Frequently Asked Questions - General

Why am I doing this?

There are two reasons. First, I am very confident in my poker skills. Second, I would like to be a professional poker player. I do not have enough money to provide for an adequate starting bankroll. To try to get started, I am more than willing to give up 50% equity in myself.

Am I for real?

YES! In order to help get started, I am more than willing to give up 50% of my equity.

This seems neat, but how do I know you are not a scam?

In today's internet world, any scam in quickly exposed. I will uphold the staking agreement.

What's the catch?

There is NO catch. I want to become a professional poker player. Since I am an unknown player (right now), the only way for unknown poker players to get backing is to offer lucrative staking agreements. The only "catch" (if you want to call it that) is that I will pay out the stakers AFTER MY TAXES are withheld, not before, for any particular tournament.

How do you determine what/when/if you accept a proposed trade?

In the end, I have the final say in any trade. In order to trade my way to a seat in the WSOP main event, obviously, I will need to trade up in value. However, value is not the sole factor in determining whether a trade is accepted. I must also consider the popularity of the items. A popular item with a lower barter value might be more more appealing than a more valuable item with a limited audience. If I pass over your trade offer, please do not feel offended. Try again on another trade, if available.

Can you tell me a little more about your poker experience?

I started playing poker with my family when I was a child. In college, I was invited to nickle-dime-quarter games. After several winning sessions, I was banned from the games because I was too good of a player. When Chris Moneymaker won the WSOP Main Event in 2002, my interest in poker was rekindled. In the beginning, I did not fare well at all. I decided to learn how to play Texas Holdem "correctly", and read any material I could get my hands on. I have also attended six World Poker Tour Bootcamps. I have played against some big-name pros including TJ Cloutier, David Williams, Michael Mizrachi, Gavin Smith, Kathy Liebert, Clonie Gowan, Jennifer Tilly, Kenna James, Bill Edler, Vanessa Rousso, Chip & Karina Jett to name a few. These are not professionals that I have simply met, but pros who I have actually played against at their table. I have played against many more.

In addition to Texas Holdem, I have developed a strong game in Limit Omaha H/L, Pot Limit Omaha H/L, Razz, and Seven Card Stud.

Frequently Asked Questions - Staking Agreement

With this staking agreement, can I lose any money?

ABSOLUTELY NOT! In essence, you are bartering your item for my item. As an added bonus for trading with me and helping me realize my dreams, I am offering a portion of my prize money (if I should win) to the stakers. You risk nothing at all.

How do I know you will actaully enter the WSOP main event and not pocket the cash?

I will post pictures of my entry receipts to verify that I did play. Additionally, I will be posting photos and blogging about my experience.

How do I know that you will actually honor the staking agreement?

If I cash and I do not honor the staking agreeement, then my credibility will be ruined. This will definitely destroy my reputation and any future chance of getting staked that I have. A skating agreement can be written for all parties involved once a seat in an event is secured.

What is the duration of the stating agreement?

The staking agreement will be for ONE TOURNAMENT ONLY.

If you cash, how will you determine how much each of your stakers receive?

For each event that I play in, I will put 50% of my AFTER TAX winnings into the "staker pool" for that particular tournament. You will only be paid if you are in the staker pool for the tournament in which I cash. Each paid staker will receive an equal portion of the money in the "staker pool" for that tournament.

Example:

I play in the WSOP Main Event and cash for $150,000 after taxes are withheld. In this instance, $75,000 go to the "staker pool". If there were 13 trades made to get to me into the WSOP Main Event, then each slot would receive 1/13 of $75,000.

If you cash in an event, how will I be paid?

Upon returning from the World Series of Poker, I will send certified funds to all stakers.

Will you do this for other WSOP Tournaments too?

My goal is to be able to play in the WSOP Main Event. However, conventional wisdom says that if I am going to to play in the Main Evet, why not play in other events too? On an as-needed basis, I will offer other staking opportunities for other events. Remember, my first and foremost goal is to play in the WSOP Main Event.

Does the staking agreement carry over to the next year?

No. The staking agreement is valid only for the year and specified tournament, unless I am unable to trade my way to the WSOP Main Event.

What happens if you are unable to complete enough trades to secure a seat in the WSOP Main Event?

If I am not able to complete enough trades to compete in the 2011 WSOP Main Event, I will continue to trade until I can secure a seat. You will then have the same staking agreement for the 2012 WSOP Main Event.

If I have a stake in the WSOP Main Event, and you play in other events, will my staking agreement apply to other tournaments as well?

No. The staking agreement is only valid for the one specified tournament only.

Can I be part of more than one staking agreement?

Yes! If I try to trade into more than one tournament, you are more than welcome to submit a trade proposal for a stake in a second tournament.

Can I have multiple stakes in the the same tournament?

Theoretically, yes. I am more apt to try to include as many people as I can. However, that does not mean a person cannot have multiple stakes in one tournament.