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An Epic Day in the Steel City

Posted by on Dec 1, 2013 in Blog, General Poker, Personal | 1 comment

 

steve-dannenmann-and-nolan-dalla

Steve Dannenmann (Republican-Maryland) with Nolan Dalla (Socialist-Nevada) in Pittsburgh

 

I almost never watch NFL games in public.  Too much drama.

But today was an exception.

On assignment for the latest “Poker Night in America” event taking at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, we football fans couldn’t help ourselves.  We had to find a bank of televisions in order to watch all the games that were played on Sunday.

Lucky us.  We found the perfect spot at Jerome Bettis’ sports bar, which just so happens to be across the street from the west end zone of the Pittsburgh Steelers stadium.

The guest list started off small, and then grew steadily as the day lengthened and the winners started rolling in.  Cha-ching!  I don’t want to crow.  Let’s just say it was a good day.

Todd Anderson, who founded Poker Night in American (and the Heartland Poker Tour, before that) anchored our get-together.  We also had Joe Sartori, also affiliated with Poker Night in America, following his previous stint at the Palms in Las Vegas.  We also welcomed guests from Maryland Live (casino) near the Baltimore-Washington Airport, who joined the fun.  Chris Hansen, the on-air host of Poker Night in America as well as a popular drive-time radio personality also showed up.  Then, there was Steve Dannenmann, the carefree runner-up in the 2005 WSOP Main Event.  Later, Darvin Moon, runner-up in the 2009 WSOP Main Event came in, along with his wife Wendy.  The bar tab came to $610, not counting tip.  After the bill was paid at Jerome Bettis’, we all went next door and started another round.  Yeah, it was that kind of day.

Towards the end of the day, we all noticed a long line forming outside across the street.  It looked like a bunch of homeless people.  We figured it was a shelter, and they were giving out food.

But upon closer inspection, we discovered the line was mostly young girls.

What the hell?  Are times really that tough?

As it turns out, tickets to some concert were going on sale and the kids were lining up in advance.  By the time I got there, at least 300-400 kids must have been in line.  Curious about what was going on, I walked across the street.  The following conversation took place:

ME:  What’s going on here?  Why is there such a long line?

YOUNG GIRL:  It’s for twenty-one pilots.

ME:  Huh?  What are you saying?  Twenty-one what?

YOUNG GIRL: Twenty-one pilots.

ME:  Okay, I’ll raise you 43 giraffes and a lion.  What are you talking about? (thinking she must be stoned)

YOUNG GIRL:  Don’t you know twenty-one pilots?

ME:  Not unless I’m at an airport.

YOUNG GIRL:  (confused look, speechless)  Whatever.

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By this time, I’ve finally figured out Twenty One Pilots must be a musical group.  I mean, what else could it be?

Anyway, here’s the line (see photo above).

Unfortunately, I’ll have to miss the show.

Coming Next:  Getting Thrown Out of the Pittsburgh Steelers Stadium

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Bridge to Omaha: Remembering Michael Cappelletti

Posted by on Nov 30, 2013 in Blog, General Poker | 1 comment

 

cappelletti

 

This part of the calendar hasn’t been kind to poker writers in recent years.

Two years ago, we lost Barry Tanenbaum.  He was best-known as a Limit Hold’em specialist who not only wrote authoritatively about the game but also played full-time for a living, mostly at the Bellagio, winning consistently over many years.

SEE MY VIDEO TRIBUTE TO BARRY HERE

Then, last year at about this same time, Lou Kreiger passed away.  Lou wrote a total of seven books on poker strategy and was one of Card Player magazine’s most prolific contributors for nearly two decades.

READ A REMEMBRANCE OF LOU HERE

Only yesterday did I learn of the very recent death of another fine writer and friend — Michael Cappelletti.  He passed away on November 14th.

Mike was probably most familiar to many readers for his groundbreaking strategy work on Omaha High-Low Split.  However, prior to winning money and respect in poker, Mike was equally revered as a master bridge player.  In short, whatever Mike set out to do, he usually accomplished it — albeit in his own way and with an original flair that became a lifelong Cappelletti trademark.

I knew Mike for nearly twenty years.  We both lived for a time in Washington, D.C., which meant our paths crossed quite often, mostly at the poker tables in suburban Maryland.  Mike was always instantly recognizable.  He was the one who sat quietly with folded arms, chomping on an unlit cigar the size of a torpedo.

During all the time I knew and saw Mike, I don’t think I ever saw him once raise his voice, get out of line, or go on tilt.  He was the consummate low-stakes cash game pro who seemed to enjoy the game more as a mental exercise and challenge than a profit center.

I’ll tell you a little story.  Once, I played in a private game with Mike where everyone was straddling, except Mike, of course.  He didn’t believe in that.  Finally, after several hours someone finally convinced him to post a live straddle, which for him must have been like swallowing his cigar.  Sure enough, Mike won the huge pot, raked in a huge pile of chips, and immediately announced he was cashing out.  He booked a win and was out the door within minutes.  That was classic Cappelletti.

During these occasions of remembrance, my heart especially goes out to Betty Tanenbaum.  She was not only married to husband Barry for many years, long before that she was also a close friend to Mike, linked together as partners within the gin world.

Any parting words seem woefully inadequate given the recurrent losses of those who spent a great portion of their lives working towards a greater understanding of strategy and gamesmanship.  Knowing as I do the immeasurable number of hours spent plying the writing trade for what amounts to minimal compensation, I’ve become acutely aware that such toil must merit recognition, even more so among those of us who survive these three poker masters, and who shall profit immeasurably from their contributions and friendships.

A special note of thanks goes to Washington, D.C. attorney Ken Adams, who brought this sad news to my attention.  A special tribute to Cappelletti can be read HERE.

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