Betfair | Imper1um | Setting the record straight on that FTP issue

Setting the record straight on that FTP issue

I have fought and debated with several people including myself about talking any further about the FTP issue. Most people have advised me to "let it go," "don't raise the issue again", "people will forgive and forget". Despite the advice that people have given me. I still feel it's necessary to share the evolution of my thought process and finally have some closure.

Here I am at 21 years old, with a talent for this game, having my livelihood being severely threatened by a stupid and careless action on my part. Yes, I bought an account. I wouldn't do it again and I hadn't done it before. However, I do know I'm not alone in having done this. Do I criticise the others? No, but this is definitely an issue that needs to be properly addressed because the whole system for policing ghosting, and penalising people for it, needs to be a whole lot clearer. I accept that people are really angry with me, and I can understand that, but from my point of view I am in the political nightmare of being a high-profile figure who the online poker gods have decided to make an example of.

Now this is the frame of mind that I was in prior to reading the logic of some of the 300+ posts that have been contributed on forums on this topic, and I have read EVERY ONE of them. Many of you bring some great arguments to the table. Ghosting is not a topic that has ever been widely discussed until now and if these arguments had been presented on this scale, prior to me buying the account, I would have NEVER done it. Not because I wouldn't want to get caught, but because I see the valid arguments that the poker community has brought to my attention.

Given the history of ghosting among the online poker community, I simply did not THINK when I bought the account. It was a reckless action, which can be clearly evidenced by my complete and utter carelessness to even try to cover my tracks which I could have easily done. It was completely stupid and naive. I was approached with an offer, I said yes, and I made a poor decision. I would NEVER do it again.

The most important thing to me now is to share the ethical arguments as to why one should not buy another person's account and I've summarized the 3 main points that were most impactful to me:

1. Reverse ownage: You own a person the whole tournament, you are at the bubble, the person starts playing sooo differently and by the time you catch on to them, you have lost a few hands and are at a severe disadvantage. Now you bust out. This has got to hurt and what would hurt even more is the fact that the person you were playing against had a totally different set of behaviours that you utilized your skills to observe throughout the long arduous tournament.

2. Stamina: If I was competing in a marathon (which a poker tournament is) and a person at the final 2 miles comes in and swaps for one of the runners, I'd feel extremely cheated. Fresh poker players have a distinct mental advantage.

3. Experience factor: I guess I've got more experience when it comes to bubble play and final table play, and when combining with reason #1 and #2, this would give a top player a tremendous advantage.

This is a thought process that has been well thought out over the past week. I just wish that myself and the poker community would have gone through such an extensive debate and thought process prior to me making my poor decision.
I am truly sorry.
Sorel

10 March 2008 / About Imper1um

Tags: imper1um, sorel mizzi / Digg It / Del.icio.us / StumbleUpon / reddit

Comments (8)

Dear Sorel,

"Yes, I bought an account. I wouldn't do it again and I hadn't done it before."

You say that you "haven't done it before". From everything that I know and people that I have talked to, this isn't the first time. Now, maybe there were slight variations in what you did such as multi-accounting or ghosting, but your claim that you haven't done it before is absurd.

I do want to say that I don't hate you nor do I feel you deserved heat that was brought on you by the whole poker community since you are not the only one that has done this. I agree that ghosting was more prevalent in the past, and this was not an issue that was thoroughly discussed by the poker community. So, I understand your perspective.

However, if you want your apology to be meaningful... to be REAL. Then it should not contain huge lies such as this. Don't end up like Roger Clemens! We all make mistakes. The people that are able to face their mistakes and take the consequences of their actions are the ones that should be respected. I'm rooting for you to change, but in order to start, you must be entirely honest. As a poker player, you know that one of the toughest things is being honest with yourself about your own play. Now, be honest with yourself and us about your own past. Then, simply don't repeat those mistakes. Then, you will have my respect, and that of the poker community.

I hope you understand my reasons for remaining anonymous. Please don't let this fact keep you from listening to the message.

Best of luck.

Anonymous | 10 March 2008

Well, I think you put your point across very well, seem humbled and full of remorse. Good luck to you and if you continue conduct yourself in this professional manner, only the jealous few will still hold it against you.

Toby | 11 March 2008

Sorel, you're still trying to deflect the blame, just a little bit. It's not the community's fault that this issue wasn't discussed... no one's to blame for your actions but you.

"I just wish that myself and the poker community would have gone through such an extensive debate and thought process prior to me making my poor decision."

It may very well be true that if a discussion had come up, that you wouldn't have cheated... but that doesn't change anything.

I believe that you're sincerely sorry, but also believe that you're never going to be completely past this until you take 100% of the blame and put it where it belongs, on your own shoulders.

Almost There | 12 March 2008

Hi Sorel,

Personally I think you have handled the situation in the only way a man should and that is to say "I'm sorry, I made a mistake". My dad always taught me, when you make a mistake, the REAL mistake is not being able to recognize and admit to it. You did both. End of story. Now the people that keep harping on it are doing it for reasons that most likely have nothing to do with the original situation. And last, anytime you reach the top of the mountain,you become a TARGET. Will I think you will take this tradeoff.

I am a smaller stakes player, but have railed many of your sessions in trying to learn how the best play. Thanks for that and I wish you the best in the future.

Jimmy Ecklund

Jimmy Ecklund | 12 March 2008

Sorel i think u are to be commended for being such a man in this situation u have taken everything on head on and have apolgized extensively and sincerly. I hope the rest of the community can get their head out of their asses and treat you with the respect u deserve and just forgive and forget jesus you have taken enough already

Love your game and keep up the good work sir
Popperhead

Ryan G | 12 March 2008

Sorel,

How has not being able to play on FTP affected your usual online schedule and profitability?

Yorkshire Pud

Yorkshire Pud | 21 March 2008

I wish everyone would just leave Sorel alone on this one. You're kidding yourselves if you don't think there is bigger fish to fry out there. There's a lot of borderline and outright cheating in the online world. Imper1um is not a cheater, he made a mistake, he realizes it, he's apologized, so quit picking him (and his apology) apart. I can't believe he was banned from FTP, that's just overboard. All that being said... he's still the best damn player online.

Republ1c | 23 March 2008

I agree, you should close this chapter of your young career and move on. Speculation over your sincerity or remorse is just that, and is done by people who can't let go. You don't need them. How you conduct yourself now and in the future is more evidence of your sincerity than anything you say.

Good luck in the future!

CyberSleuth | 02 April 2008