This is why I watch every stream now. Letting us get to know the players is not only a brilliant business strategy, it also teaches me not to judge a book by its cover.
Been waiting for this one for a while. My favorite player and character on the show. Ben is such an entertaining guy. I Love his honesty he’s not afraid to say what he really thinks. I love hearing the inspirational stuff about starting the cleaning company and grinding his way up to success. Big fan. Great stuff 👍
I am never disappointed in watching your show. Your honesty and personality are compelling. You're an excellent interviewer. Your guests really open up for you. Thanks for being there for all of us poker nuts.
Nick, you truly ask the questions that drive your guests to speak vulnerably, and their shared knowledge, stories, and perspectives truly help others. Mad respect
It's depressing just hearing how bad people were just 10-15 years ago and I'm sitting here grinding 2/5 dreaming about getting it in vs Kings high for 200BB ahhh grew up 10 years too late
They were a lot worse. People who were really good at thinking for themsleves and making constant adjustments would do amazing back then. People who wants to regurgitate the strategies of others or their solver spits out would do worse than the first group especially live.
hey Mark, that's not true. I Played bigger games from 2006-2010 on pokerstars fulltilt and party Poker and I tell you one thing: ppl were not bad especially online. we used pokertracker and all that stuff against eachother etc. it was tuff. dont believe em. iam 36 now.
Wow! What Ben said about how unique and interesting the poker community is-- how you meet the finest people in life and also the worst people was very profound. As a part of the poker community, I truly appreciate his honest expression and thought he said it very well.
I see Bens soul connection with hippos here. Watching a hippo paddling underwater with its relatively to body small feets looking like hands is exactly the look I can imagine of Ben scuba diving in a dry suit. 😂😂
Ben is my number 1 favorite HCL player. I’ve never laughed 😂harder or louder then at the things Ben says on stream. We miss him on stream lately but he’s a regular on the chat. Incredible story of believing in himself and perseverance. Thanks for putting yourself out there Ben. Thanks Nick for providing the environment to get to know cool characters like Ben.
Nick thinks Garrett implied there's a weak link in his operation when he literally had many weak links, lol. Nick literally had a felon working for him and 0 security measures in place. I think Nick means to say, "garrett exposed all of my weak links. Therefore, he can't play anymore."
A Great Pod Nick 👍 Ben is a highly articulate + pleasant person. It is nice to see you interviewing somebody other than Valerie for the n-th time...I would even go as far as having Ben as a co-host. He has a very deep mind + his intelligence is captivating.
I've gained a lot of respect for Ben lately and this interview seals it for me. Wasn't sure what to make of the whole PokerBunny and Ron situation when I first saw it, but after hearing Ben's side I can definitely understand his frustration more. Great interview guys!
Excellent conversation, with a healthy dose of humility and humour. Thoroughly enjoyed the insights Ben brought, by sharing his interesting life experience and general philosophy.
thank you Nick. love this interview. it took me awhile to warm up to Ben, but really enjoy his presence and look forward to his return to the felt. HCL is the best!
Nick I respect you as businessman but talking about Garret the way you just did, was very silly! If it was not for him, 90% of your player views would not exist! Stupid business decision to ban Garrett !
Great interview. It's not anywhere explicitly said, but between the lines & through something akin to affectation, Blank Check is saying, "develop the space & capacity to help people." You want to do something, whether it's for others or whatever it is, do it. It's not necessarily, "you" do it, just do what it is you want to do I've never seen / heard anyone say this so completely & quietly with their being - a total peace & stillness accompanying it
Really glad Nick finally spoke clearly about Garrett and HCL's position. He spoke to Garrett not retracting and doubling down on questioning HCL's integrity. Garrett, IMO, showed himself to be a spoiled, self-entitled man-child.
I really enjoy your poker stream n talk show, in fact just about watch the stream every chance i get.That said I disagree with the business decision. Yes games are more lively with newer players. It could be that incident, the biggest news in poker n civilian news. Limit Garrett to a few times a month for players whom feel inferior in skill. Now we have a court jester says he is the LA King. Cmon, Garrett is the true King we need championship playoff. Give Garrett some love, tell him give the money back n let him have a seat in the million dollar game.
“Can anyone do like crypto?” Is one of the great HCL lines of all time. Glad to finally hear some back story on the Poket Bunny and I-Ron blowups. This interview was incredible, Ben is such a great character, never stop tilting! It has been interesting to watch him become a chat pro favorite. He jumps in the chat quite often and provides good banter. ❤️ Ben
this was my favorite interview you have done so far. ben you are awesome. can’t wait to see u back playing. would love to meet u in a different country for a drink one day ❤
'He's not banned. But he can't play even if he wanted to.' What the hell does Nick think the word 'banned' means? Also Garrett made the show what it is, show the man some respect and gratitude please.
FUNNY FACT: I started watching HCL when Nick's title on screen was NITUCCI. Then one day it was changed to VERTUCCI... I was lost. I was like what?? This dudes name was NITUCCI last time I watched. After a while I just forgot about it. Now I get it. LMFAO
Ben is a good thinking reg. His ability to not overestimate his own skill is maybe more valuable than anything else. Hope Garrett comes back though but I do understand not wanting the $1M game to also be the GMan Return Party.
The poor guy has probably been chasing Silicon Valley bank execs around for his money. I’ve always liked this dude, this episode did nothing but help fuel that. Extremely intelligent and interesting person. Much respect and good luck Ben✌🏽👑🍀
Garrett, who is one of the highest integrity people in the poker world, is banned.. and Nik Airball who has cursed dealers and players, and generally disrespectful at the table is allowed?
I think what you meant was "he was of the highest integrity". He accused a player of cheating with no proof. He also questioned the integrity of the "host". The thing about integrity is, one misstep, and you lose the tag. Garrett used to be viewed as a player with integrity. Now, he's a guy who used to be virtuous. He can rebuild, but he's not that anymore.
@@johndesabato2180 He will have a long way to go to do this. He poisoned the atmosphere with a take-no-prisoners stand where his Twitter was a powerful automatic weapon and he was spraying without praying.
She gave him the money back. He has no duty to give her anything. He questioned the integrity of the host? That questioning lead to the finding of one of their staff members stealing money from a player. There is no telling how much he had stolen on the past or would in the future. Gmanpoker should not be banned, and shouldn’t have to reach out to Nick or Ryan to be invited on the show. Imagine the ratings when he eventually does come back though…
G was the reason for the show's success. He is the player everyone wants to see. Probably more than any other player. HCL is a way better stream quality than LATB, but if G goes there, I'm watching him. Like Jennifer Aniston said in "Rock Star" after Mark, the lead singer left the band. "I go where the talent is, and all the talent just left the building."
It’s impossible to not like Vertucci and for that reason i have alot of trouble understanding all the haters online until I remember we’re online 😂😩. Ben was just guarded and has a bit of a prickly personality but I’ve always loved watching him play, i think because he didn’t play well w Bunny alot of ppl misjudged him. The more i watched him the more I really liked him just like each and every player at hcl. ;) One issue, well two lol: 1- Nit says they only have the end of Ben and Niks hu but Ben said he went back and watched it so ….liar liar pants on fire or ..? 2- Nick you bet a group of individuals that Trump would be back in office by Dec 2021 when i mentioned it you told me i was mistaken that it was 2022 and it was pretty juicy bets and you owe them all 50k i believe and I wonder if anyone else remembered and got paid? 😬
