Thanks to the Pilgrims of Poker : Poker Player

Thanks to the Pilgrims of Poker

So, there I was, in a conference room with the top Business Affairs executives and lawyers from ABC Television/Disney. An outside consultant had been brought in to give a seminar and guide us through a "team-building" exercise.

Everyone at the table took turns stating the requisites, i.e., their names, where they grew up, the prestigious universities and law schools they attended, and what their parents do or did for a living. (The usual response to the latter being dentist, lawyer, doctor, etc.) As my turn approached, my heart started to beat a little faster. It was true, I did not have a law degree (which is usually required for any executive position in Business Affairs), but I felt secure enough in the fact that I held an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University.

Okay, so I had cleared the first 3 requisites - I stated my name, place of birth and educational background; no problem. What my parents do for a living? My mother is retired from banking, and my father is a professional poker player. This last response elicited a nice, hardy laugh from the crowd. I probably blushed a little and wasn't sure how to feel because my intention was not to be funny. 

Since this exercise had taken place a few years ago, before the big "boom" in poker, perhaps they just didn't understand what this really meant. In retrospect, I should have taken the time to explain and, if I were in that same room today, I would perhaps clarify and explain it something like this:

My father is Vince Burgio. He is a world-class, professional poker champion. He holds several championship titles, including a bracelet from the granddaddy of all of the poker events, the World Series of Poker. He was inducted into the Seniors' Poker Hall of Fame along with other poker greats like Johnny Moss, Doyle Brunson, Benny Binion, T.J. Cloutier, etc. He is a celebrity in the poker world and can be seen on television several times a year. His name and likeness can be found on all types of poker memorabilia including "how to" videos, books, casino chips and playing cards.  And, last but not least, he is very well-known columnist having published over 100 articles in various magazine publications.

If you spoke to my father directly, or read one of his columns, you would probably not come away realizing all of his many accomplishments. That is not only because he is very humble, but also because he has (in his mind) not yet accomplished nearly enough. He continues to strive toward even more success, both on a personal level and to bring positive recognition to the profession itself.

In fact, just recently, he garnered two bracelets from the Ultimate Poker Challenge televised Poker tournaments at the Plaza Hotel and Casino (and even co-hosted two of this seasons' episodes) and distinguished himself by capturing three consecutive first-place titles at the Plaza. He also authored his autobiography titled "Pizza, Pasta and Poker: The Private & Public Life of a Professional Poker Player," which was just released at the beginning of this year.

I will never have the chance to clarify what my dad really does for a living in a television conference room setting, as I left my position at ABC/Disney a few years ago. Funny how things work, though-now, when I meet some of those same executives that I worked with, they always tell me that they just saw my dad on television on one of the many poker shows that are played or replayed. I can tell now that they see my dad and what he does as very extraordinary. 

Times have sure changed for those talented poker players who toiled many years in the world of poker. Now, most people see those past and present poker champions in a new light; for me, however, nothing has changed.  I have always been proud of my dad and his profession.

Happy Thanksgiving, Dad.

Written by Sunny Bredice.

Printed with permission from American Poker Player Magazine.