Author Archives: The Daily Payoff

Seven poker quotes about self-improvement to inspire you

Poker can often take more perspiration that inspiration to become a success at, but some words of wisdom can set you up for a winning run. From champions to Hollywood actors, we’ve plucked out seven great poker quotes to help you kick off your week at the felt in style.

1. “Life, like poker, has an element of risk. It shouldn’t be avoided. It should be faced.”

Great words here from the star of Rounders, Ed Norton, who played Worm in the movie and constantly wriggled off the hook. Both Edward Norton and Matt Damon may have been stacked when they played the 1998 WSOP Main Event, but while Damon went down with kings against aces (Doyle Brunson doing the damage), Ed Norton lost with a full house against quads! This interview with the pair in Las Vegas the year that Rounders came out is quite revealing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdob9ckPdroVideo can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Matt Damon and Edward Norton Playing Poker | World Series of Poker (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdob9ckPdro)

Chance Kornuth concedes Galfond Challenge after 25,400 hands

The latest development in the Galfond Challenge is, unfortunately, the final one when it comes to the Chance Kornuth match against the host, Phil Galfond. That’s because, after 25,400 of the 35,000-hand challenge, Kornuth decided to concede the challenge, with his losses standing at $726,500 at this stage of the contest.

For many poker fans, this will come as something of a disappointment, with Kornuth arguably causing Galfond more problems than anyone in the Galfond Challenge legacy. While he didn’t get as close as ‘VeniVidi’ to taking money off the ever-impressive Galfond, Kornuth certainly provide his PLO (Pot Limit Omaha) chops and deserves a lot of credit.

As you might expect – or certainly hope – Kornuth has received some high praise from the poker fraternity after he revealed that the challenge was over, saying on Twitter:

“I’ve decided to concede the challenge . Congrats to Phil Galfond on another #GalfondChallenge Victory. It was an incredibly fun battle even though I lost. Going to take a few days with friends and family and share more about my experience in the weeks to come on Chip Leader Coaching.”

Grade 1 Winner and Champion Big Drama Dies at 15

Harold Queen’s homebred Big Drama was euthanized over the weekend following complications from a stomach ailment. The stallion was 15.

Dayoutoftheoffice Works Toward 3-Year-Old Debut

Trainer Tim Hamm said Dayoutoftheoffice will likely make her first sophomore start in either the Feb. 27 Davona Dale Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park or the March 6 Honeybee Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park.

The Grass Is Blue Rallies to Busanda Score

Owned by Louis Lazzinnaro and trained by Chad Brown, The Grass Is Blue received a well-timed ride by jockey Manny Franco, who piloted the filly to a one-length triumph in her second start around two turns and first with blinkers.

The Great One Targets Likely Start in San Felipe Stakes

Following a 14-length maiden triump Jan. 23 at Santa Anita Park, The Great One will likely point to the March 6 $300,000 San Felipe Stakes (G2).

Zofelle Strikes Late for Zoffany at Gulfstream Park

Zofelle produced a timely tribute to her late sire Zoffany by presenting him with a first notable success in 2021 by landing the Marshua’s River Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park’s lucrative Saturday fixture.

Keeneland, Red Mile HHR Operations Temporarily Close

Keeneland and Red Mile announced Jan. 24 that they will temporarily close their historical horse racing operations. The action comes three days after a court decision reaffirmed the need for legislative action on HHR in Kentucky.

New Hampshire wins appeal; Wire Act does not apply to lotteries

The New Hampshire Lottery has prevailed against the US Department of Justice when a federal court ruled Wednesday that the Wire Act does not apply to lotteries, cementing the legality of participating in the state lottery over the Internet.Legal, Online Gambling, Technology, New Hampshire, Online Ticket Sales, Government, Lawsuit

Progress Made on Blood Test to Identify At-Risk Horses

A study published Jan. 12 in Equine Veterinary Journal shows strong potential for the development of a blood test that could indicate whether a racehorse is at risk for a catastrophic breakdown.

Knicks Go Exits Pegasus World Cup in Good Order

Korea Racing Authority’s Knicks Go came out of his brilliant victory in Saturday’s $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at Gulfstream Park in good order, reported trainer Brad Cox Jan. 24.

Coolmore, Te Akau Partner on Pricey Zoustar Filly

One of the world’s most influential thoroughbred industry figures has linked with Te Akau Racing to purchase the most expensive yearling sold on day one of an historic New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale.

Golden Sixty Extends Win Streak to 12 in Stewards' Cup

With the Chinese New Year just over the horizon, the best of the old and most promising of the new were both on display on a big day at Sha Tin Racecourse Jan. 24.

Phil Galfond Wins Third Galfond Challenge, Chance Kornuth Concedes

Chance Kornuth put up a valiant effort against Phil Galfond in the Galfond Challenge, but the writing was on the wall. The Chip Leader Coaching founder trailed by more than $700,000 with under 10,000 hands remaining. He saw the writing on the wall and realized a comeback was out of the question.

Phil Galfond seems to always win. (Image: CardsChat News)

The $100/$200 pot-limit Omaha competition continued on Saturday with Kornuth down $680,000. After Chance lost a couple of buy-ins, he decided it was time to call it quits. With 25,400 hands complete of a 35,000-hand challenge, play has come to a halt.

Galfond entered the match four months ago as a heavy 4-1 favorite. He had already won two Galfond Challenges in 2020 against “VeniVidi1993” and “ActionFreak,” both online pros. And he’s widely considered one of the best PLO players ever.

Wildman Jack Relishes Return to Dirt in Palos Verdes

Wildman Jack relished a return to the main track Jan. 23 at Santa Anita Park, where he drew off to an emphatic 4 1/4-length win in the $200,000 Palos Verdes Stakes (G3).

Getridofwhatailesu, Silver State Take Oaklawn Stakes

Getridofwhatailesu and Silver State both won their first career stakes races Jan. 23 at Oaklawn Park, where they took the Pippin Stakes and Fifth Season Stakes, respectively.

The Great One Romps in Santa Anita Maiden Race

Coming off a nose defeat when second in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) Dec. 19, The Great One exploded against maiden special weight rivals for a 14-length score in second race Jan. 23 at Santa Anita Park.

Accused Midway Poker Tour Scammer Dan Bekavac Competes in WPT Lucky Hearts Poker Open

Dan Bekavac, the organizer accused of scamming players in a 2020 Midway Poker Tour event, competed in a WPT tournament in Florida on Saturday. The players in Illinois he’s owed for months, however, won’t be receiving any of his winnings. That’s because he busted on Day 1, long before the bubble burst.

Dan Bekavac had money to play in a WPT event, but not the poker players he owes. (Image: Twitter/Chad Holloway)

The World Poker Tour is in the midst of hosting the first major live poker tournament in the US since March 2020. More than 700 players, including Bekavac, paid $3,500 to enter Day 1A of the tournament held in South Florida. Joe McKeehen, the 2015 WSOP Main Event champion, was among the 231 players who advanced to Day 2.

Bekavac, on the other hand, won’t be competing on Day 2 as he failed to bag a stack on Friday. That’s bad news for the poker players he still hasn’t made whole.

First Reported Foal a Colt for Champion Mitole

The first reported foal by Spendthrift Farm’s Mitole, winner of the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita Park and champion sprinter in North America, is a colt that was born at Ballyrankin Stud in Lexington, according to Spendthrift.

Tide of the Sea Tops Maker Exacta in W. L. McKnight

Trainer Mike Maker saddled two horses for the $150,000 W. L. McKnight Stakes (G3T) Jan. 23 at Gulfstream Park, and those same two crossed the wire first in second in the 1 1/2-mile grass event for older horses.