tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63929013049325329482024-03-13T08:29:19.682-04:00Riggs' Nut StraightRiggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.comBlogger505125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-8285487525571243762011-07-05T15:47:00.002-04:002011-07-05T16:02:55.614-04:00don't blame the juryWell there you have it... If you want to get away with a crime, make sure it's big enough and weird enough to catch national coverage and have the media secure your place in history.<br /><br />First off, I think the verdict of Not Guilty, on all three major counts is an injustice. I firmly believe in our legal system and the benefits it gives the accused. The prosecution has a burden so great as to be sure that the accused is correctly and justly found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.<br /><br />I think in this case, a few things were missed to get to a guilty verdict of guilty in the first.<br /><br />Before any of you go absolutely nuts... let's look at a few things. First, we as spectators throughout this whole ordeal received more info than the jury had. We also had the opportunity, if you chose to, to read and view opinion of experts that may have swayed your opinion.<br /><br />What do I think? I think the Prosecution proved it's case, beyond a reasonable doubt, that this bird was guilty of MANSLAUGHTER and AGGRAVATED CHILD ABUSE. They didn't prove murder 1 since they presented no evidence that proved this gal murdered her child.<br /><br />I also think that jury selection was terrible. 6 (I think was reported) of the jurors were convicted criminals and two hadn't graduated high school. Also, you had one that stated they needed to leave by July 7th to enjoy a trip to London. That adds a little pressure to a group of folks who might not really give a shit about justice when, from their eyes (my opinion of course), both sides did everything possible to drag this trial out with evidence that help very little weight.<br /><br />So another criminal gets off and Casey goes free to spin her lies and live the beautiful life. Without her daughter as well.<br /><br />The media has been up and down for me. Nancy Grace is a joke of a human being if you ask me. She stated on air responding to a comment from a caller that she strived to tell the truth every night on her show. What a joke. she spun more shit that Casey did IMO to gain nothing more than ratings. She also asked what Casey would do now? how would she make a living? She has no job skills, etc...<br /><br />Of course she doesn't, but what Nancy would do is pay this broad millions in order to get the first interview after acquittal. She's a liar if she denies it. Casey, I will expect will get to enjoy her little Bella Vita with offers of millions for TV interviews, print interviews, playboy (due out by next January I would guess, and of course the book and movie deal.<br /><br />Is that a travesty? Of course it is. But what the hell are we going to do about it? Nothing. Except by the book, go see the movie, watch the interview on 20/20, soak up the copy of Rolling Stone magazine, AND record with our DVR's the new reality show called BELLA VITA... or, The Anthony's!<br /><br />Mark my words... It's coming.<br /><br />I got more to say but finished for the day. RIP Caylee. The only one who was lost in all of this.Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-91702968870696661092011-06-30T07:01:00.003-04:002011-06-30T07:18:29.638-04:00It doesn't matter what I know, it's what I can proveThe defense is supposed to rest their case today in the Casey Anthony saga. I believe the prosecution have some rebuttal witnesses they want to call but this case could go to the jury by Friday.<br /><br />First, I think having the Jury start their deliberations during a holiday weekend leaves poor miss Anthony at a disadvantage. Who is going to want to work during a holiday after 2 months of sitting in sequestration? I think they might be a little peeved and be more interested in getting the hell out of there rather than going through the piles of testimony that should be considered very carefully when deciding on whether or not to take someone's life.<br /><br />George Anthony hit the stand yesterday for most of the day. Despite the media's attempt to show a grieving grandfather, and someone so distraught over the loss of his granddaughter and daughter I am a bit perplexed on what to think.<br /><br />First, the guy doesn't seem very credible to me. You don't visit some cow during an episode of such turmoil in your life to "comfort" her because she has a brain tumor. This guy was layin' pipe with this pig and there's no convincing me otherwise and he flat out lied about it on the stand.<br /><br />Secondly, he was evasive as ever during the questioning from the defense. He tried his best to avoid answering direct questions and was very evasive to the hard questions, never wanting to answer without qualifying. Many times he answered with a question or request to "eplain himself", or complained that the content of the questioning was "taken out of context". To me it's proof of how Casey learned her craft in becoming such a deceiver and liar.<br /><br />This guy is a terrible human being and I was truly convinced of his guilt in having abused his daughter. I don't think he sexually abused her... there has been zero proof and he genuinely seems to be a guy who thinks he is a good guy, and convinces himself that his actions are pure, but he also seems to be the type of guy who condones his actions because he truly believes he has best intentions.<br /><br />However, I have no doubts that this guy beat his daughter down, verbally, throughout her life and that is just as much abuse as anything else. Poor job by Baez in my opinion in not sticking it to this guy in a manner that shows his complexity to be a liar and manipulator. Instead, all he seemed to accomplish was to make the jury think he was more of a victim than anything else.<br /><br />I still don't know how they convict this chic of murder 1 with the circumstantial evidence they have. I do believe she should be found guilty of the lesser charges. But without a cause of death, not being able to place the body with her beyond a reasonable doubt at the time of death, and the thin evidence they have that the manner of death was a homicide (besides the fact that it is so OBVIOUS), there's no way this chic can be convicted of murder 1 in a death case.<br /><br />Florida is a pretty fucked up state though, so who the hell knows.<br /><br />Waffles is still a fag :)Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-22345176682878715422011-06-28T14:47:00.002-04:002011-06-28T14:59:08.340-04:00Prima Nocta :)Now... on to Casey Anthony...<br /><br />Is this the most retarded, dysfunctional family ever to inhabit the good state of Florida? Who can you believe?<br /><br />If you haven't been following then I envy you. Once sucked in, it's over. You can't get away from it. Legally speaking I think the defense is doing a SUPER job, outside of a few ridiculous and obvious blunders. BUT... they are doing the best job they can, and in the end, I don't know how any jury can convict this idiot.<br /><br />Let me get this out of the way... I don't believe she willfully harmed this child. I think it was an accident, albeit a stupid one and one that is and should be punishable by serving time. I don't think this is a death case, but all the lying and deception from not only the defendant, but the entire FAMILY, just pushed the prosecution over the edge and they decided it was time to lay it down and have her hanged.<br /><br />I also think that Cindy, the mother, is the end all be all in that family and has orchestrated this whole thing from front to back. Once she realized the truth and what had happened (which I firmly believe she knows everything), she put into place, albeit unethical and probably unnecessary, her plan to free her daughter of any responsibility.<br /><br />I can't wait to see this thing play out and I won't be satisfied unless this pig (super hot pig mind you) gets on the stand and gives her testimony. Which is highly unlikely. I run good.<br /><br />Waffles is a fag.Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-79975304352144884542011-06-27T07:30:00.002-04:002011-06-27T08:04:31.727-04:00Death has a secretBeen following the Casey Anthony trial at all? The pig gets off... and her family is in, and has orchestrated the whole thing... Love it! Actually have a lot to say on the whole thing but Waffles caught my attention this morning...<br /><br />He <a href="http://sirfwalgman.blogspot.com/2011/06/what-would-you-do.html">posted</a> this repost from some other idiot (no offense), and just had to throw in my fifty cents.<br /><br />It's the ole "what would you do if you knew you were going to die deal... only the dummy puts a bunch of parameters around it which make ZERO FUCKING SENSE... because NO ONE alive falls into that category.<br /><br />IF you have no wife, no kids, a job, 4-5 years worth of income to support your current lifestyle, YOU AREN'T GETTING SICK!!! You have ZERO stress to become SICK!!! any who...<br /><br />I like the questions posed, but answering them in a more realistic way with regards to the average human located in this country (or Canada as well you cry baby's).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1) How long would you continue your job or career? Do you love your job so much you would continue as long as possible?<br /></span><br />The real answer is as long as you HAVE to.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>IF you know you are dying (and it's not some ten year retarded guess either) I would reckon you would do anything possible to stop and finally get on livin'.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2) How hard would you pursue a relationship? How important is it for you to NOT die alone?<br /><br /></span>I suppose that most honest people would answer this in the negative. The very core of human existence is good and knowing you're about to die in a relatively short time would preclude anyone from getting romantically involved with another knowing you were just going to hurt that person. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span>The real answer to the question would be not at all. IF it happens then it happens. But you should be too busy getting your rocks off fulfilling your dreams than trying to find Love as to no be lonely<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3) Would you ever consider elective surgery (such as a cosmetic procedure) even though it's likely you will die just a few years later.<br /><br /></span>Wait... you come up with a scenario about dying, form some questions about what you would do with the rest of your life, and this is the question you come up with? Whoever thought of that question is truly an asshole and probably should die very quickly, for you are most likely the most shallowest person on the planet and furthermore probably hate yourself... enough said.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">4) On the other hand, would you spend a significant chunk of your net worth on medical care just to extend your life a year or two?<br /><br /></span>I think recent history has proven Waffles point correct. They aren't interested in keeping you alive.. they are interested in keeping you breathing. To that point, spending money on traditional healthcare will only serve to keep you in an institution either full time, or so many times back and forth for testing or treatment that you won't be able to live. My answer is no.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">5) Would you travel more or less? Would you develop a specific "bucket list" for your remaining years?<br /><br /></span>I'd go see every nook and cranny of the earth that was available to me via time and cost. and yes, the bucket list would go into full effect. You should already have one.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">6) Would you be more likely to use illegal substances or engage in illegal activities, knowing your potential punishment is diminished by your life expectancy?*<br /><br /></span>This must have been a fucking child who wrote these questions... Short answer... see bucket list.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">7) What is the ONE most important thing to accomplish in your remaining years?<br /><br /></span>Yet another stupid question. I say, and most of you will agree, that after 42 years of life that ONE thing always changes. It changes after accomplishing each one. Of course you can be some queer love hippie (like goat), and say that the ONE thing is living in peace and harmony. That's such a fucking cop out it's not even funny. Look, us CEO's need tangible, attainable results and we want them now! Show me a plan, execute, then start a new one. Fucking Children!<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span>This was the extent of the questions, so I thought that I would add my own last one...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8) After setting out and setting yourself up to finally live the rest of your life because you found out you were about to die... how much regret would you have and how miserable would you be when you are finally on your death bed, AFTER realizing that you could have/ should have lived your whole life that way?<br /><br /></span>The fact is that we all only have a finite time on this earth. Ten years, A hundred, it doesn't matter. Death does have a secret. That is, it doesn't matter much whether we're here the next day or not. Everyone else is going to go on without much thought of you.<br /><br />Do what you want to and don't make excuses. I'm divorced with 4 kids under 13... Nothing is going to stop me doing what I want. Sure, you have different levels of responsibility and that is not to be shunned... But LIVE YOUR LIFE. And don't wait for someone to tell you that you only have ten years.... Cause I'm telling you, it might only be 1<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-8311335002882506422011-05-25T13:43:00.003-04:002011-05-25T13:50:09.851-04:00Colonel Nathan R Jessup V Jack SkellingtonThe battle of 90's movie characters has begun over at<a href="http://filmchaw.blogspot.com/"> FilmChaw</a>. Go check it out and cast your votes for your favorite character.<br /><br />But first off let me say this... If Colonel Nathan R Jessup loses to some fucking stupid cunt Cartoon Character, I am going to lose my fucking mind. I can't even tell you how on Tilt I am right now...<br /><br />First, Astin writes that it isn't the character, it's Jack... WRONG!!!! Then he says something stupid about A Few Good Men being some middling movie...<br /><br />Un FUCKING believable...<br /><br />TILT!!!!!<br /><br />Go vote for Jessup or I'm coming over there to rip out your eye sockets and puke down your dead skull....Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-50338599044860127512011-05-03T10:13:00.002-04:002011-05-03T10:16:04.487-04:00Well sheeeit NEGRO.... That's all you had to say!Getting ready to start the 90's movie character competition... in the meantime...<br /><br />Clicking through some blogger links on the left I get broken links or another page as if you have all moved your blogs... What gives here people? Are you all hiding from the Feds???Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-10491702758528070252011-04-26T12:49:00.002-04:002011-04-26T13:31:21.836-04:00Best Movie Characters of the 90's - Field of 64!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_shRg3iPMj4/Tbb5G0NufQI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/F--BYOGSp5w/s1600/Moviepic.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 327px; height: 196px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_shRg3iPMj4/Tbb5G0NufQI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/F--BYOGSp5w/s200/Moviepic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599937082172538114" border="0" /></a><br />Goat called me up with an idea about a month ago.... Pick 4 bloggers, choose the best 64 movie characters of the 90's, draft them and then put them up in bracket style, going against each other until a winner was chosen. Those winners would be chosen by the viewing public based on votes....<br /><br />Now, being that Goat has an affinity for me, of course I was first on the list to be asked to do this. Even though I have not posted in quite some time. But you all know me and movie characters so how can I pass this up?<br /><br /><a href="http://jgoat.blogspot.com/">Goat</a> already posted his intro, and so has <a href="http://astincubed.blogspot.com/2011/04/90s-characters-kick-off.html">Astin</a>. <a href="http://cardsspeakpoker.com/"> HDouble</a> has not posted as of yet, but I'm sure it's coming. This whole thing will be debated, re-posted, and voted on over at <a href="http://filmchaw.blogspot.com/2011/04/greatest-movie-character-of-1990-1999.html">Film Chaw</a> so you must go there to vote. <br /><br />Now, once you read the brackets and those chosen and where they were chosen, you may have some issues. Some have already responded on Goats post in comments. There is a suspect amount of women chosen. 4 to be exact. There are also some characters left out and some chosen in some really weird places. Doc Holliday for example being chosen in the 9th round may seem like a miracle (or insult for that matter), but remember, I was talking to the competitors during drafting and knew I could get him late. <br /><br />I also think that some of the early round picks where the most ridiculous picks I've ever heard of and surprised the hell out of me. HOWEVER....<br /><br />I would request that you, the voter, seriously take into consideration the writers purpose, if it is presented, during the competition before you jump to voting for a character. 'Cause there is no way that Roy McEvoy (A late round pick for me) should ever beat any character. But based on who he is going up against, I would think that I may be able to legitimately persuade you.<br /><br />Some may write about the eloquence of the character, or its pop culture value... They may try to sugar coat or over inflate the value of that character with silly words, etc... I will present my characters as they were intended by the author. OK, or at least how I valued that character and how I think the character made or carried the film. I won't be using fancy words, silly assumptions, or how they fit within pop culture. It's why they were and how they were in that MOVIE. Most of my characters are badasses as well so I"ll be presenting a lot of "my character can kick your characters ass". :)<br /><br />If you look at the draft order over on Goats Blog, there are certainly some questionable picks. Most likely some that you would have chosen as well... We drafted via email over the weekend. Most likely through mobile phones, as I did and was running for choices near the end.<br /><br />In the least I hope your additions to the posts in comments will spur a fun and humorous debate among the best characters of the 90's. I also whole-heartedly assume that I can't lose this competition. So in the spirit of fair play.... If i lose, someone is going to have their throat shown.<br /><br />You're GODDAMN RIGHT I DID!Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-20215042885285066642011-04-18T12:03:00.003-04:002011-04-18T12:33:21.323-04:00What I want is for you too stand there in that faggety white uniform, and with your Harvard mouth, extend me some courtesyIt happened one day across the great divide of government hypocrisy and jurisdictional servitude. (<-- I made that up). That is, online poker came crumbling down.<br /><br />I will give you my thoughts in a nutshell, but others, far better equipped than me in the <a href="http://bwop.blogspot.com/">legal</a>, and <a href="http://www.billrini.com/2011/04/18/numbers-carnage/">industry </a>aspect of it, have and are doing so. So go look.<br /><br />I do see a theme here in comments and on social network sites with sarcasm about how chance is better suited for the stock market, and you can still go bet online lotteries and such. The point is that this has really nothing to do with Poker and really everything to do with revenue. You all know that.<br /><br />I would also state that the term "chance" has everything to do with the type of game. As CK wrote in the above linked post, the State of PA (a municipal judge) ruled that Texas Hold'em was deemed a game of skill therefore not falling under the "chance" terminology which put them directly in the line of fire of Illegal gaming. See, PA deems illegal gaming as anything that contains these three aspects... Consideration, chance, and reward. Consideration being you PAID to participate, chance meaning the game or event has an element of Chance, and reward, meaning you can win something.<br /><br />Unfortunately for the bar owners who brought the original suit and received a favorable ruling, the state of PA had just legalized table games in the State, including poker. What they didn't realize is that the casinos who just paid a $15 million dollar license fee to provide Texas holdem in their billion dollar properties weren't going to stand by and let some bar run $20 buy-ins every tuesday night.<br /><br />Hence the appeal to the state supreme court, and OH, btw.. thank you very much Mr. Lobby.<br /><br />Anyway... I still believe this is a total raping of the market by the likes of Harrah's and their billion dollar lobbyists so that when this thing is finally sorted out they have an open market to launch into, possibly looking like the good guys. Don't forget, Facebook, Google, and the likes of other social networking sites will be able to provide online poker as well once it's legalized. Don't think a Billion dollar corporation who wants to get in on this once it's legal has any problem with the news about the "top three", let alone be so naive to think they may have had something to do with it.<br /><br />Got through this nice bottle of scotch I was hinting at. McCallan Sherry Oak 18 year old from a friend who thought I could use it. Drank most of it by myself as well bitches. Doc, Bam... promise I will have another bottle waiting for when we sit again. Haven't researched where to get it or know if it's even hard to find. Given the source, I doubt it will be difficult.Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-11200784995983660782011-04-07T10:04:00.002-04:002011-04-07T10:11:50.772-04:00It was kinda like Swingers Vince Vaughn, not Old School Vince VaughnSo what's going on in the last 4-6 months? Just gotta come by and read. See If I can catch everyone up on the goings on in Riggsville.<br /><br />In the meantime... The Phils are rockin', theMasters Start today, Poker has waned (at least interest except for the live game), and I'm getting divorced. Oh, and I'm also starting up a new deal with Goat and some others on some Best Movie character of all time type deal...<br /><br />Stay tuned for all the details. OH, and I also came across a new Scotch. Which I will detail ever so eloquently at the time I finish the bottle :) DIRECTLY after I finish the bottle :))Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-87415019901603072112010-11-04T09:24:00.002-04:002010-11-04T09:40:50.023-04:00Who told you that you could work with men? You fairy!I'm back bitches! I was kinda jammed after the epic failure of my Phillies. How do the Pirates lose to a San Fransisco team full of re-treads and stiffs? Yeah, I get Marilyn Manson and his stupid arm, but Cain and whoever else they threw up there?<br /><br />You're telling me the highest paid player in baseball who puts up Babe Ruth numbers every season can't push a run across the base throughout the whole series? Gotta hit the ball to score runs, and that showed throughout the series. Better skill next season. BAH!<br /><br />PARX Casino opened their poker room yesterday and from what I hear it was a good experience. That may be due solely from the fact that the players I spoke to were excited that they didn't have to drive 2 hours and spend $10 bucks in tolls and $30 in gas.<br /><br />They are charging for drinks, and they are raking a bit more than AC does but it seems to have been a good experience. I have plans to hit up Parx this weekend and I will do a mini trip report on Monday.Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-61482192932113874642010-10-02T10:33:00.002-04:002010-10-02T10:45:06.291-04:00I would follow you into the Mists of AvalonYeah October! Whatever... Playing poker has been completely absent from my life as I adjust to new surroundings.<br /><br />I sometimes jump on for a quick sng but usually fall asleep or waffle-ize a gutter ball with 150 bb's into a 2 bb pot. That always makes me laugh and gives me more entertainment than watching a "domestic" lion eat the face off it's loving trainer/ master/ "father". Swear to god, I laugh at that every time.<br /><br />Things are very busy with the business, the kids and the planning of moving forward. I dig the texts and emails I get from those of you that send. I want a break soon and think December will be it. I have scheduled meetings already and look towards a productive weekend. WORK WORK WORK! play!<br /><br />PA poker is getting a little bit slower. Parx is getting ready to open their poker room. I know they have big plans and I will write about their opening as well as the first few weeks. It will be fun to see how that place implements their strategy of becoming the premier poker room on the east coast. That's what they said. It's a rather lofty goal with the Borgata and Foxwoods looming. We'll see. <br /><br />Anyone have any plans on some blogger tourney's on line coming up?Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-49518786411623623732010-09-12T12:32:00.003-04:002010-09-12T12:39:38.153-04:00It was Sloane Kettering and Johnny Hopkins... and they used to blaze that shit up all day longTo say things have been hectic lately is an understatement. My life has been turned on its head and things aren't exactly all peaches.<br /><br />I continue to push forward however and know that all will be better and for the best in the end. For the best.... what a horsehit cliche' that is. All that implies is that you'll settle for what will most likely be the outcome because, regardless of how shitty it is, so fuck that... Things will end exactly how I want them and will be nothing short of pure glory.<br /><br />Don't have time to explain everything and I don't know that I ever will in print. It just seems pointless to me because I have my group of close friends that support me with what I need and love all of you for it.<br /><br />Poker is humming around here with the business, PA opening card rooms and the Borgata in the middle of their Poker Open. The rest of the year is looking pretty cool with the poker line up and I look forward to the rest of it.<br /><br />Football starts today and I couldn't be more excited. So excited that I will most likely miss all of it while working and getting things lined up for the business. I'm not complaining at all because week 1 is usually so boring.<br /><br />Enjoy your Sunday!Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-5435765864305052402010-08-19T11:46:00.001-04:002010-08-19T11:47:30.495-04:00Earth is on Facebook!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cheezfailbooking.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/funnt-facebook-asteroid-din.png?w=456&h=279"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 456px; height: 279px;" src="http://cheezfailbooking.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/funnt-facebook-asteroid-din.png?w=456&h=279" alt="" border="0" /></a>Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-50779726846076009292010-08-13T10:35:00.002-04:002010-08-13T10:38:36.319-04:00Doc? bammer? thoughts?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/ap/new%20zealand%20antarctic%20whisky--2104449099_v2.grid-6x2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 474px; height: 356px;" src="http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/ap/new%20zealand%20antarctic%20whisky--2104449099_v2.grid-6x2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />AP<br />FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2010 file photo released by Antarctic Heritage Trust on Feb. 8, 2010, one of crates of Scotch whisky and brandy is pictured after they have been recovered by a team restoring an Antarctic hut used more than 100 years ago by famed polar explorer Ernest Shackleton. One of the crates of the Scotch whisky that was trapped in Antarctic ice for a century was finally opened Friday, Aug. 13, 2010 but the heritage dram won't be tasted by whisky lovers because it's being preserved for its historic significance. (AP Photo/Antarctic Heritage Trust) ** MANDATORY CREDIT, EDITORIAL USE ONLY **Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-87451333404962910252010-08-12T14:58:00.001-04:002010-08-12T15:03:56.545-04:00Bangin' it old school<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hh1AypBaIEk?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hh1AypBaIEk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-44023769604053383752010-08-07T10:59:00.002-04:002010-08-07T11:29:07.778-04:00It shoots through schoolsI wonder if that line from the movie, Johnny Dangerously, would fly in today's world without some misguided mothers group getting their panties all in a bunch.<br /><br />Anywho, we buried my aunt yesterday. It was an awesome ceremony. Family from all sides showed up and everyone celebrated hard in her honor.<br /><br />Aunt Sue was a big part of my poker playing upbringing. We spent most holidays at their house growing up and always played some sort of card games on Friday and Saturday nights. I remember being 10 and getting yelled at for chasing a straight in stud from one of my uncles or much older cousins. Fuckin' panzies! HA! The memories~!<br /><br />I kept a good face throughout the day. You have to realize that my aunt and uncle could never have kids so we (my brothers and sister) were like their kids. My aunt was a mother to me as much as my own.<br /><br />My older brother did the eulogy and he was all torn up so I supported him by being the wise ass brother he'd always been to me. It worked. He got through it and appreciated the sentiments.<br /><br />My aunt decided to be cremated, but still buried in the plot next to her husband. The urn was placed in a wreath of flowers beside the grave site and the priest offered everyone the opportunity to walk up and touch the urn at the end of the ceremony to say a last good bye.<br /><br />My 4 year old (bad ass) son, all dressed up in his little suit, hanging out with his 7 year old cousin had been pestering me to get to Wawa the whole ceremony. He was anxious to leave. When we lined up to say that one last good bye, he walked beside me. <br /><br />When it was his turn, he walked up to the urn, gave it a fist pump saying, ""'sup aunt Sue" and walked away. Everyone started laughing and the priest held out his hand and the kid high fived him saying again, "sup cuz". My mom looked mortified but everyone else was in tears.<br /><br />Aaaah, that's the good stuff!<br /><br />Poker seems to be going well in PA. There's rumblings that Harrah's in Chester may be adding an additional 20 tables at the end of September. I'm guessing that's going to be determined after Parx opens their room on September 1st.<br /><br />Parx resides 30 minutes away, north of Philadelphia, and Harrah's is south of Philadelphia adding to the high competition factor. I know Harrah's thinks they will win outright because they own the WSOP brand, and after all, invented poker. (swear to god, I've been told that by several Harrah's management. It's their culture).<br /><br />We'll see how they do going up against an 85 table room 30 minutes away with much better structures and pay outs.<br /><br />I'll be hitting some of them up in the next coming weeks and will give you a detailed report on all rooms, the conversations I have with the insiders, and what particularly the strategies are shaping up to be as it relates to player retention. Which at this point, seems to have been overlooked. It pretty much has been open the doors and they will come, but any poker room manager will tell you, without a retention program, you aren't going to prosper, or even survive.Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-13999877421134529242010-07-26T08:13:00.006-04:002010-07-26T08:46:44.562-04:00MORE poker in PA :)I wanted to respond to a comment. I think it's important because I want no assumptions made of why I'm writing these posts. I have no allegiance. I have no bias. If anything, the bias falls on this side of the river because it's closer, and will allow me to play a lot more with less inconvenience.<br /><br />That being said... This comment was left (fraction)<br /><br />"I do not think you are giving enough credit to the PA poker rooms and the staff running some of them. Maybe that is the case in the eastern part of PA, and nevertheless, some poker rooms are run by idiots (ever been to Wheeling?)"<br /><br />OK, fair enough. However, they haven't been open for more than two weeks, so what credit do they deserve? I'm not writing these posts to compare AC versus PA either. The whole question surrounding PA rooms, at least as I have been reading it since the idea of PA offering poker was announced, was what affect it would have on Atlantic City. Remember, this has nothing to do (at least not much to do) with Western PA. Atlantic City did not pull a lot of its daily play from Western PA.<br /><br />That being said, PA will end up doing a fine job for what their product will be. The poster points to Wheeling, WV.<br /><br />You have to look at this from the standpoint of the property itself. Wheeling probably has zero interest in growing their room. They opened it up, realized over time and projection that the room could hold x amount of players with the possibility to market to x amount of population and figured this is where their room will be and will always be. They're not looking to host the WSOP any time soon. That being acknowledged, the room will then decide on a budget based on revenues in order to make the room profitable. See where I'm going?<br /><br />PA casinos will be in this same boat. Their rooms will be catering to a demographic of people that will be based solely on geography. AC never did that. AC went after demographics that spanned the nation. WPT events, WSOP events, income level demos, etc. They marketed to the entire Mid-Atlantic and North England markets.<br /><br />PA casinos aren't doing that. I suspect most won't. This is part of the reason why AC will ultimately win. If that actually happens. I don't know that Parx won't make a run at being that Poker Paradise. With their announcement that they want 100 tables, it seems pretty clear they do want to make a run. Time will tell if they do, if they can handle it, if they can succeed.<br /><br />The bottom line here is that these PA casinos are awesome for being able to run out on a whim and only have to drive less than 30 minutes instead of looking at a 2 hour ride with $20 in tolls.<br /><br />Pa casinos will build a larger player network. More will come to play because it is available. It's a great thing, I love it. I think PA poker rooms are the bees knees. I just think ultimately, they will not have a huge effect at all on AC.Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-65252874769756499032010-07-23T23:58:00.002-04:002010-07-24T00:02:16.074-04:00Poker in PA updateSome good questions last post....<br /><br />Jordan, I have not been to a room yet. And no, I cannot divulge my sources, but be assured as in most, they are insider sources. I know when Parx opens their room in September they will start with 36 tables, and eventually try to get to 100. That will be a monster room. I'm excited to see what their strategy is.<br /><br />The other rooms, I will be visiting in the next few weeks for some meetings, and to talk to some people about what their goals and objectives will be as far as their poker products go. That will be interesting as well.<br /><br />Bam, They aren't really trying to do things half-assed. It just is what it is at this point. Throwing some tables up without a real plan will yield half assed results. I gather that will all come to a point where someone steps up and says, "How can we do this the right way".<br /><br />More to come...Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-25853549421709240022010-07-23T07:56:00.003-04:002010-07-23T08:21:01.733-04:00The Future of Poker in PAPoker is in PA: here is what it looks like so far and into the immediate future...<br /><ul><li>All casinos that offer poker in PA will cap their rooms at around 15 tables, save one. (back to that in a second)</li><li>Players all throughout PA will flock to these rooms trying to earn their piece of Poker History. The tables will have wait lists of 20-80 deep and will piss off the "players" who came to see what it was all about, sending them straight back down to AC anyway.</li><li>the new players (mostly 21-29 year old retards) will from groups like "DX" and "Rakemakers" and try to play at these establishments in groups, telling everyone that they will have all of their members playing in the WSOP next year and that they will "Take over the poker world" - again... retards</li><li>The only casino in PA that will make an actual run at real poker will be Philly Parx. They had released a statement a year ago that they wanted to open a 100 table room. I've heard it will be more like 75, but not for a while. Parx opens their poker room on September 1st.</li><li>If Parx does get someone in there to perform like a monster and really understand poker marketing, AND the finance and executive get on board, and realize the business model and rev streams from poker fall within their overall goals and strategies to hit whatever objectives they set, well then they are going to have a war on their hands.</li><li>The competition will be Borgata. These two will fight over who is the best card room in the east. The Borgata already holds that moniker and will be less likely to give it up against any casino anywhere. They are after all catering to more than just PA players.</li><li>Right now the only advantage PA casinos have is location. That advantage will go away as soon as all the monkeys who are trying this out run out of money, or interest.</li><li>The ones that do stick around, build a bank roll, gain some skill, will ultimately head down to AC and points further west to really play in the bigger games, with the better players, and become part of the community.</li><li>Parx does have an opportunity. For one, AC is hard to get to. For the traveling player that is. I know of three players who won't go to AC unless the tournament is super mandatory because it is such a pain to get there. You have to fly into Philly, then get an hour limo to the casino, then an hour limo back, etc. Costs add up. They hate it. Parx will be 30 min shuttle from the air port, and will probably offer it for free.</li></ul><br />PA poker will not be a poker professionals dream. Most places will keep to 12-15 tables and will provide a very recreational atmosphere for players within their area. All this will do is build a larger database. It will hurt AC in the interim, and in their daily play when it comes to the guy who went down twice a month. But that twice a month guy won't be leaving AC forever. That 2x's a month will turn into 1 every six months, possibly, but he will spend more in that 1 visit.<br /><br />PA offers poker (YAY!). I haven't been to one yet. I will shortly, and write you up a nice trip report. But offering poker tables and thinking they will compete with AC, or Foxwoods, or Mohegan, is silly. They won't come close to the product offering that these others have (well, OK, maybe Mohegan) and have built over years of catering to the poker community.<br /><br />PA poker will be fine for a while. I doubt they have any tournament structure that will drive traffic. Tournaments are expensive to run. AC will own that and continue to do so.<br /><br />OK, I'm done. Trip report at some point soon.Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-64792423976968245182010-07-20T00:35:00.002-04:002010-07-20T00:39:27.514-04:00Poker in PA!So this weekend started PA's foray into live poker. Most casinos opened with tables and I read some reports and spoke to some who went and tried to play.<br /><br />I did not get there myself, but let's talk about some numbers.<br /><br />The Hollywood Casino (Hershey Area) started with about 12 - 15 tables. At 11pm there were 72 people on the waiting list.<br /><br />The Sands (Bethlehem) opened with 12 maybe 13 tables and people were told about 3 hours in that there would be a 3 hour wait at least. They were spreading 1/2 , 2/4, and 3/6 limit and NL games. No tournament tables were seen offered.<br /><br />There was a story about people from Delaware Park driving to AC because their list was 90 deep. OH boy, this oughta be fun!Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-55577505137108127392010-07-17T10:04:00.002-04:002010-07-17T10:30:49.625-04:00Main Event Mania!Last post I tried to spill a bunch of Mojo on the world for Josh Brikis. Josh ended up finishing 55th for $138k giving him his 5th cash of this years series.<br /><br />He posted that it was the most miserable $138k he ever got. I get that. He was cruising pretty good going into his final day and just couldn't win a pot. When you are playing well (as he does) and running well, and you have 8 million staring at you... well, lets just say anything short of the final table is frustrating.<br /><br />I know Josh and it is about the money, but we are still talking about the Main Event. The Super Bowl (I friggin' hate cliches') of Poker. Still, it was a great series for him and I'll see him in September at the Borgata for the Poker Open.<br /><br />While I've covered events for the Borgata I've got to meet a shit ton of players. Some you've heard of, and some you haven't.<br /><br />I get to watch them play, interact with them, and even spill some booze on some unsuspecting tourist at the B bar. The range is wide. Most play all the time, traveling the circuit and are well past making their bones. These guys are players. <br /><br />One particular guy caught my attention a few years back. I watched him over a couple of series and was so impressed with his play, his demeanor, that I would tell anyone who would listen about how much I respect his game. The dude is sick. I interviewed him after a final table where he placed eighth in the Borgata Classic way back in 2007. His thoughts about strategy were pretty wild coming from such a young player.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pokerpages.com/player-profile/john-racener.htm">John Racener</a> is part of the final 27 in the Main. He is sitting on over 10 mil in chips and is currently 8th. Looking at the field I gotta put him in the top 10% of winning this thing. He has a favorable table heading into today's play and I'm excited to follow his progress.<br /><br />John has over a million in winnings to date, which probably escapes most people. He kinda flies under the radar, although his success in the main, and the series has probably erased most of that.<br /><br />I like the way this year has played out so far. It should make for a great final 9.Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-40194669603153909212010-07-14T15:49:00.002-04:002010-07-14T15:54:05.118-04:00This just in!TMZ said in a press release today that the audio of a man yelling at his ex wife is in fact NOT Mel Gibson as previously reported. Instead, it is thought to be of a man from Massachusetts going by the name of Waffles.<br /><br />Rant <a href="http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/07/exclusive-audio-out-control-mel-gibson-says-hell-burn-down-house-after-demanding">here</a>Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-11754891466039374302010-07-13T14:03:00.003-04:002010-07-13T14:10:06.699-04:00WSOP Main MojoI've met some pretty cool cats the last few years inside poker covering a lot of the Borgata Events and just overall playing around the east coast.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.joshbrikis.com/">Josh Brikis</a>, one of those cats who took second last year in the 5k 6max is now within the top 20 of chip leaders in the Main.<br /><br />Send him some love as he prepares for the most important grind of his life to date. Winning the WSOP main goes without saying, but getting yourself into the position to go deep, going a little deeper and possibly hitting the final table, and then playing the final table are all steps to obtain that goal.<br /><br />We as poker players (I don't include Waffles) understand the stages during any particular tournament pose to perform and overcome. It's this time where focus, luck, and timing come into play more than ever because of what it means.<br /><br />Send my man some mojo for some good fortune! Josh is a solid dude as well as exceptional player. Even if he is from Pittsburgh!Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-11920797172189463332010-07-08T00:43:00.003-04:002010-07-08T01:12:31.501-04:00The strongest woman I know<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fbebMKDsK-I/TDVd7MYHN5I/AAAAAAAAAdM/QvnEPk7heoA/s1600/IMG_0152.jpg"><br /></a><br />I've been on a bit of life tilt lately. I have a lot of shit happening that I'm still trying to process and it's been a bit of a bite in the ass. I really don't even know where to begin. Then I get this little nugget thrown on me tonight.<br /><br />My aunt was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years back. First it was pancreatic, then lung, then brain. Then I think liver, but can't recall. The point is that she took the chemo, took some radiation, the stuff in the pancreas wasn't cancer, the lungs were but were healing, and the brain wasn't the "serious" kind.<br /><br />In fact, she handled the whole situation pretty goddamn heroically. In fact the only noticeable part of her battle was the wig. And that wasn't noticeable if you didn't know she was wearing one. She was a trooper. Insisted on living alone, being self sufficient, and was always upbeat.<br /><br />A few weeks ago she started getting a little iffy in the walking department and was staying tired a lot longer than normal. The Docs thought it was a good decision to stop chemo for a while and see how that went. It didn't go as expected as she only became more exhausted and weary.<br /><br />My mother finally decided that enough was enough and she went up to see her sister against her wishes of being able to live on her own and found her in a pretty bad state.<br /><br />She was slurring her words, not keeping her balance at all, and was a little delusional talking about things in the past that no longer were. My mother feared she had a stroke and tried to get her to agree to a visit to the hospital.<br /><br />She got up from a chair and fell over into the wall beating up her face pretty good. Mom took her to the hospital and that's where she's been since last Thursday. She was dehydrated, but didn't have a stroke. They fixed her up and kept her through the weekend as it was a holiday and had to wait til monday for testing.<br /><br />After some MRI's the doc's came back with news yesterday. The brain cancer has spread throughout her brain. Numerous tumors have spread around the brain and the prognosis is mortal. This is where the hard part comes.<br /><br />The strongest woman I ever knew has decided that she has had enough. She doesn't want to fight anymore. She doesn't want to live a life where the only thing that will prove life is a beating heart and active brain function as indicating by a machine.<br /><br />For that, I can't blame her. I can only admire her. She is coming home tomorrow. My parents are moving in with her until her time comes to an end. The best case scenario is 12 weeks. The worst case is 4. The doctors have prescribed medication to keep the swelling down in her brain so that she can retain her faculties. They also said that when she goes, it will probably be from heart failure because of the meds she will be taking.<br /><br />Hospice care will be there once a day to help with pain management and to help my mother take care of her. I can't imagine what she must be thinking. I'm struggling thinking about what it would be like to know that your signing your own death sentence by opting out of treatment. I get it. I would do the same thing. But the realization, after you make your decision to not have treatment, that you are going to die real soon... at this point, I have no words.<br /><br />I've seen death. I've experienced friends, family, and loved ones from all ages pass on. It's just hard to think about it and what she might need.<br /><br />I love this woman. She has been a huge influence in my life. Now, I have to figure out a way to honor her after she's gone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fbebMKDsK-I/TDVd7MYHN5I/AAAAAAAAAdM/QvnEPk7heoA/s1600/IMG_0152.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fbebMKDsK-I/TDVd7MYHN5I/AAAAAAAAAdM/QvnEPk7heoA/s320/IMG_0152.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491398592164214674" border="0" /></a>Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6392901304932532948.post-50861246425799706722010-07-01T12:45:00.001-04:002010-07-01T12:45:53.570-04:00Double Yeah!<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/a1sf2CzEq0w&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/a1sf2CzEq0w&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Riggstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09724818580402350984noreply@blogger.com1