Here’s the Plan Stan

In order to keep some sort of balance in my life, I have decided to take weekends off. This allows me to do other “paying” work and it gives me a chance to rest so that I can bring you a week’s worth of solid entertainment. Make sure to check back with me on Monday when I have a slew of new stories that should keep you smiling for days.

Peace out party people. Enjoy your weekend and be safe!

The Similarities Between DJs and Poker Players

The life and struggles of a DJ can easily be compared to that of a poker player. Similar to poker players, a true DJ must master their craft and they must constantly work to improve their skills or their musical relevance will fade away like a bong-hit in the night.

 

Here are the top five similarities between DJs and poker players:

 

1) DJs must spend ridiculous amounts of time and money trying to perfect their craft, even though only a small percentage will ever see any kind of financial return from their passion. Poker players experience the same thing, often spending sick amounts of money to play a game they love, only to find that they will never really find success outside of their local home game.

 

2) DJs must learn how to handle the intense pressure of the spotlight in the same manner as a poker player must be able to handle the pressure of a heads-up battle for first place.The difference between a great DJ and a regular run-of-the-mill DJ that you find at your local club, is that a great DJ can play in front of thousands without hesitation and rise to the occasion every time. The best poker players are the ones who are almost always on their game, which is why they succeed. It doesn’t matter what time it is or where they happen to be, successful poker players (and DJs) must be able to perform at the highest levels at any given time.

 

3) DJs must learn how to manipulate their tracks in the same manner as poker player manipulates their playing-style. A real DJ can flow in and out of musical genres at will and they can constantly switch up their styles based on how the crowd is responding. A poker player must do the same, constantly mixing up their play if they want to be able to capitalize on their opponents weaknesses and not become the mark at the table.

 

4) A DJ is only as good as their track selections. In poker, you have to work with the cards you are dealt and your success is often based on how you play them.  For a DJ, the ability to select the right track and choose when to play it, is a huge part of whether they will have success on the turntables. It only takes one off-beat song to screw up a near flawless set. The poker equivalency for this, is over-playing a starting hand such as pocket Jacks. They looked and sounded good at the time, but it wasn’t the right time (or spot) to play them and now you’ve busted as a result.

 

5) The lifestyle of a DJ will kill you if you let it. As with the poker world, the DJ lifestyle features plenty of vices that if abused, almost always guarantee a shitty outcome. Drugs, sex, and music can be a deadly combination if not done with moderation and the same thing goes with poker. There are numerous stories from both communities that talk of the tragic tales of superstars that simply couldn’t handle their success or the long-term grind of living the lifestyle.
 

Poker Players and Their DJ Equivalent:

Doyle Brunson = Paul Oakenfold

Phil Hellmuth = Tiesto

Daniel Negreanu = Fat Boy Slim

Phil Ivey = DJ Jazzy Jeff

I Want to Go to Ibiza

As a DJ, one of my dreams is to go to a place called Ibiza. Although things have changed slightly from what it used to be, Ibiza still remains a global dance hotspot. With the government having cracked down on the all-night raves taking place at the local clubs, there was concern that the island’s tourism would suffer, but that has concern has been replaced by a cautious optimism.

 

“Based on the numbers coming through the door so far, it’s going to be the best year ever, said Pacha’s brand director Danny Whittle in a recent article by reporter Gary Smith.

 

The Spanish-owned Balearic island is located in a stunning section of the Mediterranean. Super-clubs on the island include Pacha, Privilege, Space, Eden, and Amnesia. Highlights of this year’s new clubbing season include Tiesto’s residency at Privilege, Paul Oakenfold and the Bassment Jaxx at Pacha, and Radio One’s Pete Tong at Eden.

 

From what I can tell, the shift of from the days of the all-night raves to the mandatory opening hour of 4:30pm may actually benefit the island. Having less time to have DJs play means that the clubs have to compete for the best talent and that should benefit the fans.

 

I definitely plan on making to Ibiza in this lifetime. I have always dreamed of hearing my sounds while watching the same sunsets that have sparked tons of chill-out albums.Talk about inspiration.

World Series of Poker Quickie: 6/6/08

E-Dog Finally Takes Down a Bracelet

I have interviewed Erick Lindgren on several occasions for various magazines and I always found one thing he said to be very true. “It’s not about luck. You just have to keep putting yourself in a position to win and when the time is right, you will,” he said during my Bluff interview.

 

The time was finally right for E-Dog Wednesday night as he took home his first World Series of Poker title in the $5,000 Mixed Hold’em tournament. Having finished second to Jeff Madsen last year in the six-handed $5,000 No Limit event last year, Lindgren worked hard throughout the year and he learned to mix up his style by experimenting with different table tactics.  It looks as though Lindgren has finally found an edge that will push him over the top.

 

Keep an eye out for E-Dog. Having won a bracelet early in this year’s WSOP, he is definitely the type of player that could take down another bracelet or two. If you want to learn more about Erick, go here.

 

The Battle of the Agents

Erick Lindgren’s heads up battle with Justin “ZeeJustin” Bonomo had more than just a WSOP title on the line. It turns out the people behind these players had a lot to lose as well. While Lindgren is represented by Brian Balsbaugh and the crew at Poker Royalty, Bonomo is represented by Royalty’s only major competition, Matthew Palmer.

 

For Royalty, a WSOP bracelet win for the wholesome Lindgren would further open the doors to possible endorsements outside of poker. For Palmer, a WSOP win for Bonomo would give the young poker star guaranteed recognition and it would go a long way to quelling possible questions companies may have had about his reputation.

 

As stated above, Lindgren took home the bracelet, giving Royalty yet another WSOP titlist for its roster of clients

 

Event #9 Sells Out

Thursday’s $1,500 Six-handed No Limit tournament is the first tournament of 2008 to sell out. Capped at 1236, this year’s field had 191 players less than last year’s tournament. Don’t feel bad for the field however, as the first-place winner takes home a cool $372,843.

 

Visit Wicked Chops Poker

If you’ve never been to WickedChopsPoker.com, it is a must see. These guys have a hilarious take on the sport of poker and they aren’t afraid to say what is on their mind. Run by Snake, Addict, and Chops, Wicked Chops is defintely worth several minutes of your time. Make sure to check them out.