Interesting read.
Cliffs:
- James Obst calls Brian Hastings a sociopath
- James Obst played underage
- Poker players should act like role models, not like addicts to social media
- Poker players lack sportmanship like the PGA tour has
- Poker players have an inclination for clinical depression

Very sensitive and intelligent insights into the behavior of top players and the media and how it affects the rest of us. It has completely changed the way I think about the industry and the players involved because we are all a part of this.

Very disappointed to hear this scandal involving Hastings. He seemed like a very nice and generous person. One of my first posts on the forum involved a hand with AA. Hastings gave me great advice on how to play AA in that situation and I always thought of his post/comments when I had AA in that type of situation. I was very happy that he responded.

Hastings I know your ego will make sure you read every good and bad post about you!! Please do the right thing and donate some $$ to charity!!!

The link doesn't seem to work for me

Is there anywhere else to read this since link doesn't work?

The link works here so I don't know what the problem could be.

Yeah, the link works for me, too.
Try googling "Calvin Ayre James Obst" - it should be the first article that pops up.

One point I disagree with.

The PGA is unique in that it is an elite fraternity. It is an exclusive membership that provides access to weekly events with literally millions of dollars at stake. If you aren't eligible for one of the large Tours, you don't have the privilege to these prizepools. You literally can't make the same living off-tour by grinding mini-tours or hustling local country clubs. Getting permanently banned from the Tour for some rules infraction would be an ENORMOUS opportunity cost.

Poker is different. It is open enrollment. Between online and brick and mortar rooms, you have access to make a good (or even great) living.

Imagine if there was a private poker tour with weekly 7-figure purses. Players put up a very nominal fee to enter events and the overlay is provided by sponsors. On this tour, the slightest potential breach of etiquette or rules infraction (example: anything that could be misconstrued as an angle) could result in a ban or revocation of eligibility for future events. Do you think poker players would be extremely anal of every little rule?

I'm not suggesting the sole motivation of self-policing golfers is this, but it is a factor that is largely ignored. Afterall, golf is a game rich in tradition and its self-policing is a major point of pride in the sport. But Obst's comparison is a little apples to oranges when comparing poker to pro golf. Pro golfers need the Tour much more than a poker player may need PokerStars or the WSOP.

He could have possibly done much better if he played under his original screename. If anything he scammed himself by doing this.

why would that be?

Very odd that Ike didn't immediately report it to Pokerstars IMO.