I'm Shocked!!

I've probably been hiding in my own little world, but even reading other player's blogs and not seen a mention of it, so I was shocked to read some of the comments about Jamie Gold since his WPT win. Is it justified? I don't know, as you can't believe everything you read, but the more I read, the more I don't like the guy and it can't be good for the game. The most startling was his admission in a recent interview to, well, cheating. He calls it collusion, but either way, I still see it as cheating. This is what he said in Bluff Magazine:

"So every day I'd come to the table and everyone would freak out, and there'd be this guy sitting next to me who was practically in tears because he knew [he] could never raise a hand. So I said, "No, listen, think about it like this: No one can raise you, because they're raising me after you. You're in a great spot, and here's the deal. In return for this protection, every time I tell you to lay down your hand, you lay down your hand. And they all said okay. So I would look at my cards before the guy to my right, and then I'd say, "OK, you're cool; proceed..." or "Nope. Lay it down."

Add to this rumours of part of his winnings being witheld, extra chips appearing at the final table, stories that his past is not quite as he says it is and then, to add insult to injury, it appears he is also being sued for $6million (half his winnings)!
Apparantly, and this is where it gets a little complicated, Bodog put up the $10k entry fee if Jamie would wear their branded stuff. They also asked that he encourage other players to do the same. Jamie then, allegedly, offered to split his winnings with Bruce Leyser if he could get the players to wear Bodog stuff.
Bruce did this, getting a handful of players to wear the logo, but Mr Gold has not paid him the agreed 50% of any winnings in return for his help. One website 'news' page says that Jamie Gold has gone into hiding, has not been home since his win and is living out of hotel rooms (probably suites, actually, with $6mil in his back pocket).

All very strange and add in a few more ingredients about Mr Gold's background and it all looks very shady. Is it true? I think I'll wait for the blockbuster Hollywood movie to come out before I make my decision.

Singing in the Rain

I’ve spent the last 3 months out of the ‘proper work’ routine and boy, does it take a while to get back in it! End of my first proper week in the new job and I have to say I’m loving it, but am shattered as Friday evening approaches. Lot’s to do, plenty of ‘area’s for concern’ (you don’t call them ‘problems’ anymore, that’s too negative) so really looking forward to getting my teeth into things and making a difference.

The poker tables have taken a turn for the better, though I have only played 3 nights this week, as opposed to my usual 5 or 6. Last week, I had emptied all my accounts back to Neteller and played just at Bodog for the last week in the slightly misguided belief that this would put a stop to my dark run. Well, it did and made an immediate impact on bringing this bad run to a halt, and whilst I think it has come too late to make an impact on this months BR, but it’s looking a bit healthier than it did a week ago.
I’ve also made a return to Ladbrokes, and played a steady, if unspectacular, return to play there in the last 2 days. I will look at putting together my months total tomorrow, as there is still a day left for me to improve my monthly figures!

Off the tables it’s been a bit of a quiet week really. I feel so drained after a long week, I haven’t actually done much since my last post. Cathy has decided to take a weekend job which means Saturdays and Sundays are now even more Daddy Days than they have previously been. I lose my one lie-in of the week (we used to take it in turns getting up with Mia at weekends so the other had one morning in bed) but I’m OK with that if Cathy needs some more adult interaction and wants to get back into working.
The only downside is that we are approaching the winter months, so I’m gonna have to come up with many new ways to keep Mia entertained on these wet, dark days. She loves splashing around so swimming is one idea, and the ‘Jungle Jim’ type place will also be great for her, but running around the park may not be so regular with the weather the way it is right now. She loves being with her daddy, so I’m pretty sure we can watch Disney on the sofa and she’d be happy – but I don’t like too much TV when there is an ‘outside’.
Cathy bought Mia her first pair of Wellies today so a part of me is hoping for rain overnight so we can head to the park to try them out in every puddle we see! Who's gonna enjoy that more I wonder?
OK, off to the tables, but I'll have Mr A in my thoughts as I play and hope things work out the best for him, it won't be the same without him around.