[Tuco]

Disclaimer: I don't think Lipscomb was anything close to a visionary at all. I agree with Raymer et al.

Everyone who is saying that the reason for the boom is SL and the WPT should remember that Henry Orenstein created the first under table cameras. If you ask (and I have) the principles in the deal about how Henry was treated you would likely think differently of SL and the WPT.

Also, Late Night Poker was a huge success in Europe. It was a matter of time before the concept came to North America. Yes, SL was there first (with Lyle Berman), but it would have happened anyway. If it werent for Henry Orenstein, I cant say the same thing.

The other thing that bothers me is that at every opportunity, SL points out that he (and the WPT) are the main reasons for the boom. While I agree that they certainly had a large impact, i'm not sure they were as much of a factor as they think they were. Just my opinion. Also, i'm always suspicious of people who tell me how good they are. Online poker was thriving (paradise was very busy) and ESPN probably would have done exactly what the WPT ended up doing.

The releases seem to be a personal sticking point for SL. If they are never going to use the players' likenesses (as they an d others claim) why do they ask for the right to do so?

Tuco.