Crossing Picket Lines…
The response to my criticism of the PPA has been overwhelming. I would say just as in the poll we did, 80+ percent of the people agree with and or support me. And regardless of which side you most sympathize with , you cannot deny the PPA has some serious work to do in regards to its credibility these days.
Some of you might be interested that the PPA has supposedly removed all references to “ensuring the integrity of the game” from its website.
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I want to talk a little bit about what I feel is another major problem for poker. That is overall general attitude of your average internet poker player. Barry Greenstein had an excellent audio blog the other day in which he compares Internet players to monkeys. I couldn’t agree with him more.
There is an overall lack of respect for the game and I have started to think this is the real reason I can’t get anyone motivated to call for a boycott of Absolute or UB.
Online players seem to seriously lack that sense of basic poker comradery. You know the kind that says even though we are all trying to take each other’s money, we stick up for each other and together for the love of the game. The idea in which a poker player’s word and honor is paramount. It makes forming life long friendships with those you play poker with day in and day out even possible.
So when I look at the reason why knowledgeable people are still playing on Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet, maybe it boils down to simple integrity or lack of. It has to. You see because those who play on those sites after knowing of the scandals are no different than people who cross picket lines.
The deal with Absolute wasn’t some isolated rogue member cheating. A super user account (seeing hole cards) was specifically designed into their software! That means it came from the very top. Then you have UB which is owned and operate by the same company involved in their own scandal that we have yet to scratch the real surface of.
So why are people still playing there? Even when they know what happened? I am convinced now that even if I had the help of the PPA or the poker media in calling for a boycott. It would not matter. There is not enough honor or unity to make a difference. It would be a drop in the bucket.
Get this… FCP (Full Contact Poker) is considered to be frequented by smart players. (Those in the know.) A recent 24 hour poll conducted by Matt Waldron had 48 percent of the people (who voted) with money STILL on one of the cheating sites. This to me is crazy.
People really don’t care.
It also doesn’t help when the various leadership takes public positions such as,
IMHO - The marketplace will take care of bad actors. Ultimatebet will pay the price if their customers don’t trust their system. I play there and am not deterred because I see this as an isolated incident.
But let’s look at what happened to a bad actor in the online horse betting arena. IRG was an extremely profitable online horse betting portal doing hundreds of millions each year in handle. They too had some shenanigans internally that got so bad that some customers went to the Feds and the site was shut down, $1.5 million was confiscated, and the parent company of IRG took a severe stock price beatdown as the result.
Customers have to be satisfied with the sites where they play. If they are not, then they should play elsewhere, or seek other remedies.
The PPA hasn’t sent anything out on this, yet most people know about it and can make decisions based on their trust of the site.
Now - a word on “trolls”. In any open forum, trolls (haters that only want to stir up problems) abound. I think Lifesabluff is a troll. Perhaps he’s an employee of casinos or others that want to see the PPA or online poker fail. I think he should be blocked from posting.
_________________
Steve Brubaker
PPA Illinois Director
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WOW…. some nerve huh? That was a reply to a post I made a few weeks ago on the PPA forums. It’s nice to see the PPA choosing quality informed professional people to represent entire states. Here is a guy fighting for your right to play online poker and yet has no problem playing on a site that doesn’t protect its customers. He also doesn’t seem to have a problem insulting one of the game’s hardest working (free) contributors.
I suggest you all go over and read my entries in that post because it is clear Mr. Brubaker did not. If he did he would have seen this statement by me first: “I am the creator of Life’s A Bluff and those that know me know I have been a long time supporter of the PPA.”
Do the people (PPA members) of Illinois really want a guy who can’t even take the time to read what he is criticizing, representing them?
And how he could think that the UB thing is an isolated incident when the same company owns Absolute is beyond me.
I won’t say it enough, the PPA does not have your best interests in mind.
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BTW. I sent in my email today to the PPA requesting termination of my membership. I asked for proof by email that it was done so we will see what happens. I again ask all of you to do the same. And those of you who have a membership card and can record yourself cutting it up and send it to me to add to my video, will receive a deck of Copag Playing Cards (until I run out) - If you are also interested in adding your name to a group withdrawal list than contact me via 
As to what you can do to stay involved, there are other alternatives. Although I have not yet looked into it yet I at least know (and trust) some of the people involved personally; the World Poker Association (WPA) might be an option. I plan on giving it a second look. I did sign up at the Rio Trade show in 2006 and never received any information but I think they may have gone through a re-launch since then. I’ll give the benefit of the doubt for now. Will update you when I come to some sort of opinion.
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LaB Hats & T-Shirts coming very soon!
We have a new sponsor Hat Zone. These guys will be handling the official LaB gear very soon. I am wearing the prototype LaB hat and it is really nice. No cheap stuff here either. The hats will be embroidered and will be Flex-Fit. I have been wearing baseball hats since I was a little kid and Flex-Fits are by far my favorites. They are very similar to New Era but much more comfortable. We will be able to offer them to you at a very great price.
There will be a couple different designs of t-shirts to choose from too. Hopefully we can steer clear of your typical lame poker shirt and give you unique and not yet seen before. First 10 hat orders will get special gifts. So stay tuned!
It’s not often I really believe in product or company. And it’s not because they advertise here. But these guys are top notch. The customer service is very personal and the final products will knock your socks off. I was very impressed with how they treated me. Those of you who run your own sites and thought about having some hats made up need to check them first. You can order 1 or 1000 and the price is right on. Best I found and I have been looking for a while. So do me and them a favor… go check out their website and tell em LaB sent ya. http://www.hatzoneonline.com/
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That’s all for now. Have a great weekend!
Tune in Monday for back to back RQ episodes. John Robert Bellande & Jennifer Harman.
- Frank
Possibly Related Posts:
- Gay Marriage
- Random Questions with Hevad Khan
- President Barack Obama
- Yes we can!
- Sarah Palin: Pranked
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March 21st, 2008 at 7:25 am
Troll???? Isn’t that something an immature kid would say?
I just don’t know what to say to imbeciles who would make an accusation like that.
I also think you’re right on about integrity and honor among some internet poker players. Are they all under 16?…Some of them act like that.
March 21st, 2008 at 10:59 am
Haha…yeah the LaB writer for two years is really an undercover casino worker…hehehehehehe
Steve Brubaker is a jackass.
Love the comic though, and Greenstien comparing internet players to monkeys is friggin’ genius.
Quit crossing picket lines monkeys….
March 21st, 2008 at 11:37 am
Troll…
Yeppers - I guess I’m a troll too!
I have wanted to be a part of a group that “gets it” for some time - I hope in time - you and oters reading here will understand that I REALLY love this game a tad too much and WANT to play online more than anyone - but until I see SOME movement to assure it’s a fair shake online - NO WAY BABY!
Small “fun stakes” for me..
To all the PLAYERS out there - with little or no LIVE poker playing experience - LISTEN to this man… He’s MORE in the KNOW than 90% of the POKER PLAYERS OT THERE… Again - HE GETS IT!
March 21st, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Love the shirt in today’s comic!
March 21st, 2008 at 5:11 pm
If you want to actually keep your right to play, PPA is a doing a lot of good. After all, we lost HR 4411 in 2006 (the bill that because UIGEA after being weakened) 317-93. We’ve lost similar Senate votes 90-10. Without PPA, the only solution Congress and states like MA, NY, WA, etc. will offer for issues like the Absolute issue is to continue their efforts to stamp out online poker, using this as an excuse.
I have no idea why Frank from Life’s A Bluff feels we online poker players are in such a strong position. There is no U.S. based online poker industry. Rather, only offshore sites offer services to Americans. This is inherently unstable, and it cannot last. Either American companies will be permitted to compete, or none will. So, plan on some sort of legislation or court rulings that do one or the other. Bottom line - either one represents a change in the status quo.
The purpose of PPA is to advocate for our right to play, not to be the Better Business Bureau of online poker. None of like issues like what we had with Absolute and Ultimate, but the solution isn’t to send out a bunch of emails that will do more harm than good [unless your goal is to convince all the fish (and the politicians) that "online poker is rigged"...after all, this email you want offers no solutions]. Rather, the solution is to get a legal framework established by which sites are either regulated or are subject to the pressures of a truly competitive market. That’s what PPA is doing, and that’s what I support.
March 21st, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Also, the attack on Steve Brubaker, an unpaid volunteer who’s only working for YOUR right to play, is unfair and unwarranted, at least IMO.
March 21st, 2008 at 5:14 pm
And, I personally asked for the update to the PPA Mission Statement on Feb. 15, 2008. It was changed shortly thereafter.
March 22nd, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Came across your site on StumbleUpon and I love it! Thanks for the great comics
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Hey Ted glad you found us! Hope to see you around… stop by out forums sometime too. http://lifesabluff.com/community
We don’t normally get as serious as this around here…. despite what it seems I don’t blog that much at all.
Rich:
Your opinions are just that.. and so are mine.. It appears as if we will continue to disagree on a whole range of issues.
I feel that the attacks on me via the ppa forums by 2 different state reps were both unfair and unwarranted. While Randy’s subsequent apology seemed genuine, Brubaker’s reply was (IMO) littered with subtle passive aggressive insults. The man doesn’t even know how to word an apology the right way. But the PPA’s track record for those selected to speak for them isn’t that great.
As this thing drags on I realize more and more how incompetent the PPA seems to be from top to bottom. Maybe some states only had 1 or 2 volunteers for the position so the pool to choose from was not that deep. I suspect that is the case .. otherwise you wouldn’t have so many new voices on your own boards…
How did you guys go about choosing? What are the qualifications of these men to represent thousands/millions of poker players? I wonder what the road has in store for us when the first instance of adversity these guys encountered were treated like typical online forum banter. I mean… Brubakers first posts were directed right at me. He registered on the forums in Dec of 2007. Where has he been for 2 years or the last 4 months? Those with the loudest voices again seem to be the newest members.
I realize the position of the state directors is a new one… but those interested I would think should have been long time participating members…. instead of people picked to fill spots. Are any of the directors long time members? or have half as many posts as you Rich?
I have supported the PPA since the first few months of inception. We were down in Vegas during the WSOP in 2006 and attended the rally/dinner hosted by the PPA and various pros. I signed up 3 people and brought them with me. We did numerous strips on the subject of legislation and supporting the PPA with inclusions directly in the comics itself. I am responsible of at least 20 people personally who signed up to the PPA thanks to me. AND countless others who did so by hearing of the PPA via this site.
It’s not a pissing contest… I am just pointing out that if a state director can insult/attack a person who has that track record knowingly or unknowingly on his/her first few public acts as director…. it really shows to the character of that particular person and the complete and total lack of professionalism. I also question that person’s ability to lead and I don’t think I am alone on that.
My problem with with PPA has morphed into one of fundamental distrust and the seemly lack of integrity by those charged with leading it.
I will try and my point down one more time;
My family is here from NY this week. We talked about poker and the first thing I was asked was “Isn’t online poker banned?” - I had to clear that up right away… And this is the general consensus of those who are not informing ourselves of these issues. The average person/poker player thinks the UIEGA banned poker. And the constant misinformation and misleading public positions of the PPA and others have only reinforced those ideas. I don’t blame them either because it is murky and I do agree that it should be clearly defined to the American people. The question then becomes how….
The problem I have with defining it is what happens if the government finally says… “oh yeah .. you know what .. we forgot to add poker to the wire act/whatever… so now it is… and it is now officially banned. ” And then the go about enforcing it by forcing ISPs to block access to certain websites they deem illegal. OR the government says OK fine.. here is your carve out. That still doesn’t excuse the individual states like Washington from banning it…. and thus portions of the country loosing access to certain sites. (ie red china) OR does it? I have brought this point up again and again and none of you have addressed it… Maybe I am seeing it the wrong way but this is the crux of my problem…. I don’t understand what the PPA means exactly by regulation and how they suggest it happens….. maybe you can fill me in?
This why I keep saying online poker is FINE right now. There are no problems with it. The only problems stem from those who have problems funding their accounts… and that is only because online GAMING (ie, craps, roulette, etc.. games of chance) is clearly defined and illegal. Sites like Poker Stars, Full Tilt, etc… those that ONLY host poker… have no problems and the sites are bigger and better than ever. These sites are now again offering a buttload of WSOP entries. Online poker is starting to return to normal.
I think the PPA accepting funding from GAMING sites indirectly is a conflict of interest OR exactly the interest they wanted. I think that is the true agenda of the PPA and I am not sure what will prove that to me otherwise. You guys again are going to end up getting poker included into the wireact/ban and it will be YOUR fault directly when poker as we know it ceases.
Otherwise the PPA would have no problem taking public positions on scandals… because it seems to me being able to use those scandals as an example of why we needed that government regulation… so that our American citizens don’t continue to get swindled by offshore gaming sites. So we don’t continue to bleed billions of dollars into the hands of possible criminals.
Not an online poker is rigged argument…. an online poker is flawed argument… point out the reasons why we need regulation… and use examples of Absolute to spear head it. BTW its worth noting that Absolute and UB are just the biggest scandals.. there are all kinds of smaller sites that cheat players out of their money and collapse.. leaving people left with no recourse… Regulation in my view is only needed to assure that the sites we deal with are legit and run software that is safe. There should be some sort of independent authority charged with overseeing so.. not a place that has invested interest.. (ie Kahnawake) Other than that .. what else do you want of government regulation?
The other issue is the integrity of lack thereof , of people like D’Amato who enjoy a not so nice public perception. Again I use my family from NY as an example. They had nothing but bad things to say about good ole AL and his various involved activities over the years. Al optimizes sleazy politicians… And that cannot be denied… Spokesperson or not… do we really want this guy as the face of poker? My Aunt’s jaw dropped when I told her about him joining the PPA.
While I am at it… The integrity issue is very important to me. When you guys know full well that those of us who are outspoken about Absolute or UB and have called for a boycott or at least for people to stop playing there… and you have directors who take public positions like they will continue to play…. in essence CROSS THE PICKET LINE….. man.. I tell you… it takes a special kind of person to do something like that. You just don’t do it.
March 23rd, 2008 at 5:02 pm
How is emailing members that asked you to keep them informed doing more harm than good? Even if you did not say “LOOK CHEATING!! DON’T PLAY THERE!!” Why not just a note stating, “hey, my fellow 300k-900k members…there has been an incident you should be aware of. It happens to have occurred online at X & Y spot, owned by the same company. People are looking into it. Here is a news link.” Does that sound vicious? Is it dooming poker? No, its informing the people you want to protect of what is out there. Like, “Hey, golfing in a lighting storm is a bad idea.” or “There have been bear sightings, be sure not to leave out any food.” I’m sure the PGA and parks services would do that.
March 26th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
No reply? I guess I asked too many legit questions….