Cantu Gets Tasered!!!

It was a very interesting night. At Kevin O’Donnell’s Restaurant in Scottsdale we had a great evening of eating and drinking. It seemed like most of the poker world was there for dinner and more than a few celebrities. Greg Raymer, Jennifer Tilly, Phil Laak, Jeff Madsen, Pam Brunson, Kenna James, Erica Schoenberg, Tom Schneider, Layne Flack, and many more. On the ride to the restaurant I talked with Richard Karn who was the co-star of the hit series Home Improvement.

At the end of dinner Phil Hellmuth got on the mike and announced that in 30 minutes he was auctioning off Clonie’s right to Taser Brandon Cantu and not only was it a charitable contribution to the Taser Foundation for Fallen Officer’s, but it was being professionally filmed and put on you-tube. It just so happened that Layne Flack is filming a pilot for a reality series “Life in the Fast Layne.” And had his film crew with him. So the auction began with an opening bid of $3,000 by Mark Swartz who was knocked out of the WSOP by Brandon in 8th place when Brandon called his KJ shove with 10 10 on his way to winning a bracelet. Swartz still hurting by Brandon’s knock out blow decided revenge with a Taser might be the sweet way to go. There were a couple of other bids and finally Swartz said $4,000 and Hellmuth said, “sold.”

Before the bidding ended, Antonio Esfandiari wrestled the microphone from Hellmuth and challenged him to a heads up freeze out for $100,000 and the loser gets Tasered by the winner. No final decision was reached on this wager, I think the terms are still being negotiated but something will happen and someone will get Tasered.

Brandon then signed a waiver, stood where he was told and the experts from the Taser Organization placed safety glasses on him and Swartz took aim. I have to say Brandon took it like a man, never made a sound and didn’t complain. He fell forward and the Taser safety personnel caught him and gently lowered him. After a few seconds he was back standing up and showed his marks where the Taser barbs hit him. I asked him what it was like and he responded, “on a scale of 1 to 10 it was about a nine.” Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiRbFr30Bt8

I also met the family of Kenny Richards, who is a young man batteling Syringomyelia, which is a cystic disease of the spinal cord. On Sunday at 4pm there will be a poker tournament at KO’s restaurant, 14850 N Northsight Blvd in Scottsdale. Jennifer Tilly, Phil Laak, Antonio Esfandiari and KO will all be there playing to help raise money for Kenny. If you can come by it will be much appreciated. For information: 480-922-7200.