Joe Turbessi's Blog

Hello everyone, it’s been a while since my last blog, but I’ve been keeping busy and promise to write about all of the great speeches I had a priviledge to give in the past few months. But first, I’d like to announce that my second book, “9 Days ‘Til Doomsday” is available on amazon, here’s a link: Amazon

I’m very proud to make this announcement, this is my first fiction novel, yet it is inspired by true events:

According to Harold Camping, on May 21, 2011 at 6 pm, the world was going to end. On May 12th, Steve Waters learned of this prophecy. Steve is a lost individual, who has a tumultuous past, taking an experimental drug to repress a traumatic accident. Camping’s prediction initially fell upon deaf ears, until Steve began repeating his prior destructive behaviors. Follow him during these 9 days as he tries to put the pieces of his life together while his world crumbles around him. What’s real? What’s important? As the seconds tick away, will Steve persevere through the uncertainty or face his own doomsday?

Pick up your copy TODAY!!! and hold tight, another blog will be on the way shortly!

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Well, the time is rapidly approaching that it will be legal to play online poker again, or for the first time since the government made it illegal even though you could still play… however you want to look at it.

I’ve read articles, watched news reports, and continue to see the focus being on online poker players that have made millions of dollars, who were ranked in the top 100 in the world, and those that are left without a source of income, probably joining the “masses” for Occupy your nearest town. Being over 2 years out since my poker stint, it frustrates me that we continue to preach how easy it is to make millions as a professional poker player. It’s not. I assure you.

When is someone going to take the high road and present both sides, including displaying the negatives? And I’m referring to someone with a voice. There are organizations that are fighting for gambling awareness, yet they get quick statements during these pieces, mostly cut after saying that the state needs to dedicate more money for treatment. Unfortunately, all that does it make it appear that these organizations just want money, rather than focusing on the valuable points they’re trying to make.

Granted the current percentage of those with a clinically diagnosed gambling problems is in the single digits, but that doesn’t mean that others aren’t affected by the promises that come along with playing online. It’s easily accessible, it’s calling to the masses, and it’s directed at our children.

I’ve talked about it in “Into the Muck,” but seriously, when have children been presented which such technology. I’ll even go further and ask the same question with regard to irresponsible college students.

I was one of those students. Poker was everywhere when I was at UCONN. Dorm rooms were host to quarter, fifty cent, and five dollar tournaments. Winners thought they were ready to challenge their peers, play against the millions of people who also considered the same thing.

ESPN turned poker into a sport after its widespread coverage in 2003. There were reports around the time of the federal indictments of online poker that ESPN received 8 figures to broadcast poker…what have they done to shed light on what could potentially happen to those hooked on online poker? Have they made it known that it’s difficult to become a professional? How stressful the lifestyle can become? And how broke many of the big named players are?

If they have, I haven’t seen it. They continuously talk about how the majority of the field in the World Series of Poker dropped out of school to play poker professionally. Making it seem like whatever dream they were chasing wasn’t comparable to the new poker life they’d grown accustomed to.

I’ve been to casinos enough of times and often looked around wondering who I thought made it, who did it for real/professionally, and those who made it an awful habit like I did.

When I was at the local casinos, spending my nights with dreams of riches filling my brain, I never considered the idea that I was there too much or that there was a lesson that I needed to be aware of. Now, when I give speeches at high schools, colleges, and orgranizations, I look around the room and think what if I was sitting in those chairs listening to someone tell their story, would it have helped me?

I hope that my words ring true to them. I’m hopefully relatable, in age and my “normal” upbringing. It can happen to anyone and it’s important to know that the ongoing stereotype that not gambling is a weakness, because of its societal rite of passage, is ridiculous and one that needs to be addressed.

I’ve come across it numerous times, including one specific time that I still remember. I was doing a book signing at Borders. An older gentleman approached me, looking at what the name of my book was and what it was about. I told him, “It’s about how poker took over my life when I was in college, how I was able to find a way out, and how I’m better off without it.”

He laughed in my face, then said “Really…” And walked away still scoffing as he mumbled something to the group he entered with. That is what I have faced in spreading the message I have to tell and I’m sure many others who have dabbled in gambling awareness know about the difficulties I speak of.

Here’s an even more expansion of that: For the month of December, I put aside 51% of the royalties paid to me for “Into the Muck” to donate to charity. When I reached out to different organizations, I was met with a brick wall because the book was about gambling. I was denied donating royalties and it wasn’t just one organization. Both national and local charities declined being part of the promotion.

How would people who benefit from these charities feel if they knew someone was trying to donate, but was denied because of what they stood for? How is it okay to have charity poker tournaments, but not be accepting of a gambling awareness book? How is it okay to accept money from poker players who they themselves decide to donate? Isn’t that also a contradiction?

(* I will be making a personal donation in the amount of 51% of the royalties still, as I will keep my promise.)

My frustration is evident, but at some point, all of this will come full circle and those who have been unwilling to listen will be forced to and then it will all change.

I am happy to note that I have met a new ally this month in www.problempoker.com. Problem Poker may play a very important role with the upcoming legalization of online gambling. They offer software that gets installed onto your computer that blocks gambling sites for a specified amount of time decided upon at the beginning of the term. Once it’s in place, it stays there until the term expires. That way the problem gambler can’t change their mind in a time of weakness, which I could see happening often.

Problem Poker also has recommended “Into the Muck” as their book of the month. Check it out along with their site, www.problempoker.com.

After talking with them, it’s reassuring to add them to the list of supporters out there and those fighting for awareness and offering guidance and support to those who need it.

I will always stand by the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, as Dr. Marvin Steinberg had some quotes in recent reports of online gambling in CT. Also, the National Council on Problem Gambling, and Executive Director Keith Whyte, have continued to let their voice be heard in DC.

There’s no telling how long this ordeal will take, but soon, online poker will be as easy as it once was. I hope that there are people brainstorming methods to protect the players who will undoubtedly join again. Also, I hope there will be a way to protect those who don’t belong playing in the first place, especially our youth.

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The National Council on Problem Gambling held their annual conference in Boston, Massachusetts from June 30-July 2.

At first I was quite disappointed that I wasn’t chosen to be one of the presenters at the conference because I had wanted to play a more prominent role than as just a spectator.  This being my first year attending, initially I wasn’t sure what to expect of the event.

After arriving at the conference and being introduced to people who have been working in the gambling field for many years, I realized that I had a lot to learn before it would be my time to have a role in the conference.  I should have been honored enough to be invited to the event with pioneers in the field such as:  Dr. Marvin Steinberg, Kathy Scanlan, Researchers such as Howard Shaffer, Jeff Derevensky, and Marc Potenza, the Executive director of the National Council, Keith Whyte, and Executive directors from most of the affiliate states, many of whom have been in the industry for years.

This may seem quite overwhelming, but I took it as an opportunity to get my name out in the field.  Surprisingly enough, many of them had heard of me and the book from both word of mouth and seeing me present at one point or another.  That was a pleasant surprise.

Before I talk specifics from the conference, I’d first like to congratulate Dr. Marvin Steinberg on being chosen for the Dr. Robert Custer Lifetime Achievement Award.  It has been a pleasure knowing and working with Marvin, both on the book — as I was honored to have Dr. Steinberg write the Foreword — and also collaborating with him and the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG) (especially when not everyone else would support me).  I can not thank Marvin and the CCPG enough for everything they’ve helped me achieve.  Congratulations again Marvin, you deserve everything you have earned and I wish you well in retirement come January (although I’m sure you will continue to play some role, at least I hope!).

As I noted, I had some hesitations about the conference. However, in reading the program I understood why I wasn’t selected to be one of the speakers.  My speech wasn’t tailored for this type of an event. Perhaps next year I will consider that and submit a much different proposal for how I can contribute.  My speech is more focused on bringing awareness about gambling and what it can do.  The majority of people here were involved with treatment and/or a gambling awareness agency.  Therefore, a gambling problem is something that they’re already very familiar with.  Unfortunately, I have faced issues gaining support for “Into the Muck” and myself from some people in those departments because I didn’t receive “treatment.” However, I argue that the book was my escape. It allowed me to release all of the emotions I was experiencing and then afterwards, when I reached out to the CCPG, working with them to help others also served as a type of treatment.  Clearly, my way is non-traditional and I’m not out to recommend this way.  I actually explictly state in my speeches, and in the book, that there is help out there that should be accessed if needed.  I want to help bring awareness to the field because when I went through what I did, I wasn’t aware of the places to go. This is the perspective I try to offer.

Regardless, this view is not the case for everyone.  Quite the contrary, most are supportive. While at the conference, I was successful in making a few new connections which have the possibility to turn into a positive collaboration.

The Massachusetts Council did a really good job collaborating with the NCPG to co-host the event.  The Mass Council has surely been busy as they were preparing Kathy Scanlan’s retirement and welcoming a new executive director, Marlene Warner.  I was able to meet both of them briefly and hope to maintain some sort of an association with them, especially since “Into the Muck” has already spread to Massachusetts as required reading for a class at UMASS Amherst.

As I’ve mentioned in the book, my main focus is on young adults and their parents.  I think it’s important to spread awareness especially to them.  So, it was a priviledge to meet Jeff Derevensky who’s main focus is with younger adults.  He gave a great presentation during one of the workshops discussing the results from studies focused on some of the reasons why gambling was so prevalent among young adults and how it isn’t currently a top concern for parents.  I must say he is a great presenter as well as researcher. Jeff presented the material energetically and in a way that was very engaging for his audience. He has a great site, www.youthgambling.org.  I suggest you checking it out if you haven’t already.  I met Jeff and told him about the book; it turns out that his wife has actually already read it and she will be reviewing it soon.  I hope to have a link to post to it. Regardless, that’s quite exciting!

I also attended a presentation by Robert Hynes of Fitchberg State University and Karen Jacobus that focused on how gambling is presented to student athletes with regard to the NCAA.  This was also another one of my favorite workshops.  Afterward, I approached them with hope for an opportunity to collaborate.  Perhaps NCAA student athletes will be another venue where “Into the Muck” will fit in quite well.  I was an athlete all through high school and have been involved with sports throughout my life.

The Social Media workshop by Julie Hynes has motivated me to stay on task and focus more on the different media outlets available to broaden the book’s exposure.  I have struggled to get outside of CT and parts of MA, but I’d like to be able to get “Into the Muck” some national attention.  As of now, the spread of the book has come mainly from word of mouth.  I was pleased that Pat Devendorf of the Wheeler Clinic in Hartford, CT said she had heard some high school students speaking of me, my presentation, and the book.  One of the kids even remembered the name of the book!  I was very impressed!

I did an on-camera interview with Rory Reid of UCLA about my story.  He asked me questions that furthered the progression of the interview and even challenged me a little while recording.  Those are the types of interviews I enjoy.  Apparently, according to Rory, the approach I took to rid gambling from my life is called “spontaneous remission.”  That was interesting to hear, but I think we, as a society, have to get away from labels, especially if we want to reach out to younger people.  It’s hard enough to label young adults when they’re in relationships as boyfriend/girlfriend, let alone being called an addict.  I’m not even fond of the term, it has such a negative connotation associated with it.  I think the labeling helps research, but hurts outreach and prevention. In my opinion, I think if we can determine a way to ignore the labels and acknowledge the individual, awareness will be much more successful.

I met with members of the Council on Compulsion Gambling of Pennsylvania.  Those of you that have read the book know that I’m from Pennsylvania and that it is also where my grandfather is buried.  I spoke with them about doing an event during National Problem Gambling Awareness Week in March.  It would be really exciting for me to go back to the state where most of my family lives and give a speech, goosebumps!

I also met Reece Middleton of the Louisiana Council.  He is quite a character and a huge Saints fan much like myself.  We were able to exchange stories about the team and he was impressed I knew about Michael Lewis, the walk-on beer delivery truck driver who was a kick returner for the Saints.  Reece said they used to call him “Bud Light!”  Louisiana is another place I have on my list to give a speech.  One of my goals is to take my dad to a Saints game in the Superdome.  He got me into being a Saints fan and neither of us have been to New Orleans.  That would be an unbelievable experience, but even better if I was able to give a speech while there or even have some contact with the team.  Perhaps they would be willing to support my efforts for gambling awareness.

I also met Michael Korpi, the 24 year old man who walked across America from Seattle to Boston to raise awareness about gambling.  He too had some bad experiences with poker in college and in response, he decided to walk with his two dogs.  I gave him a copy of the book and hope to hear his responses to it.  I’m sure there are many similarities to the situations I describe in the book.  I’m impressed with his journey and wish him well in his recovery once he gets back to Seattle and heads to school.

If some of you follow along with my “Into the Muck” Facebook page (Facebook page), then you may recall seeing a post I made about the top 100 recovery books in Australia.  “Into the Muck” is listed as #15.  Interestingly enough, I met the CEO and founder of “Gamblock,” David Warr, from Australia.  “Gamblock” blocks access to gambling sites on your computer.  It’s software that can be downloaded and from what I’ve heard, reviewed very positively.  It’s definitely worth checking out, www.gamblock.com.  David and I spoke about many things and I hope that the NCPG considers to consult him as they continue to make progress into the internet age.  He understands the way that online gambling works and can offer suggestions that may be able to help more people.

There were many positives associated with the event. I am grateful for all of the people I met and the presentations I was able to attend. I look forward to meeting and listening to those whom I didn’t have the opportunity to interact with. The only thing I really disliked about the conference was the Park Plaza Hotel, which hosted the event.  Other than that I am so glad I was able to take part in the conference.  There are many new potential projects and collaborations that I can look forward to.  The NCPG will have their conference in Milwaukee next year.  I hope to be a part of it and feel that perhaps I understand more of what the NCPG is looking for in a presenter.  I look forward to next year and can’t thank everyone enough for making the experience one I won’t forget.  It was a pleasure to meet all of you and I hope to hear from you soon.

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I just endured “Transformers 3:  Dark of the Moon” and honestly, it wasn’t easy.

The movie lacked any sort of idea as to what identity it wanted to have.  It seemed as if it wanted to be a Saturday Night Live skit with all of the horrible jokes that seemed to last forever; All that was missing was a cameo from Will Ferrell then it would have accomplished being that.

If the movie wanted to be taken seriously, it should have forgotten about the issue of replacing Megan Fox.  Instead, kill her off and don’t replace her with a new leading lady.  Bay spends the entire first 30 minutes trying to make us believe that Shia LeBouf has some reason to be with his “supermodel” new girlfriend (who really showed off her acting skills).  Even his parents fail to acknowledge how and why she’s with him, the mom going as far as making a joke about his manhood.  Really, Transformers?  What do you want to be, a cartoon franchise or a cinemax special?

Throughout the movie Bay tries to make us care about anything and everything.  Yet he fails miserably, especially given his track record of never ridding the franchise of any of the main characters.  Perhaps if the audience actually thought something might happen to one of them then they’d be concerned.

I couldn’t help but hope that an asteroid would come and strike the planet so that the entire franchise would end.  Instead, the movie continued on for another hour and forty five minutes, with a running time of over two and a half hours.  Did Bay really think he could keep anyone’s attention for that long?

I hated the characters.  I hated the woman who was in charge of security, the leading actress, and most of the fill-in characters waiting to drop their cheesy line with the hope of a giggle from the audience.  All the while waiting for the plot to surface.  When they finally revealed it, the movie could have been over within five minutes so we were forced to suffer through it while the sophisticated alien robots deciphered the “twist.”

Even the ending, which I won’t spoil — not sure that it’s a big shocker, but I’ll let you determine that — was lackluster and seen from a mile away.  What’s even more incredible is that there’s always room for another movie in the series.

Here’s hoping that the Transformers are done.  Let’s all move on and hope there’s never another one.  It has ran its course, used every special effect possible, and failed to determine what the word plot means.  It’s time to let another 80′s cartoon have their time in the spotlight.  Bring on the Thundercats!

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I hope all of you aren’t buying into all of the bs that Phil Ivey has said about his reasoning to boycott the WSOP this year (Check out an article about it if you haven’t heard already, http://abcnews.go.com/Business/phil-ivey-stays-world-series-poker-sponsors-legal/story?id=13831095).  His ties with Full Tilt poker alone should suggest otherwise, yet he wants to now try and sue them for hurting his name.  How have they tarnished his well being?  He can’t use them as income anymore, but how is that different than any other US online player?  Why is he any different and why is he trying to give the impression that he cares about anyone else, especially when it comes to poker?

In his ESPN E:60 news report he says himself how cutthroat he is at the poker table and how he’s out to get your money.  He wants it.  He needs it.  Therefore, everyone needs to understand this lawsuit is all about himself.  I don’t think for a second that Ivey will bat an eye if he receives some sort of a settlement from Full Tilt and the US poker players still haven’t received the money from their accounts.

Honestly I think that Ivey’s reasoning has more to do with the fact that he didn’t want to pay for his own buy-ins to the World Series of Poker.  I’d be curious to know what his actual net profits have been the past few years had he spent the money himself to get into the tournaments, but don’t think that has been the case either.

Ivey gives off the impression that he is the LeBron James of poker.  The one who has all of the hype, is predicted to win everything, yet when he has his opportunities he can’t live up to what he’s created.  Sorry Ivey, you’re no better than LeBron.  All you need to do is come out and give a statement much like LeBron’s after losing the NBA Finals.  James said that all of the Heat haters would have to go back to reality and all of their problems before they lost the Finals.  Then he’ll get to go back to his life.  I can’t believe he went out of his way to say that.  Who does he think he is?  (Check out the article of him of course apologizing for his comments, http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/news/story?id=6661305.  Since when does everyone in the public eye get to retract whatever they say?  He said it and should have to stand by it.  I’m sick of this, “that’s not what I meant” bs).

Sorry, one last thing about LeBron, does anyone remember when the last time Michael Jordan scored in single digits in the NBA Finals???  I sure don’t.  Also, I’m pretty sure last time I checked MJ was 6-0 in the Finals, while LeBron is 0-2.  So I think it’s time all of the comparisons between the two should end for a while.

Back to Ivey.  He had his chance to win the WSOP Main Event back in 2009.  He was in the final 9 but couldn’t get the job done.  He was one of the favorites going in but caved before he could fulfill the legacy he’s created for himself.  I’m not sure how poker players have legacies, but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt for now.

The poker well will most likely undergo many changes in the next few months/years.  I’m not sure what will actually happen yet, we’ll have to wait and see, but I’m not sure Ivey is the all-caring humanitarian that he’s trying to portray.

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I just wanted to let everyone know I’m still around and doing events.  I have a couple of really exciting ones coming up…

I haven’t been keeping up with the blogging as much as I’d like to lately because I have been working on my second book with a tentative title, “Nine Days Til Doomsday.”

But I do want to make an announcement about June 6, 2011.  Brad Davis, a man whom I truly respect and think very highly of, has been kind enough to ask me to be his speaker for the upcoming Listener Luncheon at Adam’s Mill Restaurant in Manchester, CT.  I hope all of you will check it out, see the “News and Events” tab on the website for more information.  Books will also be sold at the event and I will be happy to sign them for you!

Also, on June 18, 2011 I will be returning to the Borders on 1600 Southeast Rd in Farmington, CT due to the success we had last time I came.  Hopefully all of you will stop by even if it’s just to say hi during the event.  It will go from 1:30-3:30 PM on that Saturday afternoon.

Thanks for taking time to check out my blogs/website.  I look forward to seeing all of you on June 6th and am excited to keep working on this new piece that hopefully all of you will enjoy.

‘Til the next time, all the best…

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FINALLY!!  I had my opportunity to speak at Southern CT State University.  My first attempt was interrupted by a virtual shutdown of the Merritt Parkway 3 exits away from the campus.  It took me almost 4 hours to get to Southern from Hartford.  I got there after the entire presentation was over and all of the people had left.  I apologized profusely.  It was the first speech I had ever been late/missed.  Hopefully it will be my last.

But I was able to re-schedule and spoke for students and faculty during a lunch presentation in the Student Center.  The speech went really well, but I couldn’t help but notice all that was running through my head before the speech.  It’s amazing what public speaking can do to your mind.  I can’t get over the thoughts that were scattered in my brain.  I intend to write a piece about that sometime soon, but I don’t want to divulge all of the details just yet.

I was able to give my usual presentation and then showed the Ivey video.  Once again it got a great reaction and we continued on to talk about current events, including online poker.  It’s clear my stance on the topic so I won’t re-iterate it at the moment, but I will soon bring up a couple of new articles I read tonight.

The speech concluded and hopefully I will be back at Southern come this fall to speak with some incoming freshman.  I think “Into the Muck” can play a vital role as part of young people’s first year experience/orientation into college, or even as part of a high school health class.

We teach high schoolers about drugs, alcohol, sex, and tobacco.  Yet when they leave high school we don’t teach them all of that because we expect that they’re going to be drug addicts or alcoholics.  We teach them about it so that they are aware of what they could end up getting themselves involved with.  Why isn’t this also true with gambling?  When will gambling be added to that list and be brought up in senior health?  Perhaps “Into the Muck” can help present the other side.  I’m not in any way trying to tell people how to act/gamble/play poker, but I continue to stand by my point that it’s important for awareness.

It’s not the casino’s or the online poker company’s responsibility to educate the public about gambling awareness.  It is society, and corporations like ESPN presenting poker in such a fabricated way in order to accept the online poker company’s sponsorship money have played a role in how its portrayed.  As the cliched saying goes, “Knowledge is power.”

——-

There continues to be a stir about “Black Friday” throughout the social networks, including Twitter.  I looked at a piece by Calvin Ayre, “Black Friday:  Calvin Ayre picks online poker’s winners and losers” (Article).

I made sure I left a comment on the page about the lack of comprehension for anything other than poker player’s wallets.  No one has yet considered any of the young people who haven’t been exposed to online poker as winners and that perhaps the regulations that will be made will be successful in making the online world safer to gamble.  There needs to be more stringent guidelines as how to deposit and access funds online.  It was too easy the way it was and I’m not 100% sure exactly how to change that, but there needs to be something done.

Calvin responded to my comment with an incoherent mess that didn’t seem worthy of a response.  “Religious mumbo jumbo???”  If you read my comment, I’m not sure what religion had anything to do with it.  I have downloaded the piece he’s referring to about one individual person referring to gambling as good for kids.  However, as he continued to make reference to me not having any clue what I’m talking about, I decided another comment was necessary.  Then I realized who this guy Calvin was, a founder of Bodog.com (an online casino) — of course I had no idea what I was talking about.

The statement that gambling is good for kids depends on how it’s being used.  I think gambling knowledge is EXTREMELY important for kids, it teaches various life skills/lessons and enables people to recognize different things within themselves.  But if this author/scientist has proven that kids should be outside on the playground gambling away anything that they can get their hands on then I’m definitely going to call bullshit on that one.  I’ll get back to all of you on that piece once I have a chance to get a grasp on exactly what this guy is referring to.

I was also forwarded three additional articles about “Black Friday.”

One was written by someone I highly respect, Josh Axelrad (Axelrad’s piece), author of “Repeat Until Rich” and the others were written by former US Senator, Al D’Amato (D’Amato’s piece), and Professional poker player, Matt Matros (Matros’ piece).

Axelrad enlightened me on a new way to look at online poker.  His claim is that perhaps online poker is too powerful to regulate.  It presents such a difficult task and most likely, one that isn’t even possible.  After reading his article and considering some of the usual comments from poker players, and some of his responses to comments, it has brought me to think he could potentially be right.

Online poker is an unbelievable creation.  It allows people to never leave their home nor display their addiction to anyone who may want to help them.  It presents many opportunities to be overtaken by the online poker world and with the speed of game play the addiction can spread much faster than the slow casino play.  If this is actually the case, awareness has never been more important and it goes back to my point about senior health class/freshman in college orientation.

The other two articles are from the pro-poker perspective and continue to just dwell on the fact that they have lost their liberties.  At the risk of repeating myself, I will briefly react to them.

Both of them state that poker is not a game of chance.  It’s a skill game.

Sorry boys, it is STILL gambling.  Just because you talk of how you can manipulate how often you win or lose by recognizing ‘tells’ in other players – whether it be reactions or a betting pattern – this is still a game of chance.  As much as you continue to state that you “control your own destiny,” that’s ridiculous.  Can you control what hand you’re dealt?  Can you control what cards are revealed for the flop, turn, and river?  Can you control the percentages that certain hands beat other hands? (I’m pretty sure the answer is NO to all of those questions).

The only thing you can control is how you play the hand, which I will agree involves some skill, but not enough to separate poker from gambling.  IT IS STILL GAMBLING AND IT IS A CARD GAME, ONE OF CHANCE.

If there wasn’t a luck component, poker would not have exploded when amateur Chris Moneymaker won the World Series of Poker.  Since then amateurs have believed they can win and because of how many people enter these tournaments, amateurs do win, which in turn makes people think they can strike it rich too.  This had led them to neglect considering the overwhelming odds against them.  There wouldn’t be an online poker issue right now if there wasn’t a luck/chance component because the pros would win every time and no one would want to play.

I think poker players are having a hard time dealing with the fact that their cash crop may start to dry up.  Honestly, I’m surprised it hasn’t happened sooner.  The problem?  Because each and every year, people turn 21 and haven’t been exposed to the issue of poker and gambling.  Also, a decent percentage continue the new “rite of passage,” a visit to the casino for their 21st birthday.  Until we can reach young people, this will still be an issue, but because of the online shutdown, there may be a stall in the cash crop.

Think about how most industries work.  There is an initial boom (at some point – it doesn’t necessarily have to be in the very beginning) and then eventually the industry levels off to where it should be.  Think about internet stocks and how many people made millions of dollars from them.  Now it’s not like that.  They have leveled off and people aren’t making what they used to.  Poker will eventually level off.  It can’t be like its been, there will be the next fad to take over and if this online poker shutdown is any sign of how poker players will react, there will be many people left sitting in their rooms wondering how to live their lives because there isn’t the money there once was in online poker.

(to close I’ll use a line from “Into the Muck”…)

Good luck online players… oh wait… it’s all skill, yeah right…

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As usual, lots to update, but I’ll start with the breaking news…

…..

I’m sure most of you have heard about the recent shut downs of the online poker world.  Even if you don’t have any interest in poker, you have likely overheard or skimmed something streaming about the federal indictments made to the heads of the main online poker companies.

I have taken it a little further and investigated deeper into the issue and I was disappointed when I found that poker players haven’t changed, and they continue to show that they don’t belong having control over this industry.  Sorry Poker Players Alliance (PPA), but you and your fellow players have no business deciding any of the regulations within the industry, and here’s why…

There’s a reason why the online poker industry crashed and sorry professional online players, it’s not because you guys are so awesome and are taking everyone’s money.  The government hasn’t stepped in and said you’re not allowed to play poker anymore.  You still want to play?  Go to the casino… step outside, get a life, one that includes you actually showering and/or dressing yourself.  That’d be a start.

I noticed some of my friends facebook posts about how they’re now “unemployed” and that the government is robbing them of freedom.  Then when anyone puts forth an argument (which I’m getting to mine) about why this needed to happen, the first comment they make is “you clearly lose all the time online.”  IT’S NOT ABOUT THAT.  POKER PLAYERS NEED TO STOP BEING SO FOOLISH ABOUT ALL OF THIS.  I WAS ONE OF YOU AND THIS IS WHAT I HATED MOST ABOUT ALL OF YOU.  IT’S A STEREOTYPE BUT I HAVEN’T FOUND IT TO BE INACCURATE YET.  PROVE ME WRONG.

The online industry was so fly by night and sketchy that the government had to step in.  Even though the government has stepped in for different reasons then I’m going to discuss about, it’s still about time that something was done.  Any kid could log in (whether they were 18/21 or not), and use their parent’s bank account or credit card or play with their own money, lacking the true understanding that each click of the mouse is for actual money.  It’s even more disguised than the chips casinos use to fool people into thinking that chips aren’t real money, yet they are and so is each click on the computer.  It’s time that this industry takes itself seriously.  Livelihoods are being ruined at the expense of this activity.

When else has there been an opportunity for people to not get out of bed, get dressed, or walk out of their house and risk everything they have.  What is it about this competition with two stupid cards that had even me hypnotized.  People are not themselves when they get roped into this game and it’s not okay to just let it be because online players want their freedoms.

Regretfully, I will admit, online poker will come back.  Rest easy everyone who has been forced to live real lives instead of jonesing in front of your computer waiting for your next hand.  However, you may have to wait.  And honestly, I can only hope, you may not like the changes that come about because of this responsible act on the part of the US Government.  This industry needs regulation, less exposure (i.e. media coverage), less enticements that draw in the average person who had no intention of playing poker, and needs more official documents in order to use bank accounts/credit cards, and perhaps even a test that measures the level of addiction a person has, which in turn, could regulate the amount of money allowed to play with on the site.  (Relax, poker players, this needs to happen.  You may have to play against other professionals for a while, instead of the frequent young adults who probably don’t know much about poker.)

Some professionals have been begging for this for a while.  Some have wanted less amateur players because they’re tired of losing to amateurs.  Annie Duke, Howard Lederer’s sister — Howard has a huge piece of Full Tilt poker, has been trying to set up a pros only league.  Well, now she may have her wish.  Finally the cash crop may start to dry up.  Hopefully, people will find something else to do with their money and that thought might scare some poker professionals and online executives.

Here are a few pieces to follow along with the action.

NYT.  ESPN.

Perhaps, as a result of online poker becoming such a hot button issue, someone will take a national note of “Into the Muck.”  I will actually be making my drop by to ESPN tomorrow and will update all of you on what happens.  I’m excited, yet I don’t think anyone will listen or take me seriously.  But now may be the time.  Gambling addictions do exist and it’s not about an individual being able to make decisions for themselves.  It’s more than that.  And one last time, I’m so damn sick of poker players accusing people of just being terrible at poker.  GROW UP.

I’m not against people playing.  Play at the casino or online, but make sure it’s fair and regulated.

…………………………….

In other news… its been a pretty busy week for me as well.  I spoke at two colleges this week, one of which, UMass Amherst, has made “Into the Muck” part of their class requirements.  Awesome!

First though, I spoke at Middlesex Community College on Tuesday.  It was the first time I’ve done any speeches with Problem Gambling Services (PGS).  They offer another way to combat gambling addictions and would like to know more about their treatment methods.  When I know more, I’ll let all of you know.

The speech was also my first on a Recovery Panel.  It featured three former gambling addicts, myself included.  PGS showed a video about a 20-something year old man, “Jimmy,” and his addiction to poker.  I related really well to the piece considering my background.  The other two addicts were older and had different stories than mine, each very powerful in their own way.

I did another speech later that night for Middlesex Community College solo.  There was a class that was given extra credit for coming to the event.  We showed the same “Jimmy” video, then I told my story and PGS interviewed me with questions that helped provide for some good discussion.  I think it worked!  There were some really good comments and it was an overall great experience.  Perhaps there will be future events with PGS.

This past Thursday I went to UMass Amherst.  I met with the professor of the class and we had lunch along with the Department head.  We talked about the different issues that younger/college aged students face, especially with online poker — and this was before all of the news broke!

Then I went in and spoke for the class.  I’m not going to lie, because the students had all read the book and already had a class that focused on discussing the book, I was a little anxious about doing a speech for them.  I was unsure of how I wanted to tailor the speech.  I tossed around for days how much I should say of my “traditional” talk.  I knew I wanted to show the Ivey video (see the Eastern Blog for the link), but before that, how much did I want to re-iterate to them without being boring or redundant?

I decided to do a brief speech, similar to the one I gave at E.O. Smith, but I went off on tangents a couple of times.  And because I try to be perfect each time, I found myself a little upset that I couldn’t have been a little more flawless considering this audience knew more about me than any other audience I had given a speech for.  I found myself looking around the room gauging reactions of the students, not focusing on what words were coming out of my mouth!  But overall it was really great.

And again, the video was a hit!  Thank you ESPN for such a great piece that makes my point so clear about how overly dramatized and glamorized this industry is, especially by you.  Now what will you do if the online poker companies aren’t funding your poker programming?

There were some really great questions and comments.  Some wanted to know more about specific stories from the book — including the Turningstone story with Mosko, the “Lucky to be Alive” chapter.  Another student asked me, and like I said to him “I can’t believe no one has asked me this yet,” do you think it would have been different if you won?  I stood there and thought about it, knowing that there’s no reason to lie, but like I said to them, it may have prolonged things but eventually gambling would have caught up to me.  I couldn’t escape the emotional breakdown that would have taken place no matter when it occurred.

Others wanted to know more about the hypocrite story — from the E.O. Smith blog.  That impressed me too, not online did they read the book, but they went through the blogs too!  The idea of potentially being a casino addict came up also came up — the need for that excitement and wanting to be a part of that.  Interesting!

Like I told the professor, I’m curious to know how people who still gamble (whom I don’t know) or who swear by that lifestyle, would react to my book.  Perhaps they completely push it away and don’t believe what I have to say.  Or they say what a typical poker player says, “he just sucked at poker.”  Or maybe they like it…

I haven’t been able to reach that demographic yet, but would love input from anyone in that situation that has read the book.  Contact me, good or bad, I’d love to hear your feedback.

Once again, it’s been a great week.  Things keep moving forward and I can’t wait until the time that I can tell all of you that “Into the Muck” is finally national.  Hopefully that day comes sooner rather than later, but I’m definitely enjoying the ride!!

That’s all for now, check back soon…

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Hello everyone, I apologize for the delay between blogs.  I have definitely said that way too many times lately, but I have been busy… in a good way.

First off, “Into the Muck” is available on Kindle for only $8.99… and the best part (wait for it…) you don’t need a Kindle to read it.  You can put it on your phone, your computer, whatever… just download the free Kindle app from Amazon.  I actually downloaded it to my computer since I don’t own a Kindle.  Here’s the link to “Into the Muck” on Kindle.

I appeared on “Better Connecticut” on March 22, 2011.  It was great to see Scot Haney again.  We are friends through a mutual friend and it was fun to catch up.  I posted a photo on Facebook with Scot and I from the “Better Connecticut” set.  It was a great interview though… Scot did a great job of asking questions that kept progressing the story.  After the live taping, they noted their interested in having me on again, perhaps even designing a segment… I would love that.  Here’s a link “Better Connecticut.”

Speaking of fun, I had a great day speaking for five classes at E.O. Smith High School in Storrs, CT.  I got to meet some great students and gave five forty-five minute speeches, almost one after the other with a small break in between.  It definitely gave me a new appreciation for what teachers do day in and day out.  Each student from all of the classes was given the opportunity to enter a drawing to win a copy of the book.  Almost everyone entered and one lucky person won a copy by the end of the day.

I must say each speech took on its own dynamic.  The first speech was probably the worst of them all.  Not that it was bad, but they didn’t have the advantage of me receiving any feedback from a previous class.  Thus they were forced to listen to my first speech tailored toward high school students.  They enjoyed it though and gave me some great responses to the questions I had on the board to help me with the rest of my speeches.  The last speech, which had the most feedback incorporated with it, but also the most fatigue, was probably the best speech.  I’ll never forget the reaction I got from a young man in the front row, “WOW.”  Even the way he said it was great.  It made my day!

I was also asked a great question during one of the classes, “do you ever worry that someone’s going to call you a hypocrite because you used to play poker, now you’re fighting for awareness against it?”  My response was I’ve been called a hypocrite, by a peer that I lived in a house with.  One of the people I lived with anyway.  Regardless, who said it doesn’t matter, but they had some horrible things to say about me in reaction to the Hartford Courant article that came out in November.  At first it was a little tough to swallow, but after numerous posts about calling me a con-artist, and how terrible of a person I was, I knew that this person was just out to attack me.  It was difficult, but my response to the young lady was “Know what you stand for, because at the end of the day, you have to live with yourself.  And I am trying to stand for something positive, I can only hope that’s the case.”

I still have not heard from ESPN or any of its affiliates regarding their poor programing choices during National Problem Gambling Awareness Week, but I assure you all that I will be making a stop by their Bristol, CT studios.  I plan on dropping off a copy of the book for them and will urge them to read the last chapter of the book.  Perhaps then ESPN and its affiliates will take the way they portray gambling seriously.

I did catch an article in the New York Times about an online poker player, written by Jay Caspian Kang.  The article is very well written (here’s a link NYT article).  Mr. Kang has a great writing style, one which I can connect with.  However, the piece seems to draw more attention to online poker, rather than talking about the negative aspects of it.  He talks about a specific player and how the kid has no life outside of this internet world of poker.  It’s treated almost nonchalant though, especially since the kid is a millionaire, yet he doesn’t comprehend the value of a dollar.  BUT… I did read an earlier piece about poker/gambling addiction, also by Mr. Kang, and the article was brilliant (here’s a link Article2).  I urge all of you to read it.

I went to the movies a couple weeks ago and checked out “Limitless” starring Bradley Cooper.  The movie was pretty entertaining.  However, I couldn’t stand the message it sent.  The movie, for those who don’t know, is about this pill that Bradley Cooper eventually gets his hands on.  The pill allows the user to access 100% of their brain, given that most people can only access 20%.  Therefore he gets ahead until he develops an addiction to the drug, then he learns first hand of its harmful side effects.  Without ruining the ending for everyone, the movies message displays exactly how the majority of people view addiction.  If you can be addicted to something, but make it work for you and make millions of dollars, then it’s okay and it’s not viewed as an addiction.  Quite disappointing.

I spoke with the Daily Campus, who did a great article about “Into the Muck,” (Daily Campus) and they have shown an interest in reviewing the book as part of their “Focus” section before the end of the semester.

Also, stay tuned for a piece I’m going to write about a night I spent with a friend of mine, who is borderline addicted to poker.  I got to see first hand what poker did to him and compare it to what it did to me.

I have a few speeches coming up this month as well.  I’ll be at Middlesex Community College on April 12th as part of a recovery panel.  I’ll be at UMass Amherst to speak to the class that has the book as required reading.  Finally, I’ll be at Southern CT State University on April 26th.

I also have a couple other really big announcements to make soon… stay tuned for more is all I can say at the moment!!!

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Hello Everyone, first off, Happy National Problem Gambling Awareness Week!  Check out www.npgaw.org.

I must say I’ve watched ESPN my entire life and LOVE sports.  Yet as a network, they continue to disappoint me when it comes to the message, or lack thereof, that they are sending, especially with regard to poker.

As I mentioned, it’s National Problem Gambling Awareness Week (NPGAW), and I flip through the stations and OF COURSE, reruns of the World Series of Poker on ESPN2… Why ESPN?  I just don’t understand.  I have neglected to really take a stand against your programming, other than the last chapter of my book, and your horrible E:60 special on Phil Ivey, but now I’m very irritated and you WILL be mentioned in my speech tomorrow at Southern CT State University and just to be clear, I will not be talking about you fondly.  This might have been the last straw.  Now I will do my best to contact you in some way, shape, or form.  Your disregard for gambling awareness is way too clear and needs to be adjusted.

I found a “Contact ESPN” on google and did an email to who knows, but I was honest and included all of my contact info and sent in the email that I’ve included below.  I hope to receive a response, to which I will share with all of you.  (See my email below)

——-

It’s National Problem Gambling Awareness Week and you, as a network, live up to your reputation of having a complete disregard for the way you portray poker on television.  Especially considering I was able to find it airing on ESPN2 tonight.  You couldn’t even put it on hold this week?

Perhaps it’s time to stop ignoring how poker is being portrayed by ESPN and discuss the actual real ramifications of a life in the amateur poker world. Not everyone is successful and more and more college students …and young adults are becoming addicted. My name is Joe Turbessi, author of “Into the Muck: How poker changed my life.” Perhaps you’d be willing to spend a moment and check out my website www.intothemuck.com, contact me, and even review the book. It’s about time kids got to see what really happens out there, not the illusions you continue to fill their heads with.

Happy Problem Gambling Awareness Week, maybe you’ll actually start to take this seriously soon.

——-

I’m sure this will get tossed aside and left alone until gambling addictions can finally get the acknowledgment that is necessary in order to help promote awareness, which is especially important during this week.  Can’t ESPN show a little respect to what some responsible people are trying to do?

I apologize for my negativity toward ESPN, trust me, I love Sportscenter as much as anyone.  It plays in my house over and over again each day.  But I’m filled with disappointment toward ESPN.

But, on a different note, I spoke for the Newington Boy Scouts Troop 347 this past Wednesday night at Martin Kellogg Middle School in Newington, CT.  It was a great experience.  The scouts were the youngest group I’ve been in front of and it posed the challenge of how to portray a gambling addiction to some kids who haven’t ever gambled.

But first, thanks again to ESPN, because when I asked them, “have you ever heard of poker?  They all let out with a resounding yes.  However, they didn’t know the part of poker I was going to talk about.

I designed an activity with play money that illustrated how a gambling addiction could take place, and related it to their lunch money and getting roped into a constant battle which pitted them against their friends and hiding from their parents.  They seemed to follow me, which was awesome.  It was very rewarding to hopefully show them what could potentially happen if they let things get out of control.  I just wanted to illustrate on their level what I went through.

They were very hands on, had some great questions to ask, and seemed to relate to me pretty well.  All bonuses for me, because it helps me work off of them and tell them perhaps something I haven’t said in other speeches, which is why I encouraged them to ask questions at anytime during the speech.  I didn’t want them to be bored.

The parents were great as well.  And I reiterated to them how important it was to have their family’s support, which clearly the majority of them had with their parents showing up at the Boy Scouts meetings each month.  Even the parents asked questions like, “what are some signs we should look for when our child could potentially have a problem?”  I told them what my mother says in the “Afterword,” “be aware.”  But also to notice changes in their child’s personality, if they become much more isolated or things seem different, even depression.  All of this is important, but that’s where the support comes in, because the more support the parents give all along, the more they’re going to know their children.  That will enable them to understand changes that take place.

I also encouraged them to watch the Phil Ivey movie that I spoke about in my last blog as a family.  That way the kids could ask them questions if they had any about poker or the life he lives, and they could address the issues together.

I can’t thank the Boy Scouts of Newington Troop 347 enough for having me speak for them.  It was a great experience and I look forward to speaking at Southern CT State University tomorrow, March 7th at 7pm.

Keep checking back this week for more updates.  Also, look for me on “Better Connecticut” on March 16, 2011 at 3PM.  Check your local listings for times and availability.

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