20
#730 – This is Where I Came In, Part II – Interregnum, or, What Dreams May Come
It’s so funny how my notes and memories of that day five years ago in the Bellagio poker room at the Five-Star seem so vivid, yet how so much has changed for me and poker. If I may annotate:
The poker book I was working on – Yes, it was called The Big Game back then, and I didn’t even have a contract yet to write it. In fact, that was the title of the book when I got the contract a month later. I wrote the proposal based on internet research, conversations with my friend Linda, and one telephone conversation with Barry Greenstein. (That didn’t stop me from calling it “the inside story” of the game and telling the publisher that I numerous contacts within the game and the high-stakes community. That turned out to be true but it was a lie when I said it.) At the World Series a month later, I started making contact with the pros, expanded those contacts, and eventually became friends with Andy Beal. When the book was published fourteen months later, its title had changed to The Professor, the Banker, and the Suicide King – Inside the Richest Poker Game of All-Time. At least by that time I could truthfully say I had the “inside story.”
Howard Lederer – Funny thing is that Howard won that tournament the next day. Then his sister Annie won the next tournament. And in the third tournament of the Five-Star, Howard was near the chip lead with eleven players to go when they broke for the night. A little later, all the power went out at the Bellagio and stayed out for four-and-a-half days. After the lights came back on, Lederer won another event.
That the World Series immediately after the conclusion of the Five-Star’s WPT Championship, I approached Howard about writing a profile of him for a major men’s magazine. That fell through, but it opened the door to his being interviewed for Suicide King. Howard Lederer has now, going on five years, been a valuable and trusted source, subject, and collaborator, and friend. I’ve witnessed him dancing on a street in L.A. and was with him on a day he described as the worst of his life (when he learned the UIGEA was going to pass that night).
Erik Seidel – Erik has somehow become a friend yet remained an enigma. I got to meet his wife Ruah and one of his daughters – he has the best home life in poker. I’m also frequently amazed at his wry sense of humor.
Full Tilt Poker – That was the first time the logo had appeared at a tournament and the site had just gone live, but only for play chips. I edited a book written by a dozen Full Tilt pros and have written The Full Tilt Poker Blog for over two years. In addition, I’ve won over a half-million dollars in tournaments on the site. It’s hard to believe there was ever a time when that logo was a mystery to me. I figured at the time that it must be some line of poker-themed clothing.
Barry Greenstein – Barry continued to be an honest and outspoken source for the book.
Doyle Brunson – He subsequently became a helpful source for Suicide King and was instrumental to my meeting Andy Beal.
Chau Giang and David Grey – I wasn’t able to get either to cooperate with me on Suicide King but am friendly with both men and they have subsequently shared interesting stories and adventures.
Daniel Negreanu – Daniel was a terrific source for Suicide King even though he was never part of the group that played Andy. He has also given me great insight on the lives of professional poker players.
John Hennigan – We have met briefly on a couple occasions but I’ve heard such interesting things about him that I wish I knew him better.
Leave a Reply