Posts Tagged ‘Ted Binion’

Give Harrah’s Some Credit

by , Jun 26, 2011 | 2:50 am

Johnny Hughes


OP-ED

At the World Series of Poker, they announce the event and coveted bracelet winners and then play the national anthem of the country they come from. Play stops at all the cash games and the players stand and remove their hats. When an American won, my table stood with their hands over their hearts and sang. I looked out over that vast sea of poker players and was overcome by emotion. The song always gives me tingles but there was also a love and astonishment at how wonderful the playing conditions have become for this sport. Yes, it is a sport.

The players’ manners are terrific today compared to the past. Johnny Moss was known for being abusive to dealers. Puggy Pearson was worse. He pissed on one once. Another Hall of Famer, Joe Bernstein, bit a dealer.

I cannot sing enough praise for the poker management of Harrah’s. I had long conversations with Bill Sattler, Director of Poker, and aslo Jake Reville, Cathy Klufer, and Carrie Jacobs. For twenty years, I taught management subjects at Texas Tech. The magnificent professionalism of Harrah’s management makes me wish I could go lecture on how great they are. I played in the cheap no limit where you only buy $300. I’ve never lost at the Rio, but only played there seven times. I’m not trying to beat the best in the world anymore. I’m too old.

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Poker on (Lifetime?) TV

by , Oct 20, 2008 | 12:21 am

I never thought I’d say this … but you might want to set your Tivo for Lifetime, on October 25.

Sex and Lies in Sin City: The Ted Binion Scandal
(starring Matthew Modine, Mena Suvari, and Marcia Gay Harden)

[Annoying autoplay video removed]

Not sure what Jim McManus thinks of this (lady-friendly) television adaptation of the story of Ted Binion, Becky Behnen, Sandy Murphy, and Rick Tabish. But it’s the drama-filled tale of Texas gamblers, Vegas strippers, mobs, murder, and so much money … and the one that in some ways surrounded the birth of the WSOP. Perfect television for 31-45-year-old women, no?