Subject: Behnen's Snatch Defeat from the Jaws of Victory From: Chuck Humphrey Newsgroups: rec.gambling.poker Reply-To: cehjr43@REMOVEarthlink.net Date: Tue, May 21, 2002 7:37 PM Message-ID: <8s0meu0nsh406v6ms13k3gefp5vk63fcci@4ax.com> I reported two days ago that the 2002 WSOP set all new records. The Behnen family, owners of Binion's Horseshoe, were then in a position to bask in the glory of success. Not only had the 2002 WSOP set new attendance and prize pool records, but it had done so in the face of more than doubling the compensation the Behnen family earned for hosting the events. (The only downside was that the dealers were earning about 40% less than in prior years.) BUTáagain showing their soap opera style of existence, the family has destroyed any good will the success may have generated by two actions in the last two days. First, as Paul Philips, who was barred last year and then reinstated, posted this morning, he has been told he is not welcome at Binion's any longer-for no particularly good reason. Second, 12 of the up front 30 or so dealers who complained about compensation on Monday before the band started playing for the Big Dance got fired today, Tuesday, when they showed up for work. On Monday, according to Don Naifeh, a long-time circuit dealer, a group of dealers, about 30 in all, demanded some guaranteed toke for working five days in the Championship Event. To keep them in the fold they were promised that the house would see to it that the tokes were at least equal to 1-1/2% of the prize pool, which would amount to between about $90,000 and $95,000 in total. According to Don, he put a direct question to George Fisher, who confirmed that this compensation was the decision of Becky Behnen, the owner of the Horseshoe-not her son Benny or her husband Nick, who ostensibly do not have the authority to act on behalf of the Horseshoe. (BTW: It is standard wisdom that Benny Behnen is the formal Tournament Director this year, with Matt Savage and Steve Morrow as Assistant Directors. HOWEVER, the formal Horseshoe website lists BECKY as the Tournament Director. What an insult to her son!) When the 12 up front dealers showed up for work today they were taken into the Human Resources Department and summarily fired. They were then barred and trespassed from the Horseshoe premises and security was called to escort them all out through the employee's' dining room and down the back stairs of the Horseshoe. Don Naifeh, at his request, and in respect to bone problems he has, was taken out through the kitchen where he could catch an elevator. He slipped on a wet kitchen floor and wound up in the hospital, where he was pronounced nonetheless the worse for wear around 2 p.m. this afternoon and released How can this family continue to expect any respect when they act so stupid! Oh, my God, I've said the Behnen's are stupid. Well, you be the judge. Chuck Humphrey