With a lull on the tournament poker schedule, poker players on Twitter decided to take care of non-poker related business this week. For some, it was enjoyable, but for others it was rather painful.
On Monday, recent World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit event champion Bryan “badbeatninja” Devonshire was injured while participating in an unnamed athletic activity. “They say s**t starts fallin apart at 30; I’m early. Just blew my knee, its bad, layin on bleachers waitin for paramedics,” Devonshire Tweeted after the incident. Surprisingly, “Devo” kept up the Tweets as he was transported for medical treatment, chirping, “In the back of an ambulance, just got morphine, headed to sienna.” This led fellow UB.com pro Adam “Roothlus” Levy to fire off, “Did you tweet before calling the paramedics?? Either way, feel better.”
More player support for Devo came rushing in from across the Twitterverse after the incident. “Really hope you didn’t actually blow it and is maybe a sprain,” Joe Sebok Tweeted soon after the accident. Tournament director Matt Savage offered some sage advice when he Tweeted, “Bad Beat Brother! Every time I’m asked to play softball I will think of you, @AlliePrescott, & @oleGSmith & remember my age!” In the end, the report from Devonshire was guardedly optimistic: “Made it home, in a brace and crutches, going up stairs and changing incredibly painful. Outlook is sprain->torn mcl/meniscus.”
While Devonshire had his medical issue, Phil Hellmuth was having a much better time. “In Vegas on set of Ludacris video shoot for his song ‘Sex Room’ right now,” Tweeted “The Poker Brat” from the set. “I shoot my part at 12:30 am. Expecting Nelly to be in same scene.” Hellmuth provided his followers with Twitvids from the scene: “Video of Trey Songs + Ludacris filming ‘Sex Room,’ behind the scenes at Palms tonight… shooting poker scene next.” While this was going on, Erik Seidel decided to have some fun with Hellmuth: “My man @phil_hellmuth on Ludacris set, finally getting props for being a rap pioneer. He spit about bling, limos, + Dom b4 anyone.”
With Cinco de Mayo occurring yesterday, many poker players took some time to celebrate the holiday. “It’s Cinco de Mayo manana… I was told just drink margaritas,” Beth Shak Tweeted on Tuesday. Others talked about how they were going to celebrate. “Taking the day off (from SCOOP events) to get wasted for Cinco de Mayo,” Tweeted the recently returned Jennifer “Jennicide” Leigh to her followers. “Hollywood” Dave Stann chirped, “Happy Cinco de Mayo, bitches! Hosting charity poker tourney 2nite with Shanna Moakler @ Velvet Margarita H’wood!” Another poker celebrity attending the charity event was Absolute Poker pro Trishelle Cannatella: “Happy Cinco! Yatai dinner then poker tourney at velvet margarita in hollywood!”
While there was a celebratory mood regarding the occasion, others offered some wisdom with their Tweets. Defending WSOP Europe Main Event champion Barry Shulman took time to Tweet, “Cinco de Mayo: In a light social setting, it is not cool to have political or other controversial conversations.” J.C. Alvarado pointed out the nature of the Cinco de Mayo celebration: “I feel the need to inform you guys that no one really celebrates 5 de Mayo in Mex. You’ve just been tricked into buying s***ty Mexican beer.”
World Poker Tour tournament reporter B.J. Nemeth decided to put aside his poker hat and become a movie critic. Nemeth Tweeted, “I just saw ‘Avatar’ for the first time in 3-D in the theater. I couldn’t believe how profoundly stupid it was. Every character was a moron.” He pointed out one of the odder facets of the film: “ If you ever find yourselves in a war against bows & arrows, I suggest staying *inside* of the bulletproof gunships.”
When it came to best Tweets of the week, Annie Duke steps to the top of the list. In Washington, D.C. for the “Bad Beat On Cancer” charity event, Duke took time to Tweet, “Damn. Just walked down to the lobby of my hotel to meet @HowardHLederer. Walked into AARP directors meeting. Realized we almost fit right in.” Joe Reitman amused his followers by hilariously Tweeting, “A month from today I’m back in Vegas for the summer for the WSOP. Time to make money! I better freshen up my lap dancing skills & pole work.” Finally, “Poker2Nite” host Scott Huff commented on the ongoing NBA playoffs: “Anderson Varejao plays like the guy at the park who wants to run in jeans and Doc Martens. He is Out of Control Body Man. He will hurt you.”
