Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel Negreanu
I've read every single post in this thread and I'm going address everything in detail in my vlog that should be released Wed, Mar 13th. The one released tomorrow was already completed before leaving for San Jose so I couldnt fit it in there.
I briefly touched on some things in this thread that are being misunderstood. First of all, you cannot defend the indefensible and I have no plans on doing that whatsoever. As for "old school/new school" I'm going to spend a lot of time on that, but that doesn't mean what many of you think it does. It's more related to old school mentality enabling degens to continue degenning, while new school calls them out. Personally, new school is more in line with how I think things should be handled in the poker world.
I mean, everyone pretty much knew Edog was a slow payer but they gambled with him anyway. Why? Mainly because he was a sucker so it was a bit like laying a price. Example, if you could make an even money wager with someone, despite feeling like a 2-1 favorite, but also knew that it might take a year or longer to get paid, would you do it? Most people would... And did.
Erick never "stiffed" anyone in the traditional sense. He's never said "I'm not paying." he certainly has shown an immense lack of respect for people he gambles with by not making the clearing of debts a priority, but his intentions have always been to ultimately pay.
The Haralabos example is a good one. I know how much he owed Haralabos and it's just a mind boggling sum. I mean, just freaking insane. No, insanely insane. I have talked to Haralabos in the past about what a pain in the ass it was to collect from Edog, and while I get that, again, Erick didn't plan on "stiffing" him, but he certainly didn't make collecting an easy process.
The fact that Haralabos admits Erick has paid 80 or 90% of the debt tells you something. He can't be classified as a welcher. He pays... If he can, and if you hassle him about it. Indefensible behavior, but it's the truth.
I'm not defending Erick. For a long time I've given him crap about the way he handles debt and I think it's completely awful and inexcusable. I've had plenty of degen friends, but none as unique as Erick. An optimist like I've never seen before.
I feel bad for him that he put himself in this spot. It is pathetic. Just mind boggling. I also empathize with those people that gambled with him and weren't aware of his slow paying tendencies. They have every right to be furious. For those that did know, but gambled with him anyway, well they had to factor that into the risk they took when they gambled with him.
I have never ever ever spoke publicly about people's personal finances when it comes to debt. Privately sure, but never publicly. There are plenty of people in the poker world who I'd consider enemies, who are dead broke, but the public thinks they are flush and "great people.". I don't out them... And I won't. That's just a line I won't cross.
I didn't chime in on the Chino situation, or any similar cases, but this case is unique since its been outed and because it's Erick. He isn't going to like my vlog. I still consider him a friend, and I root for him to make a "comeback" but I don't know what's goiing to happen with that.
I'm owed personally a ton of money by a lot of people. I won't out them. In fact, I saw a guy last night in SJ, chatted with him for a while, and wont out him publicly. He owes me close to half a million and I'll probably never see a dime of it. I know Erick is also owed a boatload of money as well, whiich is somewhat ironic, but it's unlikely he'll see much of that.
I could write a book on this topic, but I want to save some for next weeks vlog. Anyone who questions my character in terms of dealing with "poker issues" just doesn't know me at all.
Do I see Edogs degeneracy as different from what FTP has done? Absolutely.
Do I feel like Chino, TJ, or Edog deserve a baseball bat to the balls for owing personal debts? No.
Am I jaded in thinking that because Edog is a friend? No.
Do I know of people I don't like in the poker world who owe MORE than Edog does? Yes.
Do I think they deserve baseball bats to the nuts? As much as I personally dislike this person...no.
Will I tell you who this person is? Despite the fact that I might enjoy this person being outed, its not in my nature to do that, not do I think it's my place to... So I won't.
Im sorry, I think you are a hypocrite.
You sometimes deal with issues based on the people not the facts of the case.
You (correctly) called out Bitar, Jesus and Howard for saying nothing yet said nothing about your buds such as Ivey, Harmen, Helmuth ect ect who have kept equally as quiet.
All the above people now know they have dirty money, yet continue to play in high roller tournaments while innocent people have been left in financial distress.
Ivey claimed he wouldnt play the WSOP because he wanted the players paid.
Obviously we now know that was total BS.
The real shame is that I nearly always agree with everything you have said on these matters so far.
Your Vblog videos have so far been excellent, entertaining and funny.
Its just the fact its obvious you are treating/protecting your buds makes the context of you points seem very hollow.
