Staking in Poker - A Letter to Cardplayer

Hi All:

I doubt they will print this, but here is my view on undisclosed staking in poker.

Chief

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I read (with laughter) an article about the Jamie Gold staking controversy and how Cardplayer CEO Jeff Schulman was being extensively quoted about the code of conduct regarding staking. He called the recent developments regarding Gold "an abberation." The article also referred to Cardplayer about being the "bible" of the industry. That's the part that made me laugh because chances are that the people responsible for publishing Cardplayer have probably, at one time or another, engaged in the ugly practice of these under-the-table staking agreements.

Well, maybe it took an new-bee like Jamie Gold to finally bring some much-needed light on one of Poker's dirtiest secrets. Let's for one minute set aside the unacceptable antics that Gold and others displayed at the WSOP talking about their hands while playing them and promises to "show you my cards" if you fold. That alone is a truly despicable practice that Harrah's and others should immediately prohibit.

Let's address the elephant in the room for a moment. Undisclosed staking agreements are not fair and damage the waning credability of the game. Undisclosed staking agreements open the door for soft play and in some extreme cases, cheating. While the 2006 WSOP hit a high point in attendence, we have hit a low point on integrety.

The game is now filled with smash mouth antics, bad behavior, and serious ethics issues such as staking opponents. Do we want to improve the game or flush it down the toilet?

Cardplayer constantly encourages us to "speakout", but they never publish letters. I hope that the editor will print the concerns of the people like me who have no staking agreements, no promotional deals, no website to shill, but just enjoy the game and have a genuine concern about where it is going.

Frank L. Palumbo
New York