Poker may not be acting like a sport, but poker management negotiations with players certainly are beginning to look just like their pro sport counterparts. The most recent mirror image involves Josh Arieh – out at Bodog. Why, Josh? Why now so close to the WSOP that made him famous?

You remember Arieh’s performance at the 2004 championship final table. He was a jerk, right? (He’s not really) That act put everyone watching on tilt. The players, especially Greg Raymer with all the chips and the crocodile glasses, seemed pretty unfazed. That was the table where David Williams made the call of his life with 4’s and 2’s all-in against Dan Harrington to help give Arieh 3rd place money of $2.5 million.

Soon after the Series, Calvin Ayre of Bodog signed both Josh and David to his newly formed stable of players. At that time Evelyn Ng came along for the beauty of it. She was the most requested celebrity endorsement in the business. Then she quite winning…but EvieBaby is still on the Bodog team and Josh Arieh is history. Seem strange to you, too? Does the founder Calvin Ayre’s retirement have anything to do with the move?

It’s always suspicious in sports when a player is released. Especially when the press release says the decision was mutual. Really? Josh walked away from free tournament entries, travel expenses and exotic locations? Ok. Would you like to tell me something I’ll believe? Surely a site as rich as Bodog could have afforded to keep Josh, plus the two newer members: Jean-Robert Bellande (there’s a sure winner) and Justin Bonono.

Here’s a look at the tournament winnings of Josh Arieh since his fabled WSOP final table in 2004.

The Wynn Classic /
Event #14 - Pot Limit Omaha / 1st $59,364 12-Mar-08

Grand Casino Tunica Poker Tournament - WSOP Circuit Event / Event #22 - WSOP Circuit No Limit Hold'em Championship / 17th $12,318 19-Jan-08

Harrah’s New Orleans Winter Bayou Poker Challenge-WSOP Circuit Event Event #10 - WSOP Circuit No Limit Hold'em Championship /
2nd $130,050 5-Dec-07

Legends of Poker / WPT Event Season 6 /
WPT No Limit Hold'em Championship / 44th $16,005 30-Aug-07

38th Annual World Series of Poker /
Event #5 - WSOP Pot Limit Omaha & 7 Card Stud Hi / Lo / 9th $11,658 3-Jun-07

EPT Grand Final /
EPT No Limit Hold'em / 29th $34,797 28-Mar-07

37th Annual World Series of Poker /
Event #25 - WSOP Shootout - No Limit Hold'em / 48th $4,805 16-Jul-06

National Heads Up Poker /
Heads Up - No Limit Hold'em / 14th $25,000 6-Mar-06

Goldstrike World Poker Open / WPT Season 4 /
Event #8 - WPT No Limit Hold'em Championship / 13th $31,464 23-Jan-06

Borgata Poker Open - WPT Season 4 /
WPT No Limit Hold'em / 41st $12,489 22-Sep-05

36th Annual World Series of Poker /
Event #12 - WSOP Pot Limit Omaha / 1st $381,600 13-Jun-05

Borgata Poker Open - WPT Season 3 /
WPT No Limit Hold’em 3rd $286,900 22-Sep-04

Sure, Josh Arieh has totaled ONLY just over $1 million in earnings since his WSOP finish. That isn’t spectacular anymore for three plus years in tournament poker. But I’d suggest there is more to this story than failure to meet lofty expectations. Bodog didn’t lose any money on Josh Arieh.

What do you think?

Love

Mike Paulle

Email: mikepaulle@aol.com

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