GPWA Times Magazine - Issue 5 - May 2008

Jonathan Edelshaim, Pacific Poker 888.com’s Jonathan is an absolute industry sta- ple. It is quite possible that this man is friends with every single human being in the industry, plus, he holds the key to the coveted “invite only” parties that 888.com tends to host. It’s OK, you don’t have to lie, I’m sure you’ve tried to hit him up for an invite just like I have. What? You don’t know Jonathan? Shame on you, but I’ll give you a hint- he has a very long,curly,and distinctive ponytail. See? You know who he is! Ian Williams, Carbon Poker Who is Ian? Does he exist anymore? This man served as my online gaming mentor and social director when I first entered the business. So whatever happened to this wildly entertaining, social, and knowledgeable individual? Don’t worry,he still exists…for those of us who know where to find him. I guess that’s what happens when you go on a health kick, fall in love, and move to Australia. Hey, at least he’s still knowl- edgeable. Mikey the Chimp, Pokershare Please meet Mikey, my future husband, the per- fect man. Ah, the memories…it all goes back to the good old days when conferences were held in Vegas and Mikey graced the PlayShare booth with his charming poker-playing presence. Much to my dismay, Mikey is no longer allowed to at- tend conferences because according to Law- rence Wilson, he humps everything in his path. Sigh. And I thought I was special. Shenaz Bedi, Cake Poker Shenaz,alsoknownastheonlinegamingindustry “socialcoordinator,”iskindofabigdeal. Everyone knows that! I will never forget our first encounter at the 2005 Bodog party, a once in a lifetime ex- perience including an open bar,acrobats,famous athletes,Calvin’s entourage of women,celebs and packs of midgets. Considering I was new to the industry at the time,Shenaz promised to look af- ter me all night long, but then she disappeared. The excuse?Toomany shots. KarimWilkins, RaketheRake Where do I even start with this one?? Have you ever noticed that all of Karim’s affiliate managers are beautiful women? Could this be intentional? Is it a coincidence? We will never know…but who cares! Who else will treat a group of 20 to dinner in my honor? Who else will treat his top affiliate manager to a pair of designer shoes? Who else comes up with hip names like Apollo and Coco for their children? Absolutely no one. Only Karim. Serinda Swan, Absolute Poker She is smart. She is funny. She is nice. She is good fun and she boozes. She is natural physi- cal perfection. You want to hate her, but you can’t…it’s just NOT POSSIBLE! Don’t believe me? Come to an online gaming conference that she is attending and you can see for your- self. This bombshell of a woman is the face of Absolute Poker, a Guess model, an actress, a poker player,and she is only 22. Yeah,I’m pretty sure I hate her.