Matthew Parvis
Editor-in-Chief Pokernews.com
We've Got Some Questions
I usually don't take to my blog. My last post was discussing my interview with Isildur1, and that was over a year ago. I'll start to chime in more, as I have a lot to say, and I have lot of thoughts on the poker industry, especially in regards to the recent indictments. While PokerNews has worked incredibly hard to ensure our coverage of Black Friday was thorough, there have undoubtedly been many obstacles preventing a lot of important information from coming to light.
At this point, we feel as if we have given PokerStars, Full Tilt and UB/AP adequate time to provide the poker community with the answers we so desperately need. PokerStars seems to be at the forefront, ensuring player cash outs are processed quickly and without trouble. They have restored player confidence and trust. I personally received a cash out less than a week after I requested it from PokerStars. Full Tilt Poker, and UB/AP, unfortunately not been as forthcoming. We've gotten some press releases, and statements, but for the most part the information has been nothing but fluff. It's time for all of the sites to agree to sit down and allow phone interviews, one in which they don't have the opportunity to edit every word, or sentence with PR speak.
I have sent formal emails to PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and UB/AP requesting a minimum 30 minute voice-to-voice interview to include a mixture of questions from my staff and I, as well reader questions. We've also requested interviews with the KGC, and the Alderney Gaming Commission to see where they stand on what is currently happening with player funds in limbo. Although the requests were only sent through at about 3pm PST, I received a response from Michele Clayborne, the FTP public relations director letting me know, that while she could not promise anything, they are open to the idea and that they were interested in what questions would be asked.
This is fairly standard, and being that the burning questions are fairly obvious, I felt comfortable sharing the questions, and sent this response (Big thanks to all of the reader questions on twitter, particularly those from BJ Nemeth):
Some preliminary questions from our readers. Also, I don't think emailed answers are sufficient at this time, so these are for reference only. In order for this to be done properly it will need to be done over the phone (or voice skype), and there needs to be an allowance for follow ups. Finally, I think any interview should probably be with someone who the poker community is familiar with. Obviously I'm reaching here, but the ideal person would be Howard.
1. First and foremost, what is the current status of US player cash outs?
2. Has player money always been kept in segregated accounts?
3. The DOJ stated it had never interfered with US player money refunds, and in fact said all the sites were able to refund funds at all times. If this is the case, why has there been such a delay? FTP admitted to accounting issues in regards to US player funds, can you specify and expand?
4. Why has the general consensus been that PokerStars has been more forthcoming with information, and faster to process cash outs?
5. Did FTP work with PokerStars and AP/UB in their negotiations with the DOJ?
6. What is the status of Team Full Tilt members in the US, as well as Red Pros who live in the US? Will prominent members of Team Full Tilt, Howard Lederer specifically be present at the 2011 WSOP in Las Vegas?
7. How does Full Tilt view their future in the US?
What are my chances of landing this interview? I'd say at this point I'm a fairly big dog. If I do get the opportunity with the sites, I can tell you I will be extremely diligent with my line of questioning, and follow ups. I will turn to the poker community for assistance on any interview I am granted by the sites, and I will provide an unedited transcript of each interview.
I'm certainly expecting a lot of skepticism from the poker community here, I expect nothing less. We've all been searching for answers, and have been getting nothing but air. I'm sick of it. There are so many things that just don't make sense. Now is the time for full transparency. The poker community has invested time, money and their entire livelihoods in making these companies a huge amount of money. We were told our money was safe. Well it's time to step up and prove everybody wrong and make good on those initial claims that player money has been, and always will be safe for players. The first step is coming out of shadows and answering the tough questions. Let's hope that I get a solid response from Full Tilt, UB/AP and PokerStars.
Let's Go!
Interviewing Isildur1: Part 2
So, as many of you have probably already read, the second part of the interview with Isildur1 has been published. I wanted to take to my blog to discuss a few things regarding the legitimacy of the interview, as well as the process. While I can not reveal any of the sources that were used to get in touch with Isildur1, I can say with 100% certainty that the person we spoke to was in fact Isildur1.
The majority of my conversations with Isildur1 took place over the phone. After the first session we also chatted on MSN messenger, and via email to discuss the second part of the interview, however no questions were ever answered in that matter. They were all answered over the phone.
I will also state on the record that PokerNews' owner Tony G was involved in the process of obtaining the interview. He spoke to Isildur1 himself a number of times to calm him down about actually being interviewed. All three of us, Tony, Isildur1 and myself were involved in Part 2 of the interview. Again, as with Part 1, I can say with 100% certainty that it was Isildur1 and nobody else that answered the questions.
Update: To answer some of BJ's questions.
I'm gonna go backwards here as the terms of the interview answers some of the other questions. The terms were simple; Isildur1 agreed to speak to us as long as we did not ask his true identity, or do anything to try to reveal his true identity. This goes further, as he had the right to not answer any questions he felt jeopardized his identity being revealed. His last request was that even though his English was not very good, he did not want to come of as sounding unintelligent or scattered, meaning we agreed to remove the pauses, language oddities, and grammar problems. That being said, in the end he was able to very clearly state his meaning, and feelings on all of his answers, so while yes the grammar was cleaned up by me, the answers and the emphasis on any answers are %100 Isildur1.
In terms of confirming his identity, unfortunately any explanation of how we were able to get the interview, or confirm that it was in fact Isildur1 would put his identity in jeopardy. I have developed nothing but an extremely solid reputation in this industry. The idea that I would in any way, shape or form put my name on something that I was not confident was accurate and true, will unfortunately for those doubting its authenticity have to be enough. I stand by my story, and I stand by my word which I gave Isildur1 to not put his identity in jeopardy.
I do not believe there will be any more interview sessions with Isildur1 for the foreseeable future. if you want to get answers to your follow-up's BJ, I guess you'll have to get in touch with him yourself.
Interviewing Isildur1
By now most serious poker fans are aware we have an interview being published shortly with the mystery Swede high-stakes player "isildur1." I am extremely nervous and on edge at this time, as I feel like there will be a lot of people scrutinizing this, which is completely fair. That being said, getting an interview with someone who has tried his absolute best to keep his identity secret was not an easy task. In addition, actually getting Isildur1 to open up and actually chat about the topics everyone wanted to discuss was even more difficult. At this stage Isildur1 only answered questions regarding the Brian Hastings session. I had hopes that when he called me back last night he was ready to discuss other topics in depth, but we hit a bit of a wall. It was extremely late for him, and the language barrier (yes he is Swedish, that part is no secret) was a big problem.
We have planned to discuss the big games in depth more today after he had a chance to get some rest. I do hope Isildur1 will be as transparent as possible and open to answering some additional questions. However, it is completely possible that he shuts down and stays quiet again. I hope those who are ready to rip me for doing what they perceive is a "half-ass" job understand how difficult it was to even get a line of contact with this man. I am doing my best to serve our reader, be honest and fair with Isildur1, and maintain journalistic integrity.
This was pretty exciting no matter what the result is, and I am proud that PokerNews was able to get direct access to someone that so many were unable to reach. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I look forward to all the comments that are bound to come my way; the good and the bad.
UPDATE: Just called Isildur1 and had a brief chat. We are hoping to discuss his involvement in the big games on Full Tilt in depth later today.
My First Blog, Annette_15's first Live Session in the U.S.
I decided it was finally time to write a first blog post for PokerNews. I mean, I have been with the company now for almost three months -- I think it's long overdue. Many of you may know me from my time with Bluff Magazine, or maybe many of you are thinking "who the heck is this guy?" Well, I'm proud to be the Editor-in-Chief here at PokerNews, and I'll fill you in on some of the more exciting things I'm up to from time to time.
This weekend I met up with Dustin (Poker Royalty Agent), Elaine (one of our editors), F-Train (one of our live reporters) and Annette_15 (poker superstar). We had drinks at the Bellagio before grabbing Jason Somerville after he finished up his day at the WPT 15K event and headed to Yellowtail. The plan -- after eating pop-rock spicy crab rolls of course -- was to get a private $1/$2 no-limit game going. It would be Annette's first live session in the states, since her wire for the WPT event did not make it in time for her to register. This idea sounded fantastic at first, but looking back, I'm not sure where the logic was. We should have made her play with a blindfold or something.
The Bellagio turned down our request, which meant it was off to the Hard Rock. The Hard Rock will always accommodate private games by the way, whether you're with a World Series of Poker champion or not, and they were quick to set us up in the back of the room. We played $1/$2 with a mandatory $4 button straddle and $5 to anyone who wins with the ol' 7-2.
Elaine, who I'd of thought would be the most unlikely to get tricky quickly went to work with the 7-2 and raised it up preflop and bet the flop and turn on a 
(suits are probably ALL WRONG). Dustin folded, and Elaine proudly whipped over the hammer. Whoa, nice hand -- ship that lady $5.
Unfortunately for me, I spent most of the session donating money. I made a silly bluff with bottom pair on a draw-heavy board that got there and although I got the lovely Annette_15 to lay down her hand, ol' F-Train pulled the "oh what to do, what to do" routine before moving all-in. Giant fail for Parvito there. Hard Rock then opened the game up to the public and on my straddle I bumped the action up to $15 with 
. The flop came 
x and a dude who said he was headed back to Afghanistan in a few days bet $20, I made it $60 and he moved in for maybe $30 more. I called and missed my flush draw, his 
was good enough to take the pot.
I lost yet another pot 
on a jack-high board with three clubs. I should have raised F-train on the turn here but thought my hand was in really good shape, so I decided to check and hope he bet the river. A fourth club landed and he checked to me. I bet $15, and I think he made it like $40 straight. Ugg. What a donkey I am. He let me pick one card before deciding what to do, I picked the 
. Awesome (in a not really awesome way). I called, and he, of course, had the .
A few hands later, finding myself short-stacked, I came over the top of Annette's initial raise with ace-queen off-suit. She slid enough chips to put me all-in and I called. We showed each other one card. I showed my queen and she showed a king, which meant there was zero chance I was ahead unless she was getting loosey-goosey on me with like K-Q, or the Ralph Perry (K-J). The board bricked out and I showed my ace. Annette than decided to take her sweet time peeling ever so slowly an ace of her own. Nice slow roll Scandi, nice slow roll.
I managed to battle back a little, winning some money off the terrible play from those not in our actual group, but all in all, it was a losing session. It was, however, a great night and a ton of fun hanging out with a great group of people. I'm sure playing against such a tough opponent like myself really is going to prepare Annette for her first Poker After Dark appearance. Please Annette, just do me one favor. Use your new found slow-roll skills on Hellmuth. If you do -- all will be forgiven.
