Poker Player Boycott of the Venetian Begins Sunday Night at Midnight
July 21, 2013
Dear Poker Players:
I am calling for a five-day boycott of the Venetian Poker Room for the period Monday, July 22nd through Friday, July 26th. If you support the legalization of online poker inside the United States, I urge you to join with us and DO NOT PLAY at the Venetian during this time.
This doesn’t mean “don’t play poker.” It just means, if you decide to play poker this upcoming week, then play somewhere else instead.
Many within the poker community — including players and members of the media — support this initiative. Others are opposed. Many are hopelessly indifferent.
I am exceptionally proud of many of my colleagues who have publicly expressed their support — including well-known players such as Joe Hachem, Blair Rodman, and Gavin Smith. We’ve also heard from ESPN’s Kara Scott and lots of other media (GOOGLE: VENETIAN POKER BOYCOTT). If you agree that the time has come to TAKE ACTION, then I urge you to show your support via Twitter, Facebook, and the various poker forums. I ask that you help to remind poker players of the dates of the poker boycott.
I also wish to acknowledge the support of many poker players who have told me (very) privately they are with this boycott in spirit, but cannot make a public statement in support because of various conflicts of interest. I do respect that not everyone can step forward and join this fight.
Sheldon Adelson was given plenty of notice of this boycott and was made clearly aware of a very simple solution on how all of this could be avoided. So far, he has chosen to completely ignore the plea. Moreover, no one from the Venetian has responded publicly.
There are 24 hours until the boycott begins.
Once again, to those of you who have spoken out and who intend to join us, thank you. It’s reassuring to know there are many others who are willing to stand up and fight for what’s important.
HERE’S MORE INFORMATION ON WHY WE SHOULD BOYCOTT THE VENETIAN POKER ROOM.
Signed,
Nolan Dalla
Las Vegas, Nevada
Well midnight has passed and Venetian had 23 games at 11 59 and 23 games at 12 20 am. According to bravo it has more games running than any property in Vegas. All Poker business is down at this time of year. A true comparison of property’s is Venetian vs. Bellagio. They usually run neck and neck with player volume. If Bellagio has more games running {check bravo} then I’ll admit the boycott had some effect. As I’ve stated in other posts there are better places to play than Venetian, but Poker player will be Poker players.
The Venetian as of 9:50 PST shows 6 games, the most of any Vegas casino on the Bravo system. Hmmm.
So basically, you don’t know what you’re talking about, bring up an irrelevant issue, and think it’s okay that a billionaire is using his largesse to lobby for laws that restrict fair-market competition and put lots of people out of work. Is that about right?
So let me get this straight. You have no idea what constitutes a winning poker player, you bring up an irrelevant issue, and on top of that, you think it’s okay that a billionaire uses his largesse to lobby for laws that restrict fair-market competition and cripple other people’s ability to make a living? Is that about right?
“I have no bitterness about my ability.”
…
“there aren’t any “real pros” out there.”
“idiot losers in denial”
“what a fucking joke.”
“you balloonheads”
I don’t think you know what “bitterness” means.
Nolan,
As someone who’s been lobbying for a boycott of Adelson since he published that odious Forbes editorial, I have to say, waiting until after the end of the WSOP (and the end of this Venetian Deep Stack series, nonetheless!) to launch a boycott seems ineffective to me. A boycott of convenience really isn’t much of a boycott.
If we wanted to hit Adelson, we would have refused to play at any of his properties all summer. I did, at least, and won’t be playing at any of them again until he either reverses his stance on online poker, or he dies and ownership of the Venetian and other Sands properties transfers to someone who supports online poker in America.
This guy is my hero. Played for days vs. the best Vegas local Omaha player. Who is this master you played in 4-8 or maybe 8-16 Omaha? How do you know if Tony Dunst is a losing live player? I play 10-20 and 20-40 Limit 5 days a week for the last five years. Since its my only source of income I think that makes me a pro. And I feel great knowing that I exceed the monthly income of the best local 4-8 or 8-16 Omaha player. I know you had a dream and need to blame something for not achieving it. That’s why people like you sit at tables miserable stinking up the room in your ratty clothes. Blaming everyone from other players to dealers and the rake for your failure. I do love the posts. My friends and I find your posts hilarious. Keep posting more and don’t forget to update us on the battles between you and the best 4-8 Omaha players.
I really enjoy the irony that he’s using one anecdote from talking to a live poker player to say “nobody is a poker pro”. This entire fight is based on the fact that it’s much easier to make a consistent living, especially at low stakes, online than it is live, and that people like Adelson have ruined that out of their own greed.
Seriously, Sheldon: How is another $100 million going to change your life? Is it worth ruining the lives of so many?
The most important point that seems to be missed by everyone is calling for a boycott brings awareness to an issue. People in media respect Nolan’s viewpoint because of reputation and longevity in the poker world. He has brought attention to the cause in the mainstream media. If the Venetian is full of players, it doesn’t make a cause ineffective, because the issue is being discussed and debated on social media and various reporting outlets. Bad press for Sheldon Adelson is good for online poker. Having a counterpoint is effective in affecting change. Bravo Nolan, and thank you for making our voices heard.