Did DJ Maniac MaGee Get Married in LV?

photo courtesy the UB-Blog

photo courtesy the UB-Blog

I interviewed Gregg “DJ Maniac Magee” Mardirosian a few weeks ago at the WSOP.  Mardirosian was unsure how long he would have to stay in Las Vegas because of a lost prop bet (see this UB contest).  Not only was he required to get a tattoo (see photo) but he also had to find a bride and get married in Las Vegas.  Which is also kind of like getting a tattoo.  Both can be undone, it just requires money, pain and a scar.  If you’re Jewish, disregard any mention of tattoo or marriage similarities in this post.

Not sure if he married anyone or not but I hope he asked an attorney about any potential wedding liability with the intention of divorce or annulment.  You know how it goes, one minute you’re having a swell time with college buddies and the next minute you’re being questioned for…. Oh, I won’t say what I’m thinking.  But I will say I’m wondering if he drafted a pre-nuptial agreement.  Surely, he knows marrying a total stranger is so… five hundred years ago and a dowry is highly unlikely.

If you’re a lady looking to get married… you can watch the video here.

Happy WSOP Fourth of July

2010 WSOP Tournament of Champions

2010 WSOP Tournament of Champions

Thought I might have an easy table at last week’s WSOP Limit Shootout playing Jeff Madsen until Phil Hellmuth sat down next to me… read about it on Full Tilt.

It’s a Happy July Fourth on the WSOP floor.  Probably because it’s mostly vacant, although, there’s a crowd at the ESPN Tournament of Champions final table which is down to eight players… see the updates here.

Also in the news…apparently there’s a thread on the Two Plus Two Forum in regards to Allen “Badass Chainsaw” Kessler joining the WSOP Player’s Committee.  Not really sure if Kessler would have much to say on tournament rules and structure but I’m sure he would eventually learn to speak up.

WSOP: The Unraveling of Week Four on the Floor

Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey

True Story…

When I landed in Las Vegas last Tuesday morning, I noticed the stitching was unraveling on my Chuck Taylors.  My new black slip-ons from Zappos had been on my feet only four hours (three of which were inflight) before the tragedy occurred.  I knew Zappos would remedy the problem efficiently, however, they actually exceeded my expectation.  They told me to keep them, sent a new pair overnight and upgraded my account to VIP.  Even better, I was polite and friendly so my upgrade didn’t cost me an emotional hangover.

The only correlation between my unraveling Chucks and Phil Ivey winning his 8th WSOP bracelet was that they happened the same morning.  But that particular morning, well… things went from weird to wild.  Two hours later, I was on the Amazon Ballroom floor walking towards the last media soul remaining… BJ Nemeth.   It was 11am and Nemeth hadn’t been to sleep yet, however, he still managed to find an accurate answer to everything.  His sleep deprivation exceeded mine, therefore, I gave him my semi-final opinion on which pics to upload and he (loving my pics) encouraged the Allen “Badass Chainsaw” Kessler post.  Kessler made his seventh cash yesterday.  Badass.

In the middle of our giddy delirium, we somehow created The WSOP Talent Show.  I won’t be entering because, unfortunately for the audience, I retired the kazoo over ten years ago. Instead, I’m going to ask BJ if he can perform a scene from Legends of the Fall wearing a bearskin coat.  Another poker media star… I hear Benjo is an excellent stand-up comic but I think he has better odds winning as a banjo player.   None of this makes any sense other than finding an opportunity to write Benjo and the Banjo and BJ and the Bear.

I know this post begins with true story but that was to throw in a little excitement.   Kind of a bait and switch, not really, more like….hmmm, boring but mostly true except the bear and the banjo.  Plus, now that I’ve said this post was boring… it pretty much makes the entire story true.  Just reducing liability.

In Tejas for a few days as I get my baby chicks off to camp.  Then I return to the Amazon jungle on the 30th.  I will have new Converse (again) and I might even take the Zappos tour.

If you’re interested in entering a Talent Show…ask BJ Nemeth.  See his great WSOP photos here.

Soliciting Women: Possibly Funny…Not Smart

Lacey-Jones-Michele-Lewis-WSOP

On Wednesday afternoon, Lacey Jones and I went to the NHL Awards.  As we were leaving the Palms, I explained to her how much I disliked wearing a dress and heels in Las Vegas because I often found myself assumed a hooker.  It’s not an insecure assumption and despite some suggestions… it’s certainly not a bragging right.  It’s simply an insult from actual experiences.  Not to mention, it’s a sad case of humans who probably fight against racism, yet in turn, assume make-up, heels and a dress are somehow related to paid-for-sexy-time.

As we were leaving the NHL after party, a well dressed man (possibly a hockey player or NHL exec) overheard me tell Ms. Jones “…and I’m not a hooker.”  He laughed and asked “Did you just say you’re not a hooker?”  I assured him he heard correctly and he kindly returned an affirmation that I didn’t look like a hooker and said I was funny.  I told myself “Michele, you’re obviously having a moment of insecurity or feeling overconfident that you’ve combed your hair.  So simmer down now and let it go.”

Ten minutes later, Lacey and I were walking into the WSOP at the Rio, when a guy shouted “Hey, Ladies.  I love these ladies.”   Naturally, I assumed he was a fan of Ms. Jones so I indulged him with a high-five.  Big mistake.  Apparently, his definition of a lady was actually a whore because his next line was “Hey, how about $300?”  If only my ex-marine, now Deputy friend John had been there…that guy might have ended up with less teeth than some of the hockey players we had seen earlier in the evening.

While it’s possible he was angry we didn’t stop to chat, the female in his group was full of laughter when she yelled ”Oh, I just love your dresses, Ladies.”  Relieved a woman was speaking on our behalf, I turned to say thank you but was greeted with the cattiest eye roll this side of the Mississippi.  I had hoped she would look me in the eye so I could give her the shaming mom stare, however, her eyes looked us up and down then returned to rolling.  I quickly debated whether or not I should (as an unlicensed professional) provide her free psychoanalysis on her behavior, but I chose to say thank you instead.

Ah, but just before the door closed behind us, in the presence of about 100 people, the guy screamed “Hey!   Hey, hookers!”     So, I did what any other normal WSOP media person would do when asked to engage in illegal activity in exchange for $300… I closed my fallen jaw and tweeted. Sadly, this guy doesn’t realize how lucky he is I didn’t contact security and tell them he was soliciting prostitution on Harrah’s property.

But wait! There’s more…  Later that evening, I discovered WCP had labeled the eye roller as Rhino Girl.  Coincidentally,  she was rooting for John Dolan at his final table when ML’s favorite cool cats made her a girl on the rail.  Then, while I was whispering my favorite rhetorical Blaise Pascal question (Did he go to Heaven or Hell?) to Ms. Jones, those crazy entities snapped naughty looking photos of us.  While the photos could possibly imply sexual not-misconduct, Ms. Jones was laughing at what she believed to be my funny and oh-so-witty humor.  Take that, Benjo.

Lacking irony, were my friends who were insulted by the $300 remark rather than the occupation.  Nonetheless, Benjo (who says I’m not funny) made me laugh by saying “Zree hundred?  Zats booshit.   You, MeeShell LooWeez, could charge 2k and Lazey could charge 10k.”  Have I mentioned how much I love Benjo’s direct honesty?  He went on to say something about how I could charge more offering up my mind for intellectual conversation, however, I was busy thinking… hmmm, Benjo said I’m not funny and I laughed at his joke.  He’s winning.

Love Throw to the Ho

Maria Ho

Maria Ho

Too busy for any blog writing today,  so here’s a little love for a favorite Maria Ho playing in the WSOP.  Just because.

How to Dissuade Men from the WSOP Ladies Event

Leop Phelps

My name is Leon Phelps, and to those of you that are uninitiated, I am an expert in the ways of love. I have made love to many fine ladies from the lowliest bus station skank to the classiest most sophisticated, educated, debutant, high society... bus station skank.

Leon Phelps was not one of the few men playing the WSOP Ladies Event #22 yesterday.  But he makes a fine example of how I would have treated the men, had I cared enough to put out the effort. Personally, I don’t believe humiliating someone as a reaction is justifiable.  If I hold an expectation of another human to act in the way I seem fit…then I’m no better than they who expect me to agree with their decisions.

update: this doesn’t mean there aren’t any consequences.  it means I don’t have to act like an idiot.

Nonetheless, I still have my quicksilver thoughts…I just work hard not to act on them.  I don’t advise the following, however, if I were a total bitch… this is what I would do if I wanted to steer the steers from playing ladies events:

  1. Fulfill the female nag stereotype.  Don’t stop until they never want to come back.  Ever.  This is the best way to get rid of any man because then they think it was on their own terms.  This is a very passive aggressive and manipulative approach.  It could easily backfire and harm your reputation (if you care) so proceed with caution.
  2. Insult the family jewels.  Sure, they will laugh at first… but eventually insecurities will surface.  Remember, crying isn’t the only sign of insecurity, anger is as well.
  3. Judge his appearance.  Ask if you can take a picture of his derriere.  If he declines, see tip number one.  A picture of a guy’s derriere on your phone is not for booty calling.  It’s to make him feel like a piece of meat.  I assume it would be most effective if followed by asking all the ladies at the table for their phone number so you can forward the pic to them.  Then have all the ladies at the table discuss how his rear needs to get it in gear.   Tell him he needs more or less junk in his trunk, bigger biceps and if you really want to go low, and not that kind of low, go for the hairline.
  4. Start a thread on Two + Two about their sexual inadequacies and then show them while they’re playing at the table.  Sound familiar? Don’t forget to post the pic you took of him.

Number one works well, it reminds me of my favorite story about my son.   One day after school I asked him “Hey, where is your blue folder?”  My seven-year-old son smiled and said “It’s in your butt.”  I was about to tell him he shouldn’t say that but instead… I set out with a good old passive aggressive mom plan (and yes, I was hiding my laugh).

Ten minutes later, my son asked if I knew the location of his favorite Wii game.    That was my moment to shine as mother of the year…I smiled and told him “Yeh, it’s in your butt.”  Naturally, my son thought that to be quite hilarious.  However, the fifth time I gave that answer…not so much. Eventually, with the exception of my horrified Miss Manners mother, I had the entire family responding to all of his questions with “It’s in your butt.”

Conclusion… He never said it again.  I totally satiated his butt with my expertise annoyingness and now we have a little more awesomeness.

As a side note…while I’m short stacked headed into WSOP Event #22 Ladies NLH Day 2, I’m really a big stack because I wasn’t on a family camp out with my children in Arkansas.

Also… read Pauly’s opinion on the WSOP Ladies… awesome Dr. Pauly…just awesome.

My opinion, I’m flexible either way.  I was backed in the Ladies Event.  If I had a choice? I would have played the 5pm Limit tournament.  That being said, I believe everything works out the way it should and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to play at all.

Random WSOP Congratulations Shannon Shorr

Shannon Shorr & Eric Buchman

Shannon Shorr waiting for Eric Buchman to act.

A few weeks  ago, Shannon Shorr tweeted he was reading former NBA referee Tim Donaghy’s new book.  I ran into Shorr on break who said it was a really good read.  Although, I think he probably tweeted that as well.  Shorr and Eric Buchman (see photo) are short on chips in WSOP Event #18 2k Limit Hold’em but they’re still grinding it out.

Nonetheless, if you see Shorr in the hallways at the WSOP this summer, make sure you say congratulations for his recent graduation from the University of Alabama.  But don’t bother him while he’s working.

Keep up with his blog here.

Palansky Pollack Bullshit

PBR

I was going to post this over the weekend but the WSOP Event #Tom “Durrrr” Dwan final table caused a distraction.  Last week, I spoke with Seth Palansky, WSOP Media Director, who was kind enough to share some media room cookies and his opinion on Jeffrey Pollack’s recent PBR announcement.  Palansky’s thoughts: [Read more...]

Tom “Durrrr” Dwan Still Going…

Tom "Durrrr" Dwan

Tom "Durrrr" Dwan

Flipchip takes some shots at the Durrrr final table.  Pros are sweating him and sweating them due to rumored bets.

Neil Channing Demonstrates: How to Wear a Poker Patch for…WSOP

Neil Channing at the WSOP

Neil Channing at the WSOP

At the WSOP, poker sponsorships usually require wearing a company logo.  Players understand the patches are just as important as their own name and face (if not more).  Unfortunately, some players have bigger egos than branding experience.

After winning $273,153 last week in the WSOP 5K Shootout, Neil Channing might appear arrogant in this photo, however, he was humbly making fun of himself.   Channing facetiously showed his logo and marketing skills as he demonstrated… How to Wear a Logo at the WSOP.  To add to his demonstration, here are my 2010 WSOP patch wearing tips:

  • Pump up the side of your chest where patch is located (see Channing’s demonstration in photo).
  • Point to the patch when a photo is being taken.
  • In the background of another player’s interview, slowly walk by giving a Vanna White hand motion under the patch when you’re feeling insecure.
  • Women should always dress like a Las Vegas pro.  Companies love a professional woman.
  • If camera shy or want to appear humble: Wear a baseball cap with the logo or just write the name on your hand.  Stretch as if you never noticed there was a photographer standing nearby.  Stand up and speak to a mega-famous player indicating your friendship or prop bets.  Find the camera then look away, find the camera then look away…zoom-in lenses won’t notice where you’re looking.  Really, we swear.
  • Create your own cliche instead of acting like Phil Hellmuth, he has this show trademarked.
  • Women should stick patches on foreheads to “pop” out from the crowd.
  • Only give the bird if you’re representing a company who pretty much does the same.
  • Belittle tournament staff, opponents and waitresses if you’re representing the sponsoring company in the SNL ESPN Classic video below.