Anyone have a good experience meeting a pro at the WSOP?

[twisterpoker]

I met Chan at the WSOP and he wasnt very nice. Anyone have a good experience meeting one of the pros?

[pacecar86]

sir, most pro's don't have c-level social skills

[KSOT]

I heard Chan is a hudge douche.

What'd he do to you?

[apokermaniac]

We passed him and said hi, and the guy absolutely ignored us. It was as if this once bus boy, who had made it as a poker pro (gambler) was now too good to even say hello. Its not like he is the ceo of some big company, or discovered the cure for cancer. He is a gambler.

[pacecar86]

a)Doyle almost ran me over going about 500mph on his scooter down the hall leading to the convention center, he did, however, waive and smile

b) Chau Giang ignored me and everyone else at my table

c) Mike Sexton said "thanks" when at smoke break, me saying "nice (WPT) show"

d) Barry Greenstein said "thanks", passing him in hallway, me saying "love your book"

[PokerGenius]

i dont bother random people i dont know

[thepokerace1]

LOL, like the Greenstein comment. Have to remember to compliment them to get a hello.

[TheFilmGeek]

Brandon Adams always gave me his chip count as I walked by, which is by far the kindest thing a pro can do, as they tell us we're not supposed to "sweat players" unless we're writing about a hand or getting a chip count. Start to linger, and they start worrying about the aisles getting crowded.

If you're still playing, and you see a skinny kid not with PokerNews taking notes in a black notebook, wave to him and tell him you're from 2+2.

[Yuv]

What do you mean by good experience? Robert Williamson was extremely nice to the table. On the other hand, he doesn't play unlimited holdem poker very well.

[twisterpoker]

I thought more like D-level.

[schwah]

phil gordon called me terrible like 5x in the stud/8 tourney

[Nicok7]

[ QUOTE ]
i dont bother random people i dont know

[/ QUOTE ]

[Dastone]

I saw Scotty Nguyen while out in the smoking area. I didn't recognize him at first because he was facing away. I just thought he was some mexican guy(he was pretty tanned, and had a mullet) who was at the series for the first time and was having his buddy take a picture of him in front of the casino. As he turned around I realized, 'hey, that's Scotty Nguyen.'

So I said," Sup Scotty baby!" and went to shake his hand. He shook my hand, and then stopped and talked to me for a minute, asked me what happened to my legs, and how I got in the chair. I asked him about his event, and how he was doing, and then we parted.

I thought he was pretty cool, and seemed genuine to stop, and talk to me since he wasn't even on break, and they were down to 3 tables in the Stud 8 event.

Right after meeting Scotty, Johnny Chan walked by on his way to leave for dinner somewhere on his break. He seemed rushed, and I didn't want to take up his time, but just acknowledge a world champion, so I said wassup, and shook his hand. He seemed distant, but it was still cool running across two main event champs in just a couple of minutes.

Ram Vasawani walked by so I said,"sup Crazy Horse." He stopped and asked me for a light. So I asked him how he was doing, and he told me where he was at in the 6 max event, then he politely said he had to run, and thanked me for the light.

Gavin Griffin was also super cool, and was more than happy to take a picture with a lady friend of mine who was to shy to ask him herself.

[WarDekar]

Allen Cunningham stole most my chips in one of the 6-max events, does that count?

I didn't talk to him this year but I've spoken briefly with Hachem last year and at PCA and he seemed really nice.

Minneapolis Jim (if he actually counts as a pro LOL) seemed nice enough but pretty bad and always getting drunk, which of course led to rambling stories that no one at the table cared to hear about.

[PokeReader]

I don't even think this is a real account. This and a couple suspiciously similar posters who all started new accounts at the same time got on tonight and are general bad mouthing the wsop. Did this by starting many bad threads and making many totally unconnected posts. My guess is they are connected with CEO tourney.

[zuluking]

No pros, but I have met a bunch of 2+2er's. What a bunch of pricks.

[brandon]

Yes

I was buying an ice cream and the cashier was taking forever to change my $100. Howard Lederer was behind me with a $10 food comp and $5 worth of a food. He paid for my ice cream.

[franco]

Had great experience. Met Ivy, Dan G, Jen harman, Fossilman, Williams, Chan, Bigler, Hachem and Chris F. Got autographs from all of them. Eric took time out from a game he was playng to deconstruct a hand I had played earlier.

[BigPoppa]

Met Jesus Ferguson at last year's WSOP and he seemed like a really nice guy.

[twisterpoker]

Was in an elevator with Jennifer Harmon and the CEO of some mouse company she endorses, said hi, and she started talking about the mouse product she endorses. She seemed nice enough.

[Tyler Durden]

I was moved to John Esposito's table late on Day 2 of the 2004 ME and he introduced himself to me almost as soon as I sat down. Very nice guy, very genuine.

[NT!]

[ QUOTE ]
We passed him and said hi, and the guy absolutely ignored us. It was as if this once bus boy, who had made it as a poker pro (gambler) was now too good to even say hello. Its not like he is the ceo of some big company, or discovered the cure for cancer. He is a gambler.

[/ QUOTE ]

whatever, i would ignore you too and i'm nobody important

[CrazyEyez]

[ QUOTE ]
We passed him and said hi, and the guy absolutely ignored us. It was as if this once bus boy, who had made it as a poker pro (gambler) was now too good to even say hello. Its not like he is the ceo of some big company, or discovered the cure for cancer. He is a gambler.

[/ QUOTE ]
If you are an ugly shirt he will give you the time of day, and much much more.

[Dunkman]

[ QUOTE ]
phil gordon called me terrible like 5x in the stud/8 tourney

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey that's a good experience. If Gordon thinks you're terrible you have to be doing something right.

[pig4bill]

Had a nice little conversation with Marcel Luske.

[BrandiFan]

Tony G was pretty cool with me and a couple other folks at the rail in the 10k PLO. He was joking around with us for like 30 minutes. He also bribed the cocktail server into bringing us beer and was calling over all the big name pros who walked by to get a pic with this fangirl who kept squealing "OMG OMG it's Jesus (Daniel, Joe...)"

[Artsemis]

[ QUOTE ]
i dont bother random people i dont know

[/ QUOTE ]

[PhatPots]

I met Brian Townsend at the Cardrunners both. He was pretty nice and let me take a picture with him.

[4_2_it]

Saw Chris Ferguson on my way out of Voodoo Lounge and wished him good luck in the ME. He looked startled and mumbled thanks.

[azcb34]

[ QUOTE ]
Saw Chris Ferguson on my way out of Voodoo Lounge and wished him good luck in the ME. He looked startled and mumbled thanks.

[/ QUOTE ]

Funny, I saw Ferguson as he was leaving Mix nightclub at Mandalay Bay on Friday night. What is he a total club rat?

[ligastar]

[ QUOTE ]
I met Chan at the WSOP and he wasnt very nice. Anyone have a good experience meeting one of the pros?

[/ QUOTE ]


My friend was playing the $1K CEO at the Venetian on Friday and I was sweating him. Mark Vos came up to me and put his foot up to my foot but then his friend said they won't do they aren't leather. I didn't know what was going on but asked if he was still in the ME. He took the time to tell me how his day went and went into detail about the hand that crippled him. Turns out he needed leather shoes to get into the club and all he had was flip flops. He went to several tables before finding someone who would sell the shoes off their feet to him. He gave $200 and his flip flips and the guy gave him his white tub socks and shoes. Vos turned the socks inside out and put them on, put on the shoes and was gone. Second time I've interacted with the guy and I think 2+2 has it wrong. Looks like a good natured player.

[Iggs24]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Saw Chris Ferguson on my way out of Voodoo Lounge and wished him good luck in the ME. He looked startled and mumbled thanks.

[/ QUOTE ]

Funny, I saw Ferguson as he was leaving Mix nightclub at Mandalay Bay on Friday night. What is he a total club rat?

[/ QUOTE ]

That is funny because a few years back my boy had a bday party at the Mix in Borgata and Ferguson had a booth there. He took a shot with us and then later on in the night I saw him doing his ballroom dancing in the middle of the dance floor to techno music.

[sixsixtie]

[ QUOTE ]

I saw him doing his ballroom dancing in the middle of the dance floor to techno music.

[/ QUOTE ]
For some reason that seems really funny to me.

[ImOnWheels]

I'll tell you the reason why it seems funny to you................ it's damn funny. It should be hilarious to anyone with a nose.

[Dawg24]

everyone's favorite craps degen TJ cloutier came up to my table just as we were about to start the ME..my table was 110 but it was taped on table 223...TJ says excuse me son you are in my seat...the dealer explains this is table 110 now...I stand up and say, what...is this you first time at one of these...he just laughs and walks away....

BTW I saw Ferguson at Pure last year dancing with a girl who couldnt have been over 21...yes it was quite funny to see...

[ImsaKidd]

[ QUOTE ]
I was moved to John Esposito's table late on Day 2 of the 2004 ME and he introduced himself to me almost as soon as I sat down. Very nice guy, very genuine.

[/ QUOTE ]

Challenge him to a 100k Hu match

[Foucault]

Barry G. is kind of reserved, but seems plenty nice and friendly. I have no problem with pros being short with people who bug them when they are rushed for time during a break or whatever. Their demeanor at the table is what's important.

[jedi]

For some reason I'm not really starstruck by poker pros as everyone else is. However, before Day 1 of the SHOE event, I asked Daniel Negreanu to speak on the phone to one of my friends who IS obsessed with him. He was happy to oblige. This was about 10 minutes before the tourney started, so he wasn't busy yet.

I played nearly 12 hours with Matt Matros in that tournament. He was a pretty down to earth, nice guy though he did roll his eyes a lot when the old guy next to him kept on taking 1 minute for each action.

Also met 2+2er Bonified, though we only briefly played together. He busted out quickly on Day 2. Then he goes and takes 2nd at the Limit Shootout the next day /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[okterrific]

[ QUOTE ]
We passed him and said hi, and the guy absolutely ignored us. It was as if this once bus boy, who had made it as a poker pro (gambler) was now too good to even say hello. Its not like he is the ceo of some big company, or discovered the cure for cancer. He is a gambler.

[/ QUOTE ]

someones feelings got hurt.

Look Chan on all accounts is a world class D-Bag. But in his and other "well known" peoples defense it has to be so [censored] annoying to constantly have strangers coming up to you asking for [censored] or saying something hes heard 10,000,000 times before.

I dont know why people think (not nec OP) that a "well known" person somehow owes you an autogragh or a picture or anything really. They are strangers and should be treated like strangers.

And again Chan is a D-Bag

[bryan4967]

[ QUOTE ]
i dont bother random people i dont know

[/ QUOTE ]

[thepokerace1]

thats probably smart.

[Bill Murphy]

I think Chau is a nice guy, but he's definitely a steamer while playing. Same with Mark Seif.

The only unpleasant experiences I've had with "names" are with Hellmuth & Liebert, and it can be very uncomfortable watching TJ asking for money at your table. Everyone else has ranged from polite to very nice, including John Bonetti who has a bad rep.

FWIW I've never said anything to a 'name' unless they're right at my table or next to me in line somewhere, or as in Barry & Daniel's cases we've exchanged posts or e-mails from here or the old RGP.

Only exception was Berry Johnston, and he couldn't have been nicer, although at first I could tell he thought I was going to ask him for money. I'd love to see him go deep in the Main Event this year.

[thepokerace1]

That is a compliment. He was just trying to put you on tilt.

[thepokerace1]

Is this really true? Ugh.

[CrazyEyez]

[ QUOTE ]

I dont know why people think (not nec OP) that a "well known" person somehow owes you an autogragh or a picture or anything really. They are strangers and should be treated like strangers.

And again Chan is a D-Bag

[/ QUOTE ]
I personally don't go up to people. But do you realize it's a complement to you if someone is excited just to say hello to you or shake your hand? Yeah I'm sure it gets old, but it's better than random people calling you a douchebag everytime they walk by.

[Jurollo]

Brandon Adams is a nightmare to play and seems like a super nice guy.

[g33z3r]

[ QUOTE ]
I dont know why people think (not nec OP) that a "well known" person somehow owes you an autogragh or a picture or anything really. They are strangers and should be treated like strangers.

[/ QUOTE ]

[Hawklet]

They're not strangers, they're celebrities.

[Slim Pickens]

Jennifer Harman was playing at the same table as my wife during the 1k Stud/8 event in the tent. Tyler_cracker and I were casually railing from about 15 feet away and cracking Stud/8 jokes. A short, round woman approached us and asked if we knew who any of the players at the table were. I pointed out Harman and Ted Forrest, who was one table away. The woman said something like "Oh, I was hoping that was Jennifer Harman because I wanted to get her autograph." She must have heard that because about one minute later Harman got up from the table, walked over to the woman, and signed one of the WSOP programs she was holding.

[Yo Adrians!]

Not at WSOP, but in October, my friends and I were lucky enough to play in the 'Dethrone the Kings and Queens of Poker' tournament at the Venetian. $215 entry, bounty tournament. Three pros at every table. Here are the accounts:

My table had Ted Forrest, Robert Williamson III and Chad Brown. Forrest was a total luckbox, and rather quiet, but nice. Robert Williamson III was very funny and chatty. Chad Brown was extremely friendly and very likeable.

Got a chance to talk to both Scotty WYNN-BABY on a smoke break. He chatted me and my buddy up for about five minutes, talking about poker, loving to play cards every minute you're at the table, blah blah blah.

Daniel N. is a freakin' rock star. Chatted with everyone who tried to say hello to him. Took pix with everyone. Very nice guy.

My buddy hated the Unibomber, but only because he picked off my friend's bluff.

The magician, Esfandiari, according to my friend, was a huge jerk.

Hoyt Corkins - very quiet. Didn't have much to say. Just shook people's hands if they approached him.

Mike Sexton - very nice, very talkative.

That is all.

[chopchoi]

[ QUOTE ]
b) Chau Giang ignored me and everyone else at my table



[/ QUOTE ]

He doesn't speak much English.

[Big Orange]

Both Joe Hachem and Men were nice to my wife and posed for pictures with her (insert sarcastic comeback here) last year. But she's gorgeous, so that helps.

[Sticky007]

I met quite a few when I was there. Most notable was Daniel N. He was playing 7 stud I believe and Bill Chen was at the table and I think Men too. Anyway, I waited patiently for him to make eye contacted, motioned for a autograph and he said sure just one sec. Then he asked me to sit down, so I sat beside him and we yapped a few minutes, me being Canadian was instant cool lol.. Got him to sign my entry ticket to my event and got it on video. He was super nice and even just watching him, He's a top notch human. I usually don't try to act like a dork around " Celebs " But, I had too for Daniel.

[MCS]

[ QUOTE ]
asked me what happened to my legs, and how I got in the chair.

[/ QUOTE ]

I really like this part. It's hard for me to picture anyone other than Scotty asking you that as small talk.

[joerem]

In the last two years I have talked to a bunch of pros. Every single one of them were very nice and did not seem to mind me asking them a couple of questions. Victor Ramden spoke to me for about twenty minutes and then said I should e-mail him if I had any more questions. As long as you don't bother them while they are at the table or in the john they are a nice bunch of people.

[MicroBob]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
We passed him and said hi, and the guy absolutely ignored us. It was as if this once bus boy, who had made it as a poker pro (gambler) was now too good to even say hello. Its not like he is the ceo of some big company, or discovered the cure for cancer. He is a gambler.

[/ QUOTE ]

whatever, i would ignore you too and i'm nobody important

[/ QUOTE ]


yeah, some people just aren't comfortable meeting new people who come up to them all cheery and "OMG!!1!1!! It's Johnny Chan. Really nice to meet you!!! Hey, F'ING JOHNNY CHAN!! Sorry Johnny, I don't remember!!!!!! Ha ha. Bet you get that all the time don't you!!!!?!?!"

See, the more he stops to chat with every single person trying to get his autograph the more he has to deal with such annoying conversations. All the while he's thinking "Geez, I really have to take a leak" or "Geez, I get only so long to get from point-A to point-B to try to grab a sandwich."

So you can hardly blame him for being a bit quick-stepped, especially if he's kind of uncomfortable with such encounters in the first place.


I played at the same table as Chan for about 10 hours or so in the 2005 WSOP-ME.
He seemed fine to me although perhaps a bit grouchy at times because he wasn't accumulating any chips at all.
Was reasonably chatty when I asked him Q's about how big the freaking event is, congratulating him on his 10th bracelet and asking him about it, etc.

I was careful to ask these things in-between hands or during a dealer change or something of course and he seemed perfectly fine chatting about it all.

During breaks there were various people cming up to him to get him to sign one poster or another. It seemed practically endless. He had a constant look of, "Geez, I'm on a break here. Can I have just 2 minutes where people will let me relax a little bit?"

[jacksquat]

at 2006 wsop......

* almost run over by doyle on his scooter
* literally ran into jen tilly in the cash game area, as neither one of us were paying attention to where we were going. she seemed nice enough as we excused ourselves.
* some people were getting their picture taken with scotty nguyen....i am in the background being propositioned by a hooker. i hope they have that photo displayed in their home.
* drunk friend hollers at jesus and he shoots us a dorky double thumbs-up.
* fossilman seemed like a nice guy.
* bumped into porn star ron jeremy in a crowed hallway...seemed icky.

[MicroBob]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

I saw him doing his ballroom dancing in the middle of the dance floor to techno music.

[/ QUOTE ]
For some reason that seems really funny to me.

[/ QUOTE ]


we saw Chris Ferguson do something like this in the night-club thing on the Party Millions Cruise in 2005.
It was the first night of the cruise and the place was dead.
At first me and my GF were the only ones in there.
Then Ferguson shows up with a pretty young blonde girl and they do their dancing thing to whatever the DJ was playing.
DJ was chatting with us at the bar in-between changing songs and was especially proud of himself for playing "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" or some other song he thought was really appropriate. He had no idea who Chris Ferguson was.

Then Ferguson sat in a chair at the edge of the dance-floor and just watched the blonde dance solo for 4 or 5 songs.
She definitely seemed experienced at dancing solo on just a dance-pole.

It was kind of weird because it was a big place and we were the ONLY ones in there.
just me and my GF sitting at the bar, Chris and blonde on the dance floor, one bartender and one DJ.
(later 2 or 3 other people showed up and they seemed to know Ferguson).

My GF had no idea who Chris Ferguson was before that and he left quite a first impression on her with their dancing display.
I was telling her that he's actually more famous for being able to throw a playing-card through various produce which I think she didn't believe.

I still think he's a pretty good guy from what I've observed. Never gets all hyper or rude at the poker-table, etc etc. He definitely does seem to like the club-scene though and really likes to dance.

He also commented on something about his club-going in one of the recent magazines like CardPlayer or PokerPro or something that he goes out and hits a club more nights than not.

[Stumpy]

Not really a celeb, but I met Esfandiari's father in Tahoe playing 3/6 limit. He'd just taken a poker class taught by his son & others so he had a little piece of paper with the Small Stakes Hold'em rules written down for what to raise/reraise in what position that he followed exactly.

He was killing the table (for 3/6), was really funny, and even let me look at his cheat sheet. Then a bit later some guys he'd clearly also met at the tables came by and invited him across the street to a club where they have a naked woman in a shower box. He deliberated a few minutes and went, came back a few hours later.


Oh, the Grinder's wife was there too, and her chest seemed really nice.

[Bonified]

Can't believe I get a mention in this thread :-)

I haven't had a problem with anyone this year. If I have to single anyone out, I think I'm in love with Cyndy Violette /images/graemlins/heart.gif

[Joe Tall]

I met James282, he is really nice guy.

[pig4bill]

[ QUOTE ]
I met James282, he is really nice guy.

[/ QUOTE ]

I met Joe Tall, he is a really nice guy.

I'd forgotten I'd met Bill Chen during the first week, in the casino. Super nice and unassuming, introduced himself to me.

Not during the WSOP, but at the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Stars, Phil Laak and Jennifer Tilly were amazingly nice. They took pictures and signed autographs for fans for at least 15 minutes, to the point that Phil missed a couple hands because he was late getting to his table.

[Dastone]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
asked me what happened to my legs, and how I got in the chair.

[/ QUOTE ]

I really like this part. It's hard for me to picture anyone other than Scotty asking you that as small talk.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, you can tell that Scotty truly cares about his fellow man. /images/graemlins/cool.gif

[chicheebee]

[ QUOTE ]
But she's gorgeous, so that helps.

[/ QUOTE ]

very thinly veiled brag here...

also, on topic, i havn't met any of the big pros, but i've played wth varkonyi's wife, who seemed very nice, but very quiet, and hachem's brother, who was very chatty and loud and friendly. don't know if you count them, but i also played with prahlad friedman, who didn't really say anything, and h@ll, who was pretty friendly and chatty

[ardubz]

Me and some friends went to the WPT event in Niagara Falls.

I passed Freddy Deeb in the hallway as he had just busted out. He had just bought a cup of ice cream and was eating it as he walked. I recognized him and said "Freddy Deeb!" and he smiled and said "Hey buddy" and gave me one of those guy half-elbows to the ribs - he's like 5'0".

We went to the Dragonfly nightclub (wow, highly recommend), and saw Mike Sexton mingling with some young asian hotties. We bought him a Coors Light which he actually drank, smalltalked a bit about Niagara Falls and got a picture with him. Really nice guy but exactly the same as you'd think he is by how he acts on TV. It's sort of hard to explain but it's as if there's an extra-thick layer of non-compassion between him and you... I'm rambling.

[Yeti]

sat next to laak in two events. very nice guy. also hoyt is pretty cool and funny.

[Victor]

i wish i was a tv pro so i could blow off all you chumps.

[GreywolfNYC]

[ QUOTE ]
Can't believe I get a mention in this thread :-)

I haven't had a problem with anyone this year. If I have to single anyone out, I think I'm in love with Cyndy Violette /images/graemlins/heart.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Take a number, pal. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[jedi]

[ QUOTE ]
Can't believe I get a mention in this thread :-)

I haven't had a problem with anyone this year. If I have to single anyone out, I think I'm in love with Cyndy Violette /images/graemlins/heart.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey, you is a pro now!

[SenatorKevin]

Blair Rodman sat to my left for the 1500 six handed event. Someone asked if he was a pro and he said yes. He chatted it up seemed like a really cool and laid back guy. Was happy to see he won a bracelet. I also ran into Clonie Gowen at the Fontana Bar at the Bellagio and she was as nice as nice could be. Does she count as a pro though!? haha. just kidding...

[JohnFR]

At one of the Bellagio WPT events my wife and I went to watch the play for a few minutes. We were just kinda walking around the roped off area, people watching, me pointing out random poker players when I notice Paul Darden is kinda looking our way. He has his sunglasses on so I can't tell for sure though. My wife and I decide to move to somewhere else a few dozen feet away, and we notice a few other name players, and I look back towards Paul Darden's table and he is still looking at us. I lean closer to my wife and tell her not to give it away by looking or anything but I think Paul Darden is staring at you. She asks me where he is sitting and what he looks like and I give her the details and she just laughs and waits about 30 seconds and glances over towards his table and looks back at me and tells me she can't be sure but it does seem like he was looking her direction. So we start walking around in random directions pretending like we are watching random players though both of us keep Paul in our line of sight and notice that he is for sure tracking us the whole time, I can't help but laugh and we both think this is just hilarious, so I tell her to do a little test and tell her to walk right by the rail where he is so he has to physically turn his head substantially after she passes him and I will stay where I was and watch the hilarity. Sure enough as she walked by he kinda strained to watch her then after she passed he turned all the way around and watched her.

This was probably the funniest experience with a named pro, I have run into Barry Greentstein last year at the ME and he was a nice guy. Dan Harrington also seemed friendly when I passed him in the hall.

Cheers!
John

[Texter]

This year, I met:

Steven Paul Ambrose - nice kid, seemed embarassed to be signing autographs. I tried to line up an interview with him.

Taylor Caby - also a nice guy; did an interview with him, very level headed.

Brian Townsend - did an interview with him; he was nice but seemed a little cockier than Caby. And he wouldn't tell me his bankroll...

Chad Brown - did an interview with him at one of the breaks of the main event, very nice as well.

Daniel Negreanu - shook his hand and told him thanks for doing an interview with us a couple years ago...he said "no problem" and rushed off after busting in the charity event.

Bryan Devonshire - was very cool and did a great interview; unfortunately it was a phone deal since he was out of town.

Annie Duke - just told her thanks for doing the interview a couple years ago...she too said "no problem".

Elky - his english isn't great so I didn't get much out of it...and neither did he.

In the past I talked to Barry G in Bobby's room, I was asking him how the book sales were going and he gave me some details on the book etc...I asked him what he thought of Joe Sebok playing poker...he wished that Joe would do something productive with his life.

Johnny World Hennigan - didn't want to do an interview and got out of the pics I took in bobby's room...didn't seem like a bad guy though.

Chris Moneymaker - played some 1/2 NLHE at the palms in 2006 and he let me take a pic, he was nice to everyone at the table but kept trying to get the limit raised to 5/10 NL.

Paul Phillips - before he quit playing, thanked him for doing an interview and we talked for a bit, he was pretty cool and was a little buzzed on coronas.

[Jack Bando]

Not me, but my dad met Moneymaker and Laak in the high stakes area at a casino they were doing some promotion for (winner of a freeroll VIP tourney got them to come to their home game or something) said they were both great guys for the few minutes he talked to them.

[Cat]

Played with Miami John and Mark Seif at a WPT event, both chatty and friendly, particularly Seif who was a really nice guy and both seemed v good players. In fact they totally brightened up the day as everyone else at the table was dead serious and quiet. Almost didn't recognise Miami John as he has lost so much weight and was tiny.

Fave has to be Jen Harman who I played briefly with a while back, chatty and super nice and friendly, very very impressed with her, absolutely no airs.

Unlike Annie Duke who I met in Aruba, who, despite the fact she was sat at a table signing photos and supposedly meeting people - was arrogant, unfriendly and totally two-faced. Absolutely couldn't stand her.

[SpaceMonkey13]

We're all gonna get sued by the "What Happens In Vegas Stays in Vegas" people...

[Iron Lion]

i saw barry greenstein after he got bumped out of this years Horse Event. Barry was very nice to me and my wife, even though i broke his balls for a photo right after he got eliminated. thx again barry g.

[Fiasco]

Played with the following at a WSOP event this year (all at the same table):

Rolf Slotboom: Funny friendly guy, but vague about who he was (I said I recognized him from somewhere and he claimed to be a european pornstar). Did seem to have a bit of a chip on his shoulder, when someone called the clock on him he took it really personally. At one point told me that I "wouldnt bet with a banana" which I think was a compliment.

Chad Brown: Really nice guy. Wed been at the same table for about 10 hours when I got knocked out. Made a point of learning my name and shaking my hand when I left.

Joe Hachem: Pretty nice guy with dry sense of humor. We were in the tent and the AC was making our table super cold. He made some joke about the two of us cuddling for warmth. Also busted my balls a bit in a good natured way. Did that annoying "I always get it in good and lose" act that gets old pretty fast. Got it in in a bad spot and sucked out and was like "Oh, I always get it in good, this is such an unfamiliar situation getting it in bad and winning".

John Esposito: Good guy but pretty intense and intimidating to someone who was new to this. Happy to make conversation though.

Minh Ly: Super chatty and really bad at the game we were playing (PLO8). Kept going on about how you need to do well in cash games to make the WSOP worthwhile. I had a lot of trouble telling what he was saying (LDO). Managed to get himself knocked out with two pair and a bad low draw on a flush board.

Aaron Kanter: Kind of quiet and shy, but good natured. I was giving him crap for wearing a hat advertising a website that doesnt exist yet, and he took it well. Didnt make any reckless donk moves, seems like a solid player despite his performance at the end of 2005 ME.

[BigPoppa]

[ QUOTE ]
At one of the Bellagio WPT events my wife and I went to watch the play for a few minutes. We were just kinda walking around the roped off area, people watching, me pointing out random poker players when I notice Paul Darden is kinda looking our way. He has his sunglasses on so I can't tell for sure though. My wife and I decide to move to somewhere else a few dozen feet away, and we notice a few other name players, and I look back towards Paul Darden's table and he is still looking at us. I lean closer to my wife and tell her not to give it away by looking or anything but I think Paul Darden is staring at you. She asks me where he is sitting and what he looks like and I give her the details and she just laughs and waits about 30 seconds and glances over towards his table and looks back at me and tells me she can't be sure but it does seem like he was looking her direction. So we start walking around in random directions pretending like we are watching random players though both of us keep Paul in our line of sight and notice that he is for sure tracking us the whole time, I can't help but laugh and we both think this is just hilarious, so I tell her to do a little test and tell her to walk right by the rail where he is so he has to physically turn his head substantially after she passes him and I will stay where I was and watch the hilarity. Sure enough as she walked by he kinda strained to watch her then after she passed he turned all the way around and watched her.

This was probably the funniest experience with a named pro, I have run into Barry Greentstein last year at the ME and he was a nice guy. Dan Harrington also seemed friendly when I passed him in the hall.

Cheers!
John

[/ QUOTE ]

This post is useless without pics

[beermankirk]

I Don't play very many events, but I sat with Marcel Luske in the $2000 stud/8, and we was a real gentleman, and definetly was a classy player. We had a small last longer prop bet that I won. He had 2000 chips to my 6500 chips and wanted 3-1 odds for last longer on $500 to my $1500. I talked him down my $500 vs. his $200. And it was enetertaining for the table.

Some people didn't like his constant singing at the table.

Anyways I met some other folks, but this was a good story, for myself, and there will be enough negative ones about the douchebag pros that I met.

Kirk

[cts]

surprised no one has mentioned matusow, he is really friendly, seemed to love to take pictures with fans/talk poker/etc

[SGspecial]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes

I was buying an ice cream and the cashier was taking forever to change my $100. Howard Lederer was behind me with a $10 food comp and $5 worth of a food. He paid for my ice cream.

[/ QUOTE ]

Note to self: next time, bring some reds to pay for ice cream

[lozen]

Andy Bloch and Erik Lindgren took time out for me to get a picture with them both very friendly

[Bill Murphy]

[ QUOTE ]
If I have to single anyone out, I think I'm in love with Cyndy Violette /images/graemlins/heart.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Cyndy is gorgeous, even more so in person, and very friendly. /images/graemlins/heart.gif

[Ringo]

During my first trip to Vegas, my dad and I were eating dinner in the Queens (I think - some downtown place anyway), and I spotted Simon Trumper and Ron "the dentist" Rose eating at another table. After we'd finished, and they had too, on our way out I said "Hi guys, sorry to bother you - any chance of a quick photo? It'd make my Vegas trip", they good naturedly agreed, we got our photo, bit of smalltalk, and we went on our way.

Walking back outside, we were a block or so from the Queens when we remembered we hadn't actually paid for our meal. Much hilarity ensued, with us imagining Simon and Ron getting hit with our bill, but our conscious got the better of us and we went back and paid.

[DevilJax]

I was playing in The Orleans shortly after Raymer won the World Series. He came in and played 2/4 for about an hour. Everyone went over to the table (myself included) to chat him up. He was super nice.

This year Harrington took some time away from the Rio and went to the Bellagio. He was coaching some super hot woman (I know, I know... Pictures) and I coulda sworn I heard her say she was his wife... She's maybe 25 years old.

[Crane]

[ QUOTE ]
Anyone have a good experience meeting an amatuer at the WSOP

[/ QUOTE ]

Fixed your header.

[ilya]

go cry to your mom, she might actually sympathize

the pros don't owe you [censored], being able to recognize them doesn't entitle you to bother them

if they're nice that's a cool bonus but you have no right to expect anything

[LonesomeFugitive]

[ QUOTE ]

This year Harrington took some time away from the Rio and went to the Bellagio. He was coaching some super hot woman (I know, I know... Pictures) and I coulda sworn I heard her say she was his wife... She's maybe 25 years old.

[/ QUOTE ]
now this is some serious gossip! more info on this!

[DevilJax]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

This year Harrington took some time away from the Rio and went to the Bellagio. He was coaching some super hot woman (I know, I know... Pictures) and I coulda sworn I heard her say she was his wife... She's maybe 25 years old.

[/ QUOTE ]
now this is some serious gossip! more info on this!

[/ QUOTE ]

Okay. Harrington and a girl, who could be his hot daughter, walked in the room and went to a 4/8 table. She sat down and he stood behind her. She played for about an hour before leaving. He was behind her coaching for most of the time. He left for about 5 minutes and that's when I believe I heard her say she's his wife.

She's very young, very good looking, with a huge ring on her left hand.

[ QUOTE ]
surprised no one has mentioned matusow, he is really friendly, seemed to love to take pictures with fans/talk poker/etc

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. From my interactions with him and witnessing others, I think he is truly one of the friendliest and most geniune pros out there.

[PokerBob]

[ QUOTE ]

John Esposito: Good guy but pretty intense and intimidating to someone who was new to this. Happy to make conversation though.



[/ QUOTE ]

yeah, he has been known to run his mouth.

[Daliman]

Chip Jett was at my final table. A german guy that I guess was taking a lot of chips from him asked his name, and Chip told him, somone else at the table said, "you don;t know who that is? That's Chip Jett!" German guy looks bemused, asks, " Oh, you are famous? What for?' I chime in;

"For being married to Karina Jett"

Chip took it like a champ, laughing along with every, but possibly making a mental note to bust me later, ( he didn't)

[philfan05]

Phil Hellmuth- really really nice guy, talked to me for a good 15-20 mins. we are both from Madison, so we talked mostly about that and sports
Mike Matusow- awesome guy, incredibly funny. You can tell he really cares about his fans and appreciates all the support.
Joe Sebok- super cool, I would love to hang out with this guy
Gavin Smith- see Joe Sebok
Shannon Elizabeth- Last year's WSOP, there was a 1k NL event that was sold out at 1500 players (took place during day 3 of the ME) She showed up late and talked to one of the floor people and he snuck her in. She came over to talk to Joe Sebok and I talked with the both of them for about 10 mins. Both were very nice and more than happy to take a picture.
Annie Duke- really cocky, didn't bother to talk to her because she acted like she was better than everyone who wanted to take a picture with her. I'm sure any conversation with her involves the mandatory brag ab how good her brother is, as per every interview she does.

[MicroBob]

[ QUOTE ]
Chip Jett was at my final table. A german guy that I guess was taking a lot of chips from him asked his name, and Chip told him, somone else at the table said, "you don;t know who that is? That's Chip Jett!" German guy looks bemused, asks, " Oh, you are famous? What for?' I chime in;

"For being married to Karina Jett"

Chip took it like a champ, laughing along with every, but possibly making a mental note to bust me later, ( he didn't)

[/ QUOTE ]

I played as same table as Chip in the 2005 PPM.
And then played at same table as Karina in 2006 PPM.

Chip pretty much didn't say a word. Just hyper-agged his way up to T100k on day 1 (pretty impressive for a limit event).

Karina was very chatty and very nice and we talked for quite a bit.
About Tunica/Memphis some which is where she and Chip met.

She was about 6 months preggers at the time.
Was really a delight to play with.
I've read of some people having negative experiences with her when she wasn't behaving as well but my experience was exactly the opposite.

[ACG2x]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

This year Harrington took some time away from the Rio and went to the Bellagio. He was coaching some super hot woman (I know, I know... Pictures) and I coulda sworn I heard her say she was his wife... She's maybe 25 years old.

[/ QUOTE ]
now this is some serious gossip! more info on this!

[/ QUOTE ]

Okay. Harrington and a girl, who could be his hot daughter, walked in the room and went to a 4/8 table. She sat down and he stood behind her. She played for about an hour before leaving. He was behind her coaching for most of the time. He left for about 5 minutes and that's when I believe I heard her say she's his wife.

She's very young, very good looking, with a huge ring on her left hand.

[/ QUOTE ]

Does that surprise you? Harrington is an awesome player and has balla moneys. Pretty sure Dan Harrington > Most People.

[mshalen]

I ran into Joe Awada (sp?) and he seemed surprised that I knew who he was.

[goofball]

I've played 30/60 with Karina Jett a few times. Last time she was about 6 mos. pregnant and on monkey tilt and I got in a sweet river checkraise.

[THAY3R]

I looked in the mirror a few times at the Rio.


It was nice.

[pig4bill]

[ QUOTE ]
I ran into Joe Awada (sp?) and he seemed surprised that I knew who he was.

[/ QUOTE ]

I played 5/10 with him at the Wynn. Lucky for me he was preoccupied with making a sports bet.

[lunapark]

I was playing 15/30 in Aruba with Karina Jett, and there was possibly the drunkest person Ive ever seen playing at our table who naturally capped every hand.

He was just blabering incoherently and we all did our best to try and keep him at the table (he had deep pockets).....

He muttered something to Karina (I dont even remember what it was only that it was not offensive)....and Chip (who was railbirding) started flipping out and yelling at the drunk....

The drunk was as confused as the rest of us at this guy yelling at him, but Chip had to be restrained from attacking this guy.....

The drunk guy left shortly after this little brew ha ha....Thanks a lot chip....for running of our ATM.....

Karina Jett was pretty friendly.

[Cat]

[ QUOTE ]
I was playing 15/30 in Aruba with Karina Jett, and there was possibly the drunkest person Ive ever seen playing at our table who naturally capped every hand.

He was just blabering incoherently and we all did our best to try and keep him at the table (he had deep pockets).....

He muttered something to Karina (I dont even remember what it was only that it was not offensive)....and Chip (who was railbirding) started flipping out and yelling at the drunk....

The drunk was as confused as the rest of us at this guy yelling at him, but Chip had to be restrained from attacking this guy.....

The drunk guy left shortly after this little brew ha ha....Thanks a lot chip....for running of our ATM.....

Karina Jett was pretty friendly.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds like he's on the Chad Brown Steroid Course...

[ICallHimGamblor]

Not at the WSOP, but at the Scotty Nguyen Challenge in Tulsa, I was rounding a corner at during a break and Scotty jumps out at me saying "how you doing baby" and wanting to shake my hand. I was very surprised and he seemed like an awesome guy.

On the other hand, I think I might look like someone important because every time I am at the WSOP, people are asking for my autograph and asking how my stack was or when I busted out. I might have signed more autographs than actual real pros. Not sure why.

[anduril]

Sat with Huck Seed on day 1 of the ME 2006. At a break we met on the way back from the bathroom and he started discussing how to play against the maniac at our table and what he had in several hands (I dunno if I believed him but whatever). Talked to me like he thought I was good. That was nice.

Sat with Robert Williamson III on day 1 2007 ME. Really nice guy. He pointed out a pot size correction to make sure everything was run correctly between me and the player in the hand. Cindy Violette was 1 table over and came over to hug him. I got a nice cleavage shot. And Clonie Gowen is way hotter as a blonde, and not holding a kid.

[epdaws]

[ QUOTE ]
Had great experience. Met Ivy, Dan G, Jen harman, Fossilman, Williams, Chan, Bigler, Hachem and Chris F. Got autographs from all of them.

[/ QUOTE ]

Can SOMEONE please, please explain what the F an autograph does for them? Do you take it home and use it to prove to people that you actually met a "famous" person? Do your friends not trust your anecdotes or something?

Or is your taste in home decorating so absurdly abismal that you use framed autographs as wallpaper?

These "celebrities" have a very finite amount of time to spend with their fans. If you're so awe-struck to begin with, I suggest you spend your limited time talking with them. You know, actually speak and hold a memorable conversation, if it's possible. And I don't care if you accomplished this along with the autograph.

The whole process is not just juvenile; it's embarrassing and pointless. If you sell the autograph on e-Bay, it's all the more demeaning to all involved.

[phifediggy]

daniel negreanu - ran into him during the long walk to the amazon room one night and although he might've just busted out of an event he was still very nice and gladly took a picture. cool guy.

phil hellmuth - stayed after closing time at the rio expo to sign autographs and shake hands with everyone who was still in line, say what you will but he's great to his fans

barry greenstein - very friendly and probably the pimp of the expo, as whenever fans wanted to take a picture he'd get one of the booth girls on his other side

johnny chan - was in a bad mood at the expo because he had just busted out of the main event. did however sign posters and hats for everyone.

andy bloch - nice guy, didn't really talk to him as he was busy signing some stuff for a company at the expo

marcel luske - funny as hell and very engaging. let people borrow his glasses to wear upside down and take pictures with.

men the master - pleasant experience meeting him at the expo, surprisingly he had no beer in hand

phil ivey - saw him walking out of the tournament room about 5 minutes ahead of everyone else going on break with a big dude next to him, presumably a body guard. we said "sup phil" and he said "sup guys" as he walked by.

scotty nguyen - takes it well when people do bad impersonations of him. always up for a fist pound. beer in hand, girl on shoulder

david williams - chill guy, actually asked me questions (what's my name online, etc) as opposed to vice versa.

[Dids]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Had great experience. Met Ivy, Dan G, Jen harman, Fossilman, Williams, Chan, Bigler, Hachem and Chris F. Got autographs from all of them.

[/ QUOTE ]

Can SOMEONE please, please explain what the F an autograph does for them? Do you take it home and use it to prove to people that you actually met a "famous" person? Do your friends not trust your anecdotes or something?

Or is your taste in home decorating so absurdly abismal that you use framed autographs as wallpaper?

These "celebrities" have a very finite amount of time to spend with their fans. If you're so awe-struck to begin with, I suggest you spend your limited time talking with them. You know, actually speak and hold a memorable conversation, if it's possible. And I don't care if you accomplished this along with the autograph.

The whole process is not just juvenile; it's embarrassing and pointless. If you sell the autograph on e-Bay, it's all the more demeaning to all involved.

[/ QUOTE ]

Some people like them. Some people like other stuff I don't like/get, but my gut doesn't twist when somebody has a Bud Light and my skin doesn't bleed when an autograph gets signed, so I get by.

[Dids]

I once got a pissed off email from somebody claiming to be Doyle Brunson upset over something I said in a thread. I've decided that it was real.

[pig4bill]

[ QUOTE ]
Cindy Violette was 1 table over and came over to hug him. I got a nice cleavage shot.

[/ QUOTE ]

You lucky bastid!

[epdaws]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Had great experience. Met Ivy, Dan G, Jen harman, Fossilman, Williams, Chan, Bigler, Hachem and Chris F. Got autographs from all of them.

[/ QUOTE ]

Can SOMEONE please, please explain what the F an autograph does for them? Do you take it home and use it to prove to people that you actually met a "famous" person? Do your friends not trust your anecdotes or something?

Or is your taste in home decorating so absurdly abismal that you use framed autographs as wallpaper?

These "celebrities" have a very finite amount of time to spend with their fans. If you're so awe-struck to begin with, I suggest you spend your limited time talking with them. You know, actually speak and hold a memorable conversation, if it's possible. And I don't care if you accomplished this along with the autograph.

The whole process is not just juvenile; it's embarrassing and pointless. If you sell the autograph on e-Bay, it's all the more demeaning to all involved.

[/ QUOTE ]

Some people like them. Some people like other stuff I don't like/get, but my gut doesn't twist when somebody has a Bud Light and my skin doesn't bleed when an autograph gets signed, so I get by.

[/ QUOTE ]

Pretty weak response, Dids -- I expect a little more from you. I think it's fair to deconstruct the spectacle of the autograph experience; the vast, vast majority of signed items get tossed out or forgotten. It's beyond pointless, and it further elevates the feeling of superiority that "celebrities" have.

Want to make Johnny Chan feel less awkward? Talk to him like he's a normal guy. Don't beg him to sign his name on a napkin. Don't drool. These are just human beings. It's a legitimate complaint, especially when people get all exercised about it: "OH MY GOD, HE REFUSED TO SIGN AUTOGRAPHS AND LEFT!" Well, good.

[willie]

i have autographs, i was a starstruck fanboy when i got to play the ME at foxwoods in november.


What did i do with them? left the deck of cards in my room- ivey brunson cloutier negraneu, gigabet (laugh at this one- when i first started playing he was at peak form on party and i studied and learned as much as possible from him(very nice guy btw))

[David LoPan]

not at the WSOP but I had the pleasure of meeting KATHY GAZES at the bicycle casino in LA a few months back. We just started a new NL game and we were the only two from the list that sat down so she challenged me to HU 5.10NL 4rollz but we settled on a 5/5NL 3 handed game instead...

she was chatty and very nice and seemed to be very popular in the place, however I didn't like her as much when she refused to pay me off after flopping top set regardless of showing her my bluff the previous two hands...

hychchahahahah gawdamit

[Dids]

epdaws,

There's getting an autograph from somebody who is willing and then there's being an ass. One is bad, the other is fine. Yes, sticking something in somebody's face and not talking is dumb, but that's not how everybody getting one acts.

[epdaws]

[ QUOTE ]
epdaws,

There's getting an autograph from somebody who is willing and then there's being an ass. One is bad, the other is fine. Yes, sticking something in somebody's face and not talking is dumb, but that's not how everybody getting one acts.

[/ QUOTE ]

A fair distinction. I'm just bewildered by any enjoyment one gets out of any signed memorabilia. What does it add to one's day?

[pig4bill]

http://www.goenglish.com/GoEnglish_com_BeatADeadHorse.gif

[Iplayragstoo]

[ QUOTE ]
I ran into Joe Awada (sp?) and he seemed surprised that I knew who he was.

[/ QUOTE ]

Played a few hours with him at the palms after he busted out on day 1 this year...was a SUPER nice guy. Couldnt stop betting the ponies the whole time he was playing though.

[LCposter]

I met Phil Gordon, Victor Ramdin, Andrew Black, Barry Greenstein, and Andy Bloch at various points in the hallways of the Rio convention area. All were nice enough to sign autographs and/or take pictures, Phil and Victor struck me as being especially nice. I'll retell the Phil story as a case in point:

I had busted out of the $2K about a minute before the first break. I went to the bathroom during break and saw Phil at the head of the line just as I was leaving the urinal. I waited outside the bathroom, and after he came out, I went to him and asked if he wouldn't mind signing an autograph. He said "Sure", signed, and asked me if I was playing. I told him I just busted out and he said, "That's too bad, better luck next time". I asked him his chip count, he said 6000, and I was ready to let him go but he actually wanted to talk more.

He asked me to describe my bust-out hand. I told him blinds were 50/100, UTG makes it 250, I call from UTG+1 with JJ, and we have 3 callers behind to juice up the pot. Flop comes 887 two diamonds, UTG leads, I raise, all fold but UTG who calls. Turn T (non-diamond), he leads again, I shove, he insta-calls and flips 86o. No J or 9 on river and I'm done. Whole time Phil is asking stack sizes (UTG started with 4000 and I started with 3000), bet sizes, etc. Then he says, "86 off! Where are these guys learning to play!? That's a terrible hand to raise UTG!" and begins commiserating/generally lamenting the state of tournament poker today.

I start thinking "Doesn't he need to get back to the tourney?" and thank him for his time. As he's leaving he says "Nice to meet you. Don't worry about your bustout, any pro goes out the exact same way. Hopefully you don't get cold-decked next time" and leaves. A very nice guy indeed.

[Isaac Newton]

I played $2-$5 at The Venetian with Kenna James while he was waiting for the bigger game to start. He was supercool to everyone at the table. People asked a few questions and he was nice to everyone. Then he started chatting it up with the guy to his left. I was on his right so I was listening to what they were saying. They talked for a while about different things, mostly poker talk and Kenna was basically being the gracious pro rapping with a fan. About 20 min. into the conversation the guy goes, "So, what do you do for a living?". Only Kenna and I heard it and he didn't answer the guy. He just had a confused look on his face. It was pretty awkward because the dude asked again, a little put off by no response. I thought I should say something but I didn't want to make a big deal about it and make it worse. Finally, Kenna tells him that he's a poker pro and I asked the guy if he watches poker on T.V. He said, "No I live in Italy." That ended the conversation and Kenna left the table a few hands later.

[W brad]

[ QUOTE ]
Finally, Kenna tells him that he's a poker pro

[/ QUOTE ]

Why not just say "I don't have a real job, i just sit around and play poker all the time."

[LearnedfromTV]

I've played with a bunch of big name live pros; both Brunsons, Juanda, Raymer, Madsen like three times, Bill Edler, Dutch Boyd, Dustin Dirksen, Brandon Adams, Tom Franklin, Chip Jett, Victor Ramdin, Richard Brodie, TOny G, Devilfish. Jett was in a really sour mood, but everyone else was cool. Even Doyle, with two obnoxious talkers at the table, playing $1500 Razz while sweating a million dollar bet on whether Ivey would win a bracelet (he was at a final table that day), was gracious. One guy kept talking to me and everyone else about the Tigers and baseball in general and it got beyond friendly conversation and became annoying. But Doyle just kept being nice to the guy and throwing little anecdotes into the conversation. Doyle's hands are enormous, btw. I'm not surprised he was a bball star.

Tony G and Devilfish, with Marcel Luske at the next table, were hilarious during the PLO8 event.

I also was reading 2p2 on one of those internet machines in the Rio hallway and David Sklansky came up to the other one. We both had a brief laugh at the irony and he wished me luck. He also said something like "I wonder what they're saying about me today."

[Dan Burns]

My first ever interaction with a pro was at some promotional tournament at the Sands in Atlantic City when Scotty Nguyen said “‘Scuse me, baby” to me and my friends while returning to his table after one of his frequent cigarette breaks. I thought to myself “wow, he actually does talk like that.”

During Day 3 of the 2005 WSOP ME, I was in the bathroom just before the dinner break was about to end and I saw John Juanda washing his hands. John was (and is) one of my favorite players, but I decided not to bother him. I went to wash my hands at a sink near his and he actually struck up a conversation with me, asking me what my chip count was, etc. I told him that I emailed him a few months earlier for advice on a particular hand and he remembered the hand and the response he gave me. He was a very genuine guy.

[ryang]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Had great experience. Met Ivy, Dan G, Jen harman, Fossilman, Williams, Chan, Bigler, Hachem and Chris F. Got autographs from all of them.

[/ QUOTE ]

Can SOMEONE please, please explain what the F an autograph does for them? Do you take it home and use it to prove to people that you actually met a "famous" person? Do your friends not trust your anecdotes or something?

Or is your taste in home decorating so absurdly abismal that you use framed autographs as wallpaper?

These "celebrities" have a very finite amount of time to spend with their fans. If you're so awe-struck to begin with, I suggest you spend your limited time talking with them. You know, actually speak and hold a memorable conversation, if it's possible. And I don't care if you accomplished this along with the autograph.

The whole process is not just juvenile; it's embarrassing and pointless. If you sell the autograph on e-Bay, it's all the more demeaning to all involved.

[/ QUOTE ]

Some people like them. Some people like other stuff I don't like/get, but my gut doesn't twist when somebody has a Bud Light and my skin doesn't bleed when an autograph gets signed, so I get by.

[/ QUOTE ]

damn, yeah, bud light, wtf.

[southgapoker]

I met/played with Juha Helppi (sp), Morgan Machina, and Men Ngueyn in one event. All were really cool. [censored] Morgan bought me and Men a Corona. Juha and I played a lot right around the bubble and were both trying to own the table. He and I played several pots together before I busted him in a race situation (AdKd > QQ). Cool guy even in defeat...

I played with Jesus in a seperate event. He was ok. It was early in the day and I was not in a good mood anyway. I am as big a dick at the table as anyone most of the time.

[southgapoker]

oh, but fyi, I didn't bother random people I don't know and wasn't playing with...

[southgapoker]

oh yea... played with Nam Le and talked with him during some breaks/between hands as well... good guy, good player... ended up going deep in that tournament; he was a lot tighter than I thought he would be but it could have been because i was the aggro one at the table with a bigger stack than he

also played with Vivek Rajkumar... good guy... he was on my left for a lot of one event... then we switched tables and he got moved back to my table... he asked me if I knew him on stars; I lied and said I didn't... he went bust with jack three trying to resteal from a nit

[Sciolist]

I dunno whether to say "Brag: I have a couple of the people mentioned in this thread on my MSN list", or "Beat: Some people have really low standards for what makes someone famous" (and I'm not referring to any of the people in the rest of this post)

Once at a PokerStars press event (WSOP Freeroll, the one Anthony Holden won near the start of Bigger Deal), Joe Hachem was talking to a few of us, talking to us about some of the circuit pros. "Oh mate, he's a [censored] degenerate", the most common phrase.

Oh, and the first time I talked to Bill Chen was about 30 minutes after the infamous stripping incident

There're some good stories in this thread

[BigSlick75093]

Here's a suggestion for anyone whoever happens to be seated next to Annie Duke on first day of a tourney. Sit down, look over at her and say "Hey darling, can you bring me a bottled water next time you come by?"

[BigSlick75093]

Not at WSOP, but leaving the Bellagio poker room late one night last year, the Grinder and his posse were standing outside. I looked at him and said "The Grinder". And he said "Hey bud". A night I'm sure to never forget as long as I live /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Cornell Fiji]

This thread is so much funnier when you realize that:
Twisterpoker, apokermaniac, and thepokerace1 are all Maria Gomez, founder and president of the CEO Poker Tour...

Its even funnier still when you go though the post history of those accounts with their hidden agenda in mind... lol scamaments

[driverseati]

[ QUOTE ]
Here's a suggestion for anyone whoever happens to be seated next to Annie Duke on first day of a tourney. Sit down, look over at her and say "Hey darling, can you bring me a bottled water next time you come by?"

[/ QUOTE ]

I unfortunately had the pleasure of sitting to her right in one event and all she did was whine about "how bad the donkeys are" all while sitting to where if I ever happened to look slightly to my left her ass crack would be staring me in the face.

For goodness sakes get some clothes that actually fit so I don't throw up all over the table...

On the other hand, I also sat with Shawn Keller, very nice guy, seems to have everything in his head in place (very rare amongst the pro ranks seemingly)

[sharknut]

I played with about a dozen, but easily the best expreience was sitting to the left of Howard Lederer for about 5 hours. It was during the final round of the US Open and we had a great view of a TV and basically talked golf the whole time.

On a side note, The Mouth came up to Howard and rubbed his shoulders and said, "Sorry for the blowup yesterday, Howard." Howard just nodded his head. After Mike left I asked if that was his daily apology and Howard said, "You have no idea."

After I busted out he shook my hand and said it was a pleasure. Good guy.

[PauliF]

i met a bunch of pros

some of them even waved at me

http://www.internettexasholdem.com/phpbb2/trip-report-my-first-visit-to-las-vegas-vt52203.html

[Fetzi]

Last Year I met Jonas Philippi ( german poker pro )...
At first he was kind of unfriendly, but then he got drunk and was actually very nice... ( paid for everyones drink )
Also he signed one of his books for me, what i found was very incredible... After that we invited him to join our homegame, turned out to be a bad idea ( he was just to good for us )..

[Emperor]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Here's a suggestion for anyone whoever happens to be seated next to Annie Duke on first day of a tourney. Sit down, look over at her and say "Hey darling, can you bring me a bottled water next time you come by?"

[/ QUOTE ]

I unfortunately had the pleasure of sitting to her right in one event and all she did was whine about "how bad the donkeys are" all while sitting to where if I ever happened to look slightly to my left her ass crack would be staring me in the face.

For goodness sakes get some clothes that actually fit so I don't throw up all over the table...

On the other hand, I also sat with Shawn Keller, very nice guy, seems to have everything in his head in place (very rare amongst the pro ranks seemingly)

[/ QUOTE ]

You should have called the floor. She called the floor one time on a guys "jingling" jacket.

She's also a self proclaimed cheat. I hate that they even allow her to play the WSOP.

I'd like to apologize to all my fans that I wasn't able to make the WSOP this year due to sucking at poker.

[noseeds99]

Played with JC Tran for the last 1.5 levels of day 1. He was a super nice guy and completely ran the table over which was incredible to watch. I think I finished +5-8K on him, but it sucked having him 3 to my left, I probably opened 10 pots during this time and he obviously called me 9 of these times.

[ike]

[ QUOTE ]
Brandon Adams is a nightmare to play and seems like a super nice guy.

[/ QUOTE ]

I second both of these statements.

[ike]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Here's a suggestion for anyone whoever happens to be seated next to Annie Duke on first day of a tourney. Sit down, look over at her and say "Hey darling, can you bring me a bottled water next time you come by?"

[/ QUOTE ]

I unfortunately had the pleasure of sitting to her right in one event and all she did was whine about "how bad the donkeys are" all while sitting to where if I ever happened to look slightly to my left her ass crack would be staring me in the face.

For goodness sakes get some clothes that actually fit so I don't throw up all over the table...

On the other hand, I also sat with Shawn Keller, very nice guy, seems to have everything in his head in place (very rare amongst the pro ranks seemingly)

[/ QUOTE ]

You should have called the floor. She called the floor one time on a guys "jingling" jacket.

She's also a self proclaimed cheat. I hate that they even allow her to play the WSOP.

I'd like to apologize to all my fans that I wasn't able to make the WSOP this year due to sucking at poker.

[/ QUOTE ]

more info on the bolded section please.

[Emperor]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Here's a suggestion for anyone whoever happens to be seated next to Annie Duke on first day of a tourney. Sit down, look over at her and say "Hey darling, can you bring me a bottled water next time you come by?"

[/ QUOTE ]

I unfortunately had the pleasure of sitting to her right in one event and all she did was whine about "how bad the donkeys are" all while sitting to where if I ever happened to look slightly to my left her ass crack would be staring me in the face.

For goodness sakes get some clothes that actually fit so I don't throw up all over the table...

On the other hand, I also sat with Shawn Keller, very nice guy, seems to have everything in his head in place (very rare amongst the pro ranks seemingly)

[/ QUOTE ]

You should have called the floor. She called the floor one time on a guys "jingling" jacket.

She's also a self proclaimed cheat. I hate that they even allow her to play the WSOP.

I'd like to apologize to all my fans that I wasn't able to make the WSOP this year due to sucking at poker.

[/ QUOTE ]

more info on the bolded section please.

[/ QUOTE ]

LONG Blog post about Annie Duke (sweat), Steve Dannenmann, and Shannon Elizabeth colluding to screw Terrance Chan at Playboy Tournament, Guest appearance by batshit crazy TD Joy Miller (http://terrencechan.livejournal.com/163598.html)

[The B]

[ QUOTE ]
For some reason I'm not really starstruck by poker pros as everyone else is. However, before Day 1 of the SHOE event, I asked Daniel Negreanu to speak on the phone to one of my friends

[/ QUOTE ]

sure you're not starstruck there slugger?

[Shawn Keller]

Hey Emperor, I think this is the first good press I've gotten on site in my whole life!

Its only taken me 5 years baby, but I'm turning it around! =)

Best of Luck,

Shawn "Lightning" Keller

[Shawn Keller]

[My comment was actually directed at driverseati, I got confused by who posted the kind remark, my bad.]

[jedi]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
For some reason I'm not really starstruck by poker pros as everyone else is. However, before Day 1 of the SHOE event, I asked Daniel Negreanu to speak on the phone to one of my friends

[/ QUOTE ]

sure you're not starstruck there slugger?

[/ QUOTE ]

I wouldn't even have approached him if it wasn't for the fact that my friend is obsessed with him. I remember walking the halls and seeing all these pros and thinking. "Oh there goes <insert pro here>. that's nice" and then just continuing my merry way.

[UATrewqaz]

I met/saw a few pros at a WSOP circuit event in Tunica as well as a tournament in Vegas.

Freddy Deeb is very friendly nice, talked to alot of folks, very pleasant.

Moneymaker posed for a picture, was very unenthusiastic, he had just busted and you could tell he gets asked for pictures all the time so he's probably sick of it.

Steve Zolotow and John Juanda and Erick Lindrign were all friendly.

Eric Siedel appeared to be in outerspace.

(This was all last year at Tunica, with the exception of Moneymaker which was at Caesar's Palace in Vegas)

[Beavis68]

[ QUOTE ]
i dont bother random people i dont know

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you need to look up the definition of "random".

[NNNNOOOOONAN]

my friend and i were walking toward the parking lot outside ceaser's.
we were about 3' behind a short asian fellow and beginning arguing too loudly about if it was johnny chan. we finally concluded that he was too short to be johnny chan.
then johnny chan turned around and smirked, none too happy.
then my friend told him that he looked way too short to be the real johnny chan.
then johnny chan got all upset and said that it's [censored] like that that makes him not want to talk to fans.
then my friend said that he's just a poker player, and it's weird that poker players even have fans.
then johnny chan waddled away to a very nice silver mercedes.
a much nicer mercedes than either myself or my friend will ever own /images/graemlins/frown.gif

[qk1234]

you people realize these are just people right? you all play these wsop events, if you make a final table people will be treating you just like you treat these guys now, you will be the famous people. And you know your just a regular guy, so dont put these people on pedestals for making final tables of poker tournaments.

[Professionalpoker]

[ QUOTE ]
you people realize these are just people right? you all play these wsop events, if you make a final table people will be treating you just like you treat these guys now, you will be the famous people. And you know your just a regular guy, so dont put these people on pedestals for making final tables of poker tournaments.

[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks for imparting your wisdom on a thread that has been dead almost a month. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[PMP07]

Talked with Scotty for a few minutes during the Heads up Event...extremely nice guy