My best buddy and I just placed 4th in a massive tournament on Pokerstars for a win of 17,000. I thought this would jump start my life but things have really gotten outta control. Pokerstars is everything in our lives. My roommate and I can’t go to sleep before 2 am. At any point in the night I can login and see at least two friends danglin’ in tournaments and cash games. Gambling problems are supposed to occur when you can’t win and thus you sell your life (or body) for any chance to get back into the game. What are the psychologists supposed to call this?

In hindsight I’ve developed the top ten reasons you know you are addicted to Pokerstars:

1.) You refer to your friends as their pokerstars login names. Pele24, want a shot of jager? Danglelapsy you wanna hit the gym? Eddymack88 and Crunch97 are your best friends.

2.) After losing with pocket queens for the third straight time you blame your string of bad luck on women and ban them from your life.

3.) Your mom and dad accept that you’re NOT involved in a gay porn ring after continuously walking in on you and your friends with laptops sitting in a dark, silent, basement.

4.) Drinks, fast-food, and sporting tickets are all paid with pstar transfers. “Crimsonkal10 if you grab me some chicken strips and fries I’ll hit you with 20 on stars” or “Scotty33 you grab these double vodka cran’s and I’ll get you in that 6.50 turbo” - These are normal, regular, everyday conversations.

5.) The girl you were seein’ cheats on you and you refer to it as a suckout.

6.) Your planning your next trip to the Bahamas from all the travel points you’ve accumulated on your Visa Gold Travel card thanks to your Pokerstar purchases.

7.) You have to set your alarm to get up for the Sunday Million at noon.

8.) Three of your ex-girlfriends complain after regularly receiving pokerstars propoganda in the mail from the time you signed them up for the 50 dollar “first-time” signup bonus.

9.) You refer to Pokerstars Spokesman Greg Raymer as your bestfriend: “well…I met Greg in Vegas… at Mcdonalds” you tell everyone.

10.) You think that wearing a Pokerstars pajama top to the bar that you bought with your frequent player points is actually a GOOD idea.

- Morry

Before I get into my thoughts, let me just say that if you have nothing to do tonight and are a true poker fan check out the live updates of the LAPC tonight. None other than Phil Ivey is in first place. Phil Hellmuth is in third and Nam Le has some work to do in sixth. This could and should be an amazing final table.

Poker has been going better lately. I’ve been slowly building my roll back up, but it’s still not where it was when things were going well for me in summer. I would love to find more time to play but I have been pretty busy this semester. I think it’s helping me actually as I am only playing when I truly want to play. But, this is the reason I am going crazy.

I have tons of small assignments to do this semester and I’ll be amazed if I don’t blank on one of them. I haven’t had this problem yet, but I’ll have a deer in the headlights look on my face if it does happen.

I want to be done with college more than ever right now. Since my first very first semester of college, I haven’t been a fan of it. Classes have always seemed dumb for me. A lot of the stuff I learn in my journalism classes, I could easily learn form editors telling me what they like and don’t like about articles I write for them. It frustrates me a little. The good thing is that I only have 2 ½ semesters to go and my next two will consist of mostly journalism classes.

Hopefully things calm down and I can handle my workload and work in just a little more poker. I’m sure some of you read that and think I have it easy and wish you only had it as easy as me. It’s not as much that I can’t do it as I just don’t want to do it. If I had a decent job offer right now I would take it in a heartbeat and say goodbye to college. This of course won’t happen though.

Well, I think that is enough ranting for today. Try to stay sane, everyone.

Just a heads-up on tinght’s Wise Hand Poker Radio podcast, starting at 8PM EST (5PM PST) over at rounders.radio.com. Of course, you can always finding it by clicking the massive black banner att he top of the wisehandpoker.com main page.

We have three great guests coming on tonight. First off is Bill Edler, the 2007 Bluff Magazine Player of the Year. call that a feather in the show’s cap. Bill is going to talk to us about his whirlwind year and the NBC national Heads-Up Poker Championship, since he’ll be playing in it starting Friday.

Our second guest is Roy Winston. Roy has over $2 million in tournament winnings, included amongst that the title he took at the WPT’s 2007 Borgata Open main event. Winston, who now plays full-time, gave up a thriving medical practice to do so. We’ll speak with him about that tough decision and the obvious benefits that have come with it.

Finally, we’ll be chatting with Tommy Angelo. I’m right in the middle of Tommy’s book, ‘Elements of Poker’, so he’s going to come on and chat abotu the book and the unusual approach it takes to teaching the game.

All in all, I think it’s going to be a great show with three very interesting guys. be sure to click that big black banner. Thanks in advance for listening, and as always, send me some feedback! It’s always a good thing. Enjoy the show,

Gary Wise
gary@wisehandpoker.com

Hey guys, just wanted to point out the final table that seems to be taking shape over at the WPT’s LA Poker Championships. Here’s a look at the final 18 heading into the penultimate day of play, courtesy of cardplayer.com:

1 Phil Ivey 1,543,000
2 Blair Hinkle 1,541,000
3 Phil Hellmuth Jr. 1,399,000
4 Nam Le 1,254,000
5 Michael Carson 1,029,000
6 Michael Watson 987,000
7 Charles Moore 921,000
8 WeiKai Chang 751,000
9 Quinn Do 695,000
10 Matt Brady 497,000
11 Jennifer Tilly 417,000
12 Jeffrey Schwimmer 413,000
13 Theo Tran 410,000
14 Scott Montgomery 386,000
15 Peter De Best 291,000
16 David Singer 285,000
17 Brian Taylor 228,000
18 Yury Parad 214,000

Neither Ivey or Hellmuth has ever won a WPT, and both have tried and come close more times than either would care to count. What’s more, the two have an established history of massive prop betting, so you could see some fun interactions in that regard also.

As big a deal as those two names are, I’d be damn worried abotu Nam Le were I them. Ask anyone on the circuit to name the most consistantly strong performers in the game and his name is going to come up. Plus, he has a little experience with actually winning WPTs.

Finally, there’s Jen Tilly. Jen’s had her share of questionable TV moments in this game, but i can’t help but admire the tenacity with which she’s applied herself to learning poker over the last few years, and it shows in results like this one. Oh, and her making the final table wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for poker, know what I mean? Keep an eye on things today…should be a good one.

Gary Wise
gary@wisehandpoker.com

http://pokerroadblog.blogspot.com/

Vote in these polls. The results will be read and debated on the March 1st show from the first day of the NBC Heads-up Championship.

Least deserving invitee - http://www.opinionpower.com/Surveys/716052713.html

Biggest Snub - http://www.opinionpower.com/Surveys/229052714.html

-shronk

I’ve admitted before in this space that I’m an attention whore. Mention me or my work in your blog and let me know about it and I’m going to mention it right back and even link to it from here. Hell, I’ll even trade links with anyone who makes a mention (or really, anyone who doesn’t. I’m a link whore also), so today, I’m linking to Hard-Boiled Poker, the blog belonging to one Short-Stacked Shamus. Check it out:

http://hardboiledpoker.blogspot.com/2008/02/on-poker-mags.html

Shamus is right on a few things, namely;

- I do like to talk a lot.
- Linda Johnson is awesome (OK, he didn’t say that, but he mentions her ‘first lady of poker’ status and I think she’s awesome, so I’m putting the words I want in his proverbial mouth)
- Poker media is advertiser-based and therefore often biased. That means you’re reading an adherence to revisionist history and not necessarily the truth.
- The Absolute Poker scandal story has not relieved the attention is deserves because of this.
- People often mistake the poker media as a journalistic institution, when it’s actually an entertainment-based one. ‘Good will ambassadors’ as Linda put it.

There’s a much longer blog –or feature article– that needs to be written on the role of the poker media, but it’s a fine line that we walk. What makes that walk treacherous is the lack of clarity in the operation of the poker media, with that lack of clarity leading to confusion regarding journalistic accountability. When people call me a journalist, I’m careful to correct them; now you know why.

The truth is that most of the poker media, unlike journalistic entities, is on the inside looking out. I’ve seen and heard a few things that could get some folks in some trouble, but it’s not my job to place those individuals in peril; if I were to do so, you can bet that others would remember it and I’d suddenly be out most of the industry connections that matter. That’s not to say that I’m lying for friends; I’m careful not to get too attached to avoid that very thing. All I’m saying is that you need to know when you read CardPlayer, or Bluff, or even wisehandpoker.com, you aren’t reading journalism; you’re reading the love of the game.

Thanks for the props Shamus. Keep up the good work.

Gary Wise
gary@wisehandpoker.com

With the recent Roger Clemens’ hearings I have realized that it is always best to admit your wrongdoing and move on. I’m basically saying I don’t believe him at all and I don’t think I have any reason to. But this theory is shown in poker.

Look at Justin “Zeejustin” Bonomo. He was a kid that was busted for multi-accounting and was originally frowned on. He apologized and admitted he was wrong and it appears he stopped doing it. Now he has been accepted into the poker community and considered as one of the best young players by many.

Now look at newly 18-year-old Josh “JJProdigy” Fields. He was busted several times for the same offense. He really showed no remorse for what he was doing till recently. He released an apology shortly before the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure on a forum. He was just turning 18 before the event and planed on playing in it. Some felt this was his attempt to clear himself before the event. Shaun Deeb, mostly known for his online play, wrote to PokerStars requesting that they wouldn’t allow Fields in their live event.

PokerStars took Deeb’s advice. They decided that since they have banned him from their site because of his cheating in the past, the ban would carry over to their live events.

Now, the right thing to do is obviously don’t cheat. However, where there is money, there will be cheating. If you are one of these thieves that will do whatever you can just for the almighty dollar and get caught, just admit you did something wrong and STOP doing it. Better yet, STOP doing it right now BEFORE you get caught. People will praise you for it.

Hery y’all,

I don’t usually get too pumped (stress on the word ‘too’) prior to a podcast, since you never know how it’s going to go, but i have to admit this week’s show has the juices flowing. Check this out:

It’s on my 35th birthday.

How, that may not seem to have much bearing on the quality of a podcast, nor the greatest way to spend one’s birthday, but I used my iimpending mid-life crisis as inspiration to look above and beyond for some great guests to help me celebrate, and I found me a couple of doozies: Annie Duke and Howard Lederer. True to my ‘deeper depths of poker’ interview style, I’m not going to mention either one to the other during their interviews. Two seperate interviews, two seperate entities.

I think it’s going to be a pretty fantastic show. I mean, it’d better be; it’s my birthday for god’s sake. I hope everyone will join us at 5PM PST (8PM EST) over at roundersradio.com for Howard, Annie and cake. Looking forward to it,

Gary Wise
gary@wisehandpoker.com

Last night as Gary was giving the introduction to his show on Rounders radio, he said it was cold a very frigid in Toronto. When Gary introduced me, I was sitting in my driveway in shorts and a tank top enjoying the 78 degree temperature.

Well Gary must have some pull with someone because this morning here at my house 50 miles east of downtown Los Angeles and snuggled up against the San Gabriel Mountains…..It is snowing!!!!! The wind is blowing about 50 miles per hour and I am sure all of you have heard of the Santa Ana winds that develop over Nevada and cause the winds to come down through the Passes in the mountains. Usually it is a warm wind, but today the windchill factor has to be in the low Thirties…

THANKS GARY!!!!! I bought my twins Valentine dresses and now they need ski suits instead.

Last Night was the $2,595.00 Event #20 Limit Holdem and only 52 people signed up to play. I cannot explain the poor turn out for last nights event other than to say No Limit Holdem is still the most popular game in town. Men The Master won his third event of this years LAPC and taking a commanding lead in the $50,000.00 Best all Around Player Jack Pot. I was not there last night as I am still dealing with some family related issues at home,but I did talk to a few friends that went there to play satellites and gave me a few updates.

I was a little nervous on Gary’s show last night and I do not know why. There was so much I wanted to talk about regarding the Charity Event coming up on the 24th, but I did not want to sound like I was begging for people to come play or to donate.

I am trying to make this an annual event and I want the people who come to have a great night. Last year we had only 70 players and as the people busted they stayed and watched the remaining players all the way to the final table.

I am hoping this years event is just as fun. I think with some of the prizes we have and the probability of some very good professionals showing up to give some advice and take pictures, it will make for an exciting night. Plus Linda Johnson, the First Lady of Poker being there,how can it go wrong. Jan Fisher has over 30 years of experience in the poker community and she has a great personality. Jan could have been a comedian if poker had been a failure, but it wasn’t and she is part owner of Card Player Cruises with Linda and also one of the founders of the Tournament Directors Association who organized all the rules Poker Tournaments abide by now.

If Mark Seif is able to attend we will all be fortunate as his advice and knowledge of the game is highly sought after by all in the Poker world. He his an instructor at the WPT Boot Camps and also for the WSOP Academy,

With Rick Fuller,Nam Le,J.C. Tran,Chad Brown,Vanessa Rousso,Hassan Habib,and several others saying they will stop by if their Main Event of the LAPC ends early,it should be an exciting evening. Also James Woods called me yesterday and said he is on his way back to Los Angeles from his home in Rhode Island by car. The writers strike has ended and his hit show “Shark” is going back into production. James said if he is able to attend he will.

This is going to be a very sad weekend here in Los Angeles for Law Enforcement Officers and their families. Tomorrow we lay to rest one of Los Angeles Police Departments Finest.Randall Simmons a 26 year veteran who was tragically murdered last week doing his job. He put his life in danger as we in Law Enforcement all do almost everyday to save another.Tragically there was an individual with no regard for human life or anything else in this world who had just killed his own father and two brothers,lying in wait as the LAPD Swat team entered the home to rescue those still alive inside. This thug hid behind a couch and opened fire on the SWAT Team as they entered,fatally wounding Officer Simmons and critically injuring James Veenstra another 26 year veteran.

The people of Los Angeles turned out last night for a fund raiser at a downtown Burger KIng in masses. It was a remarkable site to see and it makes us in Law Enforcement feel good that there are still so many people supportive of what we do for them.

My prayers and thoughts go out to the LAPD and the Simmons family as well as all those SWAT Team members.

This why I have the 2nd Annual Memorial Poker Classic for Fallen Heroes, February 24th at 4:00pm pacific standard time at the Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens. If you are interested in attending leave your e-mail address in the comment section and I will send you a registration form. Or just go to the Bicyclecasino.com and click on tournaments. There you will see the Fallen Heroes logo. Click it on and pay online. Hope to see many of you there.

Take Care and Be safe.

Tonight I have been invited on to roundersradio with Gary Wise. It truly is an honor to be able to talk with the Poker Community about my Charity Event and hopefully some other Poker related issues. I am sure there are a lot of people out there saying,”who in the hell is Scott Diamond”!!

Well if they tune in tonight they will find out I am just like them. A poker enthusiast who after being severely injured in two work related instances the past three years, has taken up Poker as my new hobby!

I cannot play basketball or softball as competitive as I used to without risking re injuring myself. I have a career and Family. My two sets of twin girls ages 5 and 4 are the most important things in my life and I need to take care of them.

I have been blessed in more ways then one and for this reason I started my Charity event because of the terrible experiences I have been through with losing a close friend(s) in Law Enforcement.

Living here in Los Angeles has given me more of an opportunity to meet the people responsible for the boom in Poker then most,due to the fact we have the Commerce Casino and the Bicycle Casino where most of professionals come to play when not in Las Vegas.

I have so many people to thank, if I listed them all here I would bore you! It’s not easy being a Deputy Sheriff and a Poker Player or a neighbor . My neighbors always come over and ask for help when the local agency has not satisfied their needs. I try and do what I can,but sometimes it’s not easy. Also now in the Poker Community I have been approached by several people who are owed money and they ask me if i can help them with collecting it or they ask me how they can go after people. I do not mind answering any question someone has for me. In fact i wish i could help everyone. Sometimes i tell them what they do not want to hear,but I am going to be as Honest with you as I would hope you are with me. Money issues are a civil matter and here in California you can only go after someone for $5,000.00. I will be a moderator for you and try and help you recover some losses, but to intimidate or threaten someone because I am a Deputy is not how I would handle the situation.

I have studied the game as hard as anyone and my biggest asset is I am hungry. Most great players lose that desire of hunger when they become comfortable or have too many other adventures on their plates. I have always been a competitive person and Poker is no different. I use to lack the patience and killer instinct,but over the past year I have become such a patient person my wife even commented on it. As for the killer instinct, I am learning that also by just playing satellites recently!!

I have never wanted anything handed to me. I believe one should earn what they have, You learn to appreciate it more. Life is to very very short to make enemies and we take the things we have for granted at times and only once a year are reminded of those things,Thanksgiving.

Poker has become my tranquility from every day life. I have seen things in my job that would make one sick. I have seen things in my job that have made a grown man cry. Poker is my out away from those things. I meet new people every day and it is a wonderful thing to be able to converse with so many people about so many things other than Law Enforcement issues.

I still have my compassion for life and I try and help as many people as I can. Not only at my job but in the real world. I once wrote i thought I could be the one to save the world as my childhood heroes did every Saturday morning on TV when I was a kid, but I can’t. I can only hope to make the right decision everyday and be the best person I can be to everyone. After all you cannot fool that person in the mirror when you look at yourself every morning as you brush your teeth or get dressed.

My honesty and integrity from my family or peers has never come into question and i am most proud of that. My Grandfather taught me at an early age “If a man does not have his WORD, he has nothing” Also, “Do not Shake a man’s hand unless you mean it” two things I will always remember and have passed down to my children as well.

Thank you Gary Wise for allowing me to be part of your team here and share my thoughts and stories with so many wonderful readers.

Thank you to Linda Johnson for helping me get this years event at The Bicycle casino as well as Denny Williams the tournament Director for supporting me and the Event.

Also to Cheri Dokken at Commerce Casino for allowing me to roam around her tournaments and talk with all you players and write about it here.

It’s been an amazing 2 years for me and I hope to continue bringing you stories and the happenings here in Los Angeles for many more years to come.

Take care