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AMA with Joseph Stapes Stapleton

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  1. #1

    Default AMA with Joseph Stapes Stapleton

    AMA with Joseph "Stapes" Stapleton

    FTR is very excited to announce the next member of our AMA Club:
    Joseph "Stapes" Stapleton was born somewhere in the continental United States (Albany, New York), sometime in the not so distant past. He has risen to fame through working in the Poker Media, and has been a commentator on the European Poker Tour for the past few years. He was the commentator on the PokerStars Big Game for both of its seasons and also works on other various Poker based shows.



    Joe tends to be the "light relief" on the EPT Streams, and regularly pushes the boundaries of what PokerStars allows to be live streamed over the internet. In addition to his comedy chops, Joe also provides a lot of the poker analysis for the live stream, and has been coached to provide this analysis by some of the best in the business.
    Joe has graciously agreed to give us some of his very precious time in order to answer your questions, so dive in, and try and keep it clean for "Uncle Daddy!"

    He'll be answering the questions at 9pm UK (16:00 ET) on the 20th of November.
    Last edited by Cruelsebastian; 11-15-2013 at 09:08 AM.
    Pre-Flop ou Post Flop...o importante é estar dentro de jogo
  2. #2
    Hi Joseph....great to have you here...

    Do you prefer to play the game or comment the game?
    You are so funny ...can you report which was (for you) the most hilarious moment you saw within a poker game?
    I got to ask...favorite comedy movies????!!!

    You rock man
  3. #3
    Thanks for doing this!

    Where did you cut your comedic chops?

    Were you the funny kid or class clown in school?

    Who is the most amusing poker player you've ever met, professional or amateur? What made that person so entertaining?
  4. #4
    How often do you play in tournaments and/or cash games? Do you play live and online? Do you have a preference for either?
  5. #5
    Hey, Joe.
    I can't believe a prostitute in Monte Carlo charged you once $200 for an eye contact. How did you get over it, with a $500 bottle of whisky?
  6. #6
    Always enjoy the comically entertaining commentaries of Joe (and also Nick Wealthall), much better than the dry Mike Sexton style.
    Thanks for bringing the "light relief" to poker commentary and hope it continues. Nice also to see Joe getting involved with FlopTurnRiver.
  7. #7
    Joe,

    I'll do my best to not to repeat my usual EPT Live trolling, but some may slip in.

    As a much smaller fish in the shark pool of poker media, I'd love to hear how you go started in the business, and what you'd recommend to people who might be interested in it as a career.
    Have you ever been tweeted something while live streaming that has made you go into uncontrollable laughter? Could you/did you read it out on air?
    How much material do you pre-prepare for each EPT? Do you come up with much of the material on the spot?
    With the poker analysis, I know you've had coaching on providing this, how did this come about, and is it still going on?
    With the 100th EPT on the near horizon, do you think we'll see the first double EPT winner before the 100th EPT? How unhappy will Neil Johnson be if we do?
  8. #8
    Do you consider golf and/or bowling sports? What about NASCAR? Poker?
  9. #9
    Hi Joe,

    Before WSOP in 2005, what was it like working for Mad TV?

    It sounds like a big risk starting from the bottom working the floor of the WSOP, what prompted you to make the jump?

    What is your craziest story from your career?

    Thanks!
  10. #10
    Joe,
    What is your favorite poker phrase you ever coined? On the other hand, did you ever have to "eat your hat" over anything you said?
  11. #11
    Do you prefer American or British beer? What's your favorite brand?
  12. #12
    Do you have any advice re training a puppy and stopping him from nipping?
  13. #13
    If you could change anything at a global level, what would it be and why?
  14. #14
    Who is the player you like to discuss most often? Who would you rather not give any air time to? Has any high stakes player ever been upset by something you've said? If so, how did you handle it?
  15. #15
    Have you ever gotten tongue tied during a broadcast? Can you think of a comment you regret making?
  16. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
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    Location
    North Carolina, USA
    Joe,

    How far would you like to go in poker industry, what's your dream destination? Would it make any difference to you if online poker was legalized in the States?
  17. #17
    How do you exercise your "funny muscles"? Or does it come naturally? Who is your inspiration in comedy?
  18. #18
    Joe,

    In your opinion, which poker pro would be fit to run for public office, if there is such a person?
  19. #19
    When you wear socks with shorts, do you pull them up or leave them scrunched around your ankles?
  20. #20
    How did you become a commentator? Have you ever done any stand up comedy?
  21. #21
    Have you competed in any WSOP events? Which ones? How'd you do?
  22. #22
    Do you think Atlantis really existed at one point? Where was it?
  23. #23
    This event starts in less than 3 days.
  24. #24
    Do you have any superstitions? What's your favorite number?
  25. #25
    Sir:

    It kind of sickens me that I am often called "a poor man's Joe Stapleton."
    I have to have more money in the bank than you, don't I?

    Norman Chad
  26. #26
    I don't think anyone has asked this yet, so, where are your favorite places to play poker (online/live/Las Vegas/elsewhere)?
  27. #27
    Quote Originally Posted by Norman Chad View Post
    Sir:

    It kind of sickens me that I am often called "a poor man's Joe Stapleton."
    I have to have more money in the bank than you, don't I?

    Norman Chad
    Too funny!!!
  28. #28
    Are you a poker player turned journalist, or the other way around? How did you end up working EPT?
  29. #29
    What's it like living in Britain coming from the United States? If you say "schedule" instead of "shedule", do people give you weird looks?
  30. #30
    What do you think of the feud between Dick Cheney's daughters re gay marriage? Do you think Liz Cheney has a chance of winning the election she's running in? Do you think the US should boycott the upcoming Olympics in Russia due to that country's stance on and laws against homosexuality?
  31. #31
    Would you ever consider doing a reality television show? What type of show would it be?
  32. #32
    What do you do for fun? What place would you like to visit that you haven't yet? If you could time travel, what period would you visit? Who is the person you've met while playing or covering poker that you found most interesting?
  33. #33
    First of all, I need to thank you for the countless hours of entertainment you have given me in podcast form, was just listening to the Asterios pitch fest episode yesterday. MAN I MISS TWO JACKS/HUFF & STAPES :'(.

    1. When if ever will you and Scott work together again? How often do people ask about the show? How often do you think about the show? Have you ever considered doing a reunion show? I still cry myself to sleep every night to Two Jacks reruns and can't fall asleep until I hear Da Funk (I'm missing some shows by the way, if you know where I can find them or direct me to someone who does, I will send you £100 on PAYPAL or to a charity of your choice, Pokerroad doesn't exist anymore so I cant access old shows, i'm serious on this one!)

    2. As a Londoner, I'm curious how different you find life in London from the USA, what was the weirdest/strangest difference you noticed living here as opposed to back home home?? Whereabouts do you live borough/area wise? How different is the pace of life here from home. Which do you prefer, how long do you see yourself staying here for?

    Best Wishes
    Last edited by HoofAndShapes; 11-19-2013 at 11:43 AM. Reason: Too many questions..
  34. #34
    Less than 24 hours to go until this event starts!
  35. #35
    Less than 12 hours to go until this event starts!
  36. #36
    Less than 6 hours to go until this event starts!
  37. #37
    - Who are/were your influences as far as commentating & giving interviews, inside or outside of poker?

    - What is the most memorable interview you've given?

    - You're given $100 Billion. After you take all your vacations, buy all the fun toys, etc. What do you spend your time doing?
  38. #38
    Hi Joe great to have you here

    - I know this is cruel but I have to ask...do you know any bad jokes about poker? Can you tell one? :P
    - Do you often play poker on the move (mobile) ?
    - Do you travel a lot ? Have you ever visited Portugal? If not...you MUST come

    Cheers
    Pre-Flop ou Post Flop...o importante é estar dentro de jogo
  39. #39
    Hi Joe....you're the man

    - Please share with us the worst bad beat you ever joked about
    - Can you stay away from Poker and all its universe? ...or is it impossible for you to disconnect?

    I have a silly idea about a poker tournament being held at a McDonalds ...fast food together with a variant of fast-paced poker...do you think it could work?
  40. #40
    What are your plans for the holidays?
    En busca de los fish del mundo...
  41. #41
    Are you single?
  42. #42
    Less than 3 hours to go until this event starts!
  43. #43
    Less than one hour to go until this event starts! The password has now been released to Qualified Members!
  44. #44
    Axe me Anything with Joseph "Stapes" Stapleton!

    Jesus. What's the point of having the nickname is someone's gonna write the whole thing out anyway.

    Irregardless (yes, I know that's not a word, though, spellcheck hasn't sensed it, which worries me), I'm gonna get started a little early to make sure I get to everyone's questions.

    Especially YOURS.....!
  45. #45
    - Who is your favorite poker commentator team? Off the top of my head there is Kaplan/Benza , Sexton/Van Patten, Chad/McEachern. I'm probably forgetting some?
  46. #46
    Quote Originally Posted by Stapes View Post
    Axe me Anything with Joseph "Stapes" Stapleton!

    Jesus. What's the point of having the nickname is someone's gonna write the whole thing out anyway.

    Irregardless (yes, I know that's not a word, though, spellcheck hasn't sensed it, which worries me), I'm gonna get started a little early to make sure I get to everyone's questions.

    Especially YOURS.....!
    holla!

    Welcome to FTR! Thanks for coming!
  47. #47
    Quote Originally Posted by Ricpoker View Post
    Hi Joseph....great to have you here...

    Do you prefer to play the game or comment the game?
    You are so funny ...can you report which was (for you) the most hilarious moment you saw within a poker game?
    I got to ask...favorite comedy movies????!!!

    You rock man
    Thank you. Thank you. It's great to be here. I clicked all the way over from porn and BOY are my fingers tired. And forearm.

    Well, I prefer to PLAY the game because it's means I'm PLAYING A GAME and not working. I would also prefer to play pretty much any other card game. Except for Magic. That's for nerds. JUST KIDDING. I played Magic in high school. I wasn't even cool enough for those kids. Honestly.

    When it comes to WORK, I'd much rather be doing commentary for a living than playing poker for a living. Hard.

    Most hilarious moment in a poker game. I dunno man. I've seen a lot. I saw Phil Hellmuth throw a chair, Mike Matusow almost get punched, Ernest Wiggins "run it four times." I can't really say. I have seen so much poker, it doesn't really stay with me the same way it would for a "fan." I usually just go back to the same answers over and over again and say the Ernest Wiggins hand. Truly remarkable.

    Some of my favorite comedies off the top of my head:

    Wet Hot American Summer
    Super Troopers
    Caddyshack
    Windy City Heat - hidden little gem
    Office Space
    Swingers
    Made
    Wanderlust
    Team America
    The Station Agent
    Get Shorty

    Probably a dozen more, but that's good for now.

    Oh! And thanks for saying I rock. I also paper and scissors.
  48. #48
    Quote Originally Posted by dlbarlowe View Post
    Thanks for doing this!

    Where did you cut your comedic chops?

    Were you the funny kid or class clown in school?

    Who is the most amusing poker player you've ever met, professional or amateur? What made that person so entertaining?

    You're welcome! I'm all alone in the world! I have no commitments!

    I didn't try to be the "funny" kid until I was about 15 I'd say, and I wasn't even remotely successful at it until I was probably 17. At least that's when it stopped all just living inside my head. Until then I was just the quiet loser who cried a lot. Something happened at some point. It was kinda like I gave myself the speech from Independence Day, and I just decided I was not gonna take it any more. It didn't happen right away, but I grew a pair after that.

    "WELCOME TO EARF."

    Assuming I have "comedic chops" (which I'm not really comfortable with), I've had tons of influences over the years. My Dad is "funny." I grew up spending every weekend sleeping over at my Grandmother's house because there was a TV in the bedroom and I could watch Saturday Night Live. I am heavily influenced by guys like Chris Farley, Norm MacDonald, David Spade from those years. Tons more influences now, but that's what really sparked my interest in comedy.

    Then, later in life I was lucky enough to work at a place called MADtv, where I met TONS of super talented cast members and writers. Key & Peele, to name two of them.

    Honestly, I'd say most of it had to come from having really smart and funny friends who keep me on my toes at all times. I always feel like I could be relegated to being that quiet loser at any point, so if I want to keep hanging out with the cool kids, I need to keep them on THEIR toes, and keep making them laugh.

    I've met tons of amateurs that were amusing that I could never express unless you had played with the guys. A kid who, fours hours into a poker game, would pick up a chip and say "....what's this worth....?" I've played with super interesting people at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles. As far as pros go, watching Phil Laak is easily the most entertained I am EVER during poker, and I'd have to say it ranks pretty high up there in all aspects of entertainment. The guy is hilarious, and even though it might seem unintentional, I'm convinced he 100% knows what he's doing.
  49. #49
    Quote Originally Posted by AcesarehighAreyou View Post
    How often do you play in tournaments and/or cash games? Do you play live and online? Do you have a preference for either?
    I play live poker maybe once every three months. Online once or twice a month. Poker is purely a recreational thing for me, and it's not even very high on my list of things I like to do. That plus the fact that I can't stand to lose makes me not find the time very often. Here's a list of things I'd rather do than play poker:

    #1 go to the movies
    #2 play video games
    #3 try to get laid
    go buy something stupid with the buy-in I'm gonna lose (see #1-#3)

    Between those three and work, it doesn't leave me much time for poker.

    BUT. The good thing is that when I play, it's because I want to, and because I really am enjoying it, and I wait until it's a spot where I don't care about the money. Promotional tournament, cash game with friends, etc. I guess I prefer cash games because I'm a little better at them, but the allure of playing tournaments on a Sunday is not lost on me at all.
  50. #50
    Quote Originally Posted by arcturus View Post
    Hey, Joe.
    I can't believe a prostitute in Monte Carlo charged you once $200 for an eye contact. How did you get over it, with a $500 bottle of whisky?
    How did I get over it? I CELEBRATED it. It was easily the most interaction I had had with a female in months.

    I even told my Mom about her. My Mom told her priest.
  51. #51
    Quote Originally Posted by Hippy80 View Post
    Joe,

    I'll do my best to not to repeat my usual EPT Live trolling, but some may slip in.

    As a much smaller fish in the shark pool of poker media, I'd love to hear how you go started in the business, and what you'd recommend to people who might be interested in it as a career.
    Have you ever been tweeted something while live streaming that has made you go into uncontrollable laughter? Could you/did you read it out on air?
    How much material do you pre-prepare for each EPT? Do you come up with much of the material on the spot?
    With the poker analysis, I know you've had coaching on providing this, how did this come about, and is it still going on?
    With the 100th EPT on the near horizon, do you think we'll see the first double EPT winner before the 100th EPT? How unhappy will Neil Johnson be if we do?
    If you're interested in this as a career, do everything. Write everything. Go to everything. Participate in everything. Listen to everything. DO EVERYTHING. Rob - it seems like you're doing a good job at this. I'm sure it's harder now than when I did it, but all I did was try to entertain myself. At first I just got lucky and Huff hooked me up with a Cardplayer internship in 2005 at the WSOP. That was my foot in the door.

    From there, I just tried to make myself present. I did a lot of stuff for free (or nearly free), just so people could get to know me and learn who I was. Eventually someone was dumb enough to start paying me for it. I have to give so much thanks and respect to Joe Sebok and Barry Greenstein for noticing this early on and hiring me on the do Poker Road. The site ultimately failed, but launched more than a few poker journalism careers.

    I've never been tweeted anything that made me go into uncontrollable laughter, no. It's pretty hard to get me that hard in 140 characters, especially in poker. However, I have read things that filled me with uncontrollable rage/sadness, and those are tough to get over.

    I don't prepare much for the live streams. I just kinda let the comedy (if there is any) come out organically. It's a much different beast than the TV shows (which I write/prepare down to the frame). You can do longer conversations, bits and find the fun stuff. On TV the fun stuff has to be planned.

    I started getting coaching because when I was auditioning for the Big Game, Daniel Negreanu and Barry Greenstein were two of my biggest advocates with Poker Stars, but they agreed my analysis was terrible. Honestly, I didn't even know what analysis WAS. So they made the simple solution of hiring Jimmy Fricke (Gobboboy) to go over all the hands with me and make sure I didn't say anything stupid. He's been working with me every since. At first we used to watch the shows together, over Skype, but now I know enough that I just read some notes from him via email.

    I will say I've come a million miles from where I first started. I can get by without Jimmy at this point, fumbling my way through the analysis, but I prefer not to, because he makes it SO MUCH BETTER. He also adds to the comedy quite a bit from the little jokes he writes to me in his notes. It wouldn't be nearly as good without him.

    It's like the difference between just a **** job or a **** job with a little hand action at the same time. Both are good. One is a lot better.

    I don't think we'll see a two-time winner before the 100th EPT, no. I hope there's never a two-time winner. I think Neil would take it just fine though. I don't think I've ever seen the guy angry. Which means he's probably got like 39483049 bodies in his basement.
    Last edited by Stapes; 11-20-2013 at 05:29 PM.
  52. #52
    Quote Originally Posted by Addie Nance View Post
    Do you consider golf and/or bowling sports? What about NASCAR? Poker?
    I think all of those qualify as sports, yeah. They require that the player PERSONALLY perform some sort of physical task. But that's like saying "Do you consider McNuggets and/or McRibs food?" Yeah. They're food. Their not the same as duck l'orange, but yeah, they're food.

    I do NOT consider poker to be a sport, however. The physical part isn't necessary. Unless you count staying awake, or sitting, in which case watching movies could also be a sport. Poker's a game. Doesn't mean there isn't skill to it. Doesn't mean it isn't worth watching or getting exciting about. It's just not a sport.
  53. #53
    Quote Originally Posted by tommyd View Post
    Hi Joe,

    Before WSOP in 2005, what was it like working for Mad TV?

    It sounds like a big risk starting from the bottom working the floor of the WSOP, what prompted you to make the jump?

    What is your craziest story from your career?

    Thanks!
    Working for MADtv was an amazing, but frustrating, experience. I worked there from age 20-27, so for my entire adult life, and they were like a family to me. And like a family, my Dad did occasionally want to let me know his cock was bigger than mine, and who was in charge. I was largely ignored for ever advancing beyond my role in production. I will say that I was mostly quiet about it, because my work ethic doesn't let me have that sort of ambition.

    I believed in doing the job I was hired for, and asking when it was appropriate. This made me easy to ignore. However, the experiences I had there and the people that I met - I will never forget. Being in my 20's and living in Los Angeles working in entertainment is an experience I would not trade for anything, and I really hope I can actually go back to one day.

    I'm sorry guys. I'm shit in the "tell me a story" department when I'm typing and when I know there's a million other questions to answer. Honestly, if you wanna hear crazy stories - go back and find my podcast(s) - Two Jacks in the Hole and Huff & Stapes (on Ustream & iTunes) and I've told pretty much any story I WOULD ever tell on there.

    For the stuff that's happened since then. Buy me a beer sometime and find out.
  54. #54
    Joe,

    Thanks for the great answers to my questions.

    Are you going to the PokerStars VIP party on Saturday? If so, I'll get a round in at the free bar. Just don't say I never do anything for you :P
  55. #55
    Quote Originally Posted by JetPropulsion View Post
    Joe,
    What is your favorite poker phrase you ever coined? On the other hand, did you ever have to "eat your hat" over anything you said?
    Hello, Jet. If that is, in fact, your real name.

    Again, I'm not comfortable with some of the wording here.

    "Well, I've coined SO MANY phrases - how do I choose," he said while his ego inflated to the size of his (rather large) penis.

    But if I HAD to.....--devilish grin-- I guess I like "Kwing" and "Congratudolences." Either those or "All it takes is a chip and a chair." I get a lot of mileage out of the fact that I DEFINITELY invented that one.
  56. #56
    Quote Originally Posted by Stapes View Post
    For the stuff that's happened since then. Buy me a beer sometime and find out.
    Will do if you're ever on the east coast of the US!
  57. #57
    Quote Originally Posted by ChrisP View Post
    Do you prefer American or British beer? What's your favorite brand?
    Some of you are going to kill me over this, but I just don't care. I like beer enough. I'm fine with beer. Some of my best friends are beer. But I just don't get all precious about it. I don't even know the difference between ales and lagers and stouts. Yes, I know which beers are American and which ones are British, but to me, beers are like women. They're mostly good. And even when they're not, I'm rarely going to turn one down, you know?
  58. #58
    Quote Originally Posted by Nacho View Post
    Do you have any advice re training a puppy and stopping him from nipping?
    Take away his XBOX? I don't know. I've never had a pet. Unless you count unemployed teenage girlfriends.
  59. #59
    Quote Originally Posted by Stapes View Post
    beers are like women. They're mostly good. And even when they're not, I'm rarely going to turn one down, you know?
    You haven't met my ex then. Thanks for doing this, man.
  60. #60
    Quote Originally Posted by Alex View Post
    If you could change anything at a global level, what would it be and why?
    I think you made this question a little more open ended than you intended. Globally, I would probably try to eliminate everyone's sense of greed and entitlement. I'm all for people working hard and getting stuff (as long as it's not from the exploitation or bullying of others), but people feel as if they're owed so much by the world. It's crazy.
  61. #61
    Quote Originally Posted by Patrick M. View Post
    Who is the player you like to discuss most often? Who would you rather not give any air time to? Has any high stakes player ever been upset by something you've said? If so, how did you handle it?

    It's easy to discuss Daniel because he's a friend, and I know he would never get mad at me for anything I said on the air. Even if I made fun of him or disagreed with him. There are a handful of players I'd rather not give any air time to. No, I will not name them.

    Sure, folks have gotten upset. Never about jokes, oddly enough. Internally, it's hard to handle, because it shakes your confidence. It makes me wonder if I'm doing it wrong. I've handled it by focusing on the overwhelming majority of people who seem to like what I do. Externally, I've never handled it because these people have never sought me out specifically. They've tweeted thinly veiled stuff, or stuff I'm not tagged in, and posted on forums, but none of them have ever approached me. If they did, I'd be happy to talk about whatever it is.
  62. #62
    Quote Originally Posted by HeyYou View Post
    Have you ever gotten tongue tied during a broadcast? Can you think of a comment you regret making?
    If you listen, you'll hear me get tongue tied all the time. Never to the point where I can't go on, but I trip over my words constantly - like a Mom trips over the wires to an NES Advantage.

    It's a little harder when we're doing the links for the EPT TV shows. Generally the room is full of dealers and tournament staff, who all have to be quiet while we record the link. It's very awkward. When we're done, they usually give us a sarcastic round of applause.

    In London, we did it four or five times, for technical reasons, and on the sixth take, I fucked it up. I did it again on the seventh take, and I went into a cold sweat. Absolute panic mode. I wanted to walk off the stage. I got through the next time without screwing it up, but my boss said "Um, are you ok?" Everyone laughed and that made me feel better. I got it on the next one, luckily, because if not, I probably would have peed.
  63. #63
    Quote Originally Posted by Stapes View Post
    It's easy to discuss Daniel because he's a friend, and I know he would never get mad at me for anything I said on the air. Even if I made fun of him or disagreed with him. There are a handful of players I'd rather not give any air time to. No, I will not name them.

    Sure, folks have gotten upset. Never about jokes, oddly enough. Internally, it's hard to handle, because it shakes your confidence. It makes me wonder if I'm doing it wrong. I've handled it by focusing on the overwhelming majority of people who seem to like what I do. Externally, I've never handled it because these people have never sought me out specifically. They've tweeted thinly veiled stuff, or stuff I'm not tagged in, and posted on forums, but none of them have ever approached me. If they did, I'd be happy to talk about whatever it is.
    I really respect your answer here. That's just a cool approcah.
  64. #64
    Stapes, why was there no WCOOP radio this year, i was looking forward to similar madness from you and Nick but nooo dice,...wassa happs there?? Incidentally, i really admire your level of hand analysis and have stated this on many occasions as we watch your shows. We only started showing Poker After Dark on mainstream TV this year here in Noo Zealand, we don't miss much do we.
    Thanks for pointing out your other PodCasts on I Tunes, i am d/loading some as we type.
    Last edited by Vas Deferens; 11-20-2013 at 04:37 PM.
  65. #65
    Quote Originally Posted by Alep View Post
    Joe,

    How far would you like to go in poker industry, what's your dream destination? Would it make any difference to you if online poker was legalized in the States?
    I don't think I want to, or can go much further in the poker industry. Sure, when Lon and Norm retire or start hosting Monday Night Football, sure I'd love to be on ESPN, but honestly, that's just because it's what gets the most recognition. I just want an audience. Preferably not in poker, if I could be so bold. I'll probably never get there, but I'd sure love to try something else some day.

    So the real answer is that I don't care to go much further in poker, if someone's going to ask me to host Survivor, that is. Also, I'm pretty sure my act is going to get stale one day....eventually....soon.....now.
  66. #66
    Quote Originally Posted by Aidan View Post
    How do you exercise your "funny muscles"? Or does it come naturally? Who is your inspiration in comedy?
    Aidan - please see some of the questions above. Sorry, dude.

    As far as exercise goes, I'm actually having trouble with that since moving to London. I left all my people behind in LA who used to keep me sharp, but mostly it comes from hanging out with people who are smarter and funnier than me. I also used to do a podcast (also mentioned above) that kept me really sharp. I miss both things terribly.
  67. #67
    Quote Originally Posted by YoYo View Post
    Joe,

    In your opinion, which poker pro would be fit to run for public office, if there is such a person?

    I don't really have an opinion on this, because there aren't many that I know on a deeply personal level. And the ones I do are batshit fucking insane.

    A lot of poker's sophomore class seem like they're pretty together. Dan O'Brien, for example, seems like he's got a pretty level head for politics. Honestly, though, I think poker attracts the kind of person we don't necessarily want to have in charge. I'm not saying they're bad people, but poker is a game and a lifestyle that rewards selfishness. Not dishonesty, but selfishness. It's every man (or woman) for himself (or herself, dammit).

    It's not a team game. Wouldn't we rather have people who are used to playing on a team?
  68. #68
    Quote Originally Posted by Fiorella View Post
    When you wear socks with shorts, do you pull them up or leave them scrunched around your ankles?

    Oh. Hi. Hello there.

    What's a place like you doing in a girl like this?

    OMG - I can't believe I just did that. --WHOOPS--

    Anyway, no, but really. Your place? Already? But I haven't even answered your question yet. I fold them down. Let's go.
  69. #69
    Quote Originally Posted by Lars View Post
    How did you become a commentator? Have you ever done any stand up comedy?
    I have told this one a few times, so this time, enjoy this budget info graphic:

    Production Assistant -> Blogger - > Video producer -> Podcast Host -> Multiple Podcast and Web Show Host - > TV Show Host

    I got really lucky in that the the right people were fans of mine. Barry Greenstein, Joe Sebok, Daniel Negreanu.

    I started doing stand-up about a year and a half ago. I've done it a shamefully few number of times, and only once in the last 8 months. I'm not very good at it, obviously. I don't really like it, or want to be a stand-up, but at the moment I don't write and I don't do stand-up, which is kind of like an athlete who wants to be in the Olympics but does run or work out.

    There is footage of that one performance I did in the last eight months here:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il-ekaSWLgg
  70. #70
    Quote Originally Posted by WTF View Post
    Have you competed in any WSOP events? Which ones? How'd you do?

    I've played a $1500 and a $1k. I made the dinner break exactly 0 times. Granted, this was a while ago when I had so much worse of a grasp for poker, but honestly, I think these days I'd just go broke faster.
  71. #71
    Hello there, yourself! Thanks for answering my question, Stapes. Your wit matches your good looks.
  72. #72
    Quote Originally Posted by Luks_AA View Post
    Do you think Atlantis really existed at one point? Where was it?

    I wish the current one didn't exist. $25 and a thirty minute wait for a cheeseburger that makes McDonald's look like Mastro's.
  73. #73
    Quote Originally Posted by LuckyAcer View Post
    Do you have any superstitions? What's your favorite number?

    I'm superstitious about karma and being a good person. I don't believe in karma, exactly, but I think goodness begets goodness, so I always try to do the right thing. I make mistakes like everyone, but it's something I really try to live my life by. I'm also superstitious about Canadians. I don't trust them. Wait. I guess more racism, huh?

    My lucky number is 9. I wore it for many years in baseball playing the position of "left out."
  74. #74
  75. #75
    Quote Originally Posted by Norman Chad View Post
    Sir:

    It kind of sickens me that I am often called "a poor man's Joe Stapleton."
    I have to have more money in the bank than you, don't I?

    Norman Chad

    Wow. I will try not to make this a gushing fan letter.

    First of all, everyone, despite what he might make it seem like publicly, Norman Chad has been ridiculously supportive of my career. The few times above when I mentioned that the right people were fans of mine, Norm is included in that list. I probably would not be here today if it weren't for the kind things he's said about me. Granted all of those kind words completely disappeared once I actually GOT on television.

    Funny story: after not speaking for about a year, Norm sent me an email blaming me for Black Friday. Hilarious, and accurate.

    Now to address Norm's post:

    Now I don't know how much money you've got in the bank, and I know that pie's being split many ways, but God I hope you've got more than I do. My bank called me on suspicion of fraud at the end of last month because I hadn't overdrafted yet.

    To be honest - people saying that stuff sickens me too. I generally don't engage people on Twitter, and I'm happy for the compliments, but I honestly don't see why people need to--wait a second. I think it was me who was called "the poor man's Norman Chad" on more than one occasion. Is this a level? Do you know what level means?

    In all seriousness, I gave an interview last month, and this question was cut from the article, but I'm going to recreate it here, because it needs to be said:

    "If you could play poker and have anyone do commentary on you, who would it be?"

    Hands down, I would pick Norman Chad.

    When James Gandolfini died, Bryan Cranston tweeted:

    "I'm saddened by James Gandolfini's passing. He was a great talent & I owe him. Quite simply, without Tony Soprano there is no Walter White."

    Norm's still alive (and has the 75-year ESPN contract to prove it), but I feel the same way about him. Without Norman Chad, there is no Joe Stapleton.

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