#296 - A Letter to Jeffrey Pollack & Ty Stewart, re Chip Reese

Dear Jeffrey & Ty:

I’m writing this letter because of our mutual interest in honoring the legacy and memory of Chip Reese. I’ve read Harrah’s heartfelt statement following Reese’s death last week and I want to propose a fitting tribute.

My idea, which is a pretty obvious one and probably shared by you and everyone who has reflected on this, is to give a special award, in addition to a bracelet, to the winner of the $50,000 HORSE and name the award in memory of Chip Reese, who was the event’s first winner. (I watched the epic heads-up match between Chip and Andy Bloch and, though I was rooting for Andy and still wish he had won, Reese’s victory allowed tens of millions of poker fans to learn what we die-hards already knew: that Chip Reese was one of the world’s best all-around card players.)

My genius ideas concern the trophy itself. Because of your sports marketing backgrounds, you recognize the importance of developing the award as a symbol. (You certainly picked that up immediately with your it’s-all-about-the-bracelets philosophy that pervades the Series.) Here’s what I’m thinking:

1. The trophy image itself should be either of a galloping horse (think Remington meets Heisman) or of a marble (or granite) block with a chip missing (or even with the chip perched atop the block).

2. It should be heavy. A player should be able to hold it over his or her head but should be most comfortable tucking it under an arm, supported by their hip. (e.g., Heisman)

3. The base should be round and fitted with rectangular brass plates for inscribing the year/winner. When the plates are filled - maybe 12-24 plates to encircle the base - you add another round base beneath it with another set of plates. Every decade or two, the trophy will become taller. In the far distant future, the base will resemble the Stanley Cup.

4. Each year’s winner receives the trophy but has to return it at the start of the HORSE event the next year. A pair of smaller replica trophies will be created, one to be given to that year’s winner to keep (e.g., Wannamaker Trophy), and one for Harrah’s to keep and display. If you go with the marble block, the year’s winner should get to choose among several pieces of marble which he or she wants on the take-home version. Chip Reese’s family should get to choose among several pieces for the permanent version. You should give a take-home version of the 2006 trophy to Reese family and the 2007 trophy to Freddy Deeb.

This kind of trophy would honor Reese and his accomplishments, and remind everyone of the special place this event (and its winners) deserve.

Michael Craig

P.S. - Let me know when you want to hear my ideas for the Poker Hall of Fame, or just keep watching this space.