4th Street Poker Tour

Clayton - Player Profile

Name: Clayton Alexander Siegfried Halsey
Nickname (how'd you get it): People have called me many things in my time...
Age: 40
Location: Los Angeles, CA via Munich, Germany

Favorite hand to play:
69h

Favorite pro player:
Jesus F. (not C.) but my hat is nicer

How did you learn about the 4SPT:
C-mint turned me on when we worked on "Shaq's Big Challenge"

When did you join the 4SPT:
Dec. '06

Best thing about winning the 4SPT:
Now I can buy a new horse...

Most exciting/best hand you've had on the 4SPT:
my first game when I sucked out Slim's King Kong with my 73s, hitting a flush on the river 4SPT player you don't want sitting next to you (why) - Will Call  (he smells strange)

Where/how did you learn to play poker:
Started playing poker as a Boy Scout

Any other interesting stories or whatever else you want people to know:
If you look at my name, you'll notice the initials spell CASH...my father did that on purpose...Peace & Love to all.

Lynn - Player Profile

Name: Lynn   
Nickname (how'd you get it): I have not been fortunate enough to earn a 4SPT nickname yet, but Scrubs calls me Nugget, Will Call calls me Princess, and my stage name for my dance company is Venus...I'll answer to any of those.
Age: old enough to drink and play poker....that's good enough!    
Location: Culver City/Fox Hills area    

Favorite hand to play:
pocket 10s or A10 suited

Favorite pro player:
don't really follow any pro careers...but I give props to all the women who have gotten far in the pro circuit!

How did you learn about the 4SPT:
met Will Call at a $3/$6 table at Hollywood Park

When did you join the 4SPT:
I don't really remember...I think sometime around the beginning of the last season

Best thing about winning the 4SPT:
I get this really sweet profile!  (And winning cash is nice too...)

Most exciting/best hand you've had on the 4SPT:
Every hand I win is exciting to me.

4SPT player you don't want sitting next to you (why):
I don't want to be anywhere near Mad Dog....no one else have ever put so many bad beats on me....GRRR!!  My nemisis...

Where/how did you learn to play poker:
Maybe about 2 years ago I got invited to play cards in a little house game by a guy from my work...I didn't really know what I was doing, but got really lucky and won!  Then I  got hooked and started reading books and playing online and just went from there.

Any other interesting stories or whatever else you want people to know:
I always have something interesting going on....just talk to me and find out!

George - Player Profile

Name: George Sylak    
Nickname (how'd you get it): I've been called many names ... but nothing I can say here.
Age: 42    
Location: Venice    

Favorite hand to play:
I like to expose with my left hand and use my right hand to play with my chips.

Favorite pro player:
It's all about Daniel Negreanu when he is having fun and on his game.

How did you learn about the 4SPT:
I begged and pleaded with Jeff to let me play.

When did you join the 4SPT:
The year was 2007, the air was cold, and I think the game was Heads-Up.

Best thing about winning the 4SPT:
The money, the prestige, the press, the proof that skill is good, but luck is better!!!

Most exciting/best hand you've had on the 4SPT:
Having Elliott bet into my Quads when I didn't even know I had them.

4SPT player you don't want sitting next to you (why):
I love everyone ... except that one obnoxious guy.

Where/how did you learn to play poker:
I was trying to escape the "challenges" of producing a Quilting show for HGTV and found myself going to Hustler to eat dinner at the $2/$4 table. The beef and broccoli use to be D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S.

Any other interesting stories or whatever else you want people to know:
I like Ice Tea.

Jeff M. - Player Profile

Name: Jeff Meacham    
Nickname (how'd you get it): 'Jeff Not Jeff' AKA 'Silky' short for 'Silky Smooth Nuts' After sending Jeff H. www.shaveeverywhere.com it became clear what my nickname should be. Also, I shave my balls.    
Age: 27    
Location: Moved from NYC to LA in Sept '06. At the moment in West Hollywood    

Favorite hand to play:
Love the 79s and when I have pocket 3's I'm positive the set is coming    

Favorite pro player:
Love the play of Erik Seidel. Love to watch Phil Laak and everytime Ivey plays I think he is going to win.    

How did you learn about the 4SPT:
Some guy named Alex, Al, Alexander, Alek?    

When did you join the 4SPT:
I think late September '06    

Best thing about winning the 4SPT:
$280.... times are tough when your an actor.    

Most exciting/best hand you've had on the 4SPT:
Please refer to the 'case king' blog.    

4SPT player you don't want sitting next to you (why):
Shock G. Because I want him to be sitting across from me so I can look into his eyes when I river my famous inside staight.    

Where/how did you learn to play poker:
In 2001 I had a horrible break up with my girlfriend of 4 years. While at rock bottom a couple of "friends" invited me to a poker game. "it only costs $50" they said. Thousands of dollars later I'm okay at Holdem, better at Omaha and can play a mean game of stud hi/low.    

Any other interesting stories or whatever else you want people to know:
I play a lot of tennis. When I get a new can a balls I like put my nose right up to the cap and slowly let out the sealed in freshness. I gives me a special feeling.....inside. Also, thank you to Jeff and Jen for putting together such a smooth, organized and fun game of poker.

Cheyenne - Player Profile

Name: D.S.Cheyenne Pieris
Nickname (how'd you get it): The Fist. Its the Final Table at King Richards house and I push all in and get a call from Brent (The Storm) who is dominating my hand. My four card straight (thanks Poker Gods) causes a category five Storm of expletives to come flying out of Brent’s mouth. This rant included many colorful words but one phrase to add to 4SPT lore – “You must be Fist F***ing me!” C-Mint called it and after one year on the Tour my nickname finally came to be. Storm, thanks for the nickname, I’ve always liked it.
Age: 33
Location: I'm a CA Native…now on the Westside Palms/Mentone Ave. – the Degenerates are not the only players on this side of town.

Favorite hand to play:
Any one that wins me the pot.

Favorite pro player:
Tough question but I would have to say it’s a tie between “The Great Dane” Gus Hansen and “The Phenom” Phil Ivey. Both of them mix it up, play any two cards and are consistent champions.

How did you learn about the 4SPT:
Via the long lost Tour legend Vonnn Sannndmannn. Thanks Vaughn.

When did you join the 4SPT:
Not sure exactly but I think Aug. or Nov. 2005. Jeff help me out here? 

Best thing about winning the 4SPT:
Getting out of the zero win group and knowing my skills have improved. Most of all is the fact that I will not repeat as the winner of the “Most Likely to Donk Off All Their Chips and Blow the Chip Lead Award” – I was the 05-06 winner.

Most exciting/best hand you've had on the 4SPT:
The last one I had, clinching the first win – flopping a 6 to hit my A6 off vs. Jamie and his A10. We were all in pre-flop and I thought my win would remain elusive but Susan called it when she said “all you need is a 6”.

4SPT player you don't want sitting next to you (why):
I have to name two in no particular order: The All Time winner – Richie Rich – who can argue with his success? His table talk is always deceptive and investigative. Do you want him next to you? Also the titALating ALternate – Al. A solid, smart player, he is always a force to be reckoned with.

Where/how did you learn to play poker:
I started with my buddies (now the Mentones) when the poker boom came on about 4 years ago. I’ve been a poker player ever since. Once I started beating my friends regularly, I looked for a new challenge and found it on The Tour.

Any other interesting stories or whatever else you want people to know:
I want to thank Jeff and Jenn, two fine people who lose sleep every Thursday night to put on this Tour. They created a smooth working, superbly organized, competitive game that is a privilege to play in. Finally, I take pride in playing well, being competitive and improving my game; so thanks and respect to everyone on the Tour for making it what it is – fun and challenging, every week.

John G - Player Profile

Name: John Gordon
Nickname (how'd you get it): The jury is still out on what my nickname will be, but I think they are leaning towards “Best in Show” for obvious reasons. (I kid)
Age: 25
Location: Born in Atlanta, Ga., but now a resident of Sherman Oaks

Favorite hand to play:
I have never lost a pot with pocket eights suited, it’s almost unreal.

Favorite pro player:
Dutch Boyd, he knows every angle of the game and I respect that.

How did you learn about the 4SPT:
I rode in on the coat tails of Pink Bully. 

Best thing about winning the 4SPT:
The website say’s I won $255.00 that week, but in truth it was $256.00. That last little   dollar was twice as sweet as all the rest combined.

Most exciting/best hand you've had on the 4SPT:
I made a foolish all in call with pocket threes against someone (sorry still learning the names) with pocket nines. If I loose this hand my night is over, and I go home with my tail between my legs. The flop is three blanks, the turn is another blank, but there waiting for me on the river is my set and a second chance. I wish I could say my best hand was a remarkable lay down or a great call, but in actuality it can be attributed to dumb   luck.

4SPT player you don't want sitting next to you (why):
This would have to be Noah Hebert because he smells like the back seat of a taxi cab   and sings Lyle Lovett songs at the table.

Where/how did you learn to play poker:
My Godfather Hollis Lamon taught me how to play the game. We didn’t have playing cards so we made our own with construction paper, rubber cement, and a sharpee. We didn’t have chips either so we used match sticks and pocket lint. When my mom found out about this I was not allowed back to the Lamon’s, but Uncle Hollis said what Mama don’t know won’t hurt her and the lessons continued.
 

Jason - Player Profile

Name: Jason Palmer
Nickname (how'd you get it): Plasma Pete.  Why? I own a consumer electronics/custom installation showroom and it was 2:15 in the morning.  I was happy to earn a nickname on the first night, but I am hoping it will change.  I always wanted one of those cool nicknames that strikes fear in the players at the table.  Like one guy knows you and says “How’s it going Zeus?”  and the rest of the table is like “Damn..they call this guy Zeus.”  Figure its good for one pass round the table before they figure out I’m full of crap.
Age: 32
Location: I hail from the infamous TVAuthority showroom in Santa Monica, CA. A major incubator for some of the best players in the world….a little known fact: Doyle Brunson got his start here – wrote much of SuperSystem here in Theater Room 2 while watching Police Academy 4 on the big screen.  He doesn’t talk about it much anymore now that the WPT has gotten so big.

Favorite hand to play:
I don’t know to be honest.  My least favorite is AA. It never holds up for me.

Favorite pro player:
Doyle Brunson - I love how the media treats him like he’s 176 years old and talk about the old days when he played like it was a scene out of the Quick and the Dead.

How did you learn about the 4SPT:
Alec and Carlo told me about it.

When did you join the 4SPT:
The July 20th event was my first

Best thing about winning the 4SPT:
I guess I would have to say the hordes of woman that follow me around since my victory.

Most exciting/best hand you've had on the 4SPT:
I would have to say the KK in the final hand.  Before that, I was feeling the win slipping away.  The Ark was playing well heads-up and I had losing my chip lead.  When he called all in, it was pretty exciting to call.

4SPT player you don't want sitting next to you (why):
I don’t know yet.  It looked like there were a lot of great players. Marco was tough…nearly had wins in consecutive weeks.  Pretty impressive.

Where/how did you learn to play poker:
I started playing poker at UCLA when I was in law school.  My group of friends would play whenever we could, then we started going to Hollywood Park and of course, to Vegas.

Any other interesting stories or whatever else you want people to know:
I am thrilled to host again at TVAuthority. It was a good time.  The doors are open for the tour.

 

Marco - Player Profile

Name: Marco Olguin
Nickname (how'd you get it): I don’t have a poker nickname but my friends do call me mush!
Age: 27
Location: El Segundo

Jamie - Player Profile

Name: James Michael Hogan
Nickname (how'd you get it): Variations have become ubiquitous, though it started as "Drop it Like It's Hot" due to a really sweet t shirt i wore the first time i went heads up.  Since then, "Dr." has been added due to my career as a graduate student/nerd.  Other things have popped up due to stupid things i say (anyone heard me mention "EV?")
Age: 26, Scorpio
Location: Santa Monica

Favorite hand to play:
recently (and last night), very small pairs have been nice to me.  Flopping quads with pocket 2's is nice.  Calling small raises or limping with these hands pre-flop generally make it harder for people to put you on a set and they're obviously easy to release when the flop comes AKQ...i've come to play speculative hands more since if you hit, you're gonna grab some chips and you need build up a stack with quickly rising blinds

Favorite pro player:
Daniel Negreanu...his overwhelming wealth due to this silly little game has afforded him the luxury to not take it quite so seriously and handle some tough nights, as demonstrated on High Stakes Poker.  he's open about every win/loss he has and takes it all in stride.  a degenerate gambler at heart, he can (and has) lost 150k on the golf course and he's terrible at golf but loves the action.  that plus i was able to meet him at Bellagio when i was piss wasted and he was kind enough to oblige with a handshake

How did you learn about the 4SPT:
Through Mr. Seattle Slew, who is friends with some college friends i have

When did you join the 4SPT:
Valentine's Day Massacre 2005

Best thing about winning the 4SPT:
The monkey off my back and the ability to drastically overestimate my skill level due to my currently working at levels of luck higher than most people (not named Jun)

Most exciting/best hand you've had on the 4SPT:
There have been a few along the way, but there were a couple last night that stand out.  Foremost is getting it all in with Wou-Tang on a king high flop (two hearts) when i had KJ.  He had KT of hearts giving me a 49%-46% edge to win the hand and it actually held up.  That one gave me a monster  chip lead over Cooler and even with doubling him up once, I was able to play aggressively heads up and push with slightly less favorable hands since he needed a real hand to call any raise.  and i'm probably folding AcKc because i'm probably going to lose to 4d5d

4SPT player you don't want sitting next to you (why):
I think last night was the first time Jun was on my immediate left and there is no raise he'll fold to if he's getting about half the odds necessary to make a correct call.  And then he will inevitably suck out. Every time. Donkey.

Where/how did you learn to play poker:
I knew very little about anything but draw poker before watching Rounders in high school/college. That taught enough to maintain an interest and then I was just a nerd for a while, reading dumb online forums and books, and of course watching whatever poker tv show might be on at any given time.  Nobody else in my family plays so I was on my own.

Any other interesting stories or whatever else you want people to know:
First yes, yes, I'd like to thank the First Couple for everything they do for the Tour.  Hard to believe that between the two of them, in the history of the Tour, they've missed two games combined, making sure that we all have something to do for a few hours on thursday nights.  Also, thanks to all those who put up with constant nonsensical banter for a couple hours every week.  You're kind enough to pretend I'm not absurdly annoying.  About winning, what can I say, it's nice when the poker gods look down on you for a little while.  The past week or so of poker has been more profitable, online and live, than I could possibly hope for in a 9-day period and while I don't plan on leaving a day job any time soon, it's nice to have some sort of poker-related financial cushion the next time I make donktacular plays and lose hundreds.  The sigma levels are high, and I'm just riding the wave.  Until next week.......

Brent - Player Profile

Name: Brent Klein
Nickname (how'd you get it): The Storm via Corey Hart. Corey Hart is the original nickname coined by Slim because I wear my sunglasses at night, so I can, so I can see. Of course this changed that horrific night that the Bookie got his first win by catching one of the worst rivers I've ever seen. I had a bit of a meltdown and stormed out, hence The Storm. Not as bad as when I stormed out and coined The Fist but I was pretty pissed off for sure.
Age: 28
Location: Santa Monica

Favorite hand to play:
It's hard to not like the big pairs but my favorite hands to play are JT suited, snowmen (88) and pocket 5s.

Favorite pro player:
For the most part I just like players that make me laugh when I watch poker. Therefore Marcel Luske and Hellmuth are probably my favorite players to watch. Marcel is a singing dutch crackpot and Hellmuth is the most arrogant and conceded ass that it provides hours of entertainment.

How did you learn about the 4SPT:
I heard about the tour from Max "The Factor" who was my neighbor at the time. He heard about it through Carmel "The Poker Princess"

When did you join the 4SPT:
Winter Season 1 Week 3

Best thing about winning the 4SPT:
I no longer have to lament certain decisions or circumstances that led me to many a second or third place finish. Also the knowledge that it is indeed possible for me to win on this tour. I definitely doubted sometimes, but no longer.

Most exciting/best hand you've had on the 4SPT:
This is definitely the toughest question. So many disappointments and suckouts. The now infamous "Fist" hand is in the forefront of my mind, I really just remember this hand as a blur of f-bombs through a tirade in which I really lost my mind temporarily. Followed by cursing the fall season.

The best hand of the night for me that probably turned the night around was taking Dino down with QQ vs AK. Taking the Dump Truck down before his self-induced exile back to KC was definitely a treat.

4SPT player you don't want sitting next to you (why):
The King and the Degenerates in general. The King because I have been involved in a lot of pots with him and I don't think I've ever come out  ahead in a showdown. Doesn't matter if I start ahead or behind the King gets the best of me. The Degenerates because I have spent so many hours playing with Collins, Al and the rest of the boys so many times that I feel they have a better read on me than anyone else on tour. Also Slim, but that's just because when we sit next to each other that side of the table runs so cold that we just end up watching poker.

Where/how did you learn to play poker:
Playing with family and friends. Like a lot of folks I got into it when it became popular on TV.

Any other interesting stories or whatever else you want people to know:
Obviously what Slim and the First Lady do is very special to a lot of us.
They provide us the opportunity to compete on a weekly basis with really
good poker players. But more than that they provide us with a weekly
excuse to drink and smoke it up in a cool fun environment revolving around
a poker game. I've met so many people through poker that are now my
friends that I'm forever in the first couples debt. So thank you all for
the bad beats, crippling rivers that inspire f-bomb laced tirades and just
good times in general. See you all next week.