Gavin Griffin: Poker Questions Asked And AnsweredGriffin Comments On Daleroxxu Contract Termination Situation |
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People in the poker community often come up to me and ask about whatever is on their mind. Some of these questions are good questions, and some are bad beat stories in disguise. I’ve been through quite a few things in my poker career and I like to help whenever possible, and in this new Card Player series, I’d like to share my experiences and knowledge. Feel free to ask any poker-related question, and I’ll do my best to answer it in the space below.
Question: I saw recently that a PokerStars Online Pro, Daleroxxu, was let go by them because of a celebration while watching the Spain vs Netherlands game at a viewing party in Spain. It’s caused something of a storm on the internet. You used to be a Poker Stars Team Pro, what do you think of this situation?
Gavin: First of all, in these situations, I try to reserve judgement until most or all of the facts are in. There was a video uploaded that I’ve watched and I’ve read both Dale’s (long) account of the situation as well as some tweets by others who were in attendance. Obviously Dale has reason to be upset about losing a contract that was probably worth a decent amount of money and as a result, his account was much more detailed and specific than the other accounts I have read.
As my contracts with PokerStars had non-disclosure agreements in them, I can’t readily discuss the detailed wording of them. I can however give you some general ideas about all of the sponsorship contracts I’ve signed through my career. Each and every one of them, from the most minor one-day events to ones that were full year or multi-year had a clause that we’ll call the “Ambassador Clause.” This basically stated that while performing contractual duties I was considered to be an ambassador of the brand and if I did not represent the brand well in their estimation I would be subject to penalty or termination.
After watching the video, I would say that Dale, while I’m sure he believed it was innocent, made some very rude gestures with his hands in the air as well as what looks like repeatedly gesturing to his private parts. Considering he was at a PokerStars sponsored event as an ambassador for the brand and that event was in Spain whose fans he was making these gestures towards, I can understand PokerStars’ feelings on this matter. Going into someone’s country and directly mocking them at an emotional point in a very emotional situation is showing poor ambassadorship.
Dale writes in his blog that part of the issue was that there were free drinks flowing and that may have gotten to his head and that of the others there. If that’s the case, then perhaps it makes more sense to leave the drinks alone and keep a clear head.
My final point of contention and one that I think bares some consideration is that this does seem like a knee jerk reaction on the part of PokerStars. Most likely it isn’t. What I mean by that is there is, more than likely, a past history of unhappiness between PokerStars and Dale and this was the last straw. If there is some history of poor behavior at some of these events it would definitely make sense that this could be a final decision making incident.
To wrap up, I feel badly for Dale. I too have been a sponsored pro for PokerStars and when we couldn’t reach an amicable agreement for me to continue in that vein, I was disappointed and truthfully, a little bit hurt. There is a poker lesson here, though. Act like you’ve been there before. When playing, representing your sponsor, or just generally in life, act as if whatever you’re facing is something you’re used to and don’t celebrate in others’ faces so blatantly. Remember that, unlike in a soccer game, there is almost always a winner and a loser in each hand and think about how you feel when you’re on the other side of the coin before you blast off emotionally.
Question: I saw that you tweeted about having a new baby and missing most of the WSOP. How is that going for you?
Gavin: Having been a regular fixture at the WSOP for the last 10 years, it’s a bit difficult to be away from the Rio at such a buzz-filled time on the poker schedule. All live tournament pros look at their year based on the WSOP. Your year runs from the end of the WSOP to the beginning of the next one and that 6 weeks in between is summer camp for the initiated. A great time, a depressing one, but always full of hope and expectations.
I’ve, instead, filled my summer camp with the hope, expectations, and lack of sleep that a baby brings into your life. Don’t count me out though, I’ll be making the trip into town for the main event and I can’t wait to take a shot at the biggest and richest poker tournament of the year. I’m excited about the $10 million guaranteed first-place prize, especially given the success of the last two years’ Millionaire Maker tournaments. It seems people come out of the woodwork when you advertise a big number up top and the more people who play, the better in my opinion. So, wish me luck that weekend in July, I’m going to need it since baby needs a new pair of shoes and a college education.
If you have a question for Gavin, send it to [email protected].
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