There's a million dollar tournament at the Sands Atlantic City this weekend. Today, 192 started -- including just about every big name in poker. The tournament is going to be broadcast for six hours on Thanksgiving Day on Fox Sports Net. Since I am the Media Director for this tournament, I was standing around the main feature table that is used for television.
It was about 11:15 this morning, and I'm gathering up some paperwork when I brush aside some Latino broad. She's standing right there, in my way. I look around her and see that actor Ben Aflack has entered the room and is going to play in the tournament ($10,000 buy in). I'm not into the celebrity craze, but Ben Aflack is is pretty big name, and I've heard he's really into the poker scene, so I was eager to shake his hand and welcome him to the event. Fact is, a star is VERY good for TV ratings and adds to the prestige of the tournament.
Anyways, the Latino broad is standing there, and I'm thinking this is some stargazer (you see where this is headed, right?). Aflack takes a few steps closr and starts talking to the broad, who is standing next to an older Latino woman. Since I am literally inches from the rear of this woman's head, imagine my surprise when Aflack reaches over and hugs the woman.
Then and there, I realize Jennifer Lopez is accompanying Aflack to the tournament and sits right near table-side. With her is, I presume, Lope'z mother.
Lopez is very camera shy and secludes herself in a corner. She makes it clear she does NOT want to be photographed. We respect her wishes, obviously, and all press (except Fox TV) is instructed not to flash pictures of the stars.
Interestingly enough, there was Sands Security with the Sands. But they traveled by themselves for the most part. Had Lopez and her Mother walked the halls and through the casino, I doubt she would have been recognized.
There wasn't much to say about Lopez, because she did not stand out from the crowd in any way. Aflack was dressed "down" so to speak and obviously wants to just be one of the boys. The last thing he wants is to be treated as a celebrity -- from the way he behaves. Again, that's to be respected.
At one point, Aflack was not showing his cards to the hole camera (Fox is using the WSOP method of recording hands) properly. I tapped him on the shoulder after he won a big pot. I asked him if he could show the face cards towards the hole camera. He then reached towards the deck and said "I don't know if I can find them, now." Pretty funny line. Seems like a nice guy.
I'll write some more things about the tournament in next week's reports.
Nolan Dalla
It was about 11:15 this morning, and I'm gathering up some paperwork when I brush aside some Latino broad. She's standing right there, in my way. I look around her and see that actor Ben Aflack has entered the room and is going to play in the tournament ($10,000 buy in). I'm not into the celebrity craze, but Ben Aflack is is pretty big name, and I've heard he's really into the poker scene, so I was eager to shake his hand and welcome him to the event. Fact is, a star is VERY good for TV ratings and adds to the prestige of the tournament.
Anyways, the Latino broad is standing there, and I'm thinking this is some stargazer (you see where this is headed, right?). Aflack takes a few steps closr and starts talking to the broad, who is standing next to an older Latino woman. Since I am literally inches from the rear of this woman's head, imagine my surprise when Aflack reaches over and hugs the woman.
Then and there, I realize Jennifer Lopez is accompanying Aflack to the tournament and sits right near table-side. With her is, I presume, Lope'z mother.
Lopez is very camera shy and secludes herself in a corner. She makes it clear she does NOT want to be photographed. We respect her wishes, obviously, and all press (except Fox TV) is instructed not to flash pictures of the stars.
Interestingly enough, there was Sands Security with the Sands. But they traveled by themselves for the most part. Had Lopez and her Mother walked the halls and through the casino, I doubt she would have been recognized.
There wasn't much to say about Lopez, because she did not stand out from the crowd in any way. Aflack was dressed "down" so to speak and obviously wants to just be one of the boys. The last thing he wants is to be treated as a celebrity -- from the way he behaves. Again, that's to be respected.
At one point, Aflack was not showing his cards to the hole camera (Fox is using the WSOP method of recording hands) properly. I tapped him on the shoulder after he won a big pot. I asked him if he could show the face cards towards the hole camera. He then reached towards the deck and said "I don't know if I can find them, now." Pretty funny line. Seems like a nice guy.
I'll write some more things about the tournament in next week's reports.
Nolan Dalla
