Here's a look at some photos of the Ante Up! boys and their listeners and friends.
Dave from Ohio ran into a lot of poker pros during one of his many Vegas trips, and this time he found the bearded Max Pescatori! Max, aka the Italian Pirate, won his first WSOP bracelet this year, and it came on the same day Italia won the World Cup! How he didn't implode is beyond me! Nice job Dave!
Here's Ante Upper John Lanier at the WSOP Academy with Greg Fossilman Raymer and Joe Hachem. Lanier cashed in the next two tournaments he played in, so maybe there's something to these camps after all!!! Nice job John.
One of Ante Up!'s favorite guests, Joe Navarro, grins it up with Ante Up! listener John Lanier at the WSOP Academy at Caesars in Las Vegas.
Our AIPS #8 Limit champ is Dave Koenig from Troy, Ohio. He's the man responsible for bringing Kenna James into our Ante Up! Nation. Props to the big guy, nice job!
Here I am with the Blazman, aka Erik, at Foxwoods during the WPT event. Blaz kept begging me to play him heads-up but I kept telling him I had to work. LOL! We had lunch and chilled for a bit. We never did get to sit down at the felt, though. It's a good thing because I didn't want him to see me cry.
This photo is literally 20 minutes into the Foxwoods WPT tournament. Daniel Negreanu, in the black hat, already flopped a set and practically doubled up. He would later nearly fall asleep at this table until Jeanne brought him his lunch. Also, looking at his hole cards in the black shirt and hair is Nick Schulman, the defending champ of this event.
In the downstairs poker room at Foxwoods, Vanessa Rousso makes a bet during Day 1 of the WPT tournament. For some reason the shot is blurry, and so was her play as she didn't make it to Day 2.
Here's my new best friend, Freddy Deeb, during a break. Freddy just walked up and started talking to me and Jeanne, as if we knew him all along. He was great, but too bad he got crippled making a great call. A8 vs A4 and a 4 came on the turn. Brutal. He'll be on the show.
Amarillo Slim Preston stops to pose with Connecticut Chubby Cosenza during a break on Day 1 of the WPT event at Foxwoods in Ledyard, Conn. See me holding my belly! I need to stop going to the buffet!
Well, sorry for the blurry shots, but this is Doyle Brunson, left, and John Juanda, right, at the same table during Day 1 at Foxwoods. Both players struggled and didn't make it to Day 2.
Todd Brunson may be a little out of focus, but he's totally focused on the job at hand during Day 1 of the Foxwoods WPT event. He didn't make it to Day 2, and he didn't fare any better in the Father-Son event either. That's OK, he's still the best cash game player in the world.
Cyndy Violette looks at the community cards during a hand on Day 1. A few minutes later she would ask my wife, Jeanne, to deliver Daniel Negreanu his dinner. She gladly obliged.
Carlos Mortensen, at the right, sat in the back corner for Day 1 of the WPT event at Foxwoods, and he had a decent stack, but he didn't cash.
Here I am after my interview with T.J. Cloutier. Can you see my "Let's Play Razz!" button? I wore it all week! The funny thing about this photo is when the interview concluded, my wife Jeanne walked up and asked to take the photo. T.J. said "Sure!" I moved closer to him and he moved away, as if to say "What the hell you doin' boy?! She wants my picture, not yours!" Then I told him she was my wife and the picture was for me. He laughed.
Clonie Gowen, on Day 2, chats it up with the other players. Daniel Negreanu is seated in the foreground, listening to something other than Clonie. Both would cash in the WPT event.
Barry Greenstein essentially never got over his $20K starting stack, but he hung around until about halfway through the second day. The book below his chair would be signed and delivered to the man with the crewcut, Nenad Medic, the eventual champ. Greenstein always signs a copy of his book, Ace on the River, and gives it to the person who knocks him out of a tournament. He also writes the name of the tournament and the hand that knocked him out. It proved to be good luck for Nenad.
Here's Hoyt Corkins (a little bit blurry) making a bet on Day 2 of the WPT event at Foxwoods. He was a good interview and one hell of a nice guy. I'm thinking of inviting him over to the house!
The aggressive Tuan Le doesn't have a very impressive stack here, and he didn't cash in the 2006 WPT World Poker Finals at Foxwoods.
The World Poker Finals at Foxwoods comes to a close and the cast of the WPT gather around their champion for one final shot. That's Mike Sexton, Sabina Gadecki, Vince Van Patten and champ Nenad Medic. Why is it the guy who just took down $1.7M doesn't look as happy as the hosts behind him?
Can you see how annoyed I am with Lizzie Harrison of CardPlayer? Doesn't she know who I am and that I represent the Ante Up! Nation? I have to get to my computer to update our listeners, move aside! LOL! Look at all that cash on the table. If I don't show up for Show 76 you'll know I grabbed a few bricks for myself!!
Here I am interviewing the WPT 2006 World Poker Finals at Foxwoods winner, Nenad Medic, moments after taking down the $1.7 million top prize. See the broadcast media waiting behind me? That's right, Ante Up! Nation rules.
Mr. Erwin Blonk poses with his Ante Up! Giant Mug that he purchased at our Ante Up! Online Store. Thanks for the business Erwin (of course we don't see any of that money!) This photo is the equivalent of us hanging a dollar bill in a frame behind the cash register.
Here's why I don't wear sunglasses at the poker table. You can see my cards!!!! This is one of a series of photos we shot last year for an ad campaign at the Times and tbt*.
I figured out a long time ago if I could do chip tricks I might be able to intimidate the opponents. Of course I keep doing my chip tricks but no one online is impressed at all! This is a variation on the shot we use for the blog. And yes, I really can do that chip trick, among others. Maybe I can teach a course? LOL!
I once promised Scott this photo would never see the light of day since we wanted to be "taken seriously" on the show. But how could I resist now that we have a photo gallery? Besides, anyone who could belch on air for thousands of listeners shouldn't be embarrassed by this shot. This photo, by the way, explains why Scott has done so well in the AIPS events.
Talk about egos. Neither of us was willing to hold up a losing hand for this shot. Like the table? It's actually a piece of plywood on two wooden horses with some green paper laid on top. Professional, huh?
It may appear that Scott has the largest stack, but if you look closely you'll see Chris has more black chips, which means he has more money. LOL! Not much different than the AIPS or home games for that matter.
So, does Chris have the nuts or is Scott holding up the winner? Actually we'll never tell, but the chip stack is higher on the left (hint hint).
It's not easy to see her, but she's there, and look in the background, it's the Gallery of Champions. Not too shabby!
heffmike, aka, Mike Heffner, poses with his treasured banana after winning the Ante Up! Intercontinental Poker Series' first event, a $5 No Limit Hold 'Em Event. Congrats Mike!
World Class poker pro (and Ante Up! friend) Kenna James poses in front of his beautiful pool in his Walter Payton jersey and tbt* hat. Is that a ducky in the back?
Is that a one-outer Ante Up! co-host Chris Cosenza sees behind him? From the look on his face he must think he's playing online. He fared only slightly better than Scott at the charity tournament, lasting about 10 minutes longer. And these guys are supposed to be good?
At a local charity tournament, Ante Up! co-host Scott Long does his best imitation of a gorilla. Maybe he was preparing for the AIPS tournament? And one look at his stack pretty much tells you how he's been running in the AIPS, too!
Here are the boys getting ready to do another show in their new studio at the St. Petersburg Times. The man with his back to you is the show's esteemed engineer/audio editor Dave Morrison. He must feel like he's at the zoo looking in on the chimp exhibit.
What happens when a fan of our show runs into the show's greatest guest? A photo op! Loren Finkelstein and Cowboy Kenna James ham it up for the camera in Vegas during the 2006 WSOP.
One of our devoted listeners Loren Finkelstein, right, hangs out with 2005 World Series of Poker champ Joseph Hachem at the Poker Stars booth during the 2006 WSOP. Way to go Loren!
Here's Teresa, known as Khanwoman to the Ante Up! Nation, with the magician, Antonio Esfandiari, at the World Series. Note that Esfandiari is wearing his Hate-a-blockas! He must have been partying with Phil Laak all night. Nice job, T. Did he teach you any chip tricks?
This is what we call killing two birds with one stone! Sheila, aka "gadzooks63" aka "pokerslut" sent in this shot, which conveniently shows off her A.I.P.S. Pot Limit Omaha banana and her nifty Ante Up! track suit! Awesome!
One of our devoted listeners, Thitsa from Brooklyn, has struck up quite a friendship with Shirley Williams, mother of 2004 WSOP Main Event runner-up David Williams. Apparently they cruise the seas together and play lots of poker. Not a bad life, really.
Scott and Chris joke around with Joe Navarro before they interview him for Show #73. Joe lives in Tampa and is retired FBI Special Agent. Now he spends his free time telling Phil Hellmuth he's easier to read than a children's novel. Joe's book, Read 'Em and Reap, is a must read for the serious poker play, a fantastic addition to anyone's library. Listen to this show here: http://pod.sptimes.com/anteup073.mp3
Scott finds out he has a blinking rate of six times per minute, according to Ante Up's newest friend Joe Navarro, a former FBI Agent and author of Read 'Em and Reap. Chris called Scott earlier that morning and told him to make sure he didn't wear his gray shirt again. For those keeping score, this is Shirt No. 2. If you look carefully, you can see Chris nervously looking to see if Joe is packing heat in the studio. Listen to this show here: http://pod.sptimes.com/anteup073.mp3
All of the studio shots were taken by our then-engineer/producer and all-around good egg Dave Morrison.
Nothing like having a little fun with Photoshop! Some of you probably remember this from the old days, but since we are always picking up new listeners and readers I figured I'd save this from the old blog and post it.
Here's world famous poker pro Kenna James pointing the way to the best poker podcast on the planet! Of course he's probably only listening to the shows he was on, but that's fine with us. He's the Cowboy! Here Kenna's episodes here: http://pod.sptimes.com/anteup036.mp3 and here: http://pod.sptimes.com/anteup052.mp3
Says Ante Up! listener Natalie (imtoomuch4u): I asked for the "Let's Play Razz!" shirts and you delivered. I promised I would buy at least two. Well, I ended up buying five (two for me and three for the poker players on my Christmas list). As I wrap the presents I'm wearing mine and listening to your podcast (all at my poker table). Thanks again.
Don't mention it Natalie, and thanks for reminding me that all of those shirts came courtesy of the Chris Cosenza discount. D'OH! Happy Holidays!!
This isn't exactly the shot we wanted to see of Brett with Paris, but it'll have to do. That's him on the right, and the guy on the left is Barrie, or Barry, but we don't know who he is really. This was taken during Brett Otte's trip to Vegas courtesy of his MansionPoker.net appearance on TV. Nice shades, man.
Listener David "Godard" Gorgos sends us this shot of him wearing his Let's Play Razz! Hoodie, and one can only assume he's listening to Ante Up! on that iPod. David says he'll wear the Hoodie to his Saturday night home game. Good luck, David, and may the Ante Up! Nation be with you!
This is at the start of the home game and Chris is already shooting Scott an evil look, trying to stare into his soul, but of course we all know Scott has no soul. It was a good day for willhopper as he turned 33 units into 300. Not too shabby!
Yes, that's right, this is Mike "Fatso, Lance, Pesto, Bard" Fasso. He brought his new camera to the home game and decided to end the suspense. He should have his photo taken more often as he did pretty well that night. Are you satisfied now? Don't you feel like someone has been building up this great movie and then when you finally see it you're like "Now what?" LOL!
This is from our recent home game at Scott's house. See the cool table? Chris is in the background in the middle of a hand. Does he look like he has the nuts? He does, and he just bet out. At least Scott has his Ante Up! hoodie on!!!!
Craig "2a3" Kunimoto poses with his booty from his big victory in the AIPS No Limit Hold 'Em Deep Stack Main Event. For his victory he received the AIPS banana, the player of the year trophy, aka the Kongculator or the Great AIP and he also got some SunPoker textiles for knocking out our great friend Kenna James. Way to go Craig, and thanks for playing!
Dave from Ohio got to sweat Cowboy Kenna James' cards as he tried to qualify for a tournament out in Vegas. Kenna qualified, by the way. Just one question: Where's the cowboy hat??? That hat says Aussie Millions. Should we call him Crocodile Dundee Kenna James? LOL!
Gary Lawson and his son pose with their new Ante Up! swag. Those shirts are moving fast! That's not a scary looking board, I think the little guy flopped a set and is slow-playing his old man!
Here's a shot of listener Gary Lawson's son, and judging by the stack in front of him it's pretty obvious who the best player in that house is. Thanks for the photos Gary! And notice, the shirt says "AT" poker, not "IN" poker. LOL!
In true Predator fashion he sends us this photo after he won the Pot Limit Omaha/8 Banana during AIPS2. We get it, you want to remain anonymous, just like a predator would in the wild. Nice job beating up on the Nation!
Gambit sent us this photo of his son, Justin, and look at that stare!!! He doesn't need no stinkin' sunglasses! It won't be long before he's check-raising the old man! Of course, we can only ASSUME this is his son, and not a robot!
Wayne Kreps of Hudson, Ill. supports the Ante Up! Nation with his Ante Up! Golf Shirt! Way to go Wayne! Another $2 goes into the pockets of the Times! And nice table!!!
Here's Aquaman (I'd put his real name up here but I always think a superhero's real identity should be sacred) in Vegas. Is that Richard "Quiet Lion" Brodie on your left? And you're wearing your Ante Up! shirt!!! Nice job!!
Greg "9Gaiter" Dempsey shows us how to put a banana to good use, as a card protector. Greg picked up this banana by winning the AIPS Event No. 7, Pot Limit Omaha last year. Nice job, Greg, and thanks for sending in the photo! Is that a Reservoir Dogs shirt? LOL!
Mark, aka Gambit, came to the studio(s) to help us out with Show #87: Poker and Family Life. He gave Scott some Tylenol and he gave Chris a laminated cheat sheet with synonyms for the word HYSTERICAL! What a guy! Notice Scott is NOT wearing his usual gray shirt (though it is still gray) and Gambit has on his Chiefs shirt. When he said he liked the Hanson brothers we thought he meant the musicians!! Hear his show here: http://pod.sptimes.com/anteup087.mp3
Here is Teresa, aka Khanwoman, at the WSOP, and you can tell it's pretty early because she has what looks to be the full 10K. Is it true that Red Bull gives you wings? And are you doing a chip trick there or are you putting in a bet?
It's SHARKEY! And he's sporting what looks like a GREEN Ante Up! shirt. Do we even have green shirts in our store? I know Sharkey's face was green on MySpace for a while, but this is getting a little ridiculous! Thanks for the shot, BROTHER!
Scott (Nikademus) and his son, Zach, show their support for the Ante Up! Nation with a coupla shirts! Does black really go with green, Scott? I didn't even know that shirt existed!!!! Thanks for the support, guys! ANTE UP!!!
Despite being knocked out in the first few hours of the WPT's Main Event at Foxwoods in April 2007, Cyndy Violette still took time for a photo and interview. You can hear the interview here: http://pod.sptimes.com/anteup096.mp3
Ante Up! National Jason Booker took time out to visit Chris at the WPT Foxwoods event in April 2007. They had just returned from the cash tables where Jason made a nice profit and Chris got his money in good but lost anyway. Chris would get his money back later at the $2-5 tables. Mwah-ha-ha-ha!
After Jason Booker spent time with Chris, they saw Joe Sebok outside the Sunset Ballroom. Jason practically fell over with joy when he saw Barry Greenstein's son, so I called him over and we got a photo of them together. You're welcome, Jason.
Again, not the greatest shot, but with no flash I had to go with a faster setting on the camera. So it's dark, but not blurry. Again John Juanda did nothing at Foxwoods, but Kathy made a serious run at making the final table for a second straight time in Connecticut. She ultimately got knocked out a few tables shy.
There's Evelyn Ng, doing a chip trick of some sort. The guy on her right is the runner-up from the last time Chris covered the WPT at Foxwoods, E.G. Harvin.
Ante Up! listener John Silva drove at least three hours to go to Foxwoods to meet up with Chris and to play a little poker. That's gotta be a record, no? Thanks for coming out John! By the way, Chris picked up that leather jacket from the Phil Hellmuth store. LOL!
Local man Raj Patel takes down the WPT's Foxwoods Poker Classic, posing with Mike Sexton, Sabina Gadecki and Vince McM... oops ... Vince Van Patten! Nice job Raj. Listen to the shows here: http://pod.sptimes.com/anteup095.mp3 and http://pod.sptimes.com/anteup096.mp3
Former world champ Robert Varkonyi sits back and enjoys his Smartfood popcorn, but as I stated before, he didn't eat enough because he was out within 30 minutes of this photo on Day 1B, thus ending any chance I had of interviewing him, since he left without a trace.
Thomas "Sick" Anderle from Austria sent us this shot from a tournament he was in recently. Unfortunately his AKo ran up against a pair of ladies and he didn't improve, finishing 38th. Oh, by the way, in case you didn't get it from the title of this photo, Sick is the player without sleeves.
Here's One-Eyed Jacks room manager Sam Minutello with Mike "The Mouth" Matusow at the charity tournament recently held at the Playboy Mansion. Can you believe Mike's mouth is closed? LOL!
Our good friend Sam Minutello (One-Eyed Jacks manager) hangs out with actor and poker enthusiast Don Cheadle at the Playboy Mansion before the big charity tournament. Cheadle's got more than acting chops, he knocked out Phil Ivey in the first round of the NBC Heads Up Championships in 2007.
It's Sam Minutello, poker room manager of One-Eyed Jacks in Sarasota! He's hanging with Shannon Elizabeth at the Playboy Mansion for a charity tournament. Sam was the tournament director, and Shannon ended up "winning" this event.
If I was sitting to the right of Marcus, a Special Ops man in Afghanistan, and he was sporting that peacemaker, I don't think I'd be raising his big blind too often. Thanks for defending our freedom, Marcus, and nice hat!
Listener Greg Nelson sent us this shot, posing with his daughter and the swag we sent him for using his Hand of the Week. He had this to say in the email: "Just a little thank you for the shirt. My daughter thought I was a big poker star after listening to the podcast and getting the shirt. By the way her favorite player is "Funny Guy" Phil Laak. She is four and my wife doesn't think I should teach her poker ... yet! But she does play a mean game of Go Fish and War!! Thanks for making my day!" ... No problem Greg, and now maybe your daughter can consider herself famous!!
Erik "Blazman" Blazynski shows off his priceless reward for winning the first event of the second annual Ante Up! Intercontinental Series! Apparently he has a video of him placing it on a mantel, so we'll have to see that too!
The PokerSluts are one up on all of us, meeting Columbo in Vegas! On the left is KHAAAAAAAANwoman and on the right is Gadzooks!!!! So all of you who wondered what Columbo looked like the secret's out.
Don Baruch, second from left, and his nephew Jason, right, stopped by to join Chris and Scott for Show 108. Don won the WSOP's $1,500 NLHE Shootout event and brought his bracelet in for us to drool over. Listen to the show here: http://pod.sptimes.com/anteup108.mp3
Pardon my Marcia Brady moment here, but I may never wash my hands again! That's me, Chris, holding the poker player's Holy Grail, a WSOP bracelet. Tampan and Ante Up! National Don Baruch tells us he hadn't taken the bracelet off since winning it until he got into our studio, where he promptly took it off so I could hold it. WOW! And let me tell you, it was HEAVY!
Here's a shot of Mike Fasso, RiceF88 and Chris Cosenza just outside the media room at the WSOP. Rice (aka Fred) showed up and took down the $4-8 game at the Rio. It was great to meet him and the other Ante Up! Nationals who made their way to the WSOP.
His stack may not be very large here, but RiceF88 (aka Fred) had two stellars sessoins at the $4-8 tables. Nice job! He'll be back for more I'm sure!
Here's a shot of the gang at Binions during our Ante Up! Meetup in Las Vegas. From the left: NewScott, John from Canada, Croker (whose wife snapped this pic) Chris, Scott (nice hat dude) the cool dealer and Mike (I like this shirt leave me alone) Fasso. It was a fun night of mixed games and screaming obscenities. Missing from the picture is AZSlick, who left with his stack intact after Cosenza kept paying him off despite knowing he was beat.
Ante Up! fan John Lanier, left, hangs out with Chris and Scott during one of the luncheons at the WSOP Academy in Las Vegas. It was SO cold in the Caesars auditoriums that Scott and Chris each had to wear sweatshirts and pants despite it being 117 degrees outside. Hey, really, What Would Brunson Do? Listen to this show here: http://pod.sptimes.com/anteup111.mp3
How'd you like to get assigned to this table at the WSOP? That's Allen Cunningham on the left, David Williams is next to him and Sam Grizzle is across from the dealer. Good luck surviving that table.
Here's Chris sporting his Ante Up! duds and carrying a big stack at Level 5 of his $1,500 NLHE event at the 2007 WSOP. He just lost a pot the hand before when his AK lost a race to 33. He would have been up over 20K in chips if he hadn't lost that pot and among the chipleaders, so the glare on his face isn't fake. Still, not a bad run, making it 7.5 levels and finishing around 610th out of more than 3,100 entrants: the largest live tournament in the history of poker aside from a WSOP Main Event.
Chris is about to go on a nice rush. After crippling the guy in the Nebraska hat when he flopped the mortal nuts vs. the man's KK, Chris proceeds to eliminate the woman to his left and the man in the Nebraska hat on one hand when he turns over AA preflop vs. her AK and his 44. At that point he was up to about 14K.
Chris surveys the players at his table in the very early stages of the $1,500 NLHE event at the 2007 WSOP. On his right, next to the empty chair, is Brian Tomko, Dewey's son and a very good poker player. But he didn't do well on this day.
Here's Doyle Brunson in the early stages of the $10K PLO World Championship and he had a big stack. He made the final table, fifth in chips, but he fell short of his 11th bracelet.
I know that Phil Ivey always looks like he's annoyed when he's playing poker, but you just have to wonder if he was a little more agitated on this day, with Phil Hellmuth on his left. This picture (yes I know it's blurry) was taken during the $10K PLO World Championship at the 2007 WSOP.
No matter how hard I try I can't seem to land an interview with this guy. He's my favorite player and he's the least interviewed world class player out there. I guess I'll just have to try harder. At least I got this shot.
At first when I saw Jesus leaning back on two legs of his chair I was a little concerned he might fall, but then I remembered, anyone who can walk on water should be able to balance on two chair legs with ease. The amazing thing about Chris Ferguson here is he was playing two events at the same time and they were two different disciplines. Barry Greenstein was doing it too. Unbelievable.
Kristy Gazes gets a massage during an event at the WSOP. On her right is Hasan Habib! Gazes is retired from poker but she still plays the big events and is having a stellar 2007.
Is Phil Laak giving me the finger? Maybe. I didn't have a chance to ask him, but I talked to him later in the media center and he says he'll be on the show, so hopefully he was just adjusting his shades. Either way I'll ask him when he's on the show, and if he says yes I was flipping you the bird then I'll be throwing down some trash his way, you can bet on it.
Here is Ante Up! co-host Scott Long looking down in the mouth as he goes card dead in the $1K S.H.O.E. event at the WSOP. See his Diet Pepsi? Chris brought that to him from the media center so he wouldn't dehydrate out in Pee-Wee's Big Top of Human Odor.
Chris and Scott finally get to meet their all-time favorite guest and friend to Ante Up!, Kenna James. Kenna was signing autographs and taking pictures with fans at the Poker Pro Magazine booth at the WSOP Expo. The three rounders hung out at Kenna's house later that night, had some brahts and played some cards. Kenna's a class act. Listen to our show on the Expo here: http://pod.sptimes.com/anteup112.mp3
It was too easy to take this shot, but I had to. How often can you say you were holding the nuts and someone had a camera to capture the moment? No comments about how low my hands are please!
Layla Kayleigh, the new host of the WPT, must not know about our curse, otherwise she never would have agreed to be interviewed. Every WPT host who has appeared on our show has been fired after one season.
Michael Schilling from Down Under sent us this shot of him wearing his Got Razz? hat after taking down his home game tournament. Way to go, mate!
Our good friend Jason sent us this shot of him playing in the WSOP at the same table as Chris "Jesus" Ferguson. Silly Jason, doesn't he know Jesus doesn't answer all prayers? Especially if you are playing against him!!
We think J_Chitown just inserted his AIPS banana into this shot via Photoshop to show off his impressive stack at the WSOP. He went on to cash in this event, nice job Jason!
Here's a shot of Antonio "The Magician" Esfandiari and Phil "The Unabomber" Laak in their Heads Up Challenge on the new PokerTek table at the WSOP Expo.
Downtown Chad Brown was in town and he came downtown to show Chris and Scott what life is like uptown. He brought along his new book, Act to Win in Texas Hold Em, and we had a great time interviewing the 2006 Bluff Player of the Year. Listen to this show here: http://pod.sptimes.com/anteup113.mp3
Aquaman's Aquababy is clearly a bright child, playing "THE COSENZA" (A-10) properly (heads up) and making a royal flush!!! And what a cute baby!! She clearly doesn't get her good looks from Daddy!! And how about her attire? Great taste!
Can you tell which one is Marshall? The guy on the left of course!!! He recently won a charity poker event (151 entries) and first prize was a trip for two to Vegas, accommodations at the Bellagio, and entry into a $1500 WSOP event. He took full advantage of it, marrying his fiancee at Red Rock National Park on June 22nd (the same wedding anniversary as Mr. Cosenza) and then he played in the no limit hold'em event on the 23rd! He lasted 6 hours (nice job). Thanks for the photo Marshall!
Never has two AIPS bananas been in the same place at the same time ... UNTIL NOW! HeffMike, our 2006 players' choice player of the year, has won his second banana! Nice job Heff! That shot even makes you look like a banana lover (get it?)
Jim, aka Joker, sent us this shot. He is our 2007 Pot Limit Omaha champ. Nice yard, man!
Gapband85, aka Rob, our AIPS II Pot Limit Hold Em champ sent us this pic. He must be thinking of what it would be like to win Player of the Year. Actually, he says he calls this photo: "Trying to fake out the former FBI interrogator into believing my semi bluff is strength, not weakness." Nice job Rob! (Hey that rhymes!)
Congressman Pete Sessions (far left, pictorially, not politically) listens to PPA executive director John Pappas, addiction specialist Dr. John Talmadge, DC lobbyist Chris Giblin, and poker pro Clonie Gowen as they try to explain the bipartisan concept of fish. A special thanks to Dan Michalski over at Pokerati.com for letting us post this photo of our president of the Dallas Chapter of the Ante Up! Nation, John Talmadge. Way to go Dr. J!
Here's ErsatzSantiag0 sporting his banana in a very unique way. In his email to us he says: "My bling is not as shiny than David Williams' but much sweeter." We couldn't agree more. Way to go Mike, our 2007 AIPS Limit Hold Em Champ!
Aquaman brewed this fine ale and sent it to Scott and me. The label says: Ante Up! Ale It's the Nuts! Thanks Aquaman. Of course I'm a teetotaler so I could use some juice or milk.
He may have been to the Ante Up! studios and even invented AI, but Gambit's greatest poker moment clearly came when he won his first AIPS banana, Omaha Hi/Lo. Nice job Mark.
One of the coolest things about having a show on the Internet is we hear from so many different people from all over the world. Perry Romanowski broke the world record for joggling a 50-mile ultra marathon in 8 hours, 23 minutes. He only had 4 drops and he wore an Ante Up! baseball cap the whole way. Congratuations Perry! Nice job! Way to represent the Ante Up! Nation!!!!!
Here's a shot of the first-ever Ante Up! Meetup in Connecticut. Clockwise from the left: Joe Unimpressed, Loren, Jason (our gracious host, and what a sweet table!) Jason's dad Harold, Jason's brother-in-law Ben, some luckbox named Cosenza, Erik the Blazman and Aquaman, aka Chris. Loren drove in from Manhattan, and it took more than 4 hours, and Aquaman came in from Boston. Both stayed at a Motel 6 after the game broke up at 3 a.m., but they were in separate rooms. LOL!
Who better to win the first-ever SNG at the first-ever Ante Up! Meetup in Connecticut than the guy who whines the most about the Nutmeg State? Chris battled his way through a talented Ante Up! field to take down the first-place prize after his 6c7c bested AQo on the final hand. Special thanks to JLBSox for hosting this auspicious occasion.
Poker pros Karina and Chip Jett joined us in the studio on Nov. 27, 2007. It was the first time we had two guests on at the same time. They were in town for a tournament at One-Eyed Jacks in Sarasota and decided to grace us with their presence. Karina used to live in St. Petersburg so she still has family here. Listen to this show here: http://pod.sptimes.com/anteup126.mp3
Corey Furbee, who won two bananas in 2007, shows them off. He would win Player of the Year as a result of his victories. Nice job, Corey!
AIPS II Player of the Year Corey Furbee stopped by the office to pick up his priceless Player of the Year trophy for 2007. Man, Chris needs to lose some weight. Good thing he has. We need a new photo of him!!
