Mercier and Rast any sort of magical “run good”, but if great things start happening to the other 148 deck recipients in the coming weeks , you’ll know why…

I gave another deck of cards to Jason Somerville, who I had first met at the PCA six months ago. Walking through the Pavilion Room, I noticed Jason playing at a table where he was seated next to actor James Woods. I stood there, observing quietly for a minute, when Jason looked up. He immediately spring out of his seat, and greeted me with a big hug, saying “Robbie, SO nice to see you again!” After a couple minutes of catching up, I asked Jason if he wouldn’t mind giving Mr. Woods a deck of cards as well. He did far more than that, saying some incredibly nice things about me and this blog to Mr. Woods. I’m blushing just recalling the experience, but hopefully next time I won’t be so bashful and will go up to Mr. Woods myself for a proper introduction.

Pictures, Pictures, and More Pictures

I felt a constant need to take pictures of everything and everyone. Happiness was bursting out of me. I had to do everything in my power to document the experiences.

After almost a week traversing those Rio hallways, I wanted to somehow pack it all up in my suitcase and bring it home with me. Of course, I’m hopelessly addicted to that WSOP poker drug, already looking forward to the next time I’ll hopefully get to make it back to those hallways and experience everything all over again.

Some pictures with poker luminaries, from left to right – top to bottom: Jack Effel, Jonathan Little, Humberto Brenes, Brian Rast, Mike “the Mouth” Matusow and Benny Glaser, Kevin Mathers, Jason Somerville and James Woods, Scotty Nguyen, and Faraz Jaka

There’s so much more that I experienced during my first trip to the World Series of Poker that I’d like to share with you, and I will in future blog posts.

For now, I’ll just end off by saying that while I may have started my maiden WSOP pilgrimage off in the wrong place, I sure ended up in the right one .

Me and the cast of Poker Night in America

The game was played in a TV studio-like setting, with lights and cameras all around. Walking into that game to play against a former World Series of Poker Main Event world champ (Greg Merson), a WSOP Main Event runner up (Steve Dannenmann), and poker heroes of mine like Matt Glantz, Jason Somerville, and Gavin Smith, was surreal.

The Privilege and Joy of Having My Own Rail

I notified my home game buddies about being selected to play in the big game and about 15 of them showed up to cheer me on. Even my wife, who is not very receptive to my obsession with poker, showed up, along with a couple of our neighbors.

Gavin Smith, me, and the infamous bacon jacket

The support was unbelievable and, although outgunned by the poker pros, I felt like I had home field advantage. The rail was crowded with my friends who were chanting a home-grown cheer:  “Avi Avi Avi — Oy Vey Oy Vey Oy Vey”, and it really brought the house down. The other players teased me about my cheering section. When I folded a hand after Merson re-raised me, Gavin Smith said, “Avi, where are you friends now?!? Not cheering so much for that!” It was a riot. Matt Glantz told me that he wished all the players had cheering sections like I did.

From his vantage point behind me on the rail, one of my friends somehow saw all my hole cards and gave me advice between hands. Dannenmann yelled “no coaching from the rail”. He also trash talked me that my wife was hitting on him because he came in second in the Main Event. During the course of the evening, Dannenmann pronounced my name about seven different ways, none of them correct.

I don’t know if it was because I had so many friends there, along with my wife, or for some other reason, but I felt strangely calm and confident when play started. I bought in for $7,500, with another $7,500 in my pocket if I needed to re-buy. Holy crap! The most I’d ever bought in to a poker game for in the past was $800. Jumping from $2/5 to $25/50 is nuts, and the straddle was $100. A one hundred dollar straddle! I still can’t believe I played in that game.

How the Pros Stacked Up Against Me

Jason Somerville had a similar stack to mine, as did Greg Merson. Matt Glantz had a huge stack. An Internet pro named Scott, who works at PartyPoker, was shorter than me, and Dannenman was pretty deep. The other amateur, Robert, bought in for $10k. Gavin Smith had plenty of chips. He was drunk and outrageous. With Dannenmann on my right and Gavin two seats to my left, the chatter was non-stop and hilarious.

I expected a lot of straddling and 3-betting, but only Merson straddled every time and there was only slightly more 3-betting than in a regular $2/5 game. I was mostly card dead. I knew my image was super tight and I played very few hands. A couple of times I had suited connectors UTG and I folded them. One time I would have flopped trips and rivered a boat, but I never would have gotten there as there were two raises pre-flop and I was glad to have folded.

A Couple Hands and Highlights

Every time we got a new dealer, the players decided to do a run out. We each put in $300 and checked it down. Whoever had the best hand won. I wasn’t thrilled to do this, but I realized that an EV of 0 is actually better for me than most hands against this field. I showed my hands to the rail before I even looked at them. One time, I showed the hand and my friend Lori called out “You have a Lonnie” (otherwise known as 47, after my opponent of choice, Lonnie, whose favorite hand is 47). When the flop came 356, I almost jumped out of my chair. The pot had $2,400 in it. Of course, when I finally looked at my cards, I actually had 27, not 47, so I didn’t win that hand. I did, however, chop a run out one time with 83 when I hit the top end of a straight with my 8, as did Scott. So, I think I just about broke even on the run outs. Maybe lost one or two extra.

Holding my own(?) against the poker pros

It was such a thrill when, after winning a pot, my crowd went wild. On the other hand, I realized that I was definitely playing too tight in general and was thus not going to get much action.

Then again, this happened:

I raised pre-flop with KJo and Merson called me. I missed the flop and made a continuation bet, which he called. The turn gave me a gutshot. Merson checked. I fired another bullet, and he then check-raised me pretty big. I folded. When I thought about it later, I decided that I should have checked behind to see if I’d hit my gutshot, Q, or even a K. Why was I double barreling into a world champ?!

I didn’t really play in any big pots, but they all seemed huge to me. My biggest was this one: I was in the cutoff with AKs in spades. Merson had straddled for $100. It folds to me, and I make it $325. Jason Somerville in the BB calls and we go heads up to the flop. Flop comes with the J of spades and two low cards. Jason bets $700. I decided to float him, creating the biggest pot I’ve ever been in ($2,150), but it was smallish considering the blinds and the game I was in. The turn was the Qs, giving me a gutshot royal flush draw and two over cards. I was prepared to shove if Jason bet. He checked. I bet $2,000 (I said to myself, “did I just make a two thousand dollar bet?!?”). He folded right away. This hand put me well into the black.

Me, Matt Glantz, and Greg Merson

Remaining on a Poker High After the Game

After the game broke up, I was interviewed on camera and also had some very nice chats with Nolan Dalla, the show’s Creative Director. Unfortunately, when the Maryland Live! episodes aired my session was not included, so I did not make it on TV. Yet, that does not diminish the experience one bit. Nolan told me that I’ll be invited back, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.

One thrilling outcome of my experience was that, when I played at the World Series a couple of months later, I ran into all of the pros I had played with in Maryland. They remembered me and I got to chat with them again. I even got to pitch my idea for securing online poker to them and to some other pros that they introduced me to.

What an experience. I remain starstruck!

With all of that in mind and, of course, without splitting hairs, I’ve compiled a list of gentlemen who I believe possess the 10 best beards in poker. Some names you may recognize from their longstanding poker playing prowess while others are somewhat newer to the felt. Still other beards in poker decorate the faces of some well-known behind-the-scenes poker personalities. Finally, a couple of poker’s most famous beards haven’t been seen at the tables in years, but probably won’t ever be forgotten by people who have even a passing familiarity with the game of poker.

Without further ado, I proudly present to you the 10 best beards in poker, in alphabetical order:

Dan Bilzerian

Arguably, when you put the words “poker” and “beard” together, the first name that’ll come to mind is Dan Bilzerian’s. The Instagram superstar playboy isn’t a professional poker player by any stretch of the description, but he regularly plays for some of the highest stakes imaginable. A professed beard aficionado, Bilzerian’s jet-black beard is as bold as he is.

Todd Brunson

It’s understandable that someone with the last name Brunson would be proud of their poker accomplishments. It seems, however, that Todd Brunson takes just as much pride in his beard. Bushy

and brash, Brunson’s beard seems perfectly molded to his face, which is why he earned his spot on our list.

Nolan Dalla

One of poker’s finest scribes, Nolan Dalla serves as the WSOP Media Director as well as the Creative Director of Poker Night in America. Quite well traveled, there’s one thing that always goes wherever Nolan goes – his beard. Recently he’s begun appearing more on camera during televised poker broadcasts, plus he’s begun publishing old poker photos from his early days in the business. The one constant: the beard. As Nolan is universally respected in the poker world, we all ought to respect the beard as well.

Bryan Devonshire

Despite a successful poker career, Devonshire has eschewed the Vegas lifestyle in favor of the rugged outdoors of Colorado. And there’s nothing that says “rugged” like the beard of an outdoorsman like Devonshire. It’s just as easy to picture Devonshire in flannel, pickaxe in tow, hauling logs as it is to envision him behind stacks of chips. That’s the power of a great poker beard.

Chris Ferguson

It’s impossible to forget the 2000 WSOP Main Event Champion – and his beard. Nicknamed “Jesus”, to set our collective gaze upon Ferguson‘s facial fur today would truly be divine – the Holy Grail even. Chris and his beard may never be resurrected by the poker gods, but his “look” will endure forever in poker lore.

Barry Greenstein

Long revered as the game’s “Robin Hood” for donating proceeds of his poker tournament winnings to charity, Barry Greenstein’s beard is almost as well known as his poker achievements and his seminal work Ace on the River. Often referred to as “Bear” at the tables, based on his beard, I’m thinking Greenstein’s a grizzly.

Michael Josem

I’ve only recently become (virtually) acquainted with Michael Josem, whose name is known to many in the poker world via his role as the top PR representative for PokerStars. Working behind the scenes, however, most poker fans are probably not familiar with how Josem looks. Hint: if you look carefully, you’ll notice his face underneath the beard.

Teddy KGB

Teddy KGB will “splash his face with whatever beard he f***ing pleases”. With a beard that constantly seems to be “hanging around”, he’s got the kind of facial hair you just “can’t seem to get rid of”. Whatever you think of Teddy KGB’s beard, it’s undeniably “very aggressive”. Sure, he’s a fictional character from Rounders, but all night, I check, check, check online for poker players that belong on this list… Not picking Teddy KGB would be like “laying down a monster”.

Daniel Negreanu

Arguably the game’s most well-known player, Daniel Negreanu seems to have a love-hate relationship with hair. On the one hand, one can’t help but notice the extra hair that seems to have magically sprouted on his head in recent years. On the other hand, Kid Poker memorably went public about his decision to undergo laser hair removal. An area where hair has pretty much been a constant for Negreanu, however, has been beard-wise. Closely cropped and expertly cared for, all we can say is: “If the beard fits (which it does), wear it.”

William Pappaconstantinou (a.k.a., “Billy Pappas”)

With a beard nearly as long as his last name, Pappaconstantinou, a foosball world champion, is all set for a run at ultimate poker glory with a seat at this year’s November Nine. While his nickname is certainly easier to remember, Pappas’ beard probably gives him the Main Event Final table’s most unforgettable face.

Did this list of the top 10 beards in poker give you a warm, fuzzy feeling inside? Perhaps you feel that your favorite bearded pro got snubbed? Have your say in the comments section below.

Along with all of that, as mentioned, the rest of the poker world sure has been talking about the topic, so I felt the need to make a video of my own, offering my final thoughts on this important issue. I hope you enjoy watching; it’s really the first video I’ve ever made. If you’re interested, you can find a transcript below, which includes links to the articles and podcasts I mention by name.

Transcript

Well – the poker world sure seems to be talking a lot about politics’ place in the game. I think that’s a great thing and I’m specifically grateful to Nolan Dalla for helping to get this issue the coverage it deserves.

So many poker sites have covered the issue, with many well-known pro players offering their opinions, as have many talented poker writers. I encourage you, if you have the time, to read up as much as you can on the subject. Lots of people are saying lots of interesting things that deserve to be considered; on both “sides” of the debate. A further point about that, I think it’s important to be open-minded about all this and not necessarily have a predetermined opinion. Let’s all be discussing and debating the issue of politics in poker – online, on social media, in blogs, in videos – just NOT at the poker table.

To his great credit, Olivier Busquet has also spoken openly about why he did what he did, wearing the “Save Gaza” shirt. You can find that on episode 92 of the Thinking Poker podcast, with Andrew Brokos and Nate Meyvis.

I was also a guest on the Mark Hoke Show on August 27th, where I spoke in more detail about the subject as well as addressed Mr. Busquet’s aforementioned comments. A link to the podcast is also available online.

Many other podcasts have carved out some time recently to discuss the issue and, again, I think this is a great thing.

I realize, however, that lots of people prefer to get their information not just via reading blog posts and listening to podcasts, but also via video, so that’s why I’ve decided to record this.

Endorsement of Nolan Dalla

I want to return the favor of Nolan Dalla’s phenomenal endorsement of my site – thank you for that – by encouraging you to visit NolanDalla.com. Nolan writes incredibly prolifically, not just about poker, but about all sorts of interesting and varied topics (and I don’t necessarily agree with him either, but it makes for interesting reading). I will also come out and support him (as I did in my blog) as a nominee for the Poker Hall of Fame.

Now, I’m tempted to make some points about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict itself, but that’s not what this debate is about. Nolan, perhaps you and I could talk about it one day when we finally meet in person.

So, let’s specifically address some points that Nolan Dalla brings up in his 38-minute video:

Private Conversations vs. Public Displays

The place of politics in poker, in my opinion, is away from the table.

I agree with you Nolan – no politics in the middle of a hand. Among themselves players ought to be able to talk about whatever they want. Nobody wants to see police monitoring what players say. That’s ridiculous. While I wouldn’t talk politics at the table, TALK shouldn’t be forbidden, BUT public displays ought to be. Television makes the statements public.

There’s a fine line between what goes on amongst the 9-10 people at the table versus what’s broadcast to a TV audience. Daniel Negreanu noted this in his blog post about this issue, saying there should be “separate rules for TV and non-TV tables”. He makes some good points and strong arguments, but I don’t know if his solution is practical. It can certainly be tried out.

Censorship vs. Dress Code

In his video, Nolan advocates making rulings on a case by case basis. I think this is likely to be logistically problematic. This opens the door to claims of favoritism and biased censorship on the part of PokerStars and other sanctioning bodies. So, I think it’s the wiser course of action to have a general ruling – and I still maintain the best solution is a dress code. Having a dress code is not a negative imposition on freedom of expression. It’s a positive things, which basically says to all players: “we’d like you to please respect our events”. If you think that calling for a dress code is audacious, I’ll point you in the direction of Poker Hall of Famer Mike Sexton, who has been calling for a dress code in poker for years.

Not A Suspension of Expressionism, Rather a Focus on Poker

I don’t believe that PokerStars wants, as Nolan says, “muted, unconnected uncaring poker players who’ve turned their brains off at the tables or when walking in the tournament area”.

I believe that they do want people who have entered their tournaments to be playing and focused on the poker and THAT’S also probably what they wish to be broadcast to the viewing audience; i.e., they likely just don’t want viewers distracted by displays of a political nature. Apropos, Mr. Hollreiser stated “we will refuse entry to poker players displaying statements of any kind”.

Nolan, you say that “you’ve never seen a fight at the table because of political differences”. Well, I have, between myself and a pro-Palestinian at the Commerce Casino in LA. Luckily it was a cash game and I could ask for a seat change. Whether you’ve seen a fight because of politics at the poker table or not, my question is “do you want to”?

Is Poker Itself Political? Is Everything Political? We Don’t Get to Decide

Nolan’s best point was when he put on the T-shirt supporting online poker and asked – isn’t this political?  I think expressing solidarity with other poker players is a good thing; it’s part of what makes us all part of this “poker community”, but I personally don’t consider it to be a political issue; I think of poker as a game. Others might think poker is political, but that would essentially be up for the sanctioning tournament body and officials to decide on.

What Do The Players Owe PokerStars?

People also keep on saying “players pay their own way and ought to be able to dress however the want; it’s not as though they’re getting anything in return for their rake”. To that I say the following:

“Where and at which events would players play if they wouldn’t be held? The services being provided to the players are the hosting of the events as well as the televising of said events. Yes, things did used to be different and nobody used to say anything before TV and huge tournaments came along. But I don’t think we want to go back to the days of trying to find a Texas Hold’em game outside of LA or Vegas or of 100-player WSOP Main Events.

Most people who love poker want to see it grow. The main vehicle for this is television. The game of poker and all its players all owe TV for the poker boom. Most poker players and fans want to see more poker on TV and others to see it too for the first time. Most players used to protect their hands no matter what the consequence – now we’re able to see hole cards via TV. It’s something the game’s players have happily come to terms with in order to promote advancement of the game, and all players and the game itself is undoubtedly better off for it.

In short, the global growth of the game of poker is precisely the “compensation” for following the rules and restrictions of televised poker events.

Conclusion

I made it clear in my post and in my tweets during the EPT Live broadcast that I’m opposed to ALL political statements at the table, including those that support my own views. I never criticized anyone for having particular views, just that they were allowed to broadcast them publicly while sitting and playing poker in a televised tournament.

Raising awareness is critical for the welfare of our society – 100% agreed. But, there’s a time and a place to do it. Poker players ought to speak out in support of and against things. Not at the table while playing. As soon as they step away from the table during a break etc., let ’em speak their minds.

Victoria Coren and others seemed to have called me out for being a troublemaker and butting in to something that’s not my business. I think that I defended my stance on that in the comment I left on her blog post. I encourage you to read it.

What we all could’ve been discussing is the poker play at the EPT Super High Roller. That’s what people tuned in to the live stream for. Olivier and Daniel chose to make it about something else; about politics.

Artists and athletes, for the most part, don’t speak out politically while performing. They do it in interviews, in speeches, in articles, etc. Nobody seems to complain or feel that the dress code of athletes is “censorship” or removing their freedom of speech. Nolan brings up the 1968 Black Power salute at the Olympics. Yes, an iconic image; very famous. But let’s not forget that the two gentlemen were expelled from the Olympics because of it. There were subsequently ostracized from the U.S. sports establishment altogether.

About Me

To end things off, I want to thank you all for watching and listening to what I had to say. I think at this point Nolan and I can agree to disagree and I’ll say that I’ve definitely enjoyed debating this with him over the last couple of weeks.

Some of you may be wondering who I am, as I’m obviously not as well known as Nolan. I’m a dual US-Israeli citizen and moved here to Israel 15 years ago after growing up in Los Angeles. I founded the Cardplayer Lifestyle poker blog back in 2009 and have written hundreds of articles about poker there. I’ve also written for a number of other well-known poker publications, both print and online, and I’m the co-host of the Top Pair Home Game poker podcast, along with Bruce Briggs. I’m also the co-creator of the Poker Notes Live app, a free app available on iOS and Android, which is designed to help you take notes while playing live poker.

Like many of you, I love playing in my home game every week. Like many other poker writers out there, I do what I do in the poker world to try and make a difference and grow the game.

Thanks for listening and check out Cardplayerlifestyle.com

Since Nolan was incredibly kind with his words, the least I can do is return the favor. Like many of you (I assume), I’m a tremendous fan of his work – specifically an admirer of his incredibly writing talent – though, of course I also don’t agree with all of his political views either. I consider Nolan to be one of my mentors as far as poker writing and personally feel he belongs in Poker’s Hall of Fame for all of his contributions to the game over the years. It is my hope to meet him in person some day soon.

Also, be sure to check out our video on the politics in poker issue.

In any event, I’ve had my day of shabbos to reflect on Nolan’s response. Below you will find my reply, which is meant to address and respond to a number of quotes from his piece – none of which have been taken out of context – in the order he brought them up.

Nolan’s Quotes Are Followed By My Responses

“Frankly, the t-shirts would hardly even be noticed on the streets of any cosmopolitan city.”

Perhaps, but I respectfully beg to differ. People put on a shirt displaying that specific message with the intent of getting noticed. And they do get noticed.

“Should poker tournament organizers and/or casino management assume the role of Big Brother and become the game’s new fashion police? Apparently, some misguided decision-makers think so.”

I don’t believe that adding rules for dress casts any organizer in the role of Big Brother nor policeman. For example, does the Monte Carlo Casino’s dress policy mean they’re Big Brother or policing? Further, they also prohibit military or religious dress. Does this mean they’re anti-war or atheists, censoring people’s inherent rights to religious freedom?

“censorship of one’s political views in poker”

Not once did I use the words “censor” or “censorship” in my original article. I don’t believe that the issue at hand is a freedom of speech issue. I specifically stated that I was in favor of all forms of expression – just not while playing in the events or at the poker tables. There’s a time and place for everything.

“What I mean is — it doesn’t matter what the t-shirt says.  Players should be able to wear what they want, with any messages they wish.  This is especially true since players fund the tournaments entirely and have no obligations to the host.  So, unlike pro athletes which would clearly be forbidden to express themselves politically on their uniforms because they are paid and under contract, poker players are individuals who should be able to enjoy reasonable rights of free expression.”

As I touched upon in my original article, I don’t understand how the first two sentences of this paragraph have anything to do with the rest of the paragraph. Players funding a tournament entirely means they have no obligations to the host? Doesn’t every player entered into a WSOP event have to sign a consent form that entails various obligations?

Take a look at WSOP Rule #52 and #53 C (viii) and 53 D (in Section V). It says it right there in black and white: “For all Tournaments taped for television, participants may wear apparel with multiple logos, patches or promotional language. Rio reserves the right at all times to impose a ban on any apparel deemed objectionable by Rio, in its sole and absolute discretion.”

I don’t recall an instance of anyone ever conscientiously objecting to these rules on the grounds of “freedom of speech”.

“However, I’m willing to make some concessions for the sake of common decency. Mr. Strazynski certainly sees differences between overtly offensive symbols and political statements of free expression, doesn’t he?  He can’t be suggesting that a short catchphrase in support of the people who reside in Gaza or the West Bank is the really same thing as bearing a swastika, can he?  I mean, that’s quite a leap.  Most people including myself, would fully understand disallowing a player wearing an overtly offensive message or displaying such a symbol to play in any poker tournament.  Why?  What’s the difference?  Well, because those symbols are universally repudiated.  They are intended to promote hate.  Unless he’s mentally ill, the wearer of such a shirt knows this.”

I am all for common decency. When debating within the realm of “normal”, I of course see a difference between overtly offensive symbols and political statements of free expression. Then again, if we are really going to get into examining the extremes here and be sticklers about certain points, we all know there are still Nazi sympathizers out there to whom Swastikas would probably not be the least bit offensive. The very First Amendment protecting freedom of speech that Nolan bases much of his “no censorship ever” premise on allows anyone in America to display a Nazi flag, no matter how repulsive or offensive it may be to the overwhelming majority of the population.

How to characterize such people who’d bear Swastikas? I’ll borrow Nolan’s brilliant quote: “If they’re willing to display such heinous idiocy publicly, then I’m all in favor of knowing mutant intelligence conveniently aided by the cretin’s own veracity.  In other words, thanks for letting us all know up front that you’re a moron.”

Here’s some advice — if you don’t like what you see, then turn away.  If you don’t like the message or the person, then don’t talk to them.

At a cash game table, sure – I’d love to turn away. I’ll go ahead and ask for a seat change. But if I’m in a sanctioned tournament, I can’t really do much turning away, can I? Whether I like a person’s message or not, I ought to be trying to focus on poker while at the table, not be distracted by a message.

And therein lies one thing I perhaps failed to mention in my previous article: the display of political messages during poker play taints the purity of the game. Recreational poker players turn to poker for a break from everything else going on in the world. They also watch poker on television to see POKER, not politics. Professional poker players play the game to make a living; not to make a statement, political or otherwise.

Nolan’s Best Point

What about t-shirts from the Poker Players Alliance?  Or patches?  What about messages which support the legalization and regulation of online poker in the United States?  What about t-shirts that support candidates who openly support online poker?  Are these too, now to be banned? Cruel irony, indeed.

Now this point really made me think. Of course I support poker. Of course I support the ability for anyone anywhere to legally play poker or online poker, despite the fact that there are places where it will probably never happen.

I do think a distinction ought to be made with regard to support of an issue versus a person. For example, I very much support Sheldon Adelson in terms of everything he’s done to help Israel, yet I can’t stand the fact that he’s so vehemently against legalizing online poker in the United States; I couldn’t be more anti-Adelson on that! People are complicated and ought not to be boiled down to a single issue. Single issues, on the other hand, are by definition narrowly focused.

I’ve honestly never thought of poker as a political issue. I’ve written about poker legalization – so it’s certainly a legal issue. I’ve written about poker regulation – so it’s certainly a regulatory issue. Primarily, however, I’ve always just thought of poker as a game. I’m pretty sure that every single person who reads this article also thinks of poker as a game first and foremost.

So I suppose it would make logical sense to allow people who play a game to advocate in support of the game being played.

Is that political?

Frankly, we need more politics — just about everywhere.  We need more discussion about problems and possible solutions.  Not during poker hands, mind you.  But politics is every bit as appropriate as table chatter about a sporting event or a bad date that went wrong.  And there’s no way any misguided ruling is going to stop open dialogue between players.  Language and thought shouldn’t be guarded by anyone, let alone a corporation, and what appears on a t-shirt should be the last thing the organizers of a poker tournament should be interested in.  There are other things to worry about.

It’s funny. Nolan is using many words with which I agree, but I think we see things differently. We DO need more discussion – just about everywhere, but NOT everywhere. Not during poker hands and not at the table. While politics might be considered “appropriate” as table chatter and there’s nothing overtly wrong with it, I don’t think it ought to specifically be forced into the conversation. There are innumerable forums for political discussion; must the poker table specifically be one too? I agree 100% – No ruling ought to limit open dialogue among players or what comes out of a person’s mouth while playing poker.

If someone started talking politics to me at a tournament table, I’d kindly ask them to shut up and play poker. Then, on the next break, I’d invite them out for a drink with me so we could talk politics.

What appears on a T-shirt is precisely the last thing tournament organizers ought to be concerned with. That’s exactly why (e.g., via a dress code) they ought to prevent any issues from ever arising in the first place – so that they, too, can focus on poker.

Please Hear Both Sides Out in the Politics in Poker Debate

As with any debate, it behooves the audience to hear out both sides and I thus thank all other poker writers out there who’ve given us equal exposure in their news stories via mentions and links to ours. Many sites, however, have not.

As of this publication, Google Analytics indicates that my previous article has been read 771 times. Those Analytics also indicate that 62 of those “hits” have come from Nolan’s blog via the link to my article.

Now I don’t expect to have nearly the type of name recognition as Nolan, but his piece couldn’t have more obviously been written as a response to mine. I cannot help but wonder, then, why so many in the poker community seem to only be “spreading the word” via their social media accounts and in poker forums for just one side.

A writer’s goal is to stir up discussion and encourage debate. I believe Nolan will agree with me when I say that neither of us is out to “win” via our articles, but rather we’re doing what we’re doing in order to express both sides of the coin. We want to get the poker community talking about this and by all appearances we have.

All I’m saying is that I encourage anyone with an interest in the issue of politics’ place in poker to at the very least read what both of us have to say before forming your opinions.

Sometimes you just have this gut feeling that you’re on the cusp of seeing something historic unfold. This is one of those times. Poker is about to change for the better, and it’s going to get a hell of a lot more popular – starting this Sunday. A brand new poker show is set to debut that will undoubtedly generate a whole new wave of mainstream excitement for the card game we all know and love.

This Sunday night, and every Sunday night thereafter for a long time to come, it’s going to be Poker Night in America. That’s the name of the poker show set to be broadcast on (no less than!) the CBS Sports Network. Finally a show has come along that has the potential to get the average Joe and Jane excited about poker all over again.

What Happened to Televised Poker?

Back in poker’s boom years, pretty much any time you’d channel surf you’d encounter poker on TV. Whether it was on ESPN, the Travel Channel, GSN, or another network, broadcasts were everywhere. Celebrities were playing; poker was hip and cool.

Then, people stopped watching.

Though there are quite a few reasons why this happened, here’s an oversimplified summary of one of the main ones: the “poker story” that was being shown on TV just got too repetitive. Casual fans simply got tired of seeing the same standard all-in confrontations between a big pair and two overcards in broadcast after broadcast. Most shows evolved to showcase the poker being played in greater depth, both on camera and via the accompanying commentary, to cater to an understandably more knowledgeable fan base. The problem with that was that while hard core viewers might’ve stuck around, the recreational poker player fan base – i.e., the overwhelming majority of mainstream viewers – became alienated.

Post Moneymaker boom, as the years went by, most poker shows stopped dedicating airtime to creating stories around the game’s personalities, instead more often choosing to emphasize the game itself. Much as I hate to admit it, the fact is that watching poker being played just isn’t entertaining to the average viewer. And that’s even after a whole bunch of editing to show only the most interesting hands! When people watch TV, they want to be entertained. If they’re not, they’ll change the channel quicker than you can say “all in”.

While a couple of the better-produced shows, like the WSOP broadcasts, have survived and enjoy the “remainder” of die hard poker fans as their audience, most have gone the way of the dodo.

Indeed, it would seem that it would take a miracle to get a new poker show on TV these days. What it actually took, however, on top of a hell of a lot of persistence and hard work, was a visionary who understood how to get people to start tuning in again.

Introducing Todd Anderson – The Man Who Wants to Make Poker Fun Again

Two years ago, Todd Anderson had an epiphany. The original creator of the Heartland Poker Tour realized that viewers weren’t tuning into poker on TV anymore because, at the core, it wasn’t just the poker they had found so interesting, but rather the characters playing the game. Thus was born the idea to create Poker Night in America.

Anderson’s blueprint? Invite some of the best-known, most engaging people playing the game of poker to star on the show and sit them around a table for cash game sessions. Don’t make them play for amounts of money that make them uncomfortable. Have them play at stakes where, while they’re trying to win (it IS money after all), that aspect takes a backseat to them being able to have a good time. The less financial stress on the players, the more they can let loose and have fun.

Then, have those poker players go out and “do stuff”. Film them at a bowling alley. Film them having meals together. Film them at a golf course. Film them anywhere and everywhere away from the poker table. In short, let people see just how interesting and entertaining these poker players can be off the felt. Then, keep on filming these people playing poker against one another.

This type of TV production strategy is designed to create characters out of these poker players. It lets their phenomenally engaging personalities shine through. People can – and DO – get invested in characters. Viewers can’t identify with poker players, but they sure as hell can identify with characters they see on screen.

I got a special sneak preview of the pilot episode. Anderson’s blueprint works. This is must-see TV. It’s no wonder Todd was able to get a reputable network like CBS Sports to agree to broadcast Poker Night in America. They’ve got solid gold on their hands and I’m sure they know it too.

Who Are the Poker Night in America Cast Members?

Anderson recruited WSOP Media Director Nolan Dalla to join the Poker Night in America team as the Creative Director and Head of Player Relations. A beyond-brilliant poker writer and the game’s foremost historian, I’d contend that there’s nobody in the world more in touch with the pulse of poker than Nolan Dalla. There’s also probably nobody in the industry more respected and well regarded by professional poker players. (Side note – PLEASE, somebody get this man into the Poker Hall of Fame already!)

As a close observer of the poker scene, I can assure you that Dalla and Anderson picked a fine cast indeed to star on Poker Night in America. The show’s slogan is “bringing the personality back to poker”. I couldn’t think of a description more apropos. Just look at some of the amazing personalities they’ve got in their lineup:

If you aren’t familiar with some of the people listed, don’t worry. Within a few episodes of the show airing, I believe almost all of them will be on their way towards becoming household names.

What Else Makes Poker Night In America Unique?

Right from the get-go, part of Anderson’s vision was that he wanted the show to be aired on national television at the same time every week. That makes perfect sense in terms of attempting to capture the largest possible target audience.

The show’s title is incredibly far-reaching, but it represents something every American can identify with (though I’m sure poker fans all over the world will love the show). Moreover, the set time slot each Sunday night helps anchor the show and lends to it an episodic structure – much like any other TV sitcom, drama, or reality show. All those shows feature characters that fans can get invested in; so does Poker Night in America. Moreover, because of the nature of what’s being broadcast, I’ve got a hunch that each episode will be able to stand on its own, which makes the show an excellent candidate for repeat viewing and attracting new audiences each time any episode airs.

Trust me when I tell you that, very quickly, people across the United States will come to feel that every Sunday night, starting at 10 pm Eastern/7 pm Pacific, is Poker Night in America.

Mike Matusow, Matt Glantz, and Gavin Smith – Even the poker dealer can’t help but crack a smile

On a Personal Note

I follow everything that goes on in the poker world pretty religiously, but even I stopped watching poker on TV quite a while ago. So have all my home game buddies. That’s not to say we don’t love the game of poker anymore – we’re all still very much into it.

We reminisce occasionally about some of the great poker TV we used to see on shows like High Stakes Poker. It used to be the case that each time we’d convene for a weekly home game we’d intersperse the poker discussion with talk about the great episode we had just seen a couple nights prior. We’d reenact the scenes and talk excitedly about what we saw on screen. We just don’t do that anymore.

But I’m pretty positive that this show is something we’re all going to be talking about. And you will too. And so will your poker buddies. Don’t be surprised if seemingly random people start nodding knowingly if you mention the names of one of the Poker Night in America players. They’ll be watching too.

The fun begins this Sunday night, with two half-hour episodes slated to air back-to-back. A total of 26 episodes are scheduled to air, with replays available both on CBS (in a different time slot) as well as online at www.pokernight.com.

Poker is about to become fun all over again.

Sometimes, you just know.

Poker doesn’t get much colder than this

In the 40+ years since the poker tournament series’ inception, an astonishing phenomenon has taken place each summer in Las Vegas: the hotter the outside temperatures, the colder the temperatures indoors at the WSOP poker tables. In fact, this year’s WSOP has set the mark for being the coldest poker event in history!

Back when the World Series of Poker began in 1970, there was just 1 table of participants. Multiple eye witnesses have come forward to testify that, indeed, back then, the temperatures inside Binion’s Horseshoe were almost identical to those outside the casino, on Fremont Street.

As poker’s living legend Doyle Brunson fondly recalled:

“once upon a time, we all used to wear shorts and T-shirts when we sat down to play cards – even Johnny Moss! Those were the days…”

As poker’s popularity has increased, with entry fields growing larger each year, degree by haunting degree, temperatures have slowly been dropping.

The difference in temperature became that much more apparent around 2003, when the bright minds at online poker sites like PokerStars first thought to brand hoodies. Initially thought to be a fashion statement among grinders, the real story behind the burgeoning hoodie popularity was that the online sites were just look for ways to help keep their sponsored players warm.

By the time the WSOP moved to the Rio’s Amazon and Pavilion Rooms in the mid-2000s, the cold weather was in full force. At the same time, more and more players started complaining about being “cold-decked” while “freezeouts” became the norm (instead of the once-popular re-buy and knockout tournaments). Indeed, the idea of “running hot” has literally become a relic of the past these days, as players sit and bear the frigid conditions in multiple layers of winter gear.

Meteorologists worldwide cannot explain how the WSOP poker action has gotten so cold

Longtime WSOP personnel, including Communications Director Seth Palansky and Executive Director Ty Stewart, have confirmed multiple instances of the sounds of chip shuffling being overwhelmed by the sounds of chattering teeth at this year’s WSOP.

The saddest casualty of the freezing WSOP weather this year, however, has been longtime WSOP Media Director Nolan Dalla, whose penis has “turned into a popsicle.”

The indoor cold at the World Series of Poker is particularly fascinating in that typical summers in Las Vegas see triple-digit temperatures sustained for practically 3 months straight. As a matter of fact, today’s supposed to be a record-breaker, with outside temps topping 120°F. Yet, poker players at the Rio can still be seen bundling up as though a blizzard is set to pass through the halls at any moment.

Daniel Negreanu to the Rescue?

In a valiant attempt to get to try and figure out what’s wrong with the WSOP weather, poker hero Daniel Negreanu has attempted to take matters into his own hands. Aside from trying to rouse the masses to action via his Twitter feed, Negreanu has been bringing a digital thermometer to the tables to track the changes in temperature. When asked about the issue, he replied:

“that’s the real reason I rented an RV and spend as much time in there as possible – I need to thaw out from time to time. Plus, I’ve asked my amazing assistant Patty to keep on preparing pot after pot of awesome hot soup and tea for me so that I can keep the blood in my arteries from freezing up”.

If that’s the status of a Canadian playing poker, one can only imagine how the Americans are faring at the felt…

We’ve Found the Official WSOP Air Conditioning Technician!

In an effort to get to the bottom of things once and for all, Cardplayer Lifestyle was able to track down the official WSOP air conditioning technician. Here’s our interview with him:

So there you have it folks – the key to normal WSOP weather is to find this air conditioning technician and give him back his blankie! Despite our best efforts, we could not locate said blankie. Until someone does, we wish everyone at the poker tables good luck withstanding the deep freeze.

Did this poker blog post bring a smile to your face? Feel free to comment below or on our Facebook page.