The 2003 World Series of Poker (Moneymaker Series Continues — Part 4)

Benny’s Bullpen at Binion’s Horseshoe — site of the WSOP 1998-2004

Writer’s Note:  This is the fourth in an extended series of articles about Chris Moneymaker’s victory at the 2003 World Series of Poker and what went on behind the scenes at Binion’s Horseshoe — before, during, and after. 

CLICK HERE — Introduction

CLICK HERE — PART 1 (War of the Binions)

CLICK HERE– PARTS 2 AND 3 (Day One as Director of Public Relations for Binion’s Horseshoe / The Sit Down)

CLICK HERE — PARTS 4 AND 5 (Send in the Clowns / The Decline and Death f the World Series of Poker)

Part 6:  Friends of the Family

Hidden within the shadows were the shadiest of characters.

Personalities seemingly fit for a Martin Scorcese movie dotted the landscape, seemingly without purpose.  No one — not even full-time staff — knew who they were nor what they did.  Flocked in cheap suits, they often appeared half-shaven and wore dark glasses.  You’d see these creeps around the casino at any time, day or night.  Just standing.  Just watching.

Once the WSOP began, we began seeing these shadowy types around the tournament area and poker room with much greater frequency.

They hung out for hours at a time, then disappeared.  Then, they came back again, or were replaced by someone else.  They never spoke to anyone.  Once, I managed to get a name.  He curtly identified himself as “Slimer” providing no additional comment.  That’s right, his name was Slimer — as in “slime-er.”

You couldn’t make up that name.

At some point, Nick informed me that he liked to use “spotters” inside the casino.  They were supposedly hired to spot known cheaters.  It was made rather obvious that I wasn’t to ask any more questions.  We were given explicit instructions to simply leave them alone and let them conduct their business.

2003 World Series of Poker Behind the Scenes (Moneymaker Series Continues — Part 3)

Photo Credit — David Milton

Writer’s Note:  This is the third in an extended series of articles about Chris Moneymaker’s victory at the 2003 World Series of Poker and what went on behind the scenes at Binion’s Horseshoe — before, during, and after. 

CLICK HERE — INTRODUCTION

CLICK HERE — PART 1 (BEFORE THE STORM)

CLICK HERE — PARTS 2 AND 3 (DAY ONE AS DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR BINION’S HORSESHOE

Part 4:  Send in the Clowns

Binion’s Horseshoe was freak show.

Not a day passed without a “you’re not going to fucking believe this” moment.

A typical work day:  Vagrants wondering in and out, crashing on the furniture inside the sportsbook.  Nests of hookers at the bar.  Cowboys shouldered up next to gangsters wolfing down hot pastrami sandwiches and guzzling Dr Brown’s cream sodas at the Horseshoe deli.  Fistfights.  Drunkeness.  Card cheats.  The mentally ill.  Drug dealers and junkies.  You name it — you saw it at “the Shoe.”

One of the most detestable of all the regulars was a crusty curmudgeon named Sam Angel, quite possibly the most repulsive person to have ever lived in Las Vegas, and that’s really saying something.  A part-time pawnbroker and full-time hustler, Angel was the devil in disguise.  By the time I had the misfortune to know him, Angel was pushing 80 years.  His pot belly hung over his britches.  Half the time his fly was open.  Once, a bystander whispered to him about it and Angel said he didn’t care.