WSOP 2011.
I swing by the 5-10 tables at the RIO and one of my poker friends is there. I say "friend" - we've final tabled a couple of things, and played online. We know the same people. Despite the 25 year age difference, and I'm European and he is from Colorado - we shoot the **** a lot.

Usual high-fives, "howyou runnin'" and he says - hey, just lost a big pot, can you spot me a grand until I get to my box? Sure I say, and peel off the notes. 30m later I'm milling around and he hasn't got to his box and asks for another grand to top up.

I've binked about 200k in live that year - and just won 3 SNGs in a row, so **** it. I pop him another grand.

A few hours later I see him in the hall - and suggest we settle up. Now the bad news - it is like this he says, I spewed off my main event stake, and am in the hole big time. I owe a lot of money. NOW YOU TELL ME! He is into some well known names for a lot of money - and now me.

Well I have a soft heart and a soft head and put him in 3 500 dollar ME satties for 60pct of his wins... and needless to say he bricks. Sunk cost fallacy - seemed my best chance of getting paid.

Over the years - we chat on phone. I move to CO - but I don't bug the guy for the dough. He has new backer. I wish him luck. I know he is broke as **** - and don't need to grind his nose in the crap...

This year he binks like 500k. 4 deep runs and a bracelet.

I've sent FB PMs, texts, and voicemails. Last one this morning.

Question for the forum (other than why am i such a douche)?

If he offers 2k in cash, should I accept and write it off?

What should I do if the dude doesnt respond? Should I flame him - use my PokerNews blog, and all the SM channels to try and **** his **** up...

Or let it go? If I do flame him - what is the best way? Should I (for example) tell stars he plays online in the US? Should I tell his long term gf about the nights out in Vegas? How far should I go?

Tell him he has a week to pay you all the money and if he doesn't you are going to go public outing him. If he doesn't pay make a thread about it in NVG and write a blog about it. I wouldn't accept the 2k

one of my buds said this morning that I'd been entirely too nice about the whole thing up until now... sounds like you think so also :-)

I would give him a week to pay or else I would out him. Then after he pays, I would out him anyway.

Gotta stop these scammers before they go broke and scam some more.

+1

All good advice in this thread so far, and your friend was being kind, you passed the line of kind when you bought him into the 500 dollar satties. The PS call is a must if he doesn't pay SOON

I feel badly for writing this now. Word got back to the guy that I was pissed, and he stepped up instantly called me on the phone, reconciled the balance and hit me with the money by paypal.

I felt as if I had been chasing him since his summer successes, but he says it just wasnt reaching him.

Actually - there is so much trash talked player to player, I'm glad that I can say great things about this guy. Good player, good human being.

Closing this thread - matter handled with integrity by the dude.