Some of you may know me by my message board handle, which I use on other boards such as sharpsportsbetting, bj21, and lvasports. My real name is Nathan and I am a part-time advantage gambler whose specialties are video poker and sports wagering. (Moderators, I would be happy to verify my full identity to you upon request.) I read twoplustwo occasionally but have never before posted. I am interested in poker and play it recreationally, but probably not with an advantage against skilled players.

In early November of 2007 I entered a $500+50 NLHE tournament at IP Biloxi that featured bounties on two poker celebrities (Esfandiari and Moneymaker) and on a Playboy bunny. The bounties were described as $10,000 travel packages for the winners and three friends each to stay overnight at the Playboy Mansion.

I played well by my reckoning but finished just out of the money. The highlight for me was knocking out Chris Moneymaker in the first round of the tournament. I don't remember all the details, but all the action was preflop and my pocket aces held up against his pocket kings. Although he was plainly unhappy to have lost his chips, he was gentlemanly about it, shook my hand, and posed for a photo with me (taken by some publicist; I've never been offered a print). The Bunny, who supposedly had learned to play just the night before, was seated at the next table and was both charming and attractive; theirs was a lively table. I never played at his table, but Esfandiari was still playing when I was sent to the rail with just two tables remaining. I believe he won but I didn’t stick around to observe. During breaks he was gregarious and a lot of fun, making proposition bets on just about anything. I thought all three celebrities did a great job as ambassadors for the event.

I was a little surprised and disappointed that when I was knocked out of the tournament nobody was on hand to help me complete paperwork or provide details about my prize. The tournament staff also seemed surprised, and eventually concluded that the Moneymaker Gaming/Playboy Poker official I needed had left for the day. I left my name and an ID photocopy with a tournament official and was advised to return the next morning.

Although it was cutting things close to my departure from Biloxi, I finally met a representative from Moneymaker that next day. Again, surprisingly, there were no forms for me to sign. There was also no written documentation available to detail the $10,000 package I had won -- no voucher, nothing. The official described the package orally, indicated that their organization was just getting things running, gave me an e-mail address on a poker chip business card, and asked for patience. I was assured that the package was "totally transferrable," which was good news to me as I had been taking phone numbers from fellow players who expressed interest in purchasing this package. My traveling companions thought I was being overly trusting to depart the hotel with nothing but an oral agreement, but I was impressed by the quality of the tournament, didn't want to be a jerk about it, and basically, trusted that IP Biloxi vetted the sponsors.

After waiting a reasonable amount of time for documents to be prepared I began e-mailing the Moneymaker official after the first of the year asking about my bounty package. Disconcertingly, my first response was a confusing query about whether the casino had been in contact with me. It hadn't, and I'm not sure why it should have, and I was never to have this matter clarified, as my further e-mails went unanswered until early February, when I was supposedly referred to another Moneymaker official who also failed to contact me. On 2/20, a third Moneymaker employee contacted me and told me that the details of the package were still pending.

Finally, on 6/11, I received a .pdf "Prize Award Notification." It was a joke. For instance, my name was not on the document, the date of my win was incorrect, and I was promised accommodations in "Las Angels, CA." More to the point, the few details available did not match what had been described in Biloxi. For example, there was no mention of three friends and no mention of air transportation. There was no way it could possibly be construed as a $10,000 prize, and there were insufficient details for me even to attempt to transfer the prize.

My attempts to clarify matters during the summer via e-mail and telephone were at first extremely discouraging. What had once been described as "totally transferrable" was now being described alternately as non-transferrable -- not that I could ever hope to transfer anything this vague anyhow -- and transferrable but with strict limits on my ability to find a buyer. For example, I might be permitted to transfer the prize, but I wouldn't be allowed to advertise on Internet message boards or ebay.

Sick of chasing after a prize that was supposedly mine, not wishing to continue business with this organization any longer, and still confused about the actual details of the package (still with nothing on paper but the illiterate and inaccurate .pdf flier), I proposed they cash this "prize" out for me at 50 cents on the dollar, sending me a check for $5000 instead. At first this was declined as impossible, but then it was conceded that they might find a buyer on my behalf (this was communicated as though it were a major concession for which I should be grateful). A buyer was supposedly found, and after I signed some paperwork (this time the documents appeared very professional) I was to be sent $4500, a far cry from its supposed $10,000 in value, and significantly less valuable considering how much work I'd put into chasing it down, but acceptable to me.

I signed and returned the documents in early August. Signed copies on their end were never sent to me, but the official with whom I was dealing acted as though they were honoring this agreement. At first there were troubles getting the payment from the buyer, then there was discussion about how to get the money to me. On 9/18 I was told a check could be sent in two days; it was not. In October when I asked about the check I was told it had been sent, wonder was expressed that I hadn't received it, and assurances were made that the matter would be "researched." My e-mails since then have gone unanswered. November 2008 is now over, and nearly 13 months after I won my prize I still have nothing to show for it.

I am posting this summary for several reasons: (1) to vent, because I am very angry at how I am being treated; (2) to hold Moneymaker Gaming accountable publicly for their shameful behavior; (3) in hopes that someone can notify or connect me to Chris Moneymaker, who may be totally unaware of how unprofessionally his brand is being administered, and who may be able to intervene on my behalf; (4) to see if there are any other poker players who are experiencing similar problems with this company so that we can pool resources to receive our awards; and (5) to share my experiences so that any prospective partners or consumers of Moneymaker Gaming products are informed by a consumer's perspective.

I have been gambling online since the late 90s, so I have lots of experience with being stiffed and slowpaid. Oddly, this has been my single worst experience with a gaming-related company, and it turns out to be with an office in Santa Monica rather than in Belize or Kahnawake. It has been a colossal waste of my time, and a brutal insult to my intelligence ("What? You didn't get that check we sent??"). I hope Chris is blissfully unaware of all this, as he seemed a genuinely gracious person. But I think even he owes me an apology (in addition to my $4500) for letting his name be used so recklessly.

If anyone can help me with #3 or #4 above, I would be grateful. I will of course follow up with any developments.

CC

Nathan,

A buddy of mine just called me and notified me of your thread on here. First off this is inexcusable; I want to apologize for everything you have been through with this ordeal. Moneymaker Gaming does not do business this way and I will get to the bottom of the problem. I leave for Australia tomorrow and will be out of touch till I land and get set up there. Once there I will find out what is going on. Can you private message me your e-mail address, phone number and Pokerstars name if you have one.


Chris Moneymaker

Just wanted you guys to know that you will no longer see me as a redlined pro in their lobbies, nor will you see me wearing their patches at live events any more.

That is all for now,

Bax

The reason why Bax is no longer a UB pro is simply because UB renegged on its deal with him.

I was there for the phone conversation and can attest that this is the case.

They called him and openly renegged on their agreement without explanation and should be ashamed for doing so imo.