ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thanks to the World Poker Tour for their assistance in putting this book together—most notably Steve Lipscomb, Robyn Moder, Joe Grimm, Melissa Feldman, and all the gang; to all my friends at HollywoodPoker.com, especially James Woods, who is always there with a bad beat story; to the Bellagio, especially Doug Dalton and Jack McClellan. My thanks also to my beautiful wife, Eileen, and my children, Duke, Vinny, and Jesse, who inspire me always and who I bounce ideas off continuously. And finally to Michael Wallach, my manager, for pushing me and believing in the book.

—VVP

Also, thanks to the celebrities and/or poker players who agreed to appear as characters in the book—James Woods; Antonio Esfandiari; Gus Hansen; Mike “the Grinder” Mizrachi; and especially Vince’s broadcast partner, Mike Sexton. And many thanks, as always, to Marthayn for her love, support, and editorial eye.

—RJR