OT: MGoBlog and Poker

Submitted by eth2 on

So I got an e-mail tonight from a neighbor inviting me to a poker game next week.   While that's not quite a cool story bro, it did remind me that Brian often uses poker analogies when writing and has mentioned on at least one occasion that he played in the World Series of Poker.   Now I don't recall him posting any real details of his WSOP experience so on a whim I Googled "Brian Cook World Series of Poker" and found this:

(Annie) Duke had had that reminder only moments earlier, when a young Michigan player, Brian Cook, crashed from Duke's table. Cook, who had earlier admitted to being "a little intimidated" by Duke when his own smallish starting stack grew large enough to allow for more creative play, lost his last $25,000 when his pocket aces were cracked by another player who called his pre-flop raise with 10-7, then put Cook all-in after a K-7-7 flop. This came only moments after Cook had lost a sizeable hand with pocket kings in a similar manner. 

Edit: link to Full story

Going to go out on a sturdy limb here and assume that's our own Brian.  If so, it sounds like he was playing well but was eliminated when he got hit by not one, but two coolers in a bang, bang fashion.

That said, I bet it was an amazing experience.   I always drop strong hints to the wife about how much I'd like to play in at least one WSOP Main Event before I die.   She doesn't say no, but doesn't book rooms at the Rio either.

Any how, wondering if there are any other poker addicts here on MGoBlog, including any who have already played or plan to play in the Main Event or some other tournament of note.  

They say no one likes to hear a bad beat story, but hoping Brian might share a bit more about his experience.  Hey, at least he got to play with Annie Duke.

ken725

December 23rd, 2010 at 12:48 AM ^

Is there a way that we could set up a mgoblog poker tournament through full tilt or something?  Maybe this can raise some money for the blog.  I have no idea how this works, so can anyone enlighten us on the economics of such a thing.

ken725

December 23rd, 2010 at 3:59 PM ^

How much of the buy in money does the company take?  I guess it all depends on how the payout is designed, but it might be fun to do anyway.  Instead of a cash prize the winner can get a free t-shirt or something and more money can to the blog.

Tha Stunna

December 23rd, 2010 at 3:24 AM ^

I'm sure quite a few people on the blog have played online.  I've dabbled in the game and used poker for a small side income during undergrad, but the various factors of having a job and the players improving made me basically quit in recent history.  I'm quite a bit better than the average player but still much worse than anyone who's actually good...

I got into a dumb online argument (dumb being a redundant modifier when used with online) right here on the blog with someone over whether it's better to play to your opponent's weaknesses or not expose weaknesses of your own.  We were both right in our own way, but it was pretty dumb (and I was more right dangit).

By the way, there is a bill sitting in Congress that proposes legalized online poker, but only poker sites backed by existing casinos in the US would be legal for over a year.  Does anyone have any more specific knowledge on the subject?

Kalamazoo Blue

December 23rd, 2010 at 7:57 AM ^

Play a tournament with our poker group almost every Friday night. My most favorite 24 hour periods of the year are the weekends in the fall when I get to play poker on Friday nights followed up by a home football game on Saturday. By Sunday my wife just gives me that look that says I'd better mow the lawn or something.

BLUEOkie

December 23rd, 2010 at 10:41 AM ^

A poster over on the Scout premium site is brothers with Joe Cada (2009 WSOP winner).  Their whole family wore Michigan shirts during the tournament and at one point at the final table he said "I'm All In for Michigan."  He wore a block M hat but picked up a sponsor and they covered it up with their logo.

 

edit: Here's a picture after he won.  Pic

MGoBender

December 23rd, 2010 at 11:23 AM ^

I saw in comments that Brian said that posts about poker wouldn't continue.  Dunno if that's because he didn't want to stray from content or simply meant he wouldn't be in the WSOP again.  Either way, going back and reading those was definitely a fun read.  I, for one, would welcome non-football related MGoExploits in the off-season.