Warning to all College Parents

By John Scognamiglio

Well, it didn't take long for me to issue an APB for all parents out there. Moms and dads, beware of the son or daughter you have that believes that they can play poker (yes, Kelly and Don, that's you too).

For those who have been living in a cave the past few years, the World Series of Poker has exploded into one of the all-time great tournaments out there for anyone. A refresher, there is no qualification a la the U.S. Open for golf. Anyone who has the money to plop on down can play.

So far this year, we have seen a new record set; the age record. Jeff Madsen has become the youngest bracelet winner ever. To put that in perspective, he is 21 years, 1 month, and 9 days old. That is a record that will be very hard to beat.

He won a bracelet in the $2000 No-Limit Hold 'Em event, outlasting more than 1500 players to collect the $660,948 first prize winnings. This after placing third in an Omaha Hi-Lo Split tournament to collect $97,552.

That's over three-quarters of a million dollars for just a few days work. But wait there's more. This is the tidbit that sent my mom over the edge as well.

Madsen won a $5000 No-Limt Hold 'Em Short handed event as well, netting first place money of $643,381. Yep sports fans, that's around 1.4 million for just a few weeks work.


So how did this film student from UC-Santa Barbara get into these tournaments. He did what any other normal person would do. He took money out of his education fund to play and convinced his parents to help him out too finanically.

So to all those parents out there, don't listen to your child when he or she says that they can win a bracelet at the World Series of Poker. However, to my mom and dad, please disregard this posting on our blog. You two both know I'm almost ready to make my professional debut.

But to other parents, beware.

Comeback of the Weekend?

By John Scognamiglio

There has been one question I have been pondering this weekend and now I feel pretty safe to ask it: Who will have the best comeback of this weekend?

In one corner, we have Tiger Woods, coming off a disastrous run in the US Open. As I am currently typing, he is three under on the day, 16-under for the British Open, leading by two strokes over Chris Dimarco.

In the other corner, we have Floyd Landis. Now, most of you might be saying, "Who?" We're talking about the Tour de France, which for the last seven years was the Tour de Lance. After a disastrous crash that seemingly put him out of contention, he has come back to reclaim the yellow jersey in Saturday's time trial, setting up what would be one of the greatest come from behind from being ahead finishes ever, which as I was typing just concluded and yes, Landis won.

Each of these two individuals have had some obstacles to overcome in having such a stellar weekend. Woods is playing in his second major tournament following the death of his father, Earl Woods.

Landis is following the Tour de France storybook line that started with Lance Armstrong. No, Landis did not suffer from testicular cancer that spread to other parts of his body, but Landis does have an artificial hip and was barely able to walk following the crash.

So the question remains, who will have the biggest comeback of the weekend: Woods or Landis?

Enough Is Enough

By John Scognamiglio

Okay. I have come to a conclusion. There is a problem with ESPN and their showcase of sports. Now, I realize that I am a very big part of this problem.

Beginning in 2002/2003, depending on which one was watched, the World Series of Poker became a catalyst of making athletes and celebrities out of anyone. I admit that I thought I could play poker, and with a little tweaking, I hope to make my professional debut in the next five years.

But enough is enough. The new promos for the 2006 World Series of Poker are being showcased along with the World Series of Darts. Dear god...is there anything that isn't a sport these days.

Let me go into my memory banks and see if I can recall some of the events played on ESPN or ESPN2. Competitive eating, Scrabble, poker, darts, dominoes. Pretty soon, the sports staff of the Index, Tyler Madsen, Joe Barker and Conor Nicholl, may do battle with me possibly added to become the World Champion of sports-blogging.

Is there a reason why this is happening? Of course. Most of us hate it, but reality television does sell. These "sports" are the ultimate in reality television. They promote that anyone can be a part of it. Of course, we all wish for that one defining moment, where we are showcased to the world in being the best in something.

It's a wish that we all share, but few are destined to enjoy it. I will never hit a game-winning home run, make a game-saving catch or even attempt a game-winning dunk. But thanks to the miracle of ESPN, I might be able to catch that miracle card on the river, hit bullseye to send my opponent to the shower, score a triple-word score with the word Q-U-I-Z to win Scrabble, or catch a double one to win at dominoes.

Does any of that have a chance of happening? Well, odds are no, but anything is possible. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back training for the World Series of Sudoku.