One Drop Winner Daniel Colman Didn't Talk To Media Because He Sees Poker 'As A Very Dark Game'Poker Pro Adds 'Individual Achievements Should Rarely Be Celebrated' |
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This article has been update to reflect the source of Dan Colman’s quote, 2+2 internet poker forum.
Love him or hate him, think he’s a hypocrite and wrong or view him as someone finally speaking candidly about the underbelly of poker, One Drop winner Daniel Colman has stuck by his beliefs and refused to talk to pretty much all media after capturing the bracelet and $15.3 million on Tuesday at the Rio in Las Vegas.
There’s a major discrepancy out there with regards to whether Colman actually gave post-win comments to the media. A controversial column in the Las Vegas Sun that whined Colman was “channeling a petulant child” by declining interviews reported that he “turned down every request.” However, an article in the Las Vegas Review-Journal said Colman talked to ESPN only, telling the sports network: “I think it’s really great, this event, what we were able to raise for charity. It went to a pretty worthwhile cause, giving water to parts of the world that just don’t have that.”
The 23-year-old Massachusetts native did issue a statement on internet poker forum 2+2 after a firestorm of sorts erupted thanks to him shunning interviews, though many of his peers defended his decision, including runner-up Daniel Negreanu. Colman also barely agreed to take a photo next to his mountain of prize money. Below is Colman’s statement explaining his position.
I really don’t owe anyone an explanation but I’ll give one.
First off, I don’t owe poker a single thing. I’ve been fortunate enough to benefit financially from this game, but I have played it long enough to see the ugly side of this world. It is not a game where the pros are always happy and living a fulfilling life. To have a job where you are at the mercy of variance can be insanely stressful and can lead to a lot of unhealthy habits. I would never in a million years recommend for someone to try and make it as a poker pro.
It is also not a game where the amateurs are always happy to be losing their money for the sake of entertainment. The losers lose way more money at this game than winners are winning. A lot of this is money they can’t afford to lose. This is fine of course because if someone is dumb enough to gamble with money they cant afford to lose, that’s their problem. I’m not really buying that though. In a perfect world, markets are based on informed consumers making rational transactions. In reality, sadly, that’s not the case. Markets are based on advertising trying to play on peoples impulses and targeting their weaknesses in order for them to make irrational decisions. I get it if someone wants to go and play poker on their own free will, but I don’t agree with gambling being advertised just like I don’t agree with cigarettes and alcohol being advertised.
It bothers me that people care so much about poker’s well-being. As poker is a game that has such a net negative effect on the people playing it. Both financially and emotionally.
As for promoting myself, I feel that individual achievements should rarely be celebrated. I am not going to take part in it for others and I wouldn’t want it for myself. If you wonder why our society is so infatuated by individuals and their success, and being a baller, it is not that way for no reason. It is there because it serves a clear purpose. If you get people to look up to someone and adhere to the “gain wealth, forget all but self” motto, then you can get them to ignore the social contract which is very good for power systems. Also it serves as a means of distraction to get people to not pay attention to the things that do matter.
These are just my personal views. And yes, I realize I am conflicted. I capitalize off this game that targets peoples weaknesses. I do enjoy it, I love the strategy part of it, but I do see it as a very dark game.
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