Old Versus New

As the New Year began I couldn't help thinking about the difference in the old time gamblers and the youngsters of today. I've got to say the old guys win hands down in many, many areas. In the old days we had to travel, take chances with hijackers, cheaters, and the police. We had to develop long lasting friendships and our word was our bond. When we borrowed money from each other or lost a bet we would say when we would pay and the date would be met, even if it meant sacrificing some of our assets. It was imperative you kept your word about financial matters. We had an appreciation for our profession that the young guys don't have today.

There are three young professionals that have owed me money from bets that are almost a year old. All three are well known poker players that are supposedly very well off financially; I just can't understand it. I see them and they don't even offer any excuses. It is because the poker players today are spoiled; everything comes too easy. They don't have the sense of obligation we learned back in the 60's, 70's, and 80's.

I guess I am thinking about this matter because when my friend Chip Reese died, only Phil Ivey called and said, "I owe Chip a big figure. Where can I drop it off?" Chip was a very generous and caring guy who loaned a lot of people of lesser ability money regularly. None of them came forward with offers to pay debts that I know they owed. Oh, well, maybe I am still missing Chip and remembering what a great guy he was and how unfair it is that he left us so early.

Happy 2008 to everyone. -DB