People say the stories in holy books never happened but look how many people follow their tenets.

Point being, if the message helps people, it's worth publishing even if it may be apocryphal. And I don't even know this story about Einstein is untrue, you're just claiming it is.

I mean Albert Einstein taught theoretical physics, not philosophy, not basic math. Where did you get the story about him from? If it's from facebook and not a biography it's likely an apocryphal story. That's how these facebook stories work. They're trying to go viral and this same story from a no name professor doesn't go viral. But if it's the Albert Einstein then people will spread the story farther.

Also it's very unlikely that any students being taught by Einstein would be "mocking him" and "making fun of him" for making any kind of mistake let alone an obviously purposeful one. The whole story has many hallmarks of something that isn't true. I'm only pointing this out to you so you can spot inconsistencies in the future. You're a lawyer right? Wouldn't that help you in your profession to be able to spot stuff like that going forward? Just trying to help =D.

"Know thyself dawg" - Jesus.

I wouldn't have complained about the incorrect last result. But the inconsistent formatting between lines, OMG, I can't handle it! Clean that **** up Albert!

GballsailsoverheadG

Still on track for best month ever, a little ding at 5/5 (lots of hate/name-calling and cursing from same bad reg on tilt...I put him in his place this time after he threw the button at my hand), made it all back and then some at 1/2 plo5.

It's funny, I watched Doug Polk's interview with Garrett today where Doug made the comment about live poker being so scummy. And then tonight perchance I got a taste of that scumminess, which I had thankfully avoided since threats dude. It only took two months for another incident with another scumbag. Oh jeez.

This dude is probably a pro which makes it even more egregious than a rec for the things he said to me at the table. After I put him in his place he said he wouldn't talk to me anymore (perfect) and said he was sorry I thought he threw the button at my hand. He never apologized for telling me to stfu repeatedly for saying "oh my gosh" during a hand I was observing. This guy knows the whale who tried to run a private game at MDL a few weeks ago so I think he is on my case because of that. He is so toxic for the game it's terrible, he just blew up out of nowhere and started cursing at me in the middle of the hand calling me out for not playing enough and the entire table was dead silent for the next 20 minutes. We were having such a fun time up until then too, but he must have lost a big pot and was set off.

I think some people play poker too long full-time and it just gnaws at their souls until all that is left is a selfish self-centered blob with few to no redeeming qualities.

I my have kept my record monthly profit going today, but I lost a lot of my respect for live poker players.

What seats did you both occupy when buttongate happened?

He was 6 and I was 4, both sitting in front of dealer separated by one seat. The button didn't need to move far. He's been picking on and verbally harassing me in game for weeks now over my playing style so I am pretty sure he did it on purpose (he had a motive) and had already told me to stfu repeatedly that night, so he was angry.

So is this guy a bad rec or “probably a pro”? I’m surprised the dealer didn’t intervene when he started cursing you out in the middle of the hand and everyone just stayed silent. Don’t see this behavior much in higher stakes tbh.

Dealer did not call floor I had to ask him to. Then dealer left out all the insults and stfu other reg spat at me and made it sound like I started it by saying something during the hand. He said “these two have issues.” Very disappointing dealer response.

I wouldn’t be surprised if dealers don’t like me because I don’t tip particularly generously but I win big pots all the time. I also call them out for their bull here. Maybe that’s part of it. In fact a couple nights ago I tipped $1 on a $700 pot and the dealer started making faces and then looked at me funny when I folded to a 3!. I gave him an extra $2 to cut out the attitude.

A high stakes endboss lends a relative novice large sums of cash to keep playing in a game advertised much smaller than it was, a game in which she was losing. What could go wrong? Apparently poker doesn't get less scummy as you move up!

https://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/2...10/index5.html

LOL I only subscribe to this thread for all the drama Dumbo brings to the poker tables. Always entertaining....

+1

I grew up in the DMV and have played a lot of poker in MD and on the west coast. These stories sound so absurd compared to my interactions at MD casinos and in general with residents over 30 years. But I have only played a little live PLO, I am assuming people lose their tempers more at PLO, especially lately?

It's pretty understandable how hot-tempered people have gotten as the pandemic drags on. My sense is that people are just generally more unhappy nowadays. I don't think this is just in the casino environment, although it probably comes out more there because of tilt. Not to mention games are tougher now at MGMNH, it's been years since the opening when all the fish/whale money was abundant, so many slightly winning regs are starting to see their edge diminish, so there's that component. Threats dude commented (before I picked up...not playing with him if I can help it) that the game used to be fun when the poker room was downstairs and everyone was going all in every hand.

FWIW, someone PM'd me about the 5/5 reg and said me and reg are two of the most polite players in the game normally and should just cool it, and I agree. Hopefully after last time things will settle down. Also from his vantage point didn't look like button was thrown at my hand with the intent to hit my hand, it just happened to land there. I think this tension is a combination of several factors: I complained that he was too good once and he resented me for that comment, he started needling me at the table for being too tight and giving away strat and I in turn resented him for those comments and responded in kind, he is friends with the dude who would not let me into the 5/5 "private" game at MDL a while back who I cursed out, so there's that possible issue. All in all, we should just bury the hatchet and move on. The game is much better when everyone is in good spirits. Plus who wants that hassle in their life. I don't. I have too much to worry about to get into verbal sparring matches in that game anyway.

I think you're being a bit ridiculous when you call this scummy and extremely predatory. It's not as if she were coerced. There is absolutely nothing wrong with loaning someone money in this circumstance, or in recruiting someone into a poker game.

She had full knowledge of what she was getting into beforehand. It doesn't matter that the game ended up bigger than advertised. She still voluntarily played knowing what the new limits were.

There are other aspects of the story that I would agree are scummy if they turned out to be true.

I told my parents about the Andy/Savage situation - they have never played poker and are relatively neutral parties - and they were absolutely aghast with the situation on the invite/game bigger than advertised/loaning money to losing player. Point being, I think as players we have a bias in favor of professionals and see the whole invite fish to game to fleece them as relatively harmless and normal part of the game. To outsiders who have lived a life primarily outside of poker, it comes off as extremely predatory and part of why poker is often viewed in a negative light by society. I think I disapproved of the whole scheme because of my background in a helping profession, so I have plenty of non-poker experience.

Just because someone does something "voluntarily" does not absolve another party of their moral duty not to harm others. Also, coercion can be subtle, it's not always "gun to the head." Ever heard of peer pressure? People die at fraternities during hazing just to go along with/belong to the group.

Last night a player sits down at PLO5. They play not infrequently. Hair is distressed, bags under eyes, they go all in first hand with KJT54ss over a raise and a re-raise. "I know you both are playing high cards," they comment. They lose. "Aces is not a good hand, it's such a small edge in this game," they complain. They briefly walk away from the table, come back, and call blind. They flop a good hand but have been outflopped by another player. "This game is just bingo" they say as they reload again.

A couple months ago the same player was asked to leave by the floor for not paying a marker back. "But I just paid you guys, are you seriously going to kick me out?" They left humiliated and powerless.

Last night they sat down and went all in blind, I could see the same hopelessness in their face, that of someone addicted to an industry they were losing in. I wanted to tell them I'd help them get better at the game, but then I thought that would just be enabling them to play more. The player eventually started making comments that I am too tight and "you can lose a hand for once!" as I tanked on the river. I wanted to walk up to them and say "you need help, this game is not for you." I was afraid of how they'd react. I was resentful that they needled me. "This game isn't fun anymore" came to mind, even as I post my best month ever.

I've been playing this game for a while now and the initial excitement and fun are now too-often filled with sadness, anger, jealously, pity, hypocrisy. What if we are like that player, distinguished only by the fact that we happen to win? Why have so many bright and accomplished poker players left poker for other pursuits? Is it because they, too, grew disgusted with this beast?

This is where we diverge then. I believe someone doing something voluntarily fully absolves the other party. Consent is the core of morality. It gets hazy when consent arguably can't truly be given, such as in cases of addiction/mental illness, young age, when the consenting party lacks critical information, or when coercion may be involved. If there were implied social consequences for her to decline, other than not being invited to the game again, I might agree that is a form of coercion and makes the whole thing scummy, but I don't see that. Just encouraging someone isn't coercion.

I think you are over complicating things. Life is way to short to spend time doing things you would rather not do. If you feel like playing poker go play. If you don't stay home. People need purpose imo. If you no longer enjoy pursing poker hopefully you can find something else to go after. GL

These are notable exceptions that arguably would apply in this case since she is a rec player at an information disadvantage and the game was advertised as smaller, luring her in under false pretenses. Also, someone in the main thread commented that it is impolite in Asian cultures in particular to decline an invitation (and presumably to leave prematurely as well). As far as not being invited back...I mean, wouldn't you want to remain in endboss Andy's good graces? I would posit that the whole thing was inherently coercive given the power disparity between them.

After playing at mgm a bunch this week, I cheerfully withdraw my prior comments. I’ve seen behavior this week from players and dealers that wouldn’t be acceptable in even the worst card rooms/casinos, it’s like a fancy thunder dome. I do think you need to not be so resentful about needles from problem gamblers and not engage ever but wow there is a lot of low blows being doled out.

Also, this was a frequent topic on the deuce in the 2000s and the general consensus was the best answer is better financial management practices. I think most people agreed that GA is a total scam and is successful for only like 3% of addicts. Maybe it’s better now though.

"The Greek Game."

I had just been stacked all in pre with KK against AKs at a lame 2/5. I overheard one reg say to the other, "the 5/5 is running up there." I checked Bravo and sure enough a 5/5 PLO was going. I decided to check it out finally, something I'd been putting off for a while. I needed a change of pace I was growing increasingly disillusioned with the game, with reports of scams abounding recently. I called the casino poker room and asked to be added to the wait list. "Is he still playing?" I inquired, referring to the legend this game is named after. "Sorry, I can't tell you that over the phone." "No problem, maybe they'll wait for me."

My battery was at 10% - not a good place to be on this trip - but thankfully the directions were not complicated. I missed the turn and ended up on a detour in a shady industrial area. A train crossing light was flashing red, but the divider was not down. I hesitated, wondering whether I should cross anyway. It was dark. I punched the gas and made it onto the other side. Eventually I found my way onto a main road and quickly saw the flashing lights of the casino in the distance, a beacon that I was no longer lost.

I stepped out of the general parking lot spot (although I strongly considered valet this time) into a puddle of urine, as if the puddle was welcoming me here. I rushed inside (it was relatively late), passed through security ("mask under your chin, look at the camera"), and hurriedly entered the restroom to clean my shoe. Not long after a woman entered, "this is the ladies' room!" "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention, I'll leave," as I walked out and she locked the stall door.

I got chips at the podium. The floor gave me five red stacks and some green. "They're going to make fun of me if I bring all those reds over there." The tired floorperson begrudgingly changed them out. I walked towards the big game near the back of the room and was greeted by a loud Greek cursing out another player in their native tongue, a player who asked if he could borrow some money. "Not the way you play, you're drunk!" (I learned Greek growing up.) The legend was still here. I sit down, give him a wink, and he says "hey big guy."

At one point two players decide on a side bet to throw a half-empty water bottle into a trash can half a room's length away. The players makes it, but misses the second. The legend offers a third. He makes it. The legend denies there was a bet, then walks over to the trash can and picks up the water bottle that had not made it in. "See?" "How many water bottles should be in the trash now?" "Two," they reply. The legend bends over and starts rummaging through the trash with his hands and pulls out one additional water bottle. "See?" I owe you nothing.

I made a few hundred in the game, but more importantly, came away feeling that initial excitement and love for the game once again, a feeling I'd missed for some time.

Almost two months later and I am still doing it. I got some tax advice to put some questions I had to rest. Threats dude and I had a pretty cordial interaction last time we were at the same table, actually. I rebounded very well in November from a difficult October. Unfortunately, even after taking a few weeks to play bigger plo at different casino, I returned to Mgm only to find the same reg harassing me in the 5/5. He just wonÂ’t let sleeping dogs lie. It’s ok because I recently stacked him - and this other dude who thought it was ok to nuke innocent Japanese women and children during World War II - in the same hand. I fantasized about telling the mean reg I have bipolar disorder to scare him into leaving me alone.

I played way too much over the turkey tofurkey weekend and made a big mistake while extremely sleep deprived and ended up making just a little. Can’t complain about another five figure month no matter how you slice it though.

Been playing free bar poker for fun and to relax. Making new friends. Couple (man and woman) me and a few others over for dinner. We get along well. Shared my poker eBook with husband. Saw mgm employee at the bar recently and we had fun. “You aren’t mean after I heard what you said tonight,” she said. Awww. We hugged. (She’d shorted me $500 in a color up a few months ago and I was unhappy.)

Greek game has been profitable as has juicy home game. Greek invites me to home game, “bring lots and lots of money,” he emphasizes. “I found two guys from New York and a Russian to play.”

I passed.

Mental illness caused me to wig out at another home game. Two strangers showed up and I was instantly paranoid they were trying to rob us. Host didn’t know them. I just excused myself early. Of course they had no such intentions and were just there to chill with a friend who was playing.

Sold my first poker product, my plo5 strat, for $10, to this nice dude I kinda like. He obviously hadn’t read it yet because I stopped by and saw him lose with a wrap in a hand he would have folded preflop if he’d followed my advice.

New tinder love and I hit it off. Forgot about sex for a little too long. Helps with everything really.

Other night degen at 5/5 mucks his cards and I see a red smear on them. It’s obviously blood. Dealer doesn’t see it and is about to scoop them into the muck and I tell him not to. Player says he cut himself night before. Player defends himself that there’s “nothing wrong with my blood.” “I’m sure your blood is clean,” I explain, “but I’m not sure everyone else wants it on the cards.” Floor is called and looks disgusted of course. “He needs a bandaid,” I say, as I call it a session.

Busted a $100k guarantee day 1 literally one minute before bagging for day 2...AJs open rip 14bb (with bb ante) and SB calls off half his 30bb stack with A7s and makes his flush. Bleh! Annoying to lose to this V, he's has my number in cash games lately too. Played quite well the entire tourney though, got it in good in the end but alas couldn't hold.

Made this doozy of a call too: hero opens ATcc utg 4200, bb defends, flop J-7-7dd. X/x. Turn: 8. X/x. River: 3 (no flush). BB bets 10k into 10,400. My hand is pretty face-up, I block T9, I cut out calling chips and pick up a reliable physical tell and call, win against T4.

Continuing some uneventful runbad, played with VIP at 5/T/25 who was going all in nearly every hand after nearly getting stacked, I limp KK to his immediate right, he does it for $700 in CO, reg OTB calls, I re-ship $1k BTN calls and reg sorta slowrolls a rivered set of 5s. VIP leaves and I do too. My epic rungood at 5/T continues!

Get wrap + nfd AI ott for $450 at 1/2 plo5 and lose multiway to 8-high (other) flush draw and top and middle pair. Had more than enough equity 4 ways to make it +EV - someone called for side pot with just QT! Definitely higher variance because was steaming from the KK/55 hand earlier but at least it wasn't a punt from equity standpoint with all that potentially dead money in there (SB led $100 and two callers).

At 5/5 open QQJ88ss MP, two callers, flop T-7-4r, action donks $150 into $250 $385 eff., folds to me and spr 1.7 (lower now with $150 in there) I rip with two backdoor set draws and nut gutter and bdfd/sd and lose to 44. Flop donk sizing didn't seem like TT to me; versus T7/44 range I had 40% so I'm perfectly fine with it. Can't be folding 40% equity at such low sprs, even if technically "behind." Versus pair+wrap/77 range I still have around that, making it closer but hardly terrible verus this player whose money would still be very much in play.

ProPokerTools 5-Card Omaha Hi Simulation

600,000 trials (Randomized)

board: T74

Hand	Pot equity	Wins	Ties
Qd8dJs8hQc	38.18%	226,667	4,813
44,77,T7,568,89TJ	61.82%	368,520	4,813

You better work!

https://youtu.be/vD6qaYFVUng

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt8VYOfr8To

Played my butt off at 2/5 and made $60 in an hour. F the rake and the jackpot drop.

Went to home game, had good live read that V wasn't strong when he bet turn on J44Kdd, but he potted a river brick that didn't change anything and I just had to call it off with my AA unblocking a lot of the draws and he rivered 3s full with 33. :/ To be fair my read was correct on the turn (could have jammed to deny equity in case he was drawing...), but I forgot you can always change your read on later streets, for example when V yells "pot!" and when you are about to call says "snap" and puts more chips in the pot. I didn't think it made sense for him to say snap since his bet was more than I had so I felt it was a reverse tell but alas he was just drunk and didn't realize I had less. Lolz.

I think this is a good song to have sex to if you like music for that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B-6C8RCRSc But also just a good song.

This one too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cV6pnvCVM4

This is pretty good, the chick dancing is hot and I'm not even into that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIKCNS0KXXM

Can't discriminate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFzT7ms5kwU. Silly but like the reference to the ace of spades.

Ok really not discriminating now (may be too gay for some audiences): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjoxMMgKe6A[/URL] and lol at gay stereotypes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQitTaabHM

Pretty dope Finnish multi-part documentary on pro poker players: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUg8gwMsBdo.

Can definitely relate to riding out the periods of runbad and just waiting until things turn around again (patience), and emotional control (discipline). Feel like I could be up there with the very best if I played online full-time but alas my life trajectory has taken me to "contributing to society." :P I will have to settle for semi-pro for now.

But I wonder: if I got rich playing, could I have an even greater impact with the money I earned? Or is my actual work, through which I apply my legal experience, more impactful? It's so hard to measure the opportunity costs of these very qualitatively different things. I can try.

Let's say if I quit my job I could earn $500,000 a year playing poker online and live five years from now and could donate $500,000 to fund important criminal justice reform efforts and potentially hop back into some legal role again, even if in an advisory capacity or on a board. Would that be worth being out of the legal scene during that period and contributing very little of my expertise to clients, attorneys, and organizations? Then there is the personal toll of the inevitable downswings, awkward sleep schedules, not feeling like I am benefitting society, parental disapproval, etc. I wonder.

About to start episode two...quite motivating, for anyone trying to make it big in poker.