September 5, 2006
Bloggers on ESPN
by Luckbox
Okay, so it's not like I busted Jesus or something...
But ESPN found it in their collective hearts to include me in tonight's WSOP coverage nonetheless. As many of you know, I closely followed Dmitri Nobles during my time with Team PokerStars Blog (picture from PokerStars Blog). Well, with him on the TV table, I got a little TV time myself.
The first time, Dmitri had just dumped more than 2/3rds of his massive stack on some tough beats and some admittedly bad plays. He took a break to call a friend and steam. I tried to help calm him down and he told me, "I'm tightening up... Next hand I play will be Aces, Kings or Queens."
Well, he lied to me, but he's a poker player, so I forgive him. His next hand was A8, and he ended up massively sucking out on KK after an 8-high flop. And it was after that hand that Dmitri called out, "CJ!!!" and came over to give me a hug. I wasn't sure ESPN would include it, but they did. And it brought a smile to my face.
That's the Dmitri I remember. The fun-loving guy. The guy who wanted the rest of the table to have fun even if he was taking their chips. I feel like ESPN decided to set him up as a bit of a jackass donkey. That wasn't Dmitri. He certainly didn't play like he read Harrington on Hold 'Em, but he played really good big stack poker and he was a really nice guy. I won't forget that no matter what ESPN decided to edit.
Dear Norman Chad,
After listening to you on ESPN tonight, I have a small request: please shut up forever.
Thanks,
Wil
Dear Wil and CJ,
Please remind me to kick Norman Chad in the shins next time I see him.
Love,
April
I was laughing pretty hard last night at the end of the show when Nobles sucked out and then yelled for you. One Luckbox showing off to another.
Its too bad that they're showing him in the same light as Tiffany Williamson but those calls were fairly bad (without showing the other 12-14 hours of play someone form a true opinion of his play).
Luckboxes unite! And get better soon CJ!
I don't know the guy personally, but some of his comments were pretty classless. The first one that comes to mind is the "take him out on a stretcher" after busting someone. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I take issue with someone acting like that.
My heart leapt as I heard one luckbox call out to the other and then embrace him in a totally non-gay manner.
Leapt.
It's too bad for Dimitri, but this is what ESPN does well: Casting people as either "good" or "bad", instead of focusing on the actual play at the tables. It's a formula that has worked well for them over the past few years, but the ratings have slipped a bit. That's why next year they are already working on a story line where a young poker protoge is approached by Sith Lord to use his powers for the dark side and...well, I shouldn't spoil it for you.
I felt like a silly fan-girl. "Look! It's CJ! I know him; I know him!"
Ah, my claim to fame ;)
They were rebroadcatng the program last night but after hour number 3 and no sign of CJ I called it quits. . . it was 3 am and and they still had over 200 players. . .
but I thought I saw the KK vs A8 (against the russian kid with the the scarf?) play and didn't see him hug anyone . . . maybe I missed it. . . maybe they'll play it again soon and I'll forgo sleep again. . .
As far as class goes . . he looked to me liek he was having fun. . . so I don't blame him for his table antics.. at least he didn't have that little shark figure. . .
