hangin' with da pros...

[Vidgames 0]

I can't take a lot of time to post big details at this point, because I have a flight back home early Tuesday, but I thought I'd tell you guys that I met some of the pros down here in LA who were in town for the PPT. I was covering a photo and video shoot that included our host Daniel, Jennifer Harmon, Evelyn Ng, Josh Arieh, Erick Lindgren, Carlos Mortenson and David Williams for the video game Stacked that'll be coming out this summer.I will say that the whole group was extremely gracious and easy to talk with, and there were some wild stories told. It also was amazing to be in a room with all of them, and I came away with the feeling that they all really like each other immensely--they were joking with each other and prompting each other to tell stories. It's not common to see professionals like this, who in just 12 hours time will be in the heat of competition for a tournament win, pal around so much. In summary:* Daniel is as friendly and talkative as you imagine. He also has very strong opinions about what he wants to be involved in, from tournaments to endorsements and so on. He exudes confidence.* I didn't get to talk to Jennifer too much, but she did say that she's feeling really healthy--and she looked like it. She seemed to be full of energy, often moving with the music playing over the studio PA system, which should strike fear in the hearts of her potential competitors. She's definitely back in the hunt.* Evelyn is t-a-l-l, gorgeous and a bit shy. However, we talked a few times during the evening, and it was really cool that she came up to me to shake my hand and tell me it was nice to meet me before they all left. (Have you ever been to an event with pro ballplayers or celebrities? If so, have any of them taken the time at the end of the event to shake *your* hand? In my experience, not one...)* Among all of them, Josh was the one I really wanted to meet most, mainly to see if he was anything like the guy that was on ESPN in the WSOP final table. I can tell you that he's not, but he really gets passionate about his game and probably gets caught up in it too emotionally. He wasn't the only player to say how he did really well last year, but still was disappointed that he didn't win at the WSOP main event. It wasn't a statement said to whine or moan about how he should have won, but simply someone who isn't happy with his performance unless he comes out as the best. (He said he went out to Fremont Street after losing and just started crying.)BTW, I also talked to Josh's lovely wife, Angela, who talked about how hard it was for them for Josh to be away from home so much, but that he's obviously doing better and better. She's clearly proud of him.* Erick was perhaps the most fun, trading lines with us and laughing along like we were all high-school buddies. At one point, he pulled Carlos over to tell a couple of stories, and then filling in details that Carlos left out like a proud brother.* Carlos is the one I knew the least about, but I came away with a lot of admiration. The table play he talked about also had me rethinking some of my poker playing; Erick said that Carlos is the absolute best at reading people, and I came away thinking that Carlos' approach to the game is almost revolutionary (that there's often more importance in playing against the player, and doing so with more than the two cards you're dealt). In fact, the story that Erick had him tell was about a tournament in which he was only dealt one card--and how he still bet it out and psyched out the other player who was in the hand against him.* David was pretty quiet, but when we talked to him, he not only said how much poker means to him but also about his other recreations, such as video games and the Magic: The Gathering card game. He also said that, after the fact, the 2004 WSOP was a blur for him and he doesn't remember many details (how some players came up to him later, relating stories of how David had beaten them out of the tournament or something like that, and how he couldn't remember these situations that the other players were telling him).The evening ended with group shots of all seven around a poker table in the studio, holding cards, flinging cards, holding chips, flinging chips and alternately smiling and looking intimidating. Each of us in attendance (there were three writers there covering the shoot) also were brought into the group shot, which will be something I'll relish posting on my wall. I'll say it once more: I've interviewed a fair number of celebrities in my writing career, and today will go down as one of the most fun days I've had doing that. A E

[akishore 0]

great post. good luck with the work!aseem

[MrConceit 0]

I can't take a lot of time to post big details at this point, because I have a flight back home early Tuesday, but I thought I'd tell you guys that I met some of the pros down here in LA who were in town for the PPT. I was covering a photo and video shoot that included our host Daniel, Jennifer Harmon, Evelyn Ng, Josh Arieh, Erick Lindgren, Carlos Mortenson and David Williams for the video game Stacked that'll be coming out this summer.I will say that the whole group was extremely gracious and easy to talk with, and there were some wild stories told. It also was amazing to be in a room with all of them, and I came away with the feeling that they all really like each other immensely--they were joking with each other and prompting each other to tell stories. It's not common to see professionals like this, who in just 12 hours time will be in the heat of competition for a tournament win, pal around so much. In summary:*snip*

Cool post.I will say though -- most of these names are people Daniel calls good friends from what I have read/heard. In fact, reading them over, basically all of them are his friends barring MAYBE Carlos/Josh, and even that is only a maybe.

[Boothy 0]

Barring none. Carlos and Josh definately fall into the 'Danny's buds' catagory.

[DeNuts1 0]

What an experience man...that is awesome. I too got to meet some of the pros at last years WSOP and they were very gracious as well. To name a few Chris Ferguson, Daniel N., Evelyn, DevilFish, David Williams (even though at that point he wasn't a star) and Layne Flakk whose seat i actually ended up stealing between the ropes....but that is a story for another post.

[Vidgames 0]

I will say though -- most of these names are people Daniel calls good friends from what I have read/heard.  In fact, reading them over, basically all of them are his friends barring MAYBE Carlos/Josh, and even that is only a maybe.  

Back home from LA trip...It's my guess that Daniel was the main person signed (the Stacked press release seems to show that the full name is "Stacked with Daniel Negreanu), but the others were brought in to make it comprehensive.http://www.myelinmedia.com/_pressreleases/...se_01202005.pdfAside from being Daniel's friends, it's probably more important to note that all but one (Carlos) are listed as "kings and queens" on the PokerRoyalty site (www.pokerroyalty.com...duh), which seems to be to poker players what CAA and other "management agencies" are to movie/TV stars: They handle representation, appearances, endorsements, etc., so the player gets maximum $$ on their name, face and abilities as a "brand." Before the pros came in to last night's session, I was introduced to someone from Poker Royalty, and future interviews will be channeled through that firm.The existence of Poker Royalty takes most of the pressure of promotion, scheduling and wheeling-dealing off the players' backs--but it also shows how "big business" pro poker is now. A E