Mark Blades Book / its Just wrong

[PokerHorse]

also, all those pictures youve taken with tournament pros. which of those are your closet friends?

[PokerHorse]

Since you have been playing proffesionally for 10 years, then there must be several players who know you. Im doubtful, but if Im wrong I will be the first to admit it. if your answer is that your an online player, well ill let others decide for themselves. but since you have so many high profile players who are apparently your friends, im sure a few of them would easily vouch for you.
And.. youve been playing for 10 years but received a publishing deal for three books???? Okay,.......sure,im with you.

[Mark Blade]

Hi Pokerhorse,

I have to admit that I find your shoot-first, ask-questions-later approach to be extremely peculiar. I began to suspect that I must’ve slept with your wife or something to warrant such unusual attention. Then I noticed in some of your other posts that this is your modus operandi toward many poker writers, even those whose credibility is well-known. So I’m taking it with a grain of salt.

As a generally private person, my first instinct is to tell you “none of your business” and “why do you care so much?” But because that would leave you to conclude that you had “won,” I’m going to answer your questions. Once. And then I will leave this thread alone and let the merits of my book speak for itself.

1-Is everyone that I’ve ever taken a publicity shot with my closest friend? No. By the way, I never claimed that they were. Wow, you really nailed me on that one. Please notify Patrick Fitzgerald that he should drop the trivial CIA leak stuff immediately and jump all over this important case.

2-Where have I played? I’ve played limits from $9-18 to $150-300, mostly hold-em and stud and primarily in the Los Angeles area for the past 15 or so years with some occasional breaks to pursue other hobbies and interests. I’ve also played online more frequently in the past few years, along with working on my books which has taken me away from the tables more than I’d like. I’ve frequented the many popular poker rooms here over the years, usually depending on which area of Los Angeles I’ve lived in at the particular time. In the mid-nineties, when I often played stud at Hollywood Park, they even took out an ad once in CardPlayer magazine thanking me and the other regulars in the game by name for keeping their $75-150 stud game flourishing at the time. If you’re interested, go track it down somehow. I’ve played against Sklansky at Commerce and Hollywood Park when he’s been in town. I remember him once leaving a game so he could go out to his car and get a copy of The Theory Of Poker to give to a very hot babe (yes, he is a pimp! [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]). I’ve played against Johnny Chan once in a hold-em game at The Hollywood Park high-limit side room they used to have. And yes he had his orange with him. And against Mike Caro in a $75 stud game, where he let me down by not acting crazy at all. I wouldn’t expect any of them to remember me because I often bounce around in limits seeking the most profitable opportunities, which usually includes avoiding the best players. Since I’m very cautious with my bankroll, I also don’t mind dropping down in limits after major purchases like house down payments or extended breaks for long vacations. But again, poker has been my sole source of income for most of my adult life. And I’ve never gone broke, ever. I can just tell you the truth. I can’t control if you believe it. Because I grew up here, I have had plenty of friends and family in the area so poker is just like a business to me. I show up, put in my hours, and go home. I’m cordial to people but don’t really socialize with players much away from the casino.

Anyway, I hope I’ve answered your questions, although I find them utterly ridiculous and simply annoying. I will not respond to your posts anymore. But suffice it to say that if you reply with more questions, my answer is simply…

“Get a life. I don’t really care. And I’ll let the quality of my book speak for itself.”

Mark Blade

[PokerHorse]

I have never taken shots at poker authors , put the post up here in this thread that you are refering too.

[PokerHorse]

The big games at Hollywood left almost 10 years ago. im sure that you play poker, but pro... The pictures you took are a big deal because they are implying that you are chummy with top pros when in fact you arent. i didnt post to get your reaction, so i really dont care what you do. You are a phony (imo), and you have accused me of taking shots at other poker writers when that simply isnt true. I dont post much at this forum period. I will challenge a poster if i think they are wrong but .. you are the first writer whom i feel is an out an out fraud. if you were for real you wouldnt need the whole pr thing.
I only posed those questions since you responded to my inital post. This actually will probably help your book sales by the way.The only writer who hasnt written a book Ive been critical of was an article written by aron Von Something in the frum, and I wasnt alone with my feelings on that.
just admit what your backround actually is. A local poker pro off the street just doesnt get a 3 book deal. You must have some financial backing from your family or whatever to start with. Just tell the truth and we"ll be done with it. In fact im already done with it.

[theRealMacoy]

Mark,

You are a class act. You have conducted yourself very well under some intense and often unfounded criticism on these forums.

Cheers,
Sean

[steamboatin]

I told you he was a gentleman. I don't say things like that lightly.

[ckmo]

The guy could sell aluminum siding in your mind for all I care. I've read his book and I'd say it speaks for itself. I'm by no means a professional poker player nor do I plan to become one but the book is full of sound advice IMO. I would definitely recommend it to others. Plus the guy says things like "I began to suspect that I must’ve slept with your wife or something to warrant such unusual attention. " How can you not like his writing style?

[popniklas]

Hi Mark. Thanks for writing "Professional Poker". I found it very useful. Don't waste your time on idiots like the OP. Get your upcoming books out instead!