79 replies
I will be biased. I may be untruthful. Though never on purpose. And I present this thread because I think anything I might type as an answer will be good for my own mental health. So if if you think it will be entertaining, go ahead and ask: about David, Sue, me, Mason, the history of the company, whatever.
The only ask I have for you is stay healthy. You helped a lot of people here over the years. Make sure you are taking care of yourself.
by venice10 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59268606#post59268606)
The only ask I have for you is stay healthy. You helped a lot of people here over the years. Make sure you are taking care of yourself.
It is my intention. And your reply has touched me deeply. Like tears deeply. Thank you. I'm still open to all questions. Even tough ones.
by Mat Sklansky m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59268580#post59268580)
I will be biased. I may be untruthful. Though never on purpose. And I present this thread because I think anything I might type as an answer will be good for my own mental health. So if if you think it will be entertaining, go ahead and ask: about David, Sue, me, Mason, the history of the company, whatever.
did davids parrot actually turn on his webcam while he was engaged in coitus? was "posting" invented because david would constantly move seats to avoid the blinds? did david really refuse the poker HOF because it had "bad people" in it?
What was David's chess ELO? I enjoyed reading his chess threads, even if they were somewhat nonsensical; they always were interesting.
by limon m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59268820#post59268820)
did davids parrot actually turn on his webcam while he was engaged in coitus? was "posting" invented because david would constantly move seats to avoid the blinds? did david really refuse the poker HOF because it had "bad people" in it?
very probably to one and 2. he didn't care about the hof and had contempt for people within. but he never was actually given the opportunity to refuse.
by All-inMcLovin m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59268825#post59268825)
What was David's chess ELO? I enjoyed reading his chess threads, even if they were somewhat nonsensical; they always were interesting.
i don't know. he stayed interesting. i give him that
Hi Mat, How is Sue? Was she able to take care of David? Is she able to take care of herself? Is she OK? Thanks.
by amplify m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59268849#post59268849)
Hi Mat, How is Sue? Was she able to take care of David? Is she able to take care of herself? Is she OK? Thanks.
I don't know for sure. I am confident that that she is 1000 times more capable of taking of herself than David believed. But he he wound up leaving her in a bad place. as evidenced by this: https://www.gofundme.com/f/emergency-sup... (https://www.gofundme.com/f/emergency-support-after-loss-of-my-partner?fbclid=IwY2xjawQ1dnRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJXYjRRcmtTeWJ5U2MxZ3ppc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpZOlcJGRUFpnThs-wmvH9Sako72b91-4Av1VgoD0S1ugnCB1BrYv0PfkJ-A_aem_6aUwTH4-6VUN5HbCAOuj8A) What i want to share about david in this thread, selfishly, is that I only recently found out how mentally ill he was. He hid it from me and everyone to a large degree forever. that's why he is dead so soon. but i don't want to just blabber if it's not also interesting. i will elaborate if people are curious.
Thanks for the gofundme link. Yes, Mason mentioned mental health issues and I assumed something with Alzheimers. Was it that or something else?
by amplify m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59268868#post59268868)
Thanks for the gofundme link. Yes, Mason mentioned mental health issues and I assumed something with Alzheimers. Was it that or something else?
It was lifelong, saying clearly in retrospect, something undiagnosed. But I now realize he lived with crippling paranoia and anxiety that was never treated. Everything got worse as he aged and his health declined, so maybe Alzheimer's creeped in as well.
by Mat Sklansky m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59268870#post59268870)
It was lifelong, saying clearly in retrospect, something undiagnosed. But I now realize he lived with crippling paranoia and anxiety that was never treated. Everything got worse as he aged and his health declined, so maybe Alzheimer's creeped in as well.
Can you elaborate on how you discovered this once he died? Did he have a cabinet full of writings about unusual things or something like that? Hoarding of odd things? Its probably of little comfort, but the way I would look at it, he must have understood it about himself enough to try to hide it and not be open about it as a way to try to protect those around him from the fallout. Thanks for doing this, and sorry for your loss.
by JustASpectator m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59268880#post59268880)
Can you elaborate on how you discovered this once he died? Did he have a cabinet full of writings about unusual things or something like that? Hoarding of odd things?Its probably of little comfort, but the way I would look at it, he must have understood it about himself enough to try to hide it and not be open about it as a way to try to protect those around him from the fall... See full post
It was simply a combination of my conversations with him and hearing stories from people in his past that made me understand. And all I understand, now, is there was something terribly wrong. too late to know exactly what. and he was a dick. he was. i'm not here to whitewash anything.
Mat. Your honesty about this subject where others tread lightly around and some do try to whitewash is refreshing and speaks very positively towards your character. I know playing poker and paranoia go hand in hand. How did it manifest in David? Was the crippling paranoia mostly in his personal life or did it also affect his poker playing/writing? Stay healthy
by Slugant m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59268994#post59268994)
Mat. Your honesty about this subject where others tread lightly around and some do try to whitewash is refreshing and speaks very positively towards your character. I know playing poker and paranoia go hand in hand. How did it manifest in David? Was the crippling paranoia mostly in his personal life or did it also affect his poker playing/writing? Stay healthy
yeah. I mostly don't know. I think poker attracts the mentally ill. I never found poker very interesting or fun. I helped Mason run the business. That was my involvement. So I think with David that's the answer, Poker didn't drive him crazy. It allowed him a space to "function". And share the part of him that was the good guy that he did want to be. When he was writing. One of the things that has always disgusted me about poker was that it seemed to be successful, it wasn't enough to win. You had to enjoy that someone else was losing. I never got that part.
by Mat Sklansky m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59268999#post59268999)
One of the things that has always disgusted me about poker was that it seemed to be successful, it wasn't enough to win. You had to enjoy that someone else was losing. I never got that part.
its worse than that, to be truly successful, you have to win, enjoy others losing, and sell books (or podcasts, or casino games, or etc. etc.). Did david really invent UTH?
I think so. And/or Caribbean stud.
I hope this helps you. No questions. Miss you around here.
Mat, I happened to be digging through old PMs today and I still had one from you from 15 years ago that was very kind. Thank you. How are you doing? Is there anything any of us can do to help through this time? What is a big goal you have for yourself at this point in life? Hope you are well!
by MEb m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59269228#post59269228)
Mat, I happened to be digging through old PMs today and I still had one from you from 15 years ago that was very kind. Thank you. How are you doing? Is there anything any of us can do to help through this time? What is a big goal you have for yourself at this point in life? Hope you are well!
you contribute to my tears. my goals are day to day. I drive a school bus now. I do it well and it makes me happy.
by Mat Sklansky m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59269240#post59269240)
I drive a school bus now. I do it well and it makes me happy.
This is absolutely the best! Finding something you do well and makes you happy should be the goal for us all. Best wishes!
Nice Mat to have you here! May you be able to sort things out vs David. I understand your stance to poker. My poker stalled when not feeling like being a real predator.
Mat, Can you give us the full story behind this famous connect four moment?
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Do you know why David did not finish or return to college? Why was Rapini allowed to stay a mod for as long as he did?
by MEb m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59269351#post59269351)
Mat,Can you give us the full story behind this famous connect four moment?... See full post
I was channeling my inner 4 year old. I had lost the game.
by DeadMoneyWalking m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59269399#post59269399)
Do you know why David did not finish or return to college? Why was Rapini allowed to stay a mod for as long as he did?
laziness and arrogance moderators, in general stayed on as volunteers for as long as they wanted. when I suspected the position wasn't fun I would start encouraging people to resign.
why is it that forums rarely recognize whenever moderators are taking things too far and are ruining the environment
I'd be curious of your estimate of what % of Dave's lifetime earnings came directly from P&L playing cards (all types).
Hi Mat, condolences and best wishes during a very difficult time at the end a very long difficult time. I am posting this because you started this thread—I was going to reply you to in the RIP thread but then thought better of it. I’m not sure why I feel the need to post it but here it is. My parents divorced in 1970, my mother moved backed to her home state, and I had minimal contact with my father (his choice) until his death in 1982. I finally got sober in 2024. At some point I had a dream where he asked me to forgive him, I said yes and meant it and still do, and woke up feeling good about it. I still haven’t forgotten of course. FWIW your father’s books were a great positive in my life, and the one brief interaction I had with him was pleasant. I think I speak for many here in hoping you will check in occasionally in this thread when convenient and let us know how you’re doing. Please take care. BTW this is something I wrote in a family chat, nobody will miss a thing by ignoring it. Spoiler Show
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by Mat Sklansky m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59269640#post59269640)
I was channeling my inner 4 year old. I had lost the game.
Do you know why Ric Flair showed up to that event and Rajon Rondo didn’t?
by Mat Sklansky m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59269240#post59269240)
you contribute to my tears. my goals are day to day. I drive a school bus now. I do it well and it makes me happy.
Unsurprisingly people are talking about this outside of this thread. I'll second what someone else said, "Nothing more noble than driving a bus".
Did David Sklansky like any movies, books or art? Any favorites that you know of?
1995:
(PS)
I know you were asking about what movies and books David liked.
by Videopro m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59269965#post59269965)
1995: PS I know you were asking about what movies and books David liked.... See full post
Be kind, rewind. Also, there is a copy of this VHS tape for sale on Ebay right now for $16 OBO +$5.45 shipping for anyone interested. Obv not my sale, I was curious what a copy of this might be selling for and found it. Spoiler Show
Ebay item number 276195988820
hi mat. im sorry for your loss. i don't mean to pry one bit, and am not offended if you choose to ignore. david wrote a little bit, i think in his book DUCY, about his childhood. he mentioned how each night his father, a mathematician, prepared a math problem for him. he shared a couple of them, they were outside the box questions, and i believe david credited his father for his own aptitude in math. i am 100% honestly curious what growing up with David Sklansky was like. how he was as a father to you, in whatever capacity you are comfortable describing. was there a first time, or a special time, that you realized he was unusually smart?
What exactly happened with his January domestic battery issue? Who did he attack under whatever circumstances, how did he attack them, and why? How much time did he and Mason spend with each other outside of poker book stuff?
by SplawnDarts m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59269690#post59269690)
I'd be curious of your estimate of what % of Dave's lifetime earnings came directly from P&L playing cards (all types).
He supported himself with cards into the nineties. But once he made money from books and this website, I don't think he ever played seriously again.
by TrollyWantACracker m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59269937#post59269937)
Did David Sklansky like any movies, books or art Any favorites that you know of
He wasn't too into fiction. But he liked Jerzy Kosinski.
by BDHarrison m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59269991#post59269991)
What exactly happened with his January domestic battery issue? Who did he attack under whatever circumstances, how did he attack them, and why? How much time did he and Mason spend with each other outside of poker book stuff?
I wasn't there, but it was mostly a misunderstanding. He had checked himself out of the hospital AMA and was barely functioning physically or mentally. I think he was thrashing around and accidentally hit her. She did not want him arrested. I don't know more beyond that. He was never a violent person. I'm confident about that David and Mason spent virtually no time together that wasn't involving business.
by Tuma m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59269981#post59269981)
hi mat. im sorry for your loss. i don't mean to pry one bit, and am not offended if you choose to ignore.david wrote a little bit, i think in his book DUCY, about his childhood. he mentioned how each night his father, a mathematician, prepared a math problem for him. he shared a couple of them, they were outside the box questions, and i believe david credited his father for his... See full post
I didn't grow up with him. He and my mother divorced when I was a baby. I saw him a few times a year and we did stuff like go carts and movies. There wasn't much of a real relationship.
by Mat Sklansky m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59270212#post59270212)
I wasn't there, but it was mostly a misunderstanding. He had checked himself out of the hospital AMA and was barely functioning physically or mentally. I think he was thrashing around and accidentally hit her. She did not want him arrested. I don't know more beyond that. He was never a violent person. I'm confident about that
I'm going to follow up on this. I believe that all the accusations, mostly by nasty people, were not correct. For some reason, David hated being in the hospital even though he needed their help. And what would happen is that as soon as he could, he would check himself out of the hospital and go home where his health/mental issues would return. The person, in my opinion, who wrote the Poker News article, was probably looking for a good story where in reality there was nothing to write about. This was obviously true the next day when all charges were dropped. David and Mason spent virtually no time together that wasn't involving business.
While we were friends, our relationship was mostly professional. We did spend a lot of time together working on books, and at times David would help with comments of books written by other authors, but socially we did very little together.
Mat, I can’t imagine how difficult and disorienting this moment must be. We’ve never interacted, and my only exposure to your father was through his posts here, but I hope this thread is actually helping you in the way you intended. If it is, that’s what matters. If it ever stops feeling that way, nobody reasonable would think twice about you stepping back or closing it. You’re being very open in a space that hasn’t always been kind to that, and with an audience that includes some anonymous and unhinged people. Just make sure it’s serving you, not the audience. Wishing you some steadiness through all of this. As an admin, are you privy to the financial details of the site and is that something now that it's under new management and they aren't running ads you feel comfortable disclosing? It's something that's always been wildly speculated upon. I've seen estimates as high 2 million a year in ad revenue. Do you know and/or feel comfortable stating what this site brought in for revenue during it's peak and after the peak leading up to the sale?
by rickroll m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59270255#post59270255)
As an admin, are you privy to the financial details of the site and is that something now that it's under new management and they aren't running ads you feel comfortable disclosing? It's something that's always been wildly speculated upon. I've seen estimates as high 2 million a year in ad revenue. Do you know and/or feel comfortable stating what this site brought in for revenu... See full post
It's always been Two Plus Two policy not to make specific statements on how much we made or exactly what someone's royalty rate was because many people were involved, whether it was this website or the publishing side, and we felt that at least some of those people would want to keep this information private. I will say that our policy was to pay our people at a much higher rate than what our competitors did (and this was a source of friction between us and one particular competitor who accused us of lying about what we actually paid out). I will say that whether it was this website or the publishing business, our degree of success was much more than we originally thought was possible (and yes the poker boom probably had something to do with that). Also, when it comes to this website, we had no advertising revenue until the fourth year which was 2001.
by Mason Malmuth m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59270259#post59270259)
It's always been Two Plus Two policy not to make specific statements on how much we made or exactly what someone's royalty rate was because many people were involved, whether it was this website or the publishing side, and we felt that at least some of those people would want to keep this information private. I will say that our policy was to pay our people at a much higher rat... See full post
oh yeah, i get that but just to clarify, i was only asking about the website side the reason is that whatever the site was making or not making got tied into a lot of narratives around david specifically and to be fair, a big part of that whole situation only exists because he chose to post those things himself. if he never made those threads and just kept that part of his life private, none of it ever becomes a public narrative in the first place. maybe there’s some rumors, but nothing close to what it became instead, you end up with a situation where years later people can just pull directly from his own posts as source material, and build entire narratives off of that. if those threads don’t exist, or get wiped early, none of it scales the same way or persists like it has which is what makes it kind of ironic. a lot of the backlash toward him was driven by his own disclosures, on a platform he had ownership in that’s where the speculation comes from. people connect those dots and assume there must have been some financial incentive behind letting those threads live and spread i don’t really buy that myself. it’s hard to see how a handful of threads about sue, brandi, or saura would meaningfully move the needle financially but it does get repeated a lot, especially by people trying to frame intent so i was mostly asking to understand whether there’s any reality to that at all, or if it’s just something people ran with over time
by rickroll m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59270280#post59270280)
but they would never have grown to the extent it did, where even now you have guys like berkey dedicating entire podcasts to him with nothing other than his own 2p2 posts which are still up to use as source material
The way I understand that it works is that there is a dual copyright on any post. This means that a poster is free to use his posts in anyway that he wants. which is what makes it kind of ironic. a lot of the backlash toward him was driven by his own disclosures, on a platform he had ownership in
If an author or someone who received revenue from this website wants to release information about what they made, that's their business. Also, I will say this, David's ownership in this website was small. In addition, what someone made from this website was determined by contracts and not by ownership percentage. that’s where the speculation comes from. people connect those dots and assume there must have been some financial incentive behind letting those threads live and spread
I'm not sure exactly what threads you're referring to but our legal advice was to allow threads/posts to stay up as much as possible unless there was something clearly wrong with them (and we had plenty of those). i don’t really buy that myself. it’s hard to see how a handful of threads about sue, brandi, or saura would meaningfully move the needle financially
In my opinion, David was obviously stupid to post some of the stuff that he did. But he felt that if others would hear his explanation then what happened would make more sense to them. Also, I think we had over 60 million posts, and that's what drove the website.
David had downloaded the pokersesh interview I did of him like 9 years ago. Can you repost that if it exists. Masons too. Both were epic but ballys deleted them on accident after the live at the bike sale to Ballys.
by limon m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59270371#post59270371)
David had downloaded the pokersesh interview I did of him like 9 years ago. Can you repost that if it exists. Masons too. Both were epic but ballys deleted them on accident after the live at the bike sale to Ballys.
Knowing David's acumen on computers, I highly doubt he downloaded it without Sue's help. If it exists it would be on his computer. Hopefully Sue has access to it.
Mason, Not sure how much you’re joining Mat’s AMA thread, but two questions for you if you’re open. Was there ever a poker or gambling related book you and/or David wanted to put out, but that never got made for some reason? Basically is there a lost 2+2 book out there? Have you ever considered documenting a history of 2+2 in book, podcast, or other form? From formation, through the poker boom, tying together the books and publishing with the forums. Theres probably a decent tale in there somewhere for someone to piece together.
Mason taking over someone else’s AMA is remarkably on brand
I asked Mason to participate.
by MEb m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59270397#post59270397)
Mason, Not sure how much you’re joining Mat’s AMA thread, but two questions for you if you’re open. Was there ever a poker or gambling related book you and/or David wanted to put out, but that never got made for some reason? Basically is there a lost 2+2 book out there?
No. Have you ever considered documenting a history of 2+2 in book, podcast, or other form? From formation, through the poker boom, tying together the books and publishing with the forums. Theres probably a decent tale in there somewhere for someone to piece together.
I have talked about this in a couple of podcast interviews that I have done. The best one of these discussions was done with Joey Ingram. Perhaps someone can find it and put up the link.
You could start your own AMA Mason instead of hijacking this one.
by Mat Sklansky m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59270466#post59270466)
I asked Mason to participate.
Thank you Mat. I have found his participation insightful and helpful. Wishing nothing but the best for you Mat. 👍
by Mat Sklansky m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59270212#post59270212)
I David and Mason spent virtually no time together that wasn't involving business.
What kind of people, if any, did he spend his non-poker social time with?
Did you know about the (for legal purposes, alleged) abortion?
by Crossnerd m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59270568#post59270568)
Did you know about the (for legal purposes, alleged) abortion?
I don't think so. Tell the story if you like.
by BDHarrison m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59270561#post59270561)
What kind of people, if any, did he spend his non-poker social time with?
There was pretty much nobody that I think he was purely friends with. I was the closest thing, probably. And I hardly saw him. He had one close friend that died many years ago. And there were a fair number of people who I'm sure would have liked to hang out with him socially. But I never got the impression he was interested.
by Mat Sklansky m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59270584#post59270584)
I don't think so. Tell the story if you like.
Not here. I can tell you privately if you care to know. I was only curious because I was never able to really get a good sense of where you stood on things. David used to talk to you on speakerphone in front of me and Sue fairly often. He would just answer and shush us.. I think from hearing those conversations I always considered you a “co-conspirator”, if you will. I’m glad you didn’t know. In my experience with David, he was quite skilled at compartmentalizing his relationships with people. I only ever knew what he wanted me to know about how he interacted with others.
by JustASpectator m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59269971#post59269971)
by Videopro m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59269965#post59269965)
1995: PS I know you were asking about what movies and books David liked.
Be kind, rewind.Also, there is a copy of this VHS tape for sale on Ebay right now for $16 OBO +$5.45 shipping for anyone interested. Obv not my sale, I was curious what a copy of this might be selling for and found it. Spoiler Show
Ebay item number 276195988820... See full post
... See full post
My memory is that the video is good but pretty basic?
Mat, from all my reading over the years, it seems the two “big name” players David really respected were Doyle & Bobby Baldwin. Is that true, and were the others he may have mentioned, like Stu Ungar, Billy Baxter, Jack Keller, or Berry Johnston?
by BullyEyelash m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59270702#post59270702)
Mat, from all my reading over the years, it seems the two "big name" players David really respected were Doyle & Bobby Baldwin. Is that true, and were the others he may have mentioned, like Stu Ungar, Billy Baxter, Jack Keller, or Berry Johnston
this is exactly the type of question best answered by Mason. i don't know the answer, though i do recall him mentioning Chip Reese.
Chip, Doyle and Bobby is good judgement IMO.
by BullyEyelash m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59270702#post59270702)
Mat, from all my reading over the years, it seems the two "big name" players David really respected were Doyle & Bobby Baldwin. Is that true, and were the others he may have mentioned, like Stu Ungar, Billy Baxter, Jack Keller, or Berry Johnston
I know he thought highly of Chip and Doyle, but didn't have an opinion (that I know of) of the others mentioned.
Whenever you see discussion of the early pre boom days, there's inevitably a lot of talk of cheating. With some notable players like Chip and Doyle often getting accusations of being at best colluders and at worst mechanics and card markets. Did you father suspect there was a lot of cheating by any of those guys or in the high stakes games during that time in general?
He suspected cheating in many circumstances, including these days, especially as stakes got higher. But he was also paranoid. He didn't talk much about it with me. Actually, as I do this thread I'm realizing I hardly knew him at all. Cheating is another topic he may have discussed more with Mason.
did he die basically broke? sad if true.
by limon m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59271807#post59271807)
did he die basically broke? sad if true.
it is an unfortunate fact. his life was basically a Greek tragedy.
by Mat Sklansky m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59271888#post59271888)
it is an unfortunate fact. his life was basically a Greek tragedy.
its crazy how many legends of poker die broke, coming up bobby hoff was the crusher of crushers in my life i wouldn't have guessed he would have been begging for micro stakes buy ins at the end....but there he was. the gambling lifestyle is brutal on the mind and body.
by limon m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59271940#post59271940)
its crazy how many legends of poker die broke, coming up bobby hoff was the crusher of crushers in my life i wouldn't have guessed he would have been begging for micro stakes buy ins at the end....but there he was. the gambling lifestyle is brutal on the mind and body.
Part of the reason for this is that these people tend to lose their money on other bad investments, and not in poker, or foolishly waste it in other ways. Do you sometimes bet sports? How many poker players who were winners at poker did you know who lost all their poker winnings at sports?
by Mason Malmuth m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59271966#post59271966)
Part of the reason for this is that these people tend to lose their money on other bad investments, and not in poker, or foolishly waste it in other ways. Do you sometimes bet sports? How many poker players who were winners at poker did you know who lost all their poker winnings at sports?
sports, pit games, drugs, poker games far above their rolls, "balla" lifestyle, working girls or all of the above trap so many winning poker players. but david seemed to not have these leaks other than working girls, he even diversified away from poker well. strange to hear he blew it all.
by limon m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59271940#post59271940)
its crazy how many legends of poker die broke, coming up bobby hoff was the crusher of crushers in my life i wouldn't have guessed he would have been begging for micro stakes buy ins at the end....but there he was. the gambling lifestyle is brutal on the mind and body.
I played with Bobby and that crew a lot back in the day, and Bobby was a crusher for sure. Carl McKelvey told me Bobby had a stroke in LA and was never the same after it. Of course Bobby had done a lot of coke which might have led to the stroke.
by Mason Malmuth m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59271966#post59271966)
Part of the reason for this is that these people tend to lose their money on other bad investments, and not in poker, or foolishly waste it in other ways. Do you sometimes bet sports? How many poker players who were winners at poker did you know who lost all their poker winnings at sports?
I would suppose life long poker players are some version of degen gamblers. The ones that are not that move on to some other career. Perhaps the question is how do poker players tend to finish in their legititmate investments?
by DeadMoneyWalking m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59272403#post59272403)
I would suppose life long poker players are some version of degen gamblers. The ones that are not that move on to some other career. Perhaps the question is how do poker players tend to finish in their legititmate investments?
this might be a question for the lodge owners.
by rickroll m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59271236#post59271236)
Whenever you see discussion of the early pre boom days, there's inevitably a lot of talk of cheating. With some notable players like Chip and Doyle often getting accusations of being at best colluders and at worst mechanics and card markets. Did you father suspect there was a lot of cheating by any of those guys or in the high stakes games during that time in general?
Based on interviews of Billy Baxter Chip was for a time controlled by Johnny Spilotro, who was renowned for fixing multiple card rooms in LV.
by PokerHero77 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59273091#post59273091)
Based on interviews of Billy Baxter Chip was for a time controlled by Johnny Spilotro, who was renowned for fixing multiple card rooms in LV.
Now there's the name of a guy who walked on absolutely everything...
by PokerHero77 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59273091#post59273091)
Based on interviews of Billy Baxter Chip was for a time controlled by Johnny Spilotro, who was renowned for fixing multiple card rooms in LV.
this used to be the old russ "the seal" georgiev rap!!!
I am surprised and grateful for the support from so many of you on this website. I know i'm bumping a dead (ha ha) thread. But I want to go away again and not feel obligated to look. I do want to leave with words of caution. David died prematurely because he refused to follow the advice of cardiologists. Him refusing routine medications and procedures. Don't do that. and if you are an unhappy gambler, maybe don't do that either. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys9oSPZr... (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys9oSPZrrP8)
Damnit. I just found this thread and was curious about a couple things. Mat, you seem like a decent person and I wish you the best. I say this as someone who also had a father they did not (do not, still alive) get along with. They are not remotely the same characters but that friction is nonetheless frustrating to live with and I hope youre doing well. Take care
Yes, cheers!