Is Online Poker Legal in the USA? And What State Laws ...

is it legal to play online poker in california for money

is it legal to play online poker in california for money - win

Online Poker players, is it legal to play online poker for money in California?

Title says it all. Before "Black Friday" I was an avid online poker player. I started playing cash games and small tournaments after online poker went down and was able to graduate college debt free. I told myself I would not play for large sums of money like that if I were to graduate without any loans. I'm looking to get back into playing poker but I can't stand the cigarette smoke in casinos (I have a lung issue at the moment) and local card rooms only offer 5-10 NL (I would rather not play limit poker.) I live in California and really hope there is a way to play online poker.
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TEKK - Tekkorp Digital Acquisition Corp: Who's Who of Gaming Mgmt Teams!

Team has been involved in a substantial number of the digital media, sports, entertainment, leisure and gaming industries’ most significant merger and acquisition transactions, holding key positions at, and transacting with Scientific Games Corp, Inspired Gaming Group, FOX Bets, Ocean Casino Resort, Resorts International Holdings, PokerStars, DraftKings, Mohegan Sun, Caesars Entertainment Corporation, Harrah’s Entertainment, Tropicana Entertainment, Inc., TSG/Sky Betting & Gaming, Facebook, Inc, Wynn Resorts, Dubai World/MGM Resorts
Here's all the Bios. These guys are stellar! TEKK closed at $10.30 today. Still cheap!
If you don't like to read... you don't like to make money!!!!
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Matthew Davey — Chief Executive Officer and Director
Mr. Davey has over 25 years of experience within the digital media, sports, entertainment, leisure and gaming ecosystems, as well as experience in the public sector. He is an experienced public company executive officer and board member. He has served in executive management positions across the gaming technology arena. Over the course of Mr. Davey’s career, he oversaw more than ten mergers and acquisitions and over $1.2 billion in debt and equity capital raised to support the companies he has led.
Most recently, Mr. Davey was Chief Executive Officer of SG Digital, the Digital Division of Scientific Games Corp. (“Scientific Games”) (Nasdaq: SGMS). SG Digital was established following the purchase by Scientific Games of NYX Gaming Group Limited (“NYX”) (formerly TSXV: NYX), where Mr. Davey served as Chief Executive Officer and Director. The NYX acquisition provided Scientific Games with a vehicle to significantly accelerate the scale and breadth of its existing digital gaming business, including the strategic expansion into sports betting. In his capacity as Chief Executive Officer of NYX, Mr. Davey developed and implemented a corporate strategy that generated strong revenue growth. Mr. Davey shaped company strategy to focus on digital gaming supplier platforms and content that provided various gaming operators with the underlying gaming and sports betting systems for their online gaming business. In 2014, Mr. Davey oversaw the initial public offering of NYX, and his experience in the digital media, sports, entertainment, leisure and gaming industries helped NYX recognize momentum as a public company. After the public offering, from 2014 to 2018, Mr. Davey oversaw seven acquisitions which helped establish NYX as one of the fastest growing global B2B real-money digital gaming and sports betting platforms. These acquisitions included:
• OpenBet: In 2016, NYX completed the $385 million acquisition of OpenBet. This was one of the more complex and transformative acquisitions that Mr. Davey oversaw at NYX. Through securing co-investments from William Hill (LSE: WMH), Sky Betting & Gaming and The Stars Group (formerly Nasdaq: TSG, TSX: TSGI), Mr. Davey was able to get the acquisition from Vitruvian Partners completed successfully, winning the deal against much larger and well capitalized competitors. By combining two established and proven B2B betting and gaming suppliers, NYX was well positioned to provide customers with exciting player-driven solutions across all major product verticals and distribution channels. This allowed NYX to become the leading B2B omni-channel sportsbook platform in the market and the supplier to over 300 gaming operators globally with an extensive library of desktop and mobile game titles, including more than 700 on NYX platforms and more than 2,000 on the OpenBet platform.
• Cryptologic/Chartwell: In 2015, NYX completed the $119 million acquisition of Cryptologic and Chartwell. The acquisition provided NYX with more than 400 titles of additional leading gaming content, a broader customer base, and direct exposure to PokerStars and Intercasino, part of the Gamesys Group (LSE: GYS) — two of the world’s largest online casino offerings.
• OnGame: In 2014, NYX completed the distressed acquisition of OnGame, a premier poker content, platform and service provider. This acquisition provided NYX with one of the best poker products in the industry, access to several regulated jurisdictions, and a valuable talent pool that was instrumental in the growth of NYX. The addition of OnGame further established a path for NYX to continue its growth in both European and U.S. markets.
These acquisitions, together with meaningful organic growth, increased NYX’s revenue from $24 million in 2014 to $184 million annualized in 2017. During that time, Mr. Davey helped build NYX to have over 200 customers in the global gaming industry and a team of 1,000 employees. Mr. Davey’s success at NYX ultimately led to its sale to Scientific Games for $631 million in 2018.
Mr. Davey joined Next Gen Gaming, the predecessor to NYX, in 2000 as the Vice President of Technology, was appointed as Executive Director in 2003 and named Chief Executive Officer in 2005. Prior to that, he was the Senior Consultant for Access Systems, a company that specializes in the provision of back-end software for licensed online casinos. Prior to joining Access, Mr. Davey worked for the Northern Territory Government specializing in matters pertaining to the internet and e-commerce along with roles in the Department of Racing and Gaming. Mr. Davey received a Bachelor of Electrical & Electronic Engineering from Northern Territory University, Australia (also known as Charles Darwin University).
Robin Chhabra — President
Mr. Chhabra has been at the forefront of corporate acquisition activity within the digital gaming landscape for over a decade. His prior experience includes leading corporate strategy, M&A, and business development at two of the global leaders in the digital gaming industry, The Stars Group (“TSG”) and William Hill, and a leading supplier, Inspired Gaming Group (Nasdaq: INSE). Mr. Chhabra served on the Group Executive Committees of each of these companies. From 2017 to May 2020, Mr. Chhabra served as Chief Corporate Development Officer at TSG and, from 2019 to August 2020, he also served as the Chief Executive Officer of Fox Bet, a leading U.S. online gaming business which is the product of a landmark partnership between TSG and FOX Sports, a transaction which he led. During that period, Mr. Chhabra led several transactions which transformed TSG into the largest publicly listed online gambling operator in the world by both revenue and market capitalization and one of the most diversified from a product and geographic perspective with revenues of over $2.5 billion. Mr. Chhabra’s M&A experience is extensive and covers multiple global geographies across the digital gaming value chain and includes the following:
• TSG/Flutter Entertainment Merger: In 2019, Mr. Chhabra led the TSG M&A team that was responsible for TSG’s $12.2 billion merger with Flutter Entertainment (LSE: FLTR). The merger between TSG and Flutter Entertainment is the largest transaction in the digital gaming industry to date. The combination created the largest publicly listed online gaming company with approximately 13 million active customers and leading product offerings, which include sports betting, online casino, fantasy sports and poker. The combined entity includes some of the world’s most iconic digital gaming brands such as Fanduel, Fox Bet, Sky Bet, PaddyPower, Betfair, PokerStars and SportsBet. TSG/Flutter Entertainment is one of the most geographically diverse digital gaming and media companies with leading positions in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Germany and Georgia.
• TSG/Sky Betting and Gaming (“SBG”): In 2018, Mr. Chhabra led the acquisition of SBG from CVC Capital Partners and Sky plc, Europe’s largest media company, in a transaction valued at $4.7 billion. At the time of the acquisition SBG was the largest mobile gambling operator in the United Kingdom and one of the fastest growing of the major operators having doubled its online market share in three years. The acquisition of SBG provided TSG with (a) greater revenue diversification, significantly enhanced expertise and exposure to sports betting just ahead of the judicial overturn of The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) by the U.S. Supreme Court, (b) a leading position within the United Kingdom, the world’s largest regulated online gaming market, (c) improved products and technology as a result of the addition of SBG’s innovative casino and sports book offerings and a portfolio of popular mobile apps, and (d) expertise in deeply integrating sports betting with leading sports media companies, positioning TSG to create more engaging content, deliver faster growth and decrease customer acquisition costs.
• William Hill (LSE: WMH): At William Hill, from 2010 to 2017, Mr. Chhabra served as Group Director of Strategy and Corporate Development where he led several transactions which contributed to William Hill’s transformation from a land-based gambling operator in the United Kingdom to a leading online-led international business. Mr. Chhabra led William Hill’s entry into the U.S. sports betting and online lottery markets with the acquisition of four businesses, including the simultaneous acquisitions of three U.S. sportsbooks, Cal Neva, American Wagering and Brandywine Bookmaking, in 2011 for an aggregate purchase price of $55 million. These businesses ultimately led William Hill to achieve a leading position in the U.S. sports betting market with a market share of 24% in 2019. Additionally, Mr. Chhabra played a key role in structuring William Hill’s successful joint venture with PlayTech Plc (LSE: PTEC) in 2008. The combined entity created one of the largest online gambling businesses in Europe at the time of its formation and led to William Hill’s buyout of Playtech’s interest for $637 million in 2013. Prior to the transaction, William Hill had struggled in its attempt to establish a strong online gaming platform and a meaningful presence outside the United Kingdom.
Mr. Chhabra has also successfully completed four transactions worth over $1.2 billion in Australia, the world’s second largest regulated online gambling market, and various partnerships in Asia. Additionally, he completed several technology and media related transactions, including William Hill’s investment in NYX, where he worked with Mr. Davey on NYX’s transformational acquisition of OpenBet.
Prior to working in the gaming sector, Mr. Chhabra was an equities analyst and a management consultant. Mr. Chhabra received a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Eric Matejevich — Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Matejevich is a seasoned gaming executive with extensive experience in both the online gaming and traditional casino industries. From February to August 2019, he served as Trustee and Interim-Chief Executive Officer of Ocean Casino Resort (“Ocean”) (formerly Revel Casino, which had a construction cost of $2.4 billion) in Atlantic City, where he successfully led the management team through an ownership change and operational turnaround effort. Over the course of seven months, Mr. Matejevich managed to reduce the property’s weekly cash burn of $1.5 million to an annualized cash flow run rate in excess of $20 million.
Prior to Ocean, from 2016 to 2018, Mr. Matejevich served as the Chief Financial Officer of NYX. At NYX, he focused his efforts on integrating the company’s many acquisitions and multiple debt refinancings to simplify its capital structure and provided liquidity for growth initiatives. Additionally, Mr. Matejevich was instrumental to the executive team that sold NYX to Scientific Games for $631 million.
Prior to NYX, from 2004 to 2014, Mr. Matejevich was the Chief Financial Officer of Resorts International Holdings and later, from 2011, also the Chief Operating Officer of the Atlantic Club Casino, a property under the Resorts International Holdings umbrella — a Colony Capital (NYSE: CLNY) entity. As Chief Financial Officer, he provided managerial oversight for all finance functions for a six-property casino company with annual gaming revenue exceeding $1.3 billion, 10,000 gaming positions, 7,000 hotel rooms and over 11,000 staff members during his tenure. Mr. Matejevich led the transition effort to integrate a four-casino, $1.3 billion acquisition from Harrah’s Entertainment and Caesars Entertainment (Nasdaq: CZR). As Chief Operating Officer of Atlantic Club, he lobbied for and was successful in obtaining the first internet gaming legislation passed in the United States. The Atlantic Club was the sole New Jersey casino proponent of the legislation.
Prior to serving in various gaming positions, Mr. Matejevich was a Vice President of High Yield Research for Merrill Lynch, where he managed the corporate bond research effort for the gaming and leisure sectors and marketed high yield and other debt transactions totaling $4.8 billion. Mr. Matejevich received a Bachelor of Science in Economics from The Wharton School and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania.
Our Board of Directors
Morris Bailey — Chairman
Over the past 10 years, Mr. Bailey has been a leader in turning around Atlantic City, as well as being among the first gaming executives to embrace online gaming and sports betting in the United States. In his efforts, Mr. Bailey partnered with two of the largest digital gaming companies in the world, PokerStars, part of the Stars Group, and DraftKings (Nasdaq: DKNG). In 2010, Mr. Bailey bought Resorts Atlantic City (“Resorts”) and initiated a comprehensive renovation which allowed for the property to be rebranded and repositioned. In 2012, Mr. Bailey signed an agreement with Mohegan Sun to manage the day-to-day operations of the casino. In addition to Mohegan Sun’s operational expertise and ability to reduce costs via economies of scale, Resorts gained access to their robust customer database. Soon thereafter, Mr. Bailey and his team focused on bringing online gaming to the property. In 2015, Resorts established a platform to engage in online gaming by partnering with PokerStars, now part of the $24 billion Flutter Entertainment, PLC (LSE: FLTR), to operate an online poker room in Atlantic City. In 2018, Resorts announced deals with DraftKings and SBTech to open a sportsbook on-property and online. For 2020 year-to-date, Resorts has performed in the top quartile in internet gross gaming revenue in New Jersey. Mr. Bailey’s efforts in New Jersey helped set the framework for expansion of online sports and gaming throughout the United States.
In addition to his gaming interests, Mr. Bailey has over 50 years of experience in all facets of real estate development, asset M&A, capital markets and operations and is the founder, Chief Executive Officer and Principal of JEMB Realty, a leading real estate development, investment and management organization. Mr. Bailey has notable investment experience within the energy, finance and telecommunications sectors through investments in the Astoria Energy Plant, Basis Investment Group and Xentris Wireless.
Tony Rodio — Director Nominee
Mr. Rodio has nearly four decades of experience in the gaming industry. Most recently, Mr. Rodio served as the Chief Executive Officer and director of Caesars Entertainment Corporation (“Caesars”) (Nasdaq: CZR), one of the world’s most diversified casino-entertainment providers and the most geographically diverse U.S. casino-entertainment company, from April 2019 until its acquisition by Eldorado Resorts, Inc. in July 2020. Mr. Rodio led Caesars through its $17.3 billion merger with Eldorado Resorts, one of the largest transactions in the gaming industry to date. Additionally, Mr. Rodio was instrumental to Caesars’ expansion into the digital gaming industry and oversaw the implementation of new digital segments such as its Scientific Games powered retail sportsbook solution that now operates in various states throughout the U.S. From October 2018 to May 2019, Mr. Rodio served as Chief Executive Officer of Affinity Gaming. Prior to Affinity Gaming, he served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Tropicana Entertainment, Inc. (“Tropicana”) for over seven years, where he was responsible for the operation of eight casino properties in seven different jurisdictions. During his time at Tropicana, Mr. Rodio oversaw a period of unprecedented growth at the company, improving overall financial results with net revenue that increased more than 50% driven by both operational improvements and expansion across regional markets. Mr. Rodio led major capital projects, including the complete renovation of Tropicana Atlantic City and Tropicana’s move to land-based operations in Evansville, Indiana. Each of these initiatives, among others, generated substantial value for Tropicana. Ultimately, Mr. Rodio’s efforts at Tropicana led to its sale to Eldorado Resorts in 2018 for $1.85 billion. Prior to Tropicana, Mr. Rodio held a succession of executive positions in Atlantic City for casino brands, including Trump Marina Hotel Casino, Harrah’s Entertainment (predecessor to Caesars), the Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort and Penn National Gaming. He has also served as a director of several professional and charitable organizations, including Atlantic City Alliance, United Way of Atlantic County, the Casino Associations of New Jersey and Indiana, AtlantiCare Charitable Foundation and the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming Hospitality & Tourism. Mr. Rodio brings extensive knowledge of and experience in the gaming industry, operational expertise, and a demonstrated ability to effectively design and implement company strategy. Mr. Rodio received a Bachelor of Science from Rider University and a Master of Business Administration from Monmouth University.
Marlon Goldstein — Director Nominee
Mr. Goldstein is a licensed attorney with nearly 20 years of experience in the gaming space. He joined The Stars Group (Nasdaq: TSG)(TSX: TSGI) in January 2014 as its Executive Vice-President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary until his retirement from the company in July 2020 following the merger of TSG with Flutter Entertainment, PLC (LSE: FLTR). Mr. Goldstein also previously served as the Executive Vice-President, Corporate Development and General Counsel of TSG. Mr. Goldstein was also the senior TSG executive based in the United States and was one of the primary architects of TSG’s strategic vision for its U.S.-facing business. During his tenure, TSG grew from an approximately $500 million market-cap company to an approximately $7 billion market-cap company through a combination of organic growth and strategic mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Goldstein participated in numerous M&A transactions and capital markets offerings at TSG, including several transformational transactions in the digital gaming industry. Notable transactions in which Mr. Goldstein was involved include:
• TSG/Flutter Merger: In 2019, TSG merged with Flutter for a $12.2 billion transaction value, the largest transaction in the digital gaming industry to date.
• TSG/Fox Bet Partnership: In 2019, TSG entered into a partnership with FOX Sports to create FOX Bet in the U.S., a leading U.S. online gaming business. Wall Street Research estimates an approximate $1.1 billion valuation for Fox Bet post-partnership with The Stars Group.
• TSG/Sky Betting & Gaming: In 2018, TSG acquired Sky Betting & Gaming, the largest mobile gambling operator in the United Kingdom at the time, for $4.7 billion.
• TSG/CrownBet and William Hill: In 2018, TSG simultaneously acquired CrownBet and William Hill, two Australian operators, for a total of $621 million in a multi-part transaction.
• TSG/PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker: In 2014, TSG acquired The Rational Group, which operated PokerStars and Full Tilt and was the world’s largest poker business, for $4.9 billion.
Through his ability to legally structure large and complex transactions, Mr. Goldstein was integral to TSG’s vision of becoming a full-service online gaming company. Additionally, he assisted in structuring TSG’s capital markets activity, which generated liquidity for acquisitions and strengthened its balance sheet.
Prior to joining TSG, Mr. Goldstein was a principal shareholder in the corporate and securities practice at the international law firm of Greenberg Traurig P.A., where he practiced for almost 13 years. Mr. Goldstein’s practice focused on corporate and securities matters, including mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, and financing transactions. Additionally, Mr. Goldstein was the founder and co-chair of the firm’s Gaming Practice, a multi-disciplinary team of attorneys representing owners, operators and developers of gaming facilities, manufacturers and suppliers of gaming devices, investment banks and lenders in financing transactions, and Indian tribes in the development and financing of gaming facilities.
Mr. Goldstein brings experience and insight that we believe will be valuable to a potential initial business combination target business. Mr. Goldstein received a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting from Emory University and a Juris Doctorate with highest honors from the University of Florida, College of Law.
Sean Ryan — Director Nominee
Mr. Ryan is a digital media and technology operator with extensive global experience in online payments, e-commerce, marketplaces, mobile ad networks, digital games, enterprise collaboration platforms, blockchain, real money gaming and online music. Since 2014, Mr. Ryan has been serving as Vice President of Business Platform Partnerships at Facebook, Inc. (“Facebook”) (Nasdaq: FB), where he leads a more than 500 person global organization that manages the Payments, Commerce, Novi/Blockhain, Workplace and Audience Network businesses. Prior to his current role, Mr. Ryan was hired in 2011 as the Director of Games Partnerships to lead and grow the global Games business at Facebook. While the Director of Games Partnerships, Mr. Ryan focused on re-shaping Facebook’s games and monetization strategies to derive more value for Facebook, its users and its partners, including the addition of a Real Money Gaming offering in regulated markets. Mr. Ryan’s team helped accelerate a major trend in engagement through cross-platform games and therefore the opportunity to increase users through establishing games on multiple platforms. Prior to joining Facebook, Mr. Ryan created the new social and mobile games division at News Corp, an American multinational mass media corporation controlled by Rupert Murdoch. While at News Corp, Mr. Ryan led the acquisition of Making Fun, a San Francisco social-game start-up, that created News Corp’s games publishing division.
Before joining News Corp., Mr. Ryan founded multiple digital businesses such as Twofish, Meez, Open Wager and SingShot Media. Mr. Ryan co-founded Twofish in 2009, a virtual goods and services platform that provided developers with data analytics and insights for individual application’s digital economies. Twofish was later sold to online payments provider Live Gamer, where Mr. Ryan served on the board of directors. From 2005 to 2008, Mr. Ryan founded and led Meez.com, a social entertainment service combining avatars, web games and virtual worlds. The white label social casino gaming company Open Wager was spun out of Meez and was later sold to VGW Holdings, Mr. Ryan also co-founded SingShot Media, an online karaoke community, which was sold to Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: EA) and merged into its Sims division.
We believe Mr. Ryan’s experience will be valuable to a potential initial business combination target and would provide an expanded perspective on the digital gaming landscape. Mr. Ryan received a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Tom Roche — Director Nominee
Mr. Roche has more than 40 years of experience in the gaming industry as a regulator, advisor and independent auditor. Mr. Roche joined Ernst & Young (“EY”) as a partner in 2003 and opened its Las Vegas office. He was subsequently appointed as the Office Managing Partner and Global Gaming Industry Market Leader. In 2016, Mr. Roche relocated to the EY Hong Kong office to supervise the expansion of the EY Global Gaming Industry practice in the Asia Pacific region. Mr. Roche has been integral to numerous transactions that have shaped the current gaming landscape, including:
• Wynn Resorts (Nasdaq: WYNN) initial public offering: Mr. Roche was the lead partner on Wynn Resort’s initial public offering, which raised $450 million in 2002.
• Harrah’s Entertainment/Apollo Management Group & Texas Pacific Group: Mr. Roche headed the regulatory advisory services on the buyout of Harrah’s Entertainment, the world’s largest casino company at the time, for $17.1 billion.
• Dubai World/MGM Resorts: Mr. Roche headed the regulatory and due diligence advisory services to Dubai World in its approximately $5.1 billion investment in MGM. Dubai World bought 28.4 million MGM shares, or 9.5 percent of the casino operator, for $2.4 billion. It then invested $2.7 billion to acquire a 50% stake in MGM’s CityCenter Project, a $7.4 billion 76-acre Las Vegas development of hotels, condos and retail outlets.
• MGM Growth Properties (NYSE: MGP) initial public offering: Mr. Roche provided tax and structural transaction services to MGM Resorts in the creation of MGM Growth Properties, a publicly traded REIT engaged in the acquisition, ownership and leasing of large-scale destination entertainment and leisure resorts. MGM Growth Properties raised $1.05 billion in its 2016 initial public offering.
Mr. Roche also directed EY advisory services to boards and management teams for profit improvement and technology related initiatives. In addition, Mr. Roche provided advisory support to the American Gaming Association on several research projects, including those specifically related to sports betting, the revocation of The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) and anti-money laundering best practices in the gaming industry. Equally, he has assisted government agencies in numerous international locations with enhancing their regulatory approach to governing the industry especially in the online gambling sector.
Prior to joining Ernst & Young, Mr. Roche served as Deloitte’s National Gaming Industry Leader and as the co-head of Andersen’s Gaming Industry Practice in Las Vegas. In 1989, Mr. Roche was appointed by then Governor of the State of Nevada, Robert Miller, to serve as one of three members of the Nevada State Gaming Control Board for a four-year term, where he was directly responsible for the Audit and New Games Lab Divisions. As a board member, he spent a substantial amount of time assisting global jurisdiction regulators enact gaming legislation in the design of their regulatory structure. During his career, Roche has been involved in numerous public and private offerings of equity and debt securities. His background includes providing casino regulatory consulting services to casino licensees and to federal and state agencies including the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Nevada State Gaming Control Board, and industry associations such as the Nevada Resort Association and the American Gaming Association.
We believe Mr. Roche’s highly regarded reputation as a gaming auditor and advisor in the gaming industry will be valuable for us and a potential business combination target. Mr. Roche is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is licensed by the Nevada State Board of Accountancy and Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Southern California.
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What to consider earlier than playing on line casino poker

those don't have any concept what they are approximately to walk into. Down right here to have a great time, they discern 'why not supply poker a try?' in any case, how special can it be from the house sport they have played their whole lives?"
메이저 토토사이트
For most people, our first poker enjoy was nowhere near a casino. Both we learned from friends or own family contributors in domestic games, or we plugged into the online poker craze. Nonetheless, the idea of playing poker in an real brick and mortar (b&m) on line casino, with all of the attendant points of interest and sounds, is very tempting for most. So what do you need to recognize while moving your home or on line abilties to casino play? There are numerous differences among on line and b&m play, but two factors you can without delay want to take into account are tells and casino kind.
1. Tells
The principle issue the general public have when shifting from online to b&m play regards tells. A tell is a physical movement a player plays which can supply combatants a clue to his hand, inclusive of placing a hand to the face while bluffing.
On line, on account that your fighters can not see you, bodily tells are not really problem (there are online tells, however that is past the scope of this newsletter). In reality, one famous poker room has an advertising campaign where they invite those gamers who've a "bad poker face" to sign up for, for the reason that nobody can see your face on-line. Inside the film "rounders," quoted at the start of this newsletter, the villain is undone by using the way wherein he handles an oreo cookie depending on whether or now not he has a huge hand.
In fact, tells are not often this extreme. Maximum of the time when you play in a casino, in particular a "tourist" on line casino (see following), your warring parties are a whole lot more worried with what they're conserving than what you are.
Even when an opponent scrutinizes you, staring you down at the same time as thinking of a call, they are commonly simply considering how lots they like their own hand. Actual inform-spotting calls for long, cautious remark of a player's inclinations; you are now not possibly to give a great deal away on an man or woman hand.
Experts like to present the affect that they can just appearance right into your soul and recognise what you are retaining, however there may be loads extra to it than that. If you're really concerned you could buy a pair of reflective sunglasses to put on so no person can see your eyes. You can additionally usually wait a predetermined quantity of time (5 or ten seconds) earlier than acting whether your hand is powerful or now not so robust and choose a predetermined spot on the desk to stare at even as looking forward to a person to respond for your action.
2. Kinds of online casino
All casinos are not created same. Ten years in the past, before the explosion in poker popularity, maximum casinos did no longer have a poker room at all, or at pleasant, a small phase of the blackjack floor partitioned away in which or 3 $1 to $2 restriction games would possibly take location.
Manifestly, matters are one of a kind now, however there are nonetheless incredibly unique forms of casinos wherein one may play poker. The first is a card membership. Those are maximum normally observed in locations like california, wherein poker as a recreation of talent is legal, but a few other playing games aren't. Even though they have multiplied to different video games, those clubs are on the whole designed to play poker.
As such, you are probably to locate the most skilled poker gamers right here, despite the fact that no longer necessarily the most powerful and they have their share of vacationers as nicely. The more not unusual sort of casino is a las vegas style casino. These casinos have made fortunes on blackjack, slot machines and roulette and did no longer certainly awareness on poker inside the beyond as it is not a big cash maker for the on line casino.
In contrast to the alternative video games, that are towards the residence (the on line casino) and are based in order that the residence usually wins in the long run, poker is a recreation wherein the on line casino handiest makes cash through taking a percentage of every pot (referred to as "the rake," normally no more than $four a pot) for themselves. Despite the fact that now rare, some casinos take "time" rather than a rake, which means every 1/2 hour a representative of the casino comes round and collects a predetermined amount of money from every player in the game.
Of those las vegas style casinos, you may find what i consider as poker casinos vs. Tourist casinos. A poker casino is one that has constantly had poker as a part of its draw. Those consist of the bellagio and the mirage in las vegas and the taj mahal and borgata in atlantic town. A tourist casino is one of the aforementioned casinos that did now not have poker in any respect until the recent increase made it worthwhile as a draw to get gamers into their casino. Of path each of those kinds of casinos cater to travelers, but the poker casinos are where you are much more likely to locate specialists. Which of those types is extra for your taste is for the person to determine.
The maximum important issue to bear in mind is that whether it's online or inside the casino, poker is poker. Play a clever recreation and you have to rake within the chips, whether or not they're digital or product of clay.
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Notable Black People in the Bitcoin Community

Notable Black People in the Bitcoin Community
We are now in an era where most people on the street have heard of Bitcoin and understand the very basics of what a cryptocurrency is. However, when many people think about users of Bitcoin, there’s a stereotypical person who comes to mind. As the Black Lives Matter movement begins to take hold and sweep the nation demanding change, many people of color are quick to discount Bitcoin, but the reality is, there are many notable black Americans who abundantly use and support the currency as well as advocate that Bitcoin is for everyone.
https://preview.redd.it/2xarzpzh54851.jpg?width=1000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=61991aa0dd0b1760b94c0d9cf148765f4dbe91f2

Bitcoin is for Everyone

When discussing Bitcoin in general, many people believe it’s only for those anti-government libertarians who want to engage in illegal activities, but there’s simply no truth in that statement. Bitcoin is simply a money transfer system backed by a public ledger and quantifiable technology. Have you ever used a pre-paid card? A payday loan? Or a currency exchange booth? Chances are, you have, and if so—well Bitcoin has the potential to offer a cheaper version of all of these currency services if used to its full potential. Shawn Wilkinson, the founder of Storj (a cloud storage service) advocates its massive potential especially in online microloans. He thinks that cryptocurrency as a whole has a lot of power to change the way even the most impoverished communities use money, regardless of race.

Edwardo Jackson

Edwardo Jackson is perhaps one of the most notable black Bitcoin enthusiasts out there. In fact, he is so passionate about the currency, he currently runs a blog called Blacks in Bitcoin. Jackson is a Las Vegas resident and professional poker player, but found his love of Bitcoin while he was a writer for Upworthy in 2013. Jackson believes Bitcoin is still in the early adoption phase and thinks that now is most definitely the time for anyone who is thinking of getting into it to buy in. Currently, Jackson has developed his own blockchain based technology known as CD3D which is a decentralized app-based token which you can use in a game where instead of betting on sports, or the outcomes of elections, you vote on actors and actresses and win money based on their box office performance. This game is still under development and you can check the CinemaDraft websites for updates on when it may be opened for play. Jackson prides himself in his Bitcoin knowledge and wishes to educate everyone about it, so much so, he even hands out his personal phone number to anyone who asks so they can call him if they have questions.

Richard Sherman

You read that right, Richard Sherman, NFC Championship playing defensive back, is a Bitcoin fanatic! Sherman was born in Compton; California and it became clear early on he was destined to be a sports player. He achieved many high school records not only in football, but also as part of his school’s track team. Sherman received a scholarship to attend Stanford university where he played on their team from 2006-2010. In 2011, Sherman was signed by the Seattle Seahawks and played with the team for many years until 2018 when he signed a 39-million-dollar contract with the 49ers. He is very public about his love of cryptocurrency and his many investments in the technology field, so much so, he even takes Bitcoin for payment in his online store for all of his Seahawks and 49ers merchandise.

Reggie Middleton

Reggie Middleton is an American entrepreneur and CEO of Vertiseum. Middleton’s claim to fame began in the early 2000’s as a financial writer for the Huffington Post. In 2011, he left his job there to start his own company and blog, Boom Bust Blog. He was an early adopter of Bitcoin, citing that its ability to be quickly, and largely, transferred making it one of the best methods of currency currently on the market. He also advocates how safe and cheap it is to transfer Bitcoin as opposed to using cash or the banking system, which has many caveats and difficulties as well as rising costs. Just think, to make a transfer from one bank to the other you either need to withdraw cash and physical drive it from one bank to another to avoid massive fees. If fees don’t scare you, you can wire the money, but this still takes gas, time, and often times there are limits on the amount you can transfer. Bitcoin solves all of these problems. Middleton loves crypto currencies so much, he founded Vertiseum, an Ultracoin technology. Although the legalities of his ICO are currently under scrutiny, Middleton still stands behind his advocacy of cryptocurrencies and posts many YouTube videos educating the public on the many uses of them in everyday life.
https://preview.redd.it/awat63so54851.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0b99941873b4cc3d57b47c9c0ab908010c3c13ae

Black Influencers to Follow

Want to learn more about Bitcoin before you dive right in? Understandable! There are many influencers of color who know a lot about the cryptocurrency world! Check out Dr. Boyce Watkins, a financial scholar who offers numerous courses in cryptocurrency for beginners as well as an internet club for investors. He also runs Financial Juneteenth, a cryptocurrency group specifically for black investors and it is currently one of the largest cryptocurrency-based communities on the internet, so make sure you pay it a visit!
Lamar Wilson is another notable influencer, widely known for building his own blockchain company Hijro, as well as a cryptocurrency wallet, back before it was even cool! He contributes abundantly to the Financial Juneteenth group listed above, as well as teaches a class about investing in cryptocurrencies on the Black Business School site.
Also follow Ian Balina, a man famous for his unique approach to ICO’s thanks to his analytics background and former employment at IBM. He currently leads a global cryptocurrency investor syndicate, and posts content on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Balina’s content is so revolutionary that he has been featured in numerous articles in many different magazines, most notably Forbes and Huffington Post.
If after following all of these people you are still a little lost when it comes to cryptocurrency, don’t worry! It’s a confusing field at first. Just remember that cryptocurrency is for everyone and it make take time to learn about the ins and outs of the high-level technology. There are many websites which offer free guides you can take advantage of to help you find your way. So, subscribe to a few of them, investigate your questions, and you’ll be a cryptocurrency pro in no time!
submitted by MintDiceOfficial to MintDice [link] [comments]

Best Online Poker Sites [Looking for Reddit Recommendations]

Hey all,
I live in Cali and I’m looking to get started once again with online poker (I say ‘again’ because I dabbled a few years back but then lost my job, went broke and had to stop).
I was using an old app back then (can’t even remember the name lol) and am now completely out of the loop in terms of the best online poker sites.
So two things first: 1. Is online poker legal in California? (I want legal poker sites only please)
  1. I’d preferably prefer a site that also lets me play with fake money first so that I can get up to speed.
If it matters, my bankroll isn’t huge atm (I’m no Dan Bilzerian, though I’d love to be one day lmao).
So yeah, what you got for me Reddit??
Gracias in advance,
Paul
submitted by Waitingforsunday3 to casualgambling [link] [comments]

michigan lottery results post; Is Taking Your Chance With the Lottery a Worthy Investment?

If you actually contemplate it, there are certainly a remarkable number of life's situations which are inherently risky. Nearly everything a person does is some form of gambling. Despite such mundane act of waking up and likely to work, increases one's chances to be killed in a transportation accident. In face of today and everything you understand about investing, be it in operation, an asset class (stocks, bonds, real estate, cash and commodities), or index fund, even yet in its most basic element, it is nothing more than "betting" that someday tomorrow is going to be better with pleasant expected returns on investment; or even not michigan lottery results post . There is only one big risk you ought to avoid and that's the risk of doing nothing and not taking your chance.
Come to consider it in face value, purchasing hardly any money market in fact is, legalized gambling, per se. You can look at investing when it comes to chart formation, or you place your money in the utilities anticipating when they are "due", you money in or again maybe not; or you select to possess any one of many countless analysts culling spreadsheets or fund index investors work on the fundamentals of investing for you personally in manufacturing, real estate, cash and commodities-no matter what your reasoning for that, if that's not gambling, then what is? Basically, you're betting that in 5, 10 or 15 years from there could be more people, buying more stuff, utilizing more energy, dependent on more gadgets-with hope that you can money in; or even not. You are basically "betting" on every one of it.
So it's, with the lottery-a type of gambling with origins in Florence, Italy, where the first lottery was held in the 16th Century, then called the Lotto de Firenze, and quickly adopted by other Italian cities. It became a national lottery, and still known today as the Lotto in Italy, as also adopted and called in a number of other countries, including the United States. The lottery, as a questionnaire of government-licensed gambling, involves drawing of lots for a variety of winnings and for the massive jackpot prize. Gambling, like poker, blackjack, roulette, sports betting and racing, can involve skill or just chance alone; however the lottery doesn't require any special skills-set to play.
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Gunning for the Biggest Jackpot Games
National, regional and local laws govern the lottery, so regulations differ widely among countries or even within them, such as the US. In the US, Powerball prizes have increased sharply due to the cost per ticket doubling to $2, and California, the nation's most populous state, joining 42 other states, Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands, in playing the game. The Powerball combines a sizable jackpot game and an income game drawn twice a week, every Wednesday and Saturday. For an additional dollar, you can add the PowerPlay option which increases how big your prize in the event that you win. The Mega Millions tickets cost $1 per play, with the MegaPlier option that costs an additional $1 with that you simply raise your non-jackpot prize winnings by 2, 3, 4, or 5 times; drawn every Tuesday and Friday..
You have other world richest lottery games with that you simply get the chance to take your chance through secure online outlets like WinTrillions, Florida Lotto Magic, and Euro Millions Oracle. You can get your tickets from these online outlets to play lottery games, like:
Generally, life is approximately taking chances. Everything you do in life is approximately taking that leap of faith with the target to attract abundance. Anything in life that is worth having, takes time. Nothing in life is truly guaranteed. You just have to find a balance. You will find that balance with the lottery games with calculated risk, for example, you place up a budget of how much you can afford on tickets weekly and strictly work with that budget as you remain patient, positive, and hopeful that someday tomorrow you may be the next jackpot winner. You need to be consistent with your allowance plan. Even when you are on a roll, reinvest only the set amount of your budget. Put aside profits from your own small wins you are able to reinvest in future plays. This idea is utilized by players in the stock markets and other money markets and is really a simple one. Let your profits do the job to cut your losses when you pursue the best goal-the jackpot prize.
submitted by noor-khan67 to u/noor-khan67 [link] [comments]

Phone calls, Emails, Customers and tales and stories of the day 4/5/2019

https://www.reddit.com/guns/comments/b97zhh/thickheaded_thursday_442019/ek3139i/
He asked, I'm answering. Lets get this shit show on the road.
747AM - Wake up, take a massive dump, take a shower and get ready to get some work done.
802AM: Hey, I need some Beta C mags. I live in California. Can you ship right away?
FC: Damn right I can, we'll get that rolling right away.
I get the order boxed and I'll make the handoff to Larry my UPS driver later in the morning.
812AM: Breakfast at the diner near FC HQ. It's time for a little bit of chicken fried.....steak and eggs that is. It goes straight to my thighs. I don't care.
845AM: I head into FC HQ
Phone rings. ring ring
1: Y'all do weapon transfers?
FC: What kind of product?
1: A pistol
FC: Trying to get away from them but yeah I do em. $40
1: FORTY DOLLARS? DAMN! The gun shop down the way does em for $20!
FC: Then go there. Tell Tim I said hi.
1: I will! Forty dollars......shit.
Editors note: Tim the shithead is still in business. How that is, I have no idea.
The morning is filled with CA magazine orders, I get a bunch of stuff boxed up and out the door.
Email from landlord
Subject: Annual Rent increase
Message: Will, we haven't raised your rent in 3 years. You're gonna pay 10% more starting in May. Thanks!
FC: Wilco.
Great. More money, more problems.
It's not even 9AM yet. Shit.
902AM: Phone call. ring ring
FC: Go for FC
ATF: This is ATF in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I got a dealer here that is supposed to have a can.....can you look into this?
I look into my safe. There's a COD tag from 2013 for a guy who said he wasn't trusting me and wanted me to send his can to his dealer COD. I sent in the form 3, got the call tag ready and the dealer said they'd call me back when they had a check ready for UPS man. They never called back. I sent in a correction in 2013. Apparently it didn't get processed. I now have to send a fax to ATF in WV having them run a correction AGAIN.
Fuck this shit Friday. I work that through with ATF. I get an email.
Subject: ATF
Message: Hi Will,
I decided to take care of this right away. Thanks so much for calling me back today and giving me good news. This can serve as you reminder to void the transfer of an Advanced Armament silencer, model 762SDN6, serial number (digits) to (the place). At the time of your transfer, the FFL number was (digits) but has since changed to (stuff) . I spoke with the current owner and he approved of me giving this information and his name and phone number to you in case you need information from him to complete the void. Brian (digits)
Thanks,
Kim Basinger (digits)
What a fucking waste of time on everyone's time. IF YOU DONT TRUST A DEALER TO DELIVER A CAN, DON'T BUY A GODDAMN CAN ON THE INTERNET THAT REQUIRES GOVERNMENT APPROVAL TO CHANGE HANDS. Fucking shithead.
1013AM: I get a call from the regular customer on Monday who needed to raise $19k - https://www.reddit.com/guns/comments/b8adr2/a_day_in_the_life_starring_ufirearmoncierge/
I played matchmaker to a few people and he managed to offload around $18k of stuff to these undocumented hatian enterprising consumers so he called me to thank me for that. He also unloaded some stuff to one of my doc customers. The doc snagged a Browning Citori, Robar SR60, custom hipower, two CZ75's, a Wilson 1911 and two sequential serial number Sig 220 Sport's in stainless with a W German 226.
I'm just glad I could help. The doc called me asking me to get some glass for his Robar SR60 and I make a few suggestions and I order him some fresh glass from S&B. Maybe today won't be so shitty.
Or not.
1024AM: More email stupidity.
Subject: FDE Glock 19
Message: Do you have any other glocks for cheaper in the same color. And will you bring it to me in Lafayette?
FC: NO!
Subject: Police Trade in Glock 22 for $325
Message: Is this still available?
FC: I have three left.
1: I'll take it but it has to have preban high cap mags.
FC: I'm not selling a $325 gun with $300 in high cap mags for $325, I can delete them or I can try to swap you into some 10 rd mags.
1: California won't let me have the high cap mags though.
FC: BRO DO YOU EVEN READ - https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/judge-blocks-california-s-ban-high-capacity-magazines-over-2nd-n989136
1: nice april fools joke, that was monday brah
Fuck this friday.
Subject: Trades?
Message: Do you take trades I have new scar17 box everything with a elcan 7.62 1-6 new with box + cash I’m looking at your M110 I didn’t know you could get a hold of those I never see them
FC: I trade when I can make money. What do you propose?
Reply: I’m not sure I don’t know what you want for the rifle?
FC: M110 is $24,000. Your rifle at retail is $4000, tops - I'm into it for 50 cents on the dollar. Difference made up in cash is $22k.
Reply: You are insane. $24,000 for a rifle!
FC: Tell that to Uncle Sam, they bought em by the dozen.
Subject: Sig 226 Legion
Message: Do you have any more detailed photos

FC: I don't take photos of new guns, it's a pain in the ass.

Subject: Glock
Message: WTB G22
FC: Can do? Gen 2? Gen 3? Gen 4? Used? New? PD trade in?
Reply: To be up front I'm from New york I have a NYS driver's license and a Utah concealed carry permit I'm in Louisiana for business for about 6 months I am a legit buyer no games here and I've seen so many pictures in ads on gunbroker I don't know which one you're selling can you send me pictures in prices of the of the different guns
FC: If you're here on business, I need more than that to make a deal work. I need LEGAL RESIDENCY according to Gun Control Act of 68. Also, I've done picture requests before and it leads nowhere. Asking me about the glock I have for sale is like asking a ford dealer about "that red F150"....that covers a lot of ground.
From the gun show, a guy is calling.
FC: Go for FC!
1: hey will, I got a local cop here he wants to buy an SBR from a private citizen but he does not trust the guy. Can you do the transfer for him?
FC: Sure. It's $150 and I can do it but there's a lot of reasons not to involve me. But if he really wants to go that way I'll take his money.
1: Bob is under the impression having a concealed license he could buy it and get it in about the same amount of time as a form 3 transfer.
FC: Tell him to send in a Form 4 with a copy of his concealed and let me know how that works out.
I have some guns for sale online. I have a lot of ads on gunbroker, etc. You always have a few different guns for sale even if you want to only sell one. The reason is you want to weed out guys like this
Subject: gun for sale
Message: give me a call thanks
Just as I start to reply with a message asking for his number......my inbox refreshes.

He sends me like 5 of these messages. Someone interested in all your stuff is interested in none of your stuff. They're throwing out lots of line and chum in the water and it's a waste of time.

Email. Subject: Trade
Message: Hello. Saw your ad for Colt Gold Cup 45 Any interest in trade for like new, Beretta M9A3? Gun is 100% stock, all factory stuff. Have extra Factory mags also.
FC: I Trade when I can make money. What do you propose?
Reply: I bought the black model when it first came out, so payed damn near what you’re asking for the Colt. I have 5 extra Factory 17rd mags I’d throw in with gun, some 10rd’s also, if you want.
FC: NIB M9A3 I can get for $715 wholesale on 90 day terms. I'm into that gun for $350 on trade, delta in cash.
Reply: What's Delta Airlines have to do with it?
Subject: OD Glock 19
Message: Hi was interested in the Glock od green what gen is it also sin I use a mobile we’re is it located ?
FC: All my factory OD guns are Gen 3's and that's all thats left
Reply: What do they come with also could it be shipped to California
FC: Factory loadout, lets work backwards. What do you WANT it to come with? I ship to 50 states - I need FFL info and DOJ info on a CA devlivery
Reply: The reason I ask is because usually they come with 3 mags that need to have mag blocks installed To 10 rounds don’t know if u provide that or need to buy 10 round mags also guessing that it’s bnib sorry if am being ignorant but dont know how it works and most definitely I do have a ffl to send it to also for a Glock 45 do have those in stock ?
FC: I can have my gunsmith block them off if you want, it would be a separate line item on your bill for parts/labor though. $165/hr plus parts Glock 45's I don't stock anymore - I can order them, they're a 3 day trip from the vendor
Reply: What the best price for the Glock 19 gen 4 all ready to go with no issues if I order a Glock 45 how much am I looking to pay for both ? But your gunsmith would magblock them so I wouldn’t have any problems in the ffl in California ?
FC: If you're looking for a best price, I hear Turners and Academy are pretty good on deals.
Gunsmith would magblock both if you prefer - but you're going to pay for parts and labor. He's billed out at $165/hr all trades so if you want to do that, we can do that or if you want to deal with it stateside then that could be a better option.
Reply: How much is labor?
FC: $165/hr all trades.
Reply: But how much is that?
MORE mail comes in - it's like fucking Miracle on 34th street over here!
Subject: Shipping
Message: Do you ship direct?
FC: All the time, what do you need?
(guy in Canada goes on gunbroker and BUYS ALL THE THINGS. Credit card DECLINED. I email ATF to tip off the montreal office of the RCMP that someone's looking to make diversion. Guy in canada screams at me all mad saying that I should take paypal as a gift wink wink nudge and point)
Fuck this friday.
Email. No subject
Message: still have the glock 17?
FC: WHICH 17? I have: 17 PD trade in gen 3's 17 Gen 4 Rebuilt 17 MOS 17L 17 Gen 3 USA ?
Reply: All the glocks!
Email. Springfield Loaded
Message: Hello. I saw your 1911 at the gun show. Where are you located? And is this gun brand-new unfired? Does it have the mainspring housing lock on it? Thanks, Al
FC: Gun is brand new, here's my location. Do you prefer non MSH?
Reply: Well I had one with the lock a few years ago. I'd prefer it not be on there. Kinda like that firing pin safety on the series 80s pistols. It doesn't belong Plmk
(I check the box)
FC: They all have it nowadays. I can remove it and install a regular MSH if you prefer.
Reply: Can you also send me some better pics of it, just like both sides of it and the back of the gun so I can see the slide/frame rail area? Thanks for your time.
FC: too busy today for pics, CA mag ban orders.
Reply: I wish you had two consecutives, I regret trading mine off
FC: I have three consecutive. Do you want two?
No reply.
1112AM: My 11AM is late, but that's okay. He's picking up a Springfield M1A I ordered a week ago that got stuck in transit in Memphis. Customer is happy and I throw him a loose bag of PMC Bronze 308 I have lying around from the last case of ammo UPS destroyed. He's happy. I make a big sale. It's fantastic.
1139AM: Email.
Subject: PD trade in Glocks
Message: Do you have any left at that price with the preban mags?
FC: You want preban mags? $100 each. You want ban mags? Free.
Reply: What is the condition, roughly how many rounds down the pipe?
FC: On a police trade in gun? Are you serious?
It's time for lunch. Or is it?
1151AM: One of my regulars walks in just to say hi. Asks me if there any deals for suppressors right now rebates or buy one get one free type of things - I tell him no. People are not buying as hard as they used to but ever since the ScO disaster last year people are getting burned.
11:55AM: Email
Subject: Glock
Message: Hello. I saw your ad on AR15.com that offered any Glock on your list for local pickup @ $475 (I'm local with a CCW). I'm looking for a couple of specific models, so I had a couple of questions: (1) I noticed you have 35 and 41 MOS's, but do you have any 34 Gen4 MOS's? If not, do you happen to have any 34 Gen3's (I saw you have 17 Gen3's and there are optics ready slides I could use for a 34 Gen3). (2) Are all of the Glocks black, or are they available in other colors, like OD Green? (Specifically the 17, 34, or 22.)
Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it!
FC: That's an old ad - all sold out
1: Can you help me build an OD green MOS gun? Like can I buy the frames from you?
FC: Sure. $500 each
1: I appreciate your time, but I think I'll have to buy them online for 1/3 of that price.
FC: Who's got factory new OD frames? Good luck finding those.
1: Is it possible to make a deal on buying multiple Glocks with pick up?
FC: I don't negotiate with terrorists or orders under $10,000.
1: k
12PM: Lunchtime! I head to the deli near Megan's salon. I order a reuben and sit down and just as I'm about to take a bite. It's from my doc customer
Subject: Silencer
Message: Hey Will, I think I accidentally erased the email you sent me on the paperwork for the can to proofread before you printed. Would you please resend it to me. Sorry Thanks Richard Kimble MD
FC: No problem doc, check the form 4's and MAKE SURE I GOT ALL YOUR INFO RIGHT - we gotta measure twice and cut once, but you being an ortho doc you already knew that.
Doc: haha! you know it!
1209PM: After wolfing down my reuben, I get another email
Subject: Sig P365
Message: Can you ship/sell to a CA resident? If so, I am very interested. Pics?
Thanks, Mike Tyson
FC: I can ship it to your dealer today if you want.
Reply: is not in the CA roster though, just curious how we get around that? Just want to make sure I can receive it before I get my FFL all involved to take the transfer and everything.
Feel free to call me if you want too..
FC: Have you considered bribery? Worked for Leland Yee.
1213PM: I walk over from the deli to the salon. My back is killing me, my hair looks like shit and I haven't seen Megan since well, Valentines Day 2: Broken Scrotum Boogaloo - https://www.reddit.com/guns/comments/aqg4zp/thickheaded_thursday_14_february_2019/egfsk9l/
Here's the TL:DR. I brought her flowers and chocolate on valentines day to her on the way out of work. She bailed from work earlier. I find her, I shower her with gifts as she tells me that she had her ex institutionalized because he was threatening to kill himself if she didn't take him back. Dejected, I go home, watch some porn and rip my nutsack jerking it - and I spend valentines day with blood gushing from my nutsack sitting on the couch with a bag of frozen corn wondering where my life went so wrong. Also, I ruined 3 good towels.
1214PM: Boss lady says Megan isn't there. Haha, okay well I'll catch her later.
1215PM: I leave and Megan is walking in. She tells me my hair looks like shit.
1216PM: Megan starts cutting my hair and I asked her what's going on.
(Editors note: Megan messaged me out of the blue two weeks ago. I asked her what was wrong. She said nothing. I said no, something's wrong. She said not now. It's now.)
1217PM: Megan tells me she's being stalked by her ex. Hard. Like creepy notes, showing up at her work, waiting for her near her house, this is bad. He's even gotten a number cloner, so he calls her with a cloned number so she thinks the salon or her friends or her mom is calling - just to get her to pick up. that's the tip of the iceberg. The extended details are not relevant but he's gone off his fucking rocker. Even after the institutionalization. I'm sad. No woman deserves to be treated like this, period.
Thankfully, FC is a fighter for truth, justice and the American way. I fight for you Albuquerque.
1223PM: Megan finishes tidying up my hair and tells me all the crazy ass shit he did in the past two weeks. She tells me she's got to go to court in just over an hour. She's getting a restraining order. I give her a nice tip and I keep a spare bar of Theo Organic bean to bar Dark Chocolate in my briefcase for times like this, and I slide it over and she tells me I'm sweet. We walk out of the salon together and she asks me to walk her to her car in case shithead is around. I have no problem center punching shithead in the face with 147 grains of 9mm. Yes, a good prosecutor can say that constitutes premeditated murder. No, I do not care.
I walk her back and just as she gets in, it finally strikes me. I bang on her window and tell her to give me her phone. She gives me her phone. I plug in the address to a customer's garage that's nearby. I tell her to go there right now and I'll be right behind or possibly in front of her.
1224PM: I call my buddy Lenny at the garage.
FC: Hey Lenny, I need a HUGE favor
Lenny: For you bro, anything
FC: Have a rack open in 5 minutes, I need you to look at something. Real fast.
Lenny: Like alignment or front end or what's wrong with your fucking car this time?
FC: Not now! Just have a rack open for me, in five ok? I'll explain later!
Lenny: I'm getting this BMW closed up right now you got it man.
Lennys garage is 5 minutes away.
1229PM: I pull in and beat Megan by 90 seconds. We've made it in 4 minutes, which during lunch rush is impressive.
Lenny: What's going on?
Me: Take her car, put it on the rack and get it in the air. I do my best jack bauer impression of WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.
Megan: What the fuck are you doing?
Me: JUST. TRUST. ME.
Megan gets out leaving her car running, Lenny jumps in and pulls it on the rack and gets it in the air.
Megan: Are you fucking insane? What are you doing to my car?
The clicking of the sound of the safety stops of Lenny's 4 post Ben Pearson lifts clicking into place drowns out her questions.
FC breaks the fourth wall:
My name is Michael Westen. I used to be a spy until.....
Not many of you know this about me, but I used to date a really hot blonde. I named my first machinegun after her.
Brittany was a state licensed private investigator. She mostly worked on cheating spouses and workers comp/insurance fraud. As part of FC/Brittany's date night, sometimes we'd go on recon and pretend like we were a happy couple out on a date - so she could follow around some cheating whore that some husband was paying her boss's company $190 an hour to get documentation on. The best part was, her boss picked up the tab so I didn't have to pay for dinner and it was a chance for both of us to act like normal well adjusted human beings!
One of the things we used to do, and this was 10 years ago - was put GPS trackers on people's cars to follow them around. There's an art to doing a GPS tracker just right. The first part is you have to make sure the antenna isn't being obstructed by a frame rail, gas tank, driveshaft or some big solid metal object that's not going to give you a reliable signal return. The second part is making looking down under a car plausible enough to where a passerby thinks you just dropped something and are not trying to plant a GPS tracker on some cheating bitch's Camaro in the parking lot of a goddamn Panera bread. The third part is blending all of it together and getting it done in less than 30 seconds.
My favorite trick was the purse dump. Brittany would have a spare, dummy purse that she'd fill with all sorts of useless woman junk and it would rip/spill open and give me enough time to reach under someone's car to chase her lip gloss, mascara, etc and make the plant. Why me? Because I'm a man and I'm expected to roll around in the panera parking lot wearing a new Hickey Freeman and scuffing up my goddamn bruno maglis.
In other words, I had a hunch that shithead had put a GPS tracker on her car. I didn't want to tell her that because it would freak her out, so we head to Lenny's to do some recon. I tell Lenny to look around and see if he notices anything funny. He's like funny what? Like needing a CV boot funny?
Shithead wasn't even trying that hard. I spot the black box near the rear bumper.
FC: Megan! You have a hide a key on your rear bumper?
Megan: A what?
FC: Exactly.
I whip out my leatherman just in case he's zip tied it and I reach up and pull it off her bumper, it was just magnetized.
Megan and Lenny: WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?
FC: That's a GPS tracker. He bugged your car.
Megan: That fucking shit!
Lenny: WILL SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!?!??!?!?!?
FC: Her ex has been stalking her. It's a GPS tracker. Now we know how he knew where to be.
Lenny: That fucking shit!
FC: I know, right?
I tell lenny to get it back on the ground. Megan is hysterical right now and she's losing it and she starts crying. I tell her to calm down, give this to the judge and explain what's happened and everything will be okay. She yells at me and tells me that it's not going to be okay. She gets a pass at that but Lenny gets her car off the rack and gets her on her way to the courthouse. I suggest some chocolate and she plows into it faster than oprah and a lean cuisine.
1240: Me and Lenny just look at each other and shake our heads. I tell him I owe him a six pack of rolling rock. He says that the case of Stella I got him last year for his birthday is payment enough. I got friends in low places, where the whiskey drowns and the beer chases my blues away. And it'll be okay.
Fuck this friday.
1245PM: Fuck work. I'm done with this shit for this week. There is nothing more frustrating than seeing someone you care about be victimized and you just gotta stand there helpless and watch them struggle. It's like battery operated wind chimes. It just isn't fucking right. I scroll through facebook and I catch a friend's post - she's one of those loser types who does nothing but re-share inspirational quotes that in no way would apply to her in a million years.
It was stolen from pinterest or something and it said "at any given moment, you have the power to say this is not how the story is going to end"
1246PM: I have an idea. I don't know what her case number is, who the judge is or what's what but I know Megan's heading to the courthouse for a 130 and they're likely getting a shit ton of work done on the docket that hour. One of the gals I went to middle school with I'm friends with and she works at the clerk's office. I call Jenny and ask her to pull the case number and info for me.
It's on for today at 130, with Judge Snyder. You may remember Judge Snyder from FC's last legal adventure - https://www.reddit.com/guns/comments/2jub0e/the_best_legal_defense_is_not_needing_to_be_in_a/0
Also, https://www.reddit.com/guns/comments/9mnfm4/diary_of_a_douchebag_fc_does_a_gun_show_part_2/ - Bernice, Judge Snyder's baliff deserves a shout out. She likes West German 226's so she's cool.
I make some calls to my friends over at the state prosecutors office and everyone is at lunch. No answer.
I call a buddy of mine who used to be a state prosecutor and is now in criminal defense. We are very good friends and you'll see how good in a minute.
FC: Hey Ray, what do you know about stalking injunctions?
Ray: sigh
FC: What?
Ray: What did you do this time?
FC: (copious amounts of profanity here).....GODDAMNIT WHY THE FUCK DOES EVERYONE KEEP ASKING THAT?
Ray: I've had to defend em from time to time, but you can be straight with me. What's going on?
FC: (tells the story about psycho ex)
Ray: I had the same thing happen to my daughter when she was in college, fucking shithead couldn't take a hint.
FC: I know right? Well are they typically pro se or does she have a victims rights advocate courtesy of the state or what?
Ray: It's pro se but I know exactly what the judge is looking for, what the requirements to get a protective order are, all that. You need some help?
FC: I don't know if I want to meddle in her life, but I don't want her to have to go back to the judge again if it didn't get done right the first time.
Ray: When's the hearing? Who's the judge?
FC: 130 with Snyder. You at the courthouse today?
Ray: I got a misd plea in front of Snyder at 145, you want me to represent her?
FC: What's this gonna cost me?
Ray: Why don't you grab a couple prime on the bone ribeyes and I'll throw em on the grill tonight. Deal?
FC: That's a deal. Shit, while we're at it we should try to call one of the state prosecutors to go scare his ass straight.
Ray: You're already meddling with one thing, IDK if that's a good idea.
FC: You think Chris Sullivan is working misd pleas today?
Ray: Yeah, how do you know Chris Sullivan?
FC: That drunk donkey mick bastard busted my straight at poker night last year AT YOUR HOUSE! Remember?
Ray: No, I don't! Haha!
FC: I'm gonna make a call. Thanks.
1253PM: FC calls Chris Sullivan on his personal phone.
Chris: Sullivan
FC: How's that Glock 34 running? You finally get that thing out to IDPA?
C: Man, I haven't heard from you in a while! New baby! Haven't gotten to the range in 9 months!
FC: Boy or a girl?
C: Girl!
FC: Aw, so you got the whole dad with a daughter and a gun thing going, eh?
C: You're goddamn right!
FC: Listen, I need a favor and I'm appealing to your father of daughter nature. Friend of mine is having problems with the ex from hell (I give him the brief rundown) and Ray is in the neighborhood so I asked him to pinch hit and make sure that the judge knows exactly what she's been through. It's today at 130 with Snyder. I know it's not your division, but shithead doesn't know that - you mind swinging your 6'4" angry irish ass over there and.....
C: ....throwing the book at him?
FC: That's too nice. I want you to take the fucking book and beat him with the spine until he starts screaming his safeword. I'd go over there and strangle the motherfucker myself with my belt but since he's into rough sex and he'd probably pop a boner on me......
C: Dude. I'm irish and that's TMI.
FC: Sorry.
C: Naw I'm just fucking with you, that's hilarious. Rough sex. Haha. How do you come up with this material?
FC: I didn't choose this life. Just go over there and make sure he knows that your office does not take kindly to this sort of crap. I want him prosecuted to the fullest extent the law provides if he pulls some shit again.
C: Anything for you man, you got it. Hey, got any of those 365's in?
FC: Yeah man, I'll make you a deal. Come on by.
C: Aight, lemme check with the wife and I'll see whats up. Thanks.
1PM: It's time for a nap. Fuck this shit. I'm done for the day.
submitted by firearmconcierge4 to guns [link] [comments]

After banning 'Star Wars' slot machines, Disney spends millions to change Florida gambling law to "protect" its theme parks and properties - including Galaxy's Edge

Today, I heard about recent efforts by Disney against the gambling industry. I thought you guys would be interested in hearing about it, as it also heavily involves Star Wars...and particularly, Disney's plans in 2019 for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, and the Star Wars hotel, at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
It also involves Disney's existing, popular offering "Star Wars Day at Sea", and other Star Wars-related plans for its cruises in 2019, which is parly based out of the Port of Miami in Miami, Florida, and Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida).
The tl;dnr of it is as such: (broken down into smaller sections)
The Walt Disney Company is one of the most successful media conglomerate companies in the world. Just about everyone has heard of the Disney theme parks stationed in Florida, California, and abroad. Just about everyone has seen classic Disney films like Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. Not everyone knows about Disney's relationship with the gambling industry, however, and it is a noteworthy one.
Over the years, Disney has acquired the rights to several major entertainment companies and their licensed characters. In 2009, Disney bought the Marvel Entertainment company, creator of the famed Marvel comic books and a slew of popular superhero characters. In 2012, it purchased all rights to LucasFilm, the parent company that created the Star Wars brand.
Disney announced its plans to phase out all Star Wars and Marvel-themed casino slot machines in the United States last fall. The multimillion dollar company has the power to do this, because it now owns all rights to these brands.
According to a Disney spokeswoman, the character-themed slot phase-out is not a new decision. As part of Marvel's “integration” with Disney, she said the decision was made several years ago to let the machines gradually fade out through attrition. Only a few Marvel license agreements remain at this point, and they are set to expire within the next several years. Star Wars-themed slots will also trickle away, but it will take a few more years for that process to complete.
[...] Disney wields a certain amount of power over casinos, both on land and online, because of these acquisitions. Instead of promoting Star Wars and Marvel characters via slot machines, the company prefers to use their likenesses in movies that serve to perpetuate the Disney brand.
As the owner of LucasFilm, Disney has another trilogy of Star Wars films currently in the works. [...] Fans can expect to see Disney continue to advance their brands through avenues other than the gaming industry.
Disney has made its opinion of the gambling industry known in Florida: It does not support the addition of more resort casinos to that area. Not only does Disney plan to phase out Marvel and Star Wars-themed slot machines, it also hopes to prevent the development of new casino resorts in the state.
As it stands today, Orlando's Walt Disney World is the top tourist attraction on the globe. Over 50 million people visit the entertainment resort every year and partake of theme parks like Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios. From a business standpoint, it makes sense that Disney would not want another tourist draw infringing on its potential customer base in the Orlando area.
Disney denies that self-interest is its main motivation for opposing new casinos. Andrea Finger, a spokeswoman for the company, said the corporation opposes casino expansion for “many reasons.” One of the primary reasons is the fact that Florida is a “family friendly” vacation spot; adding more casinos to the landscape would tarnish that. Finger lauded Florida's efforts in “research, innovation, and entrepreneurship” and indicated that adding more casino resorts would create an “inconsistent” atmosphere in the state.
Finger made no statement suggesting that Disney is protecting its own interests by objecting to more casinos. This inference has been made, however, by critics based on the connection between Disney and its Marvel and Star Wars slot machines that recently came to light.
Critics also cite the fact that increased Florida casinos might steal valuable convention contracts from the Mickey Mouse company. At this point, Disney hosts approximately 700,000 square feet of convention space in its Florida resorts.
Disney's ownership of Marvel and LucasFilm slot machines was brought to the public's attention by New York Times reporters Lizette Alvarez and Michael Snyder. Critics immediately began shouting hypocrisy at the fact that Disney, a vocal gambling opponent, owns and profits from character-themed casino slot machines.
The Times reporters asked Disney whether its ownership of the slots “undercut” its casino gambling stance. A spokeswoman responded that the company's affiliation with the casinos was only temporary, and that it would take a few years for current slot machine contracts to expire.
[...] When Marvel and Star Wars-themed slots do eventually disappear from casinos, their absence will be a blow to the gaming industry. Casino patrons are drawn to the colorful games touting Spider Man, Darth Vader, and other exciting Hollywood characters. Until the machines are completely phased out, the characters will continue to entertain casino patrons both online and on land.
The online gaming industry will definitely be affected by Disney's prohibition. The Spider Man Slot game, for example, is an enticing game for online gamblers that was introduced in 2012. Other Marvel-themed online slots include Iron Man 2, Iron Man 3, the Fantastic Four, Captain America, Thor, and Wolverine Slots. The eventual loss of these games will leave a gaping hole in customers' palette of gaming choices.
[Possibly in response to Disney's decision], a group called the Associated Industries of Florida launched a new pro-casino campaign. This group is lobbying for more casinos in the area as a means of promoting jobs and stimulating the local economy. Analysts expect the battle between Disney and pro-casino lobbyists to become more heated as politicians compete for voter support in the upcoming election. (Source)
[However, Orlando isn't the only city that Disney is engaging in anti-casino efforts with.] The biggest challenger standing between [the city of] Miami and casinos is a mouse.
Walt Disney World, the giant resort near Orlando whose four theme parks draw more than 45 million visitors a year, has made preventing "destination" casinos a top priority. And few, if any, businesses carry as much weight in Florida as Disney, which employs more than 60,000 workers, generates nearly $600 million a year in tax revenue — and doled out more than $2 million to political candidates and causes during the past election cycle.
Some analysts say Disney — and, by extension, Orlando's entire tourism industry — has good reason to be wary of casinos. Though adult-oriented resorts in South Florida are unlikely to appeal to Disney's core audience of families with young children, they could siphon away travelers in narrower segments that are also important to the resort, from South Americans to conventions to weddings.
"Disney has lots of little pockets or niches that they're really good at getting market share in. And it adds up," said Duncan Dickson, a professor at the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality Management. "Disney doesn't want another Las Vegas anywhere close to them. Who needs the competition?"
[Case in point, Disney also has Disney Cruise Lines, based in both Miami and Port Canaveral (Orlando).] Disney Cruise Line has revealed it will extend its popular "Star Wars Day at Sea" program through 2019, with the addition of nine cruises -- each of which will include a Star Wars-themed sea day, complete with special programming and restaurant menus. Family-friendly activities include Star Wars character meet-and-greets, movie nights (featuring new releases), Star Wars trivia, and a Jedi training show, where kids can learn lightsaber skills and battle Darth Vader.
Throughout the day, restaurants and bars also will serve themed foods and cocktails. The sea day will end with a fireworks show and deck party, hosted by Star Wars heroes and villains. All cruises span seven nights and depart from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida. (Source)
[...] Disney has always opposed efforts to expand gambling, [citing it as being againts its "family-friendly" image].
The Walt Disney Co., one of the most brand-protective companies on the planet, does not want to jeopardize its kid-friendly reputation by any association whatsoever with casinos and the taboo images they often conjure. The company's cruise line is the only major operator to sail ships without onboard casinos, which are typically one of the biggest generators of on-board spending.
"We've studied this issue carefully and remain opposed for many reasons," said Disney spokesman Mike Griffin, "including the fact that it is inconsistent with Florida's brand as a family-friendly destination, and with the efforts we've long supported to diversify Florida's economy through research, innovation, and entrepreneurship."
The legislation to be considered in Tallahassee would authorize three "destination" casinos in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Each would boast a luxury hotel, shops, restaurants, convention space and casinos with every major game, from blackjack to roulette and craps. Any company awarded a casino license would have to spend at least $2 billion building the facility.
Las Vegas Sands and Wynn Resorts, both based in Las Vegas, and Genting, a Malaysian-based resort developer, are among the companies expected to seek licenses. Genting has already spent more than $300 million to buy bay-front property in downtown Miami and has announced plans for a $3.8 billion resort.
All have promised they will create thousands of jobs in South Florida, making the deal attractive to lawmakers hoping to lower the state's 10.6 percent unemployment rate.
Analysts say anyone that invests that much capital to build a resort also will have to spend lavishly to market the property. At a minimum, that will force Disney to ramp up its own spending on advertising, eroding its profit margins.
"Anytime you've got to fight and compete with more marketing dollars, which you know these folks have in abundance, it makes Disney's job that much harder to battle against," said Vicki Johnson, a tourism-marketing expert in Orlando.
More specifically, casinos could prove attractive draws in key markets for Disney. Executives at Genting, for instance, have said they would market heavily in Latin America.
Latin America — particularly Brazil, its biggest country — has become one of Disney World's most valuable markets in recent years. This summer, even as overall attendance at the resort was about flat with a year ago, Disney officials said traffic from Brazil was up by a double-digit percentage.
Though Disney doesn't disclose exact attendance numbers, national data show that visitation from Brazil is up 27% to more than 833,000 so far this year. And though Miami is the most popular destination for South American travelers, Orlando is growing more rapidly.
Disney says its business from Brazil is predominantly family-leisure travel, the group least likely to be swayed by casinos. But some industry followers say lavish resorts, when combined with the boutique shopping already in Miami, might be enough to peel away some of that business, especially Brazilians with older children or none at all.
"All of a sudden, it really cuts into their [Disney's] South American markets," Johnson said.
Group meetings and conventions business is also a growing profit center for Disney, which has nearly 470,000 square feet of meeting space spread among its hotels. It also routinely picks up lucrative private parties and other business tied to shows using Orange County's massive, publicly owned convention center.
Finally, allowing casinos in South Florida could lead to pressure to build more in other parts of the state. Already, some hoteliers in Orlando — led by Harris Rosen, owner of three major convention hotels — have made rumblings about bringing casinos to Central Florida. And officials at Port Canaveral — Disney Cruise Line's home port — are interested in casinos, too.
"Once they get their foot in the door, what's next? Orange County is going to say, 'Well, if it's legal in Dade County, why isn't it legal here?' " said Dickson, the UCF professor.
Disney has worked to enlist broader business groups to fight the casino legislation, most notably the Florida Chamber of Commerce, even though more than half of the businesses represented on the chamber's board of directors say they are neutral on the issue.
And the opposition from Disney has put casino boosters on the defensive during the past few days.
"Florida's identity cannot be changed because one casino or two destination resorts open in Miami-Dade County," said state Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, who is sponsoring the casino legislation in the Florida House of Representatives.
"Florida will always be the Sunshine State," he added. "The dominant trademark of Florida will always be Disney World. I don't think they have anything to worry about when it comes to that." (Source)
There have been multiple attempts to garner support in the state legislature for non-Native American casinos and other forms of gambling expansion in the state. Currently, the Seminoles control the ability of Florida to expand full-fledged casinos per their current compact. And the power of the Seminoles in the state is substantial.
In order to change current law, there must be a constitutional amendment backed by the voters of Florida. There is one such opportunity on the ballot for the November 6, 2018 election.
The Casino Gambling Initiative, if approved, would give voters the exclusive right to authorize casinos going forward, casinos being comprised of card games, slot machines, and other casino-style games. All ballot measures in the future would then require a citizen-initiated process by which a number of signatures of registered voters must be obtained for ballot consideration.
Currently, however, the Seminoles reserve the exclusive right to offer blackjack, craps, and roulette in Florida, which would present a problem that would have to be addressed. The agreement with the Seminoles was signed by Governor Rick Scott in 2015, and is effective for 20 years.
While this may end up in a legal fight, poker rooms are not an exclusive right of the tribe, and would not be an issue.
If Amendment 3 passes in November by 60% or more of the popular vote, a new day may begin for casinos in Florida. This will also drastically increase the opportunity for poker rooms throughout the state. (Source)
The US Supreme Court repealed the longstanding federal sports betting ban known as PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act). The landmark decision allows states to dictate their own sports wagering laws.
That means sports betting could be coming to Florida casinos, should the legislature pass market regulations. But Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam said this week that if he’s elected, he would oppose such legislation.
[Putnam also echoes Disney's reasoning.]
“I’ve always been one who has said we don’t need to expand the footprint of gambling in Florida,” Putnam declared at a campaign stop. “It’s not who we are as a state. We’re a family-friendly vacation destination. We’re a small business-oriented state.”
“If I lived in the middle of the desert in Nevada, [like Las Vegas], maybe I would grasp onto whatever straw or life raft somebody threw me,” he continued. “But we live in Florida, and we’ve got unlimited opportunities, and we don’t need to sell our state short.” (Source)
Earlier this year, Disney also gave $400,000 to Florida Grown, a committee supporting Putnam's gubernatorial bid.
[...] Disney officials would not agree to an interview, but in a statement, Jacquee Wahler, vice president of Walt Disney World Resorts, wrote, “We support candidates who understand issues important to our company, and demonstrate strong support for business and tourism in Florida.” (Source)
[Meanwhile, Disney is busy constructing what it hopes will be its next big moneymaker: Galaxy's Edge, a Star Wars-themed land in Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in Orlando. Disney also plans to construct a Star Wars-themed hotel and resort adjacent to Galaxy's Edge.]
The ongoing success of high-profile films, like the Marvel and Star Wars franchises, can play a big role in the theme parks ability to tap into new characters and storylines for rides and shows.
Experts have said the success in theme park rides today are built on characters and properties that resonate with visitors outside the park. Thus new lands themed after popular franchises have proven to be a boon — like Disney's Star Wars and Frozen attractions, and Universal Orlando Resort's success with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
[So far this year], the theme parks division for the quarter saw a 13% increase in revenue to $4.87 billion, up from $4.29 billion for the same time last year. The division also saw a 13% increase in revenue for the first six months of the year to $10.03 billion, up from $8.85 billion for the year-ago period.
According to the earnings report:
"Results included a benefit from a shift in the timing of the Easter holiday relative to our fiscal periods. The current quarter included one week of the Easter holiday, whereas the entire Easter holiday fell in the third quarter of the prior year. Higher operating income at our domestic parks and resorts was primarily due to increased guest spending, attendance growth at Walt Disney World Resort and higher sponsorship revenue, partially offset by increased costs.
Guest spending growth was due to increases in average ticket prices, average daily hotel room rates and food, beverage and merchandise spending. The increase in costs was primarily due to labor and other cost inflation, an increase in depreciation associated with new attractions and higher technology spending." (Source)
[Driving this growth are Disney's planned new additions, including Galaxy's Edge, which is currently under construction ("labor costs").]
Disney’s new Star Wars land won’t open until next year, but it is not too early to declare that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be the most ambitious theme park land ever built.
The numbers alone might justify the claim. At 14 acres each, Disney’s twin Star Wars lands will be the largest the company has built at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World resorts. Disney has not confirmed a budget for Galaxy’s Edge, but the project is believed widely within the industry to be costing at least one billion dollars. (Source)
submitted by Obversa to StarWarsCantina [link] [comments]

Thoughts on "Loser"

I have always had vivid imagery for a lot of songs, but the picture for Loser has become much more detailed as of late.
I picture a man in Reno, NV in the 1930's. The Great Depression has set in for the nation, and our protagonist is no different. He was a farmer from the Midwest who lost his crops due to the Dust Bowl. After losing all his means of income, he and his family has decided to pack up and move out West. However, the mining boom that was in places like California and Nevada was slowing down, so our character decided to settle in Nevada for one reason: gambling. Gambling was legalized in the state of Nevada in 1931 in an attempt to boost the economy during hard times. Since the main character of our story is already not thinking clearly due to being in a depressive state of mind, he figures why not try and get some money on games of chance?
As you could guess, things do not go well. What little money this small Midwestern family had, the fathehusband lost in his newly developed gambling addiction. This is where the delusional narrative of Loser comes in. Like Wharf Rat, I imagine this story being told to a stranger at a table. The lines in the song addressed to "Sweet Suzy" and "baby" are addressed to his wife. However, the protagonist's wife is not there, only the stranger at the table listening to his story. She is long gone and left with the children when the main character of the story got caught up in his gambling addiction, which i imagine was hardly understood at that time.
The idea that this is the delusional rant of a man caught up in the midst of a misunderstood gambling problem is really driven home (at least in my mind), by nearly every line. I really like, for example,
-The lines about sweet Suzy. He is bargaining with a companion who is no longer there, thinking he can still get her back and everything will be alright when he wins a good hand. Unfortunately, he probably has won a good hand or two, but the money went to paying off loans or directly back into more gambling.
-"All i'm asking for is ten gold dollars..." due to inflation rates and what not, this helps drive home the time setting. It also shows our character begging for money he doesn't have to a complete stranger, which seems like a desperate move to feed an addiction.
-"Put your gold money where your love is baby..." It sounds like a twisted game the character is playing with his wife, Suzy. In his mind, if she truly loved him, she would give him money so he can play more poker. Truly a sign of a man stricken with mallady.
-"I got no chance of losing this time" He probably thinks this every time, yet loses again and again. Like an addict, it sounds like he is glorifying and romanticizing past experiences with his addiction and constantly goes back and does it time and time again, despite the negative consequences.
-"don't you touch hard liquor, just a cup of cold coffee" He is in it to win it, he depends on it. He will not do anything to mess with his focus. It enforces the concept that he depends on this as a source of income, as well as a source of happiness, for he probably has a abnormal endorphin release when winning a hand.
Just some thoughts I had that i wanted to share. I've been really focusing on lyrics lately. Does anyone else have any detailed stories or narratives from songs?
EDIT: This is one last crazy thought, and clearly this is probably reading way to far in to this, but i had the crazy idea that this man is August West. He was a young, young man when he got married, still in his 20's when he moved to Reno and started to lose money. After years of gambling in Reno, he started to do some bad things with some bad people, and that's when he got locked up "doing time, for some other fucker's crime". With no one there when he got out, he moved to a portside city, and that's when he shifted his addiction from gambling to drinking. He then is an old man when he is in Wharf Rat.
Another crazy concept, but i believe I read this on David Dodd's annotated online text, but someone mentioned that in Days Between, in the line that says "Summer flies, and August dies", the August that dies in that line is August West. They also mentioned that August West was possibly a Garcia persona. And that the name August West was specific; August is the end of summer, and the sun sets in the west, so August West is at the end of all enjoyment.
Pearly Baker is a woman that August met after he was released from jail and in the midst of alcoholism, long after Suzy is gone. The reason she is so true to him is she too is an alcoholic, and therefore will not tell him to stop drinking. Pearly, unlike Suzy, will not leave August because she too is an addict, so his behavior to her is not deemed irregular. Pearly, at the point in the story that Wharf Rat is being told in, is potentially dead at this point.
Also, Loser and Wharf Rat debuted at the same show. Just a side note.
submitted by RockyMtnJed to grateful_dead [link] [comments]

PokerStars hopes to enter California’s gambling market

Tapping into the immense potential of the California gambling market, has long been a priority for major poker and casino companies. There are millions of prospective players who would gladly trade land-based casinos for virtual ones, so the stakes are as high as they get. Californians have plenty of options, as traveling to Las Vegas is not a real challenge, with Sin City being within reach. Until now, very little progress has been made in this direction, but the changes that occurred nationwide are likely to have an impact on local legislators. PokerStars was encouraged by the decisions made in Delaware, New Jersey and Nevada, where online gambling laws have past and poker is a step closer of becoming legal. The aforesaid poker company is yet to establish a beachhead in any of these states, but they could be the first to run a legal gambling ring in California. Rational Group will need to find a local partner to start its activity in this state, but there is no shortage of interested parties. There is plenty of money to go around and being the first has its certain advantages, so the lobby is strong and unyielding. PokerStars hopes to shake hands with California's Morongo Band of Mission Indians and if this deal comes to fruition, they will be providing the gaming platform. The poker company is already the biggest operator worldwide and there are many who use their software, so it shouldn't be too difficult to convince Californians either. In order to maximize the chances of succeeding in this western state, they are also discussing the potential terms of a deal with three big card clubs. The legislators can't afford to turn a deaf ear to this process, because there is a lot of money to be made and a significant portion of them will end up in state coffers. Very few details have surfaced in the media, but it looks like Morongo Band and Rational Group are working closely with Bicycle Casino, Commerce Club and Hawaiian Gardens Casino. By working together instead of pursuing their own agenda, these entities expect to have a better chance of persuading legislators. The expectations are high, but with each party playing its critical role in the great scheme of things, it should come as no surprise if favorable laws would be passed in the foreseeable future. PokerStars' role in the equation is significant, as they will be providing all the related services besides the online poker platform. They will be the only subcontractor and The Tribe is very supportive, but there are many hoping that the lawmakers will focus more on online gambling regulations rather than poker.
from
via Casinoreviews
submitted by Casinobonuscode to CasinoNewsDaily [link] [comments]

Cashing out and paying taxes on online poker winnings? (California)

I recently signed up for an online poker site and made a small deposit to play microstakes games with. I never really expected to win any money; I was just hoping to gain some practice so that I could do better at the home games I play with my friends. However, through an extremely lucky string of events, I won a seat in one of the high stakes tournaments and ended up winning almost $15k. As I understand it, from the player's side of the equation online poker is a bit of a legal gray area in California. The site offers several different methods to cash out, including making me a check, a prepaid debit card, or sending me bitcoin. What should I do to withdraw my money and make sure that I stay on the correct side of tax and gambling laws?
submitted by Pokertaxthrowaway to legaladvice [link] [comments]

Found this Essay I wrote from a while back

Had to write a descriptive essay back when I was in school and just came across it again. Disclaimer: the featured hand is the cliche climax where the villian gets there on the river but the essay is mainly for descriptive purposes-not high level poker content lol. If you read it, hope you enjoy.
Commerce Casino
"All in", that moment in poker when you put your entire stack on the line. I'm sitting at an oval table resembling a horse track with nine other degenerates all trying to do the same thing: win big. Beads of sweat start to form on my forehead, my mouth gets dryer as the rate of my heartbeat increases to a rapid gallop. I can feel blood pulsing and beating in my temples like war drums, but why? With the first three cards shown, I have the best hand at the moment. The sucker at the end of the table called my all in bet but his hand needs to improve in order to beat mine. With two cards to come, the gentleman, if he's worthy of that title, given the fact that he's already had two warnings from the staff about patting a waitress' rear, seems confident that he'll get lucky and his card will come. He needs a diamond. Around me there is table banter: A couple of Asian men looking like they just got off of work, talking to one another about poker strategy, or something else, I couldn’t tell. Young online gambling prodigies crunching numbers and blabbing about odds and statistics. Apparently, the likelihood of my opponent catching the card he needs to best me is roughly thirty five percent. There's always a frail old man at the table who sits expressionless and is almost a bigger distraction than the actual loudmouthed players themselves. You almost feel guilty about taking his money but, in an environment like this, there’s no room for that. Around me people are ordering drinks, drunkenly spilling on themselves, the table, and other players. Overly confident Middle Eastern business men singing aloud to themselves as if they think no one is around. And that's just my table, one of fifty-four in a crowded side room of the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles.
The casino is built into a Crown Plaza Hotel located in the industrial area of Commerce, California. The décor does not have direction, there is a Greek-style fountain in the front of the building and you are greeted by Sphinxes in the lobby. The carpets attempt to be elegant with its green Renaissance era floral pattern but it only comes off as desperate; the same desperation that ninety percent of these gamblers experience on a day to day basis. There is a subtle smell of cigarette smoke baked into the walls that has almost dissipated from the days when it was still legal to smoke indoors. That doesn’t bother me because when I play poker, I smoke. In order to maintain this degenerate image I project, in order to sell the experienced poker player persona, I need to have another vice to compliment my gambling. I don’t drink when I play, so smoking will do. Along the path to my table, I walk through the casino hearing cheers of joy and cries of anguish as players gamble with their paychecks and rent money. The shuffling of chips in the players’ hands sounds like rain falling into an aluminum gutter, trickling down the drain over and over again. To my right at the bar, waitresses are serving drinks with fake smiles to entice greater tips from hopeful men.
The next card is a spade. There is a skip in the powerful beat in my heart as I feel that I’ve dodged a bullet, but the relief is short-lived since there’s another card to come. I sense my opponent at the other end of the table experience the same skip in his rhythm but for a different reason. His disappointment is followed by the distressed pleas to the Poker Gods, “One time! One time!”. As he prays for his card to come, I quietly pray that it doesn’t.
I pass a lone security guard sitting in his booth overlooking part of the room, he’s not paying attention, going through the motions of his mundane job. I’m just short of twenty one years old and have a baby face to boot but he doesn’t notice. I’ve been coming here for the past three years and the jolt of adrenaline of possibly getting caught when I step into this building has worn off. It used to be exciting, something new; my main distraction in my “game” was looking over my shoulder to see if someone was “radio-ing me in”, but that doesn’t cross my mind anymore and soon won’t be an issue at all. In order to get a table, I navigate my way through a sea of passing players to put my name on the waitlist, trying not to clip their shoulders with mine. The room has a subtle odor of an old cafeteria but is overpowered by the countless bodies sitting at tables.
Playing poker in a casino this size is a germophobe’s worst nightmare. Hundreds of players touching the same chips, same cards, coughing, sneezing, eating, wiping their hands across their nose; the Purell stations at each entrance are staring at you with a grin, mocking you because even they can’t sanitize what’s breeding in the room. This is my haven because this is where I hope to make it big and become a professional poker player. This is the lifestyle I desire, the big life, like you see on TV. I envy those guys, living in the Las Vegas suites, playing poker day in and day out, partying in the best clubs, traveling to other countries to increase the size of their bank roll. The filth, cheap décor, and childish thrills are just stepping stones along the path to poker stardom.
My name is called and I once again find my way through a multitude of players to my table. I empty my wallet by taking out five crisp one hundred dollar bills and give it to the chip runner who confirms “five hundred on seat three”, as he’s been trained to do. Hands come and go as I get into my groove and zone out on the dark green felt table. After playing for a few hours, I notice that same dark green felt under all of my finger nails from the excessive shuffling of chips and mindless activity that my hands perform on the table. It’s all part of the charm. The hand of the night is dealt and I’m all in, with only one card left to come, I’m in great position to take down a very large pot. Both my opponent and I are staring intensely down at the table where the previous cards have been laid out, waiting for the last one to drop. The dealer with robotic discipline taps the felt twice with his hand signifying that he is about to place the final card on the table. The casino is empty. All noise and background chatter ceases and it’s just me, the “gentleman” at the end of the table, and a hand turning the last card over. I am off my seat leaning over the table in hopes to be the first to see the card come.
Nausea tickles my stomach as a bright red seven of diamonds is exposed. I drop back into my seat, disgusted about what has unfolded. My mind is racing with confusion, disbelief, and denial as I stare at the seven that has always been my lucky number. Celebrations at the end of the table erupt as I sit to think about what has been stolen from me. This entire rollercoaster of emotions has happened in less than twenty seconds and I am left exhausted. I get up to go relieve myself with a cigarette so I can torture myself by reliving the moment and trying to determine what I could have done differently. With each drag, my mouth fills with a foul yellow smoke that is thick and bitter. I’m still shaking from the abrupt anti-climax and the cigarette is only a temporary fix. I could go back inside, make one last withdrawal and win it back, easy, but my better judgment kicks in and I call it a night. The ride home empty handed is lonely and seems longer than the time it took to arrive. There’s always tomorrow.
Walking into the casino today, five years later, recalling the major wins and crippling losses, is very enlightening. I think about how young I am today at twenty five and it’s comical how much younger I was back then. Going with my best friend is for pure enjoyment, I am not trying to be the professional degenerate poker player I once sought out to be. But, being there now has a dullness to it that it never had five years ago. The inside continues to be renovated, eliminating that shoddy charm it used to have. With updated electronics and a new kitchen, it can almost pass for a place that people would want to go even if they didn’t gamble. Just as a bitter-sweet sense of nostalgia settles over me, I sit down at a table and hear the sound of all the chips around me and begin to shuffle them myself.
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[Table] IamA Phil Hellmuth Jr. aka the Poker Brat and I've won $18 million playing poker AMA!

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Date: 2015-09-18
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What happened between you and Sam Grizzle? Sam Grizzle!?! Sam has always been one of the funniest guys in the poker world: huge personality! One day he asked me to save him a seat in a game while he went to eat. After 90 minutes, I made the casino stop taking his $9 every 30 minutes, cause so much time had passed, AND then he shows up and the game is full, DOH! So he wants to fight me...I say, well you better do it this week while my back is out, and suddenly I'm in my first and only fist fight ive ever had in the poker world! We both land punches, but next day not a mark on either of us (BEST FIGHT EVER cause no one was hurt).
Could you have done more to help recover player's money on Ultimate Bet? What do you think of Russ Hamilton? What were your thoughts about the superuser scandal at UB? Are you still good friends with Greg Pierson? What cable networks can one find PokerCentral? I was proud to have had a big role in forcing an investigation at UB, which led to $25 million being returned to the players. People said I should have left the site, and that would have been easy to do as I was wanted by Full Tilt. But I saw another pro get haunted for years because the site he repped DID NOT pay the players back. Staying was the right move, and I was happy when the players were paid back. I was also happy when evidence emerged a few years later that made it clear that I wasn't aware of what was happening. The poker world stuck by, but the evidence was nice and completely shut up the haters.
Hi Phil. What's the future for online poker in the US? Should there be one? Legalized online poker is coming; 100%! It is simply a question of when...Amazingly, one person has stopped legalized online poker: one person! Mr Sheldon Adelson: and he spends $100 million every year funding politicians...However, David Baazov (poker big hope) is fighting hard, and effectively, for legalization. I'm hoping for full legalization in California, and then many of us, and the experts, believe it will spread accross the USA.
Do you realize your constant name dropping on twitter is annoying? why do you do it? although you come across as an alpha do you suffer from little man? Put yourself in my shoes for one second. When you're lucky enough you hang out w great people, are you NOT supposed to talk about it? People tweet about what they do, who they hang out with, etc...And I'm lucky to hang out w great people. Saturday I MC President Clinton's Charity Poker Tourney in San Fran (whoops, looks like I'm name dropping again!) -Hmmm...Maybe this time I did name drop.
How in the the hell do you deal with those beats where you are 90%+ with just the river left and wind up getting busted...well besides the obligatory bitching and moaning? Obviously I whine too much because I'm the Poker Brat!
But I try really hard to NOT let any bad luck I have at the tables affect me away from the tables. I have gotten better and better at this over the years, but I'm sure my wife will tell you i was bad at this in my twenties and thirties. I don't want that stuff to impact my relations w my friends and family in a negative way...
Is it true you started playing poker (and winning) against your college professors? Yes, I did play against two professors at the Univ of Wisconsin way back in 1984! In that game, we also had Psychiatrists, lawyers, and doctors. None of them were under the age of 40, and I was 20. Each was a professional w multiple degrees, I was an undergrad. But i'm pretty good at this thing we call "Poker"
How did this come about? Did one of your professors just invite you to their weekly poker game? I'd love it if this happened to me haha. I started in the smaller games at UW, at the Memorial Union, and as I crushed that game, then I found the bigger games, until I made it into the "Docs game." I once won $2,700 in one night in that game, in about 1985! Seemed like a fortune to me then!
Hey Phil, do you feel that the live poker scene has improved as a result of Black Friday? Would you actually prefer to keep things the way they are now, or would you rather see online play legalized tomorrow? It is better for the poker world w online poker up and running in the USA. More people, more players, more endorsement money, more television. Bigger is better!
As to the effect it has had on the live poker scene, i am sure that all of these players are ready for another massive influx of players. Poker needs legalized online poker in the USA.
Are there any elements of the game that you enjoy which the average person wouldn't think about (due to not having as much experience as yourself)? Yes, the element of figuring things out that others do not see. I'm not as sharp as the characters from the "Mentalist" or "Sherlock Holmes," but I see things in everyday life that others do not, and I enjoy that. I keep my prism wide open, and sometimes I need 10 hours of sleep a night or more because of it.
Are you still friends with Matusow? Where has he been? Love Mike the mouth! He is OK. He survived a life threatening surgery on his back, and he is still playing high stakes poker, mostly in San Diego...Good guy, good heart, despite what it looks like on television...
Hi, Phil. When did you first realize that you were the greatest poker player in the world? I thought I was the best well BEFORE anyone considered me in that league!! Thinking you're the best, or listening people that say you're the best is dangerous for me. It's better to know I'm good, keep my head down and stay focused on winning bracelets.
Tell us about the new channel - will I get it on Dish? I'm excited about Poker Central! 100 Million people play our game, more than tennis and golf combined, and the future is BRIGHT BRIGHT BRIGHT! It's easy for me to imagine poker 24/7, a lot like the Golf Channel has golf 24/7...
How has the game changed for the better and for the worse since online play has become less prominent? (We played together in Event 3 of the 2009 series, PLOH. Thanks for doing this.) Great question! Sadly, the poker world in the USA has shrank a bit (not too much). With entries down at the WSOP from the good old days, a lot less television (I miss Poker After Dark), and less sponorship deals for US players. However, the rest of the world has seen a lot less shrinkage.
It was really cold, okay?! Also, Rounders 2? Are you involved in the talks? What is actually going on there, if you know? I talked to the writer of Rounders, Brian Koppleman, on his show. And was pretty sure Rounders II was going to get made. Rounders did $150 million on DVD, so why not?
Hi, I am a Japanese. What is your image about Japan and Japanese poker players? Because of the link that my kids have had to Japanese pop culture, I expected a quid-pro-quo re the popularity of poker, but I was saddened when I was told that poker was illegal in Japan! Still, tough Japanese poker players are emerging.
Your career has stretched through the rise and fall of poker's popularity, particularly in the United States. What do you think needs to be done to ignite another "Moneymaker Effect"-style boom of poker interest? A bigger BOOM is coming when the USA legalizes online poker again! We have witnessed this in Italy, France, and Russia when online poker was actually legalized, and the operators were shocked because they had 10 times as many people play (10X) than was expected. Ditto in the USA: coming soon...
Have you ever sat at a table with Norm MacDonald? If so, what was like to play with him? Norm and I just seem to have hit it off well from day one, although we don't see each other very often. I live in Bay Area, he lives in LA, and were both busy. Nice guy! Canadian...
If you can only root for one team, Packers or Niners? Bracelet that means the most to you other than the '89 Main Event. Packers AND Niners! Lifelong Packers fan, but my friend Jed York owns the Niners, I spoke to the team, and my other friend Jim Harbaugh used to coach them. Winning the 2012 WSOPE Main Events in Cannes (Bracelet 13) was amazing!
Is your "Poker Brat" personna just an act for the cameras, or do you really lose control of yourself and your emotions at the table? Unfortunately, I DO lose control sometimes! But a lot less than the world thinks or understands...If I lose it, then ESPN is there to play it over and over, but when I'm good they aren't using that footage as much.
What is the funniest tell you've seen? Nothing like the ones in Rounders or other TV shows or movies! But one guy always talked when he had it, and always shut up we he didn't. We call it "Hollywooding"
Hey Phil! Where is your favorite place outside of Vegas to play poker? My home game in the Bay Area. Filled w the "Masters of the universe," I love these guys and they have become my best friends. Other than that, the LA poker scene is vibrant...
Hey Phil, I've always wondered how you felt about Tony G lying when he said he did not see his hand on The Big Game. Is this something you've forgiven him for? I did not respect this move and thought it bad bad form. I forgave Tony G, because I forgive everyone so that I don't waste any of my time hating anyone. But I still feel like he owes me $16,000!
Do you think you are the best poker player at the moment? I'm pretty good! Let me keep my head down and focus and in 30 years lets see where people rank me in the pantheon of great poker players.
What is your take on Phil Laak? I love Phil Laak! He is a goofball, much like how me and many of us in the poker world are goofballs. Very creative guy...
Last updated: 2015-09-18 04:52 UTC | Next update: 2015-09-18 05:02 UTC
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[Table] IAmA: I am Brad Sherwood from the new series, "This vs That", the ABC series, "Whose Line Is It Anyway?", and my currently nationally touring improv show with Colin Mochrie. AMA.

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Date: 2013-03-05
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Questions Answers
What was your favorite skit on Whose Line Is It Anyway? Richard simmons jet ski. you tube it. i wasnt in it, but i dont care. funniest thing ever!
How did you get so good at improvising songs? I thought you were one of the few who could keep up with Wayne. I blame several concussions.
I saw that "Whose Line Is It Anyway" is going to be re-running again. How much of what you guys do is true on-the-spot improv and how much was you guys kind of relying on jokes you've come up with before (tried and true punchlines for certain situations?) I feel like if you play those games enough times certain things come up more than once and you can go to the memory bank with what worked before. What's the balance of leaning on old material versus true creative spark when you're doing improv? It was always on the spot. we never try to do the same jokes. we strived to always be original. you are always trying to react in a funny way.
Its Cool to hear that WHiiA is coming back! Is the whole gang coming back? It is not certain whether I will be back on WLIIA. the CW is looking for new improvisers for the fourth chair. If the show gets picked up for more episodes, i'm sure Greg and I will return.
I saw in "This vs. That," you're testing whether it's faster to weave through traffic or stay in your lane. WELL WHICH IS IT??? The exec producer has expressly forbidden me to answer that. tune in to see.
Hello! You're one of my favorite performers! This is the funniest song styles I've ever seen (the one where you rhyme Neroshi). Which type of game was your favorite and least favorite? Was there ever any recognition for being announced the winner at the end of Whose Line, maybe after the show? Did you guys ever know about the celebrity guest beforehand or was it always a surprise? Which were your favorite performers to work with? When will your show come through Georgia? Which shows do you watch online/tv? Here are my responses in order to your Qs Thanks. Thanks again. SOund FX & Hoedown. No Spankings after show. It was a surprise. Sid Caesar. Been there twice. Pay attention. Breaking Bad. you're welcome.
What is it like living with a 9 inch penis? Colin lives in Toronto...
Thanks for doing this AMA. I really love your work. What's the best advice you have for someone trying to become more confident in improv? I've gotten pretty far off of "Say 'Yes, and'", but my biggest issue is giving out too many jokes when only half are actually funny. How do you avoid awkward silence without forcing too many duds? Dont plan. listen and react. if you react, youre not writing jokes in your head and disconnected from your fellow players.
During a pay per view special a while back you did with the whose line gang people would constantly mention doritos. Did you guys get paid to say that or just beating a dead horse? Doritos was the sponsor, and we began mocking them, because we are all childish. we didnt get any bonus for saying it over and over.
Hey Brad, what is your most favorite thing about Drew Carey, past and present? His generosity toward the people he works with is unmatched and rare in this business. one time he took the cast and crew of the Drew Show & WLIIA on a weeklong private carribean cruise.
Take that Seinfeld!
How do you differentiate your show from Mythbusters? This is how my new show, This Vs. That is different from Mythbusters. Mythbusters deals with things that are “cinematic myths” or “urban legends”-- for example, “Can a ninja walk on water?” While revealing that is good TV... it doesn’t have any practical application to everyday life. I don’t know any ninjas.
This vs. That, on the other hand, deals with things that go on in our lives... It’s about things that are REAL... It’s about the world within arm’s reach. We answer questions about choices and obstacles that we all might have to navigate in the world... and hopefully make that navigating easier.
We’re using science, leading experts from UCLA, The Fermi Lab (among others) and dynamic experiments to reveal answers to life’s most common... and vexing dilemmas. We want to provide viewers information so that when they find themselves in a similar situation, they’ll make better decisions. Our Motto: No bias. No bullshit. Just science, fact, and funny.
Will you fluff my garfield? Consider it done.
What's your favorite bit/sketch that you've ever done? Edit: Or what is your favorite type of game to do on Whose Line? (Like songs, the alphabet game, questions only, etc.) I did a really lovely sketch of a ladder when i was eight. it looked very realistic.
Thanks for stopping by to answer our questions. Who are some people that you would love to do improv with, but have not had a chance to? Greg Proops!
What do you think of Whose Line Is It Anyway? coming back? I hope the CW gives it a good time slot and room to get its audience back!
Favorite pizza toppings? Best professional/career related decision you've made? Jalapeno. Reddit.
Is your head really that big? Or does the TV add like 3 hat sizes? Sadly, my head is abnormally large.
Brad, I heard there was an interesting incident while you where filming the Traffic Experiment. My brother-in-law created the show and I understand was filming in the car with you. What happened? Jon Hotchkiss, the producer of my new show This Vs. That. got car sick while filming. we had to pull over so he could puke.
Amateur...
I've seen your live improv show. And seriously, what's wrong with Colin Mochrie? He's not right. He's mental...
Who are your role models? Has anyone been a great influence for you? Time Conway, art carney, monty python, don knotts, monty python, & monty python.
What's your opinion on the divide between short form and long form improv? Also, what has been the best advice you have received while starting out in this art form? First off, since you"re a "baby improver", if you could make a version that doesn't shit and cry, you would be rich.
Drew always said the points don't matter, but they did, didn't they? The points do matter. we saved up our points & at the end of the season, each point was converted into credits at the Olive Garden.
Don't you get tired of people asking if Whose Line was genuinely improvised? haha because even I get annoyed when people ask that, because I know that it was. I take it as a backhanded "you guys couldnt possibly be that clever" kind of compliment.
During WLiiA, who made you crack up more? Me.
I have a question about Laura from whos line. How does she know all those songs? The producers would give her a list of bands & genres and she would go home and arrange songs that sounded like them, but wouldnt be a legal problem for copyright.
Is a reverse mortgage right FOR ME? No.
Hey Brad you guys are truly talented but with it being so niche, what is the appeal of doing improv, compared to a regular acting gig or a stand up routine? There are many forms of many forms of art & comedy. WHy do some people play jazz and others play metal?
Were any of Wayne's songs scripted? They always seemed way too perfect. I loved the show-- it helped me through my awkward teenage years. No part of this show was scripted. we heard a song title and immediately the music started, and we were off & singing whether we had an idea or not.
Did you prefer the UK version or US version of Whose Line Is It Anyway? No difference for me as a performer. the commute was easier for the US version...
Could you go in-depth about the mouse trap bit? Were they all real and set mouse traps? Have you gotten sed to feeling their sting? How in the hell did that idea even begin in the first place? I haveto admit it was the funniest part of your show. Oh and also, please come to Chicago! Theyre real. sometimes they hurt, sometimes they don't.
What are some of the best bald-jokes that you know? 5 head.
Would you rather speak every language in the world or have the ability to play every musical instrument? I'd rather be a great guitarist than any other super power i dont already have.
What was the one scene from a hat that you felt stood out from the rest? As improvisers, we are in "comedy crisis" mode while performing. we usually dont even remember the scene until we see it on TV.
On a scale of 1 to 10, just how bald is Colin Mochrie? 7.75 his hair is like wrap around seating in a diner booth.
Do you like trains? I like tuhr-tles...
Also, are you and Colin planning on having more tour dates? You guys should come to Austin. Colin & Brad live tour dates for Spring/Summer.
Yeah, I saw the tour dates on your website, none of which are near me (which is why I asked if you plan on adding more). We've toured for 10 years. always adding more.
Nearly everyone I know that has watched Whose Line has their favorite moment from the show. Over the course of the entire series, what was yours? Richard simmons.
Brad! How did you like playing the horny hobo in "Jane White is Sick & Twisted"? By far the weirdest movie I have ever seen. I'm still waiting for my oscar.
Brad! My family and I have seen the Colin and You Show about three times now -- hysterical every time. Any horror stories from any of those shows? PS Two Man Group is one of my most-watched shows on Netflix. Thank you for your demented & loyal support!
Are you famous enough that you get a lot of tail? I'm famous enough for my wife's tail.
What was your best experience with Colin or Ryan on whose line? Lunch.
Who was the better host: Drew or Clive? (my money is on Clive) Both were great. Both were truly nice guys too.
Favorite Whose Line moment? Payday.
What made you go into improv comedy? Is there anything you do (or you used to do) to prepare yourself for anything that comes at you onstage? Thanks for doing this IAMA! I love making people laugh. improv is a comedy martial art. you have to be ready for whatever comes at you.
Practice your craft.
Ironically, I was just watching an episode of Whose Line this past night in which you were the fourth chair. I like my banana bread without nuts.
I suppose the logical question to follow would be what is your favorite recipe for banana bread? Dont forget to spay or neuter you pet.
What is your favorite "game" on Whose Line Is It Anyway? ? SFX.
What are your thoughts on Chicago long-form improv? I like CHicago deep dish pizza.
I grew up doing long and short form.
One is bumper cars and one is cross-country skiing.
Do you ever get tired of being known mainly for whose line when it's been done for years now? No!
Brad! What was your favourite moment from WLIIA? Who's your favourite other cast member? What is the most ridiculous scenes from a hat that you had to do? Vague memories buried under 1000's of hours of performing live improv makes that truly impossible to answer.
Hello Brad! 1-) Will you be on new series of Whose line? 2-)will you or whose line crew will ever come Turkey?(i know its a long shot) Colin and I have been to india.
If the spot for the 4th chair came down to it, who would win in a fight, you or Greg? A "talent fight" or an actual fight? I watch a lot of UFC. i think i could arm-bar Greg pretty quick...
Hi Brad! love your work! Me and a friend are going to perform the game Whose line/sentences in two days for an audience. Do you have any wise words to share with us? Also if it goes well, we will do a hoedown on a later occasion. Could you reveal some of your technique in this game? Hoedown: always rhyme with "ass".
What would you say the first rule of improv is? Who is one person that you want to perform with that you have not had the chance to yet? What type of music do you listen to? Listen. Ricky Gervais. Metal, Folk, Hip Hop, Hair Band 80s.
Is that the same Mark Decarlo from "Studs" in the "This vs. That" trailers...? He's much older and wiser now.
Going by the outtakes from WLIIA, it seemed like everyone really hated the Hoedowns. Any insight on that? About how many times a taping did you guys end up having to retry a hoedown? I didnt hate them as much as others. rhyming was easy for me.
How upset was that blond woman when you sang about her breasts on "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" She actually seemed pretty offended but it was still hilarious to watch. Relevant clips starts at 4:45. Her left breast wasn't offended at all.
Are there games on Whose Line you didn't get to take part in that you wish you did? (Being the field reporter on newsflash, etc) No.
Brad! You were one of the best on Whose Line, what was your favorite game on the show? Most memorable/fun moment? Thanks! love so many games. new CHoice, SFX,
I know having two unanswered questions is kind of taboo here on reddit but, what is one piece of advice that you would give to today's youth? Take time to laugh. Don't get caught up in an over reactive, angry world. Everybody is an angry democrat or angry republican. Your political, or religious views don't have to be defended to the death against someone who disagrees. (There will always be 'disagree-ers' [new word])
Don't lose your life into your gadgets. Your phone is a seductive universe. For every hour you spend inside the web (or texting, or gaming), spend an hour painting, songwriting, hiking, etc.
Spread peace. Be tolerant. Listen more than you talk. Be overly courteous to people you interact with in the world. It will come back to you.
Share your positive thoughts. Withhold your negative thoughts. Do not stay in destructive relationships. Find your joy.
What is your favorite drink? Dirty Martini.
How long did it take you to perfect your B52's impression? Didnt even know i did one until they threw that style at me.
Would you please tell us a joke? I'll just tell the punch line.
"All I could see was the monkey trying to put the cork back in!"
About often did you have to refilm a scene on Whose Line because of unairable content? We never refilmed. they would just cut out a game if it was too "unairable".
What's your favourite city to perform in / where have you had the best time doing improv? My favorite town is your city, USA.
(cheesy grin)
Would you and your mates consider a tour in Europe(possibly in Italy)? :) Yes! Grazi!
Do you want to guest star on the new version of whose line? And do you still hang out with the other performers? Are Ryan's feet really that big? Yes. yes. yes.
Any plans to come to the west coast? I'm there now. Mission accomplished.
Do you know about Link to fuckyeahbradsherwood.tumblr.com ? Now I do! it's the finest website in all the land.
How does it feel to be king of the "If you know what I mean" game? Like a bag of sausages in a jacuzzi...
Is improv something worth doing to make yourself a '"better" person' (more out going, confident, wittier, funnier, ect)? In theory, yes. but most improvisers are whack-a-doodle.
I think you are very talented, I loved the show "whoes line is it anyway." I always wondered have any of you had a day where you are just brain dead and cant think of a witty comeback? Was there a secret signal you had to give for someone else to take over? We didn't need secret signals. We had electric buzzers in our shorts. If we weren't being funny, the producers would shock us. That's why Colin occasionally fainted on stage.
Are you going to be on the new Whose Line? Why is Drew Carey not hosting it? Do you listen to Proops' wonderful podcast? Maybe, Dunno, Yes.
It must have been awesome working with those guys on whoseline, you guys were always funny, but did you go to college and what did you want to be when you were younger? I went to college for acting. I wanted to be an actor since I was 8.
Me and my buddies are having a poker game in Jersey on Thursday. You down to come? Deeal me in.
Favorite sport to watch(if any)? How long does it take to film one episode of whose line? Oddly I watch UFC & X games only.
Ryan always use to make fun about Drew's high salary. Was there such a huge difference between them in pay terms? No. The were both exec producers.
WHEN IS WHOS LINE COMING BACK!!!? There's a great website called Reddit where I answer this question. This summer...
Did Drew Carry ever actually threaten to fire you after the hundreds of times the cast joked about him? No, but he did hold a "points embargo" in protest of having to do hoedowns.
I saw you and Colin a few years ago and I almost peed myself when you were rolling around on mousetraps. Of course it was absolutely hilarious, but what on earth possessed you to do that as part of your show? We wanted to make people pee. I guess we failed in your case...
So no love for the West Coast huh? Love it here. I live here. But people in snow come to the show.
What is the strangest predicament you have ever been in while touring? We were kidnapped by monkeys in Omaha, leaving an Applebee's.
So Brad, is there really nothing better than a 200 pound snatch? If you know what I mean. A Cajun clam waffle is also pretty awesome...
Shit I can't believe I missed this. I hate work. WLIIA got me through so much angst and depression because I could never help but laugh at you guys when I was at my lowest. You are one of my favorite WLIIAers...you and Greg Proops are tied I think, but I had an opportunity to watch one of his stand up shows and found him hilarious and charming. So my question (that I am sure will not be answered because you are long gone but I still want to ask) is: given the opportunity, what would you do to tip the scales in your favor? Answering your reddit question?
Brad I have seen your show four times with Colin, you guys are awesome! How many toes have you broken in the mouse trap act? All eleven...
You know what you should do? Come to New Zealand. I'm now old enough to actually go to shows and yours would be very high up on the list of people I want to see :D Love your work! On my way, Kiwi.
Where do you get your beautifully Hawaiian shirts? Korea.
Do you hate any games as much as Ryan hated Hoedowns? No.
I'm 24. When I was a young girl I only had two TV crushes you and the Fonz. How does that make you feel. Cool. (get some counseling)
This is very important information. Other topics the show tackles: A. What’s the fastest way to board passengers onto an airplane? B. What’s the fastest way to navigate through freeway traffic? Stay in your lane, weave in and out of cars, or is better to take the surface streets? C. Which flotation device is more likely to save your life if you survive a plane crash into water: The life vest or the seat cushion? D. Which is really better for the environment? Paper Bags or Plastic Bags? E. What’s the safest roof to have on your house if you live in a hurricane zone, a steep roof or a roof with a gentle slope? We used a Hurricane Fan that blew wind and rain at 125 Miles Per Hour to find out! F. Which is smarter, Dogs or Cats?
I just wanted to say thank you for your support to the LGBT community! You're welcome! there is no bigger ciivil rights issue at hand in America. if any American was denied an equal right based on their religious belief, there would be protests & fury.
Someday, we will all have equal rights and people will have to come to terms with their homophobia in their own minds, not in courts and voting booths.
Can't wait for this to start -^ Me neither.
I really just came here to tell you that I'm a huge fan and think that you're fucking hilarious. I will be watching the new show. U rock.
Dude. I saw your most dangerous improve stunt at casino rama a couple years ago! I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life. This isn't a question. Sorry. I'm bad at taking instructions. You don't have to in life.
Give me your best "if you know what I mean" taking place in a homeless shelter... Nice bum...
I'm so excited for "This Vs. That"! Finally a show that is both entertaining and informative. This vs. That PREMIERES on the Web MONDAY March 18th 2.
For details & preview clips from This Vs.That: like us: facebook.com/thisvsthatshow 3.
Icehole!!! Sometimes!
Brad, I can't stop staring at your breasts. Pot titties, mofo!
Describe Jeff B. Davis in one word or acknowledge my existence. Either one will bring me great joy because I've watched Whose Line since before I could understand the jokes. Also, I seem to enjoy run on sentences. Jeff might be the greatest raconteur I know on planet earth.
YES! I love you Mr. White Wayne Brady! Don't make Mr. white Wayne Brady use my hand to aggressively strike upon an undesirable female dog...(this is hard)
I don't really have any questions. Just stopped in to tell you that The Colin and Brad Show Tour is hilarious. I appreciate humor that I can watch with my parents and not get immensely uncomfortable. Thanks! Happy to keep your parents comfortable...
We just started doing improv in my theater class and I'm so good at all the games because I watch a lot of Whose Line. I just wanted to say thank you! Keep it up. The world will always need funny people.
I fucking love you man. Seriously, thank you for all the laughs. There were times where I've been really stressed out and watching you do your thing made me forget about my troubles. Thank you. Laughter is the best medicine without a prescription.
Nice article you had on the Huffington Post. . I can't read...
I have no question, I just wanted to say that I have watched every episode of WLiiA, and you are absolutely my favorite performer on that show! You are a genius!
Hearing Whose Line is coming back really made the ol dingle dangle, if you know what I mean. Pull up your pants, pervert!
I'm a huge fan of "Whose Line.." and I've probably watched all your skits from that show on youtube. I want to thank you for the countless hours of happiness you gave me. You are amazing man. Good luck with your new shows. I'm from India btw! Namaste!
I know you probably won't see this but i loved the Disney's California Adventure special you and Colin did when it opened. I love the parks and watch the Disneyland specials before going, I always watch that one. I never saw it. Completely forgot until you just mentioned it! LOL.
How is your overall friendship with Drew, Ryan and Colin. I have a restraining order against one of them. One them has a restraining order against me. I'm sleeping with the third.
You're cute, Brad. Oh, I know, Rosie.
Oh my god I came too late.. I love you man, my favourite scene of you is on the segment where you guys had to sing one syllable word at a time and you faked fainting, oh my god, that was hilarious! thank you for making me laugh.. keep on doing this :) That was Colin's gag. (Maybe I stole it...)
I justed wanted to say that you're a beast on Quick Change, and that hasn't been said enough. You always came up with a completely different line changing all the mood of the scene. You're awesome. I know...
Last updated: 2013-03-10 05:35 UTC
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is it legal to play online poker in california for money video

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is it legal to play online poker in california for money

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