MaxStPolish 4 Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 What are your guys' thoughts about this. I'm so torn. I'm thrilled that someone that' been way down on their luck gets such an improbable chance, and such a great "moment in the sun" type of moment. I'd REALLY like to see the hand histories from this guy's run to qualify. The article makes it out that he pretty much has no experience outside the freeroll arena...and didn't even know what he was playing for exactly when he stumbled through 3 rounds of 600,000 players.I'm hoping the media is just painting a picture, and that although this guy doesn't have a bankroll, is a really solid player that just kept hitting the freerolls, etc. But odds are based on this read that this guy just stumbled with Gold/Moneymaker type grace through round after round of God-mode. I just feel like it's almost disgraceful that so many quality names are NOT in this tournament, while this guy is. That being said, I'm still cheering for him, because hey, I like an underdog, and it sounds like he could use some dough.Online Qualifer a Stay-at-home, Unemployed DadTimes have been tough for Blandino Gines, but you’ll be hard-pressed to see him without a smile on his face this weekend.The 52-year-old immigrant from the Philippines has been unemployed for the past four years. Due to a declining economy and fewer job opportunities, he has had to accept being a stay-at-home dad in a San Jose, Calif. home that he shares with his sister’s family, while his wife works until 2 a.m. at a nearby auto plant. While his life has been anything but easy, he gets to live his dream this weekend.Starting today, Bines will compete in NBC’s National Heads-Up Poker Championship as one of six qualifiers in the elite 64-player field. Virtually all of the biggest names in the game (such as Doyle Brunson, Chris Ferguson, and Phil Hellmuth), as well as some of the top tournament players from around the world (like John Pham, David Pham, and Bertrand Grospellier), have come together for this annual event, where the winner will earn $500,000.“I’m excited and very, very happy,” said Gines. “This is unbelievable.”Gines has never played poker in a casino before. In fact, he’s only played the game for money for a dollar or two with friends and family. But now, thanks to an improbable run on PokerStars where he beat out nearly 600,000 players over the course of three rounds, he gets to play for free in a tournament where all the top pros put up $20,000 of their own money to compete.Gines first began playing poker after he lost his 11-year seasonal job as a processor for a salmon canning company in Alaska.“My boss called me and told me that I couldn’t go that year,” Gines said, remembering the conversation they had a few years ago. “I said, ‘Oh God, what am I going to do?’”Gines picked up construction jobs where he could, but his limited education and his rough English dimmed his prospect for work. So his wife started working, and he began taking care of things around the house — cooking, cleaning, and driving his wife and child around.In his free time, he discovered online poker. He wasn’t comfortable playing for real money, so he only competed for play money and in freerolls. When he won the massive NBC Heads-Up freeroll, he had no idea what he had actually earned.“I thought I had won $1,000, that’s it,” said Gines, speaking of the $1,000 in spending money PokerStars awarded its qualifiers. Of course, when Gines says, “that’s it,” he just meant that he had no idea what was actually in store for him. The $1,000 was a notable asset to his family, and they celebrated his win with a barbecue. But pretty soon, Gines and his family realized that the $1,000 was just the beginning.“After a few days, someone from PokerStars called me,” said Gines. “They told me I won a $20,000 seat to a heads-up tournament.”His family insisted it was a scam, and Gines believed them, so he hung up the phone.Luckily for him, PokerStars called him back and convinced him that this was the real deal. Now, Gines is in Las Vegas for four comped nights as he tries to extend his miraculous run just a little bit further.If Gines can beat just two more opponents, he’ll make the money and earn at least $25,000. If he does the unfathomable and runs the table by beating six straight opponents, he’ll take home half a million dollars. That money would go to a new house and a car for his wife, Gines said.Of course, the journey to the money would be an unlikely one. He would have to defeat his first round opponent, Barry Greenstein, winner of three WSOP bracelets, and then defeat his second round opponent — either Tom “durrrr” Dwan, one of the best online players in the world, or Gavin Griffin, who has the impressive distinction of winning a WSOP, an EPT, and a WPT event.But two opponents, no matter how talented they are, may not look as difficult as the nearly 600,000 others he has defeated to get here. So Gines will put on his sunglasses, rub his lucky painted rock that has a picture of his daughter on it, and hope for the best.“I hope I play well,” said Gines, who believes in himself despite the long odds. “Why can’t I win? Why not me?” Link to post Share on other sites
LJB723 0 Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Yeah good luck to the guy. It'd be a great story. He might get lucky in his first round because we all know how generous BarryG is with his tourney winnings, maybe he'll give the guy a walk.Even if he miraculousy got by Barry then Dwan will crush him, he's a soulless poker robot with no room for romantic stories.Also, this the brazillionth thread on this tournament, you couldn't have put it in one of the others? j/s. Link to post Share on other sites
dscoot 0 Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 good read. tx Link to post Share on other sites
MaxStPolish 4 Posted March 6, 2009 Author Share Posted March 6, 2009 Yeah good luck to the guy. It'd be a great story. He might get lucky in his first round because we all know how generous BarryG is with his tourney winnings, maybe he'll give the guy a walk.Even if he miraculousy got by Barry then Dwan will crush him, he's a soulless poker robot with no room for romantic stories.Also, this the brazillionth thread on this tournament, you couldn't have put it in one of the others? j/s.HAHAHAHA fantastic reply. I am durrrr, I must break you.I COULD have put this in one of those threads...but I don't believe in conservation....whether it's by "going green" or preventing excess threads. HA. j/s Link to post Share on other sites
Merby 3 Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Also, this the brazillionth thread on this tournament, you couldn't have put it in one of the others? j/s.I like this thread. Link to post Share on other sites
UncleBill 0 Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 I love that he survived a series of near-impossible freerolls, but didn't know what he was playing for.I wonder if he knows that he'll have to pay income tax on his prize package? Link to post Share on other sites
imabd 0 Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 Too bad he couldn't just unregister and take the $20k... Link to post Share on other sites
rcgs59 15 Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 wow, nice story was thinking of the same that too bad he couldn't take the 20 grand and cash it in. Barry will most likely give him the walk but I hope that the person in the 2nd round does the same. If it is Durr I hope he has a heart in him. Link to post Share on other sites
ncperrotta069 0 Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 wow, nice story was thinking of the same that too bad he couldn't take the 20 grand and cash it in. Barry will most likely give him the walk but I hope that the person in the 2nd round does the same. If it is Durr I hope he has a heart in him.edit: nvm i guess he lost Link to post Share on other sites
troyomac 0 Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 wow, nice story was thinking of the same that too bad he couldn't take the 20 grand and cash it in. Barry will most likely give him the walk but I hope that the person in the 2nd round does the same. If it is Durr I hope he has a heart in him.Do you really think these guys are going to put up 20k and just forfeit because some poor guy lucksacked his way into the tourney? Sigh. Link to post Share on other sites
yahaw 0 Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 wow, nice story was thinking of the same that too bad he couldn't take the 20 grand and cash it in. Barry will most likely give him the walk but I hope that the person in the 2nd round does the same. If it is Durr I hope he has a heart in him.The more you post, the more I wonder what world you live in? Link to post Share on other sites
Oziumrules 0 Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 The more you post, the more I wonder what world you live in?The world where everyone is Canadian. Link to post Share on other sites
lurbz 2 Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 The world where everyone is Canadian.France? Link to post Share on other sites
Oziumrules 0 Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 France? Link to post Share on other sites
yahaw 0 Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 The world where everyone is Canadian.Do you know what I do for a living? I work in a used condom factory. We melt them down and sell them to Florida for chewing gum.......rumor has it you chew alot of gum. Link to post Share on other sites
Oziumrules 0 Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 Do you know what I do for a living? I work in a used condom factory. Since I am cheap, I clean them and re-use them with my boyfriend. Rumor has it he knows my secret and I think it turns him on.FYP Link to post Share on other sites
yahaw 0 Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 FYPFail but nice try Link to post Share on other sites
Oziumrules 0 Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 Fail but nice try Link to post Share on other sites
rcgs59 15 Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 Do you really think these guys are going to put up 20k and just forfeit because some poor guy lucksacked his way into the tourney? Sigh.so I have a soft spot for stories like this. If I had a lot of money, like being a millionaire or well off. I would. but then if I was playing against any of you yahoo's from FCP I would want to beat your butts.The more you post, the more I wonder what world you live in?A world that is, it's nice to have money but I like rooting for the underdogs. I don't have to be greedy so sometimes it's nice to give to others. Of course I keep forgetting 98% of you people here are here to make money where I am here for the fun. Link to post Share on other sites
FARGOpokerND 22 Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 I have fun when I make money. Link to post Share on other sites
lurbz 2 Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 I have fun when I make money. Link to post Share on other sites
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