Some people find music on the Internet, others dates, and a few find their dads.
When Brooks Craig Rickard III was just 6 years old, his father, Brooks Craig Rickard II, left home. Filled with animosity and reinforced anger from his mother, Rickard III never wanted to speak to or see his father again. His mother received full custody of the three children, and his father left the picture.
Although Rickard never spoke to his father again, the same wasn't true for his younger brother John. Rickard didn't know about this communication or that he would soon become part of a family reunion straight out of a novel.
Rickard had met a woman, Michelle, on the PokerStars Web site, was going through a divorce and leaving his own son.
Both John and Craig played on PokerStars, and it was there where everything began to change. John, who remained in contact with his father, sometimes mentioned to his dad when he would be playing online. His dad would then watch the tables and reply with a "nice hand" in the chat bar when John played. The elder Rickard always brought friendly conversation to the table.
Michelle then began to host private tournaments for her and Craig's friends. A player ("Udog55") was invited into these tournaments and when everyone was being introduced, Craig merely said he was a friend of his brother.
Eventually, "Udog55" would be a friend of Craig's as well. They went from chats in the online poker room to MSN messenger conversations, beginning a friendly relationship.
At that point John realized he needed to tell his brother exactly whom he was in contact with.
"I knew I was going to stay by my brother no matter his reaction," John said. "But I had to tell him."
"He just came over and said, 'I have to tell you something', and stared at me," Craig said. "And that was it -- he just stood there and stared."
Finally, Craig told him to spit it out. John spoke the one line that would change Craig's life.
"Udog's your dad," John said.
After 35 years of avoiding all contact with his father, Craig couldn't believe it, but he also realized he liked the person he was chatting with.
"Anyway, I was kind of pissed at John that he hadn't told me," Craig said. "But in a way it was great because I met my Dad, without knowing it was my Dad. We started talking on MSN and stuff, and it was all pretty emotional. It's turned my life around."
When they met again in person for their father's 60th birthday, Craig cried. After catching up on lost time, Craig realized that his father was truly a "great guy." Craig's son met his grandfather and the family began the process of healing.
"There was a lot of crying," Craig said. "And there were all these aunts and uncles there that I don't remember, and they kept calling me 'Baby Craig.' And we also met our step-brothers and step-sisters. It was awesome."
PokerStars, where families are reunited. I can see the tagline in their next commercial.
And like a true poker player, in the end, it's all about the math.
"What are the odds that all of this could have come together," Craig said.
Nothing like a two-outer on the river.
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A day off! For the first time ever there is a day off at the WSOP. Just over 1,200 players remain and Friday will be the race for the money. A lot of players also view Friday as moving day whem they'll try to accumulate as many chips as possible for the stretch run.
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Who is Dmitri Nobles? I don't know, but he's got $553,000 in chips. The closest competitor, Daniel Pelletier is at $335,000. After that is some guy named Negreanu with $331,000. Negreanu's stint at the feature table was unbelievable after he busted player after player.
Other notables at the top after Day 2: WSOP bracelet winner Jeff Cabanillas, Shannon Shorr, John Gale, Joseph Hachem and Ted Forrest.
Notables eliminated yesterday: Greg Raymer, Mark Gregorich, Brian Wilson, Robert Williamson III, Huck Seed, Joe Cassidy and Robert Varkyoni.
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Quote of the day:
"Suited cards are underrated" -- Daniel Negreanu commenting on a hand on which he played 9-6 suited and cracked aces with them. Negreanu called a raise from the small blind,flopped an open-ended straight draw and rivered the card he needed. All the money went in post-flop and Daniel was on his way to an unbelievable Day 2.
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Small blinds: Ever see Phil Hellmuth at the airport? Probably not. He's usually hiding out, trying not to get mobbed by fans. "It's a tough life," Hellmuth said. … Joe Hachem, the defending main event champion, was in the big blind when the small blind called. Hachem checked. The flop came Ks-4c-5c. Check, check. The turn came 6 spades. The small blind bet out $2,000. Hachem called. The river came J spades. The small blind moved all in for about $4,000. Hachem called and flipped over 7-3 of spades for the flush and busted the small blind. Thing is, it was 7-3 that Hachem used to bust Steve Dannenmann and win the 2005 championship. A sharp fan nearby said, "Joe, 7-3 again.'' Hachem smiled and said, "It's been good to me.'' … Terrible beat: All the money was in the pot when a player flopped a set of 7s. The other player had 6-6 and needed a miracle. Well, miracles happen. Runner-runner 6s gave the underdog quads and a monster pot. … Joanna Krupa is still alive in the tournament! She's heading into Day 3 with $27,000 in chips … The money bubble will burst on Friday and 873 players will be extremely happy to have played for the last week.
Poker
