Anthony "holdplz" Spinella, an American poker pro with almost $2.5 million in online and live winnings, has got himself into some serious trouble. Spinella and two friends (Jared Joseph Roberge and Daniel Karabchievsky) were arrested on a Framingham street last Saturday with more than 20,000 hits of LSD, Ecstasy and nitrous oxide in a case with apparent ties to a California drug dealer, a prosecut[...] Read more » American Poker Star Arrested with Large Amount of Drugs
Joined: Apr '09
Location: Portugal
Age: 44 (M)
Posts: 4827
There are lots of people consuming it, and the more money you have, the better will be access to all kinds of products. But being related with a poker pro, I was wondering: taking in consideration many pro players wants the game to be considered as a sport, just like chess, how about having doping tests before a match? It would make all sense, not being allowed the use of illegal substances while playing (although many are used to drink beers or whisky during the game and that would also be suspended). Perhaps this would bring too much unjustifiable differences to what is done today. People just sit at the table and play, no matters if they smoke or drink…
Joined: May '08
Location: Lithuania
Age: 39 (M)
Posts: 10090
well that's odd, why the hell risk your life when you already have over $2 millions sitting in your account. you an easily buy a villa in the bahamas, put the rest of money in bonds, or just buy some renting real estate and live a laid back life, play more poker and have fun. why get involved in something thats illegal?
Joined: Feb '11
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 59 (M)
Posts: 5712
Thats the problem with some people, they get rich and potentially famous and just want more and more and what beter way to get more than through the drugs trade? What an idiot to think he could get away with it and didnt he even stop to consider that given his wealth and fame that someone would put him in for it!
Joined: Apr '09
Location: Australia
Age: 40 (M)
Posts: 6483
Given the laws as they are, not too mention the shady characters you're gonna deal with, it's pretty dumb to get messed up with that quantity of any drug.
That said: those 3 drugs are all relatively harmless with very little (long term) addiction potential. Sure they can all be abused, but none of them lead to physical dependence and typically people never become seriously addicted to any of those.
None of those drugs are in the same kind of league as heroin, amphetamine or cocaine.
Always bums me out to see people do jail time over any drug crime, but particularly when the drugs are basically harmless.
That said - it's pretty stupid to get involved with commercial quantities of any illegal narcotic and definitely greedy - especially when you've already got money and means - why bother risking your freedom for more money. I understand it a lot more when it's really poor people talked into being drug mules and such. When it's just some rich white boys trying to get richer, there is a lot less sympathy. Still though, I think drug laws suck balls to be honest.
Joined: Nov '11
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 40 (M)
Posts: 747
is nitrous oxide actually classed as a drug, its pefectly legal in england and is available in any good catering store (although id is requiered) cant see it carrying a prison sentence still not a good idea to handle such large quantities of drugs in any context but dont see why anyone would want to get involved in the industry if they were already successful from other means.
Joined: Apr '09
Location: Australia
Age: 40 (M)
Posts: 6483
Posted by takingdrugs: is nitrous oxide actually classed as a drug, its pefectly legal in england
Yeah it's legal here too.. slightly controlled (they stopped selling it in a lot of places about 10 years ago). But completely legal - not sure about huge quantities though.
------------ You don't even need ID to buy small quantities of NOS here. I would imagine for large amounts you'd probably need an ABN (business number).
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Posted by Macubaas:
Everything that is related to drugs(even if you do not take them) will definately in the end ruin your life!
That is a ridiculous statement and obviously not true. That is like saying anything related to alcohol will end in alcoholism and ruin your life.
Police seized $15000 as part of the investigation.
In April 2011, Spinella won the 2011 Battle at the Beach, Pompano Beach and its $174,870 cash prize. He also cashed out in three of this year's World Series of Poker events.
Joined: Apr '11
Location: Romania
Age: 35 (M)
Posts: 6669
Posted by jessthehuman:
Posted by takingdrugs: is nitrous oxide actually classed as a drug, its pefectly legal in england
Yeah it's legal here too.. slightly controlled (they stopped selling it in a lot of places about 10 years ago). But completely legal - not sure about huge quantities though.
------------ You don't even need ID to buy small quantities of NOS here. I would imagine for large amounts you'd probably need an ABN (business number).
------------
Posted by Macubaas:
Everything that is related to drugs(even if you do not take them) will definately in the end ruin your life!
That is a ridiculous statement and obviously not true. That is like saying anything related to alcohol will end in alcoholism and ruin your life.
I'll stick to my idea, if you think other than this i have no problem with it...
Still, i never heard anything good so far about drugs, and here i'm talking about the real stuff not pot.
Joined: May '11
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 58 (M)
Posts: 1372
Posted by Macubaas: Drugs are drugs, i do not see why we have to mix poker with this kind of stuff...
Everything that is related to drugs(even if you do not take them) will definately in the end ruin your life!
Alcohol is a drug and to use your words "drugs are drugs". The majority of people that use alcohol do not have their lives ruined by it. Therefore your statement is nonsense.
Simple logic.
Now if you'd said illegal drugs will ruin your life you may have a valid point but then you also need to ask if it's actually the drug itself that's doing the ruining or is it it's illegal status that is ultimetly causing the harm.
You can look at ANY industry and you will be able to find people strung out on drugs. Drugs aid in the ruining of lives, but its not the drugs themselves that ruin a life. its the choice to take the drug the first time. Drug addicts ruin their own lives.
Joined: Sep '12
Location: India
Age: 32 (M)
Posts: 335
Good day everyone
I feel he is greedy and stupid !!! As i have seen these sort of people succeed a lot in poker !! I think his greed made this stupid move he could have had enough for himself !!! its getting too common these days most of the celebs and affluent people are doing drugs !! i hope people stop doing it!!!!!!
