POKER INFO - PROILE - James McManus

Reading your book for the second time is even more enjoyable then the first. PFS will be read decades hence. The pompous donkey, the self righteous "staid reader" above, should be sent a copy to shove up his ample, arrogant, behind then, perhaps he will have "an anchor of the heart." To "serious readers" certain people are not "real", what a big feeling moron. Oddities and freaks make the world interesting. Make it go round. Being one myself I feel like challenging that man to a duel to restore the honor of freaks/oddities everywhere. Anyways eagerly await your next venture. The Jerry Quarry, of all people, comparsion is just to strange and bizarre to even comment on. Screw the critics let 'em bitch bout what their sis gives 'em for xmas next year while they lose their bowels laughing at the tele, how enjoyable it must be to hang with that crazy cowboy. Good luck, good cards, good/bad fun, and happy trails. dkn.

Hola James, I just finised your book, Positively Fifth Street, though I am only 17. I loved it, plain and simple. Great story, even better that I didnt read the back cover first so until you had actually made the final table I did not know what was coming. I think your reaction to Ellix Powers was certainly not a bad one, when you get steamed at a card table, its hard to hold back all emotion. I think how he reacted, telling all of his friends outside and cackling over the fact that you went on tilt and called him with what was actually a queen high, was much more unprofessional than what you had done. You are a class act, and a great writer. Hope you publish another book, I'm anxious for more.

I have the same name as u, woo hoo!

wow you got a bunch of goofy fans...my advice to them is...quit reading and start playin..live, in as many casino tournaments they can afford.

Guy embarrassed himself on espn. First by going after Powers (none of the other players seemed to mind Power's play). And second with his incredibly sexist opinion on women at poker tables. Newsflash: there are NO differences between men and women at a poker table. Seems like a strong poker player though

Come on Jim... I loved yopur book and am a fellow New Yorker (West Coast Towers on Horatio street) But as my mom always tokld me and she wasn't a religious person "there for the grace of god go I...........) When was the last time you or I were homeless and made it to the final table? No criticism but would love to hear your retort to this post.peace

not to beat a dead horse...but i saw Ellix Powers as a character from the street. Im sure he sees people for what they are..not what others percieve them to be or they percieve themselves to be. Why should he care who T.J. Cloutier is. He was playin poker against poker players, his way...and man he did pretty good.

James is a good player but come on, he called with a Jack high

How do you feel about the acquittal in the Binion murder trial?

Just started playing poker over in England in a town on the south coast. Any tips would be much appreciated? Cam to this sight simply cos I've heard alot of good things about James' book and as soon as pay day comes, I intend on buying a copy...

mr. mcmanus, can you give us any further details on the new yorker article (i.e. a publication date, etc.). as a reader of the new yorker and your own writing i am greatly looking forward to reading it. saw on negreanu's blog that he is doing an interview w/the new yorker, w/lindgren...I assume that would be w/you. and finally, , what about the book i saw you are working on, as mentioned in the n.y. times book review blurb when you reviewed ss2 & harrington on hold-em. thanks and keep the literary take on poker coming!

Mr. McManus, I just have began reading your book and can't put it down. I imagine you are very proud of your success. About the Ellix Powers incident, I also find his actions disrespectful to the game. His betting in the dark devaluing poker to a simple guessing game. I cannot see any strategetic value in putting ones tournament life on the line in such a manner. And while I am on the subject of things bad for poker..I find the program "TILT" abhorrent.I look forward to finshing you book and your future poker endeavours.

Dear Jim, my name is Greg Covotsos, i am the youger brother of Justin Covotsos, your former student and poker friend. I just wanted to tell you how i really enjoyed your book. I will be honest with ya, i have never read it, but i have listened to it on tape about 2 dozen times. I currently live in Las Vegas, and it is a tradition everytime I drive from Las Vegas to Chicago, or Chicago to Las Vegas, I listen to the tapes. The first time I listened to it was on my way out to Las Vegas for the first time. I really enjoyed it, but I really didnt get to appreciate the book as much until I lived a year in Vegas. I knew exactly what you were talking about at all times. For example, things like cheatas and the spirmanet rhino, pahrump, 3rd and carson, the bellagio poker room and much much more. Your narrating of the story is awesome. I loved how everything perfectly gets tied together. I always think if Hasan would have caught a diamond on the turn or river in the satelite how none of this would have ever even been possible. I could talk about PFS for hours and again I can;t stress enough how much I enjoyed it. I even like the tape version alot better because you tell it and narrarate it exactly how it is to be read. I look forward to taking your thoey of poker class one day as well. Right now i am a middle limit poker player in Las Vegas, working on my education at UNLV. Thanks for your time, I look forward from hearing from you back. Thanks again for a life chaging book, Greg Covotsos, [email]gcovoto@yahoo.com[/email]

Mr. McManus, I am reading Positively Fifth street and I Positively love it. well written and very informative. However, towards the end of the Chapter called "Family, Career, Even Life" you talk about the hand that Hasan Habib called you on that you won the satellite with. (You had a pair of queens --spades and clubs and he had a K and 10 of diamonds). After the flop--which is a 7-9-jack (7-9 being diamonds), you describe the number of outs Hasan has as being only 12. By my count, you had 15 You do not address thepossibility of any 8's appearing and if one did Hasan would have had a Jack high straight (the 7-9 and Jack on the board, and the 10 in his hand--clearly an 8 would give him the straight and the winning hand. Is my math wrong or am I missing something? Great book and Congratulations on your success in poker.

Did you ever write an article for Harpers? I've been trying to locate it, and unsuccessfully so far.

watched breaking vegas about your tournament in 2000. to me you opened the door a little for the little guy at the table

Good Jim/Bad Jim: Greetings from neighboring Deerfield, IL. I assume you still live in Chicagoland area? Loved Positively Fifth Street. Read if before I started playing Texas Hold 'Em. Read it again during play. I keep it close by, for inspiration. The Art Institute web page said you are on leave. Do you plan to return? Do you play any local boat/casino games? Cheers Good Jack/Bad Jack

you are the best poker author i have ever read

Mr McManus, big fan. I hear dthat you attended a local Rockford Charitable event last year, but unfortunately i was out of town. Will you be attending any other Rockford events this year? I'd love another opportunity to get my 5th Street autographed. All the best, Phil

You Called With Jack High Everyone He Called With Jack High

youre disrespecting the game man

Nigga called with Jack high.....LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Mr. McManus, I just finished PFS and loved it. I teach literature and am always looking for good literature that my students would enjoy. Perhaps you know how I can get a classroom set of books? Also, I loved the way you incorporate your family life into the story. Such a great contast to the Murphy lifestyle! I noticed you dedicated the book to your son James but you did not tell the readers what happened. Will you some day? My condolences to you and your family. Janette from Michigan

Hello, Mr. McManus - I heard on a local Chicago Radio Station (this past Sunday 8/14) that you and Ms. Annie Duke will be attending an Indiana Casino 4 a Poker Tournament "This" weekend, Is it Next weekend or did it just pass ?!. I would like to Buy-In ,if I didn't already miss it ?!.Sincerely, Mike Z. AKA "ANTE" .Chicago USA.

Just finished reading PFS for the fifth time. 'Nuff said. I read somewhere that you were writing a column on the game but I don't know where it appears. Will you enlighten me? If this is so, I would certainly be a devoted reader. Thank you!

He Went On Tilt, That Was Funny, That Crack Head Busted Him Up. This Guy Is A Asshole, He Tells That Guy Hes Disrepecting The Game, Who The Hell Is He? Some Guy Who Wrote A Book That Pretty Much Sucked Except For The Part Where Binion Is Getting Killed

Guess That Sounded Kinda Harsh, The Book Wasnt Too Bad At Times

This guy is a joke. He sits at the table acting like he owns the goddam place. WHo the hell is he to be bringing out rules. Go to Hell McManus your books sucked

Dear Sirs: A friend of mine in the writing industry told me about you possibly writing a history of Poker. Basically, I am going to paste in material I have sent out before. If it appears interesting to you, let me know. I'm not used to getting paid for writing, but I could certainly use a

10K bankroll. So, if that sounds reasonable or not. let me know. Whether you are interested or not, that's okay.

While the story below mostly relates to the reality of living a gambler's life, I do believe I can write some helpful gambling tips from my experiences on the street. I read a short chapter in one of David Sklansky's book one time--the one about how he won and lost over 180K in one month at the beginning of his career. And I read Mike Caro's book on tell's which in a nutshell is that people are reacting by "acting or not acting." You have to decide the reason for their action and that will give you the read you need on the hand. Other than that, most of my understanding of poker is street based. I played in Anchorage Alaska in 1981 with Perry Green and Pugsy Pearson and in 1982 with Mike Sexton at the beginning of his career.

But I have never been to Las Vegas. So, for what it's worth, here is the paste-in. Take care. David E. McCall

Dear Sirs, I wrote in 1995 a reality based booked on Crimes Against Children."

Many found it a great work, but I never got a break from OPRAH to put it in the limelight where it would make money.

Now, with the exploding interest in poker, I would love to write about my 26 years in "Underground" play spanning from the after hours clubs of Anchorage, Alaska to the barnyards of rural North Carolina. I played the entire year of 1982 with Mike Sexton down in Fayetteville, NC. I feel there should be some way in which I can profit from this 26 year experience. Check out this story I wrote around 1996 and updated last year. If you think we could collaborate on some opportunities here, that would be great. While I am not a sports bettor ( believe it or not, never one bet), from my barnyard forays, I have contacts with most of the biggest bookies throughout the state of NC over the past thirty years. There are some tremendous stories waiting to be told. Let me know what you think. Thanks for your time. David.

PS. Just two years ago, after building up for the second time in my career a 100K bankroll, I ran into the young and the "book--learned gurus" of modern poker and went busted again.

One of those events involved my playing "Heads Up" in a mini marathon of $5000 freeze outs with Chris Bell and his Dealer friend, Michael Gracz--The Kid. I was tipping The Kid $100 bills as he dealt freeze out after freeze out. This year, I see where he won First Place on the WPT Cruise Ship. Now, he has millions and I can't even find a $100 bill. But such is the life of a gambler. Hope the Kid learns his lesson early. I have been on top more than once, and right now, the bottom is no fun. Take care.

You may reach me at 252-333-9969 or email me at [email]benefactor15@yahoo.com[/email] if you think there may be any interest. Thank you David E. McCall/The Preacher

THE TEACHER AND THE PREACHER

Two North Carolina Gamblers

This is a story of two men I know. This is the story of two men who spent the better part of the last three decades gambling within the borders of the state of North Carolina.

Ask them, and they will tell you where to find the action somewhere in North Carolina during any hour, any day of the week.

They both started adulthood with that boyish gleam in their eye--one obtaining his Master’s Degree to teach and the other being ordained to preach.

Their desire, however, centered on the quest for power and control. The ability to “beat the odds” as gamblers, to carve out lifestyles from the gambling arena proved to be the greatest challenge to their competitive spirits.

While poker games, black jack parlors and craps joints are numerous in North Carolina, the important scores and losses were made on trips to Atlantic City
by the Preacher and to the Bahamas, Las Vegas and Atlantic City by the Teacher.

Like the time in Atlantic City--the Teacher and two investors took $3000 to a craps table and cashed out over $100,000. The Preacher took $50 and cashed out over $5000 on several occasions.

These were important scores and were repeated on several trips. They were important; because they make up for the time the Teacher took a consistent

12-month loss totaling $100,000 or the Preacher’s lifetime loss nearing the same amount.

Both Gamblers can tell you how to win consistently; play less than three hours a day, place bets between 2% and 5% of a bankroll, use a winning method and NEVER EVER GO INTO DEBT.

They should know because they have broken all of these rules at some time. Both admit the “addictive” element of a gambler’s life makes “successful gambling” more marketable as a concept. Success is only realized by a gifted few able to overcome the addiction.

The Teacher told his employers to take the job and shove it in the early 1970’s. Between the large scores and his ability to run games with the “house
advantage,” he played the role of the Professional Gambler.

His handlebar mustache and quick wit irritated would-be gamblers who had to find other means to support their wagering activities. Like the time he

kept pit bosses and dealers in a Baccarat game wondering. He was claiming to be a “Wacky Tobacky” farmer from North Carolina. “ Just keep those cigars
coming, honey, and I’ll be sure to put you on my wacky tobacky mailing list” he called out.


Ironically, the Teacher had no time to use or produce wacky tobacky or fire water. “It gets in the way of gambling,” he would say. However, the cigarettes,

cigars, and smoke filled gambling parlors would soon show the tobacky indeed to be wacky. The Preacher credited the Teacher with being his mentor in the gambling industry, but it was the success of the Teacher that inclined the Preacher to avoid the pitfalls of the gambler’s life.

“I believe a patient man can be a consistent winner, but it’s awful tough, awful tough to overcome the odds and the addiction” the Teacher often commented.

Actually, the Preacher had already fallen into and crawled out of the pit several times. But late in 1993, the Preacher chose to reunite with his family

and place all of his financial resources in the hands of a financial shark, his wife.

By June 1994, he called to wish his friend well. He discovered the Teacher had also reached a cross-road in his gambling career. “Preacher, I’ll be cashing in the chips real soon. I have bone cancer. It’s those cigarettes. It just jumped over from my lungs to my bones. Age 53 seems awful young to die, but I have made my peace with the Lord, with my family at my side, and am ready to go.”

Unlike Clutch, who crashed into a tree, Baby Ray, who chewed of the end of a shotgun; Harold, whose heart gave out, or Squirrel who was backed over behind

a poker house; or Dexter who just did not wake up, the Teacher has lived longer and lived the life of a true gambler.

In the world of gambling, where nothing is certain, it is a sure bet that death will soon mark the cross-roads where these two gamblers part. But then
again, there’s always a chance, right?

ADDENDUM: The Teacher did live two years longer than the doctor’s had given him and the Preacher continued to fight his own battles to keep life from being

anything but routine. Preacher’s own $100,000 wins sometime after the Teacher’s death proved to be no more material than they had been for the Teacher,

himself. Although the Teacher had been known to carry around $250,000 at any one time in the trunk of his car, he died broke; and the Preacher knew that this too would likely be his own legacy if he continued the life of a true gambler.

In 2003, the Preacher emailed Mike Sexton, host of the World Poker Tour and PartyPoker.com to say “Hello, Mike, where have you been since you and the

Teacher and I played poker in 1982 in Fayetteville, NC.” Mike emailed back and said he remembered those good’ole days where you could play anywhere in NC

at any time, go broke in a game and still get a little help to tie you over to the next big game--like the time Preacher loaned Mike $200 and Mike promptly paid him back in a few days.

But Mike, too, had wised up and hung up his spurs, winning on the professional tour and now working in network television. As a true professional, he knows

the gambler must invest in other things, or the outcome is always the same--it becomes perilous--it destroys life-- and worst of all--you go broke!

Good luck to the Teacher at Heaven’s gates. Good luck to the Preacher for whatever waits--most likely his wife with a fist that shakes. And good luck to

Mike who made the most of his breaks. Good luck gamblers!!!

Author: David E. McCall/The Preacher:
Email:benefactor15@yahoo.com

Read other material by David E. McCall at Amazon.com.
Book: “Crimes Against Children--A Guide to Child
Protection for Parents andProfessionals” by David E. McCall.

blah blah blah blah blah...i only got through the first 3 lines then fell asleep of the last post