It’s never nice to enter the later months of the year when the nights start getting darker earlier. You wake up and it’s dark. You come home from work and it’s dark. Yet there is a lot to look forward to. Halloween arrives at the end of October, and then it’s a few short weeks until Christmas appears. So, let’s not focus on the negative side of these next few months.
Instead, we can look back over the past fortnight or so and amuse ourselves with some funny stories from the second half of September 2023 in the poker and gambling worlds. Give yourself a chuckle with our Freaky Fortnight regardless of how the weather is outside!
Taylor Swift Introduces a New legion of People to Sports Betting
Everyone knows the pull that celebrities can have. It’s why so many companies like to start advertising campaigns with big-name stars. Fans of the celebrities see them wearing a particular product or attending a specific event, and they all want to do the same thing.
There is little doubt that Taylor Swift is one of the biggest names in music. Her fans, known as “Swifties,” would say she’s the best ever no doubt. Yet it’s not her music that is the central focus all the time. That much is certainly true of the country-crossover singer recently. In fact, one of the biggest storylines in the NFL season this year has been Swift’s relationship with star of the Kansas City Chiefs, Travis Kelce.
Gossip on the romance budding between the two has been rife throughout the past few weeks. Then Taylor was spotted attending the Chiefs’ game last week in Kansas City. It was there that the team defeated the Chicago Bears in a 41-10 showing. Swift was on hand cheering for the Kansas side before appearing on Oct. 1 for the team’s game against the New York Jets in New Jersey.
Sports fans may be exceptionally tired of the media’s incessant reporting of the romance brewing between Swift and Kelce. Even on the broadcasts of the games, coverage has cut to the singer’s box to see her reaction to top Kelce and Chiefs plays. Social media feeds have also been rife with content surrounding the duo. Yet she wasn’t the only celebrity attending the game on Sunday night. Ryan Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively were in the same box as Swift while Hugh Jackman and Sabrina Carpenter were also in attendance.
Even if fans of the NFL aren’t amused by the constant media coverage focusing on Swift and Kelce in specific, it could have its benefits. Her attendance has been excellent for sportsbooks as well, some suggest.
Tipico Sportsbook, which has operations running in Colorado, Iowa, New Jersey and Ohio, reported that its platform had seen a considerable uptick in betting activity surrounding the Chiefs and Kelce when Taylor appeared at the game.
Data indicates that the Kansas City team achieved 27% more wagers from week three to week four. Kelce player prop bets have also surged by 115% within that same period, which is perhaps more indicative of Swift’s impact on people.
At the same time, Tipico noted that a Travis Kelce anytime touchdown bet achieved 122% more action in the fourth week against week three. Could it be an indication that Taylor’s Swifties are placing bets on Kelce scoring a touchdown or reaching the endzone?
If so, then perhaps every top player should get themselves a celebrity partner to attend their games. All the single ladies in the industry, make your way to the NFL!
A Bidding War Between Tom Brady and Kim Kardashian at Casino Night?
Saturday, Sept. 30 witnessed the REFORM Alliance hosting its first ever Casino Night Event. Taking place at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, the event raised $24 million for criminal justice reform.
Co-chairs of REFORM Michael Rubin and Meek Mill united with founding partner Jay-Z to host it. Meanwhile, Kevin Hart took over MC duties at the invite-only, black-tie event. It saw over 250 VIPs attend, who heard about the incredible impact that REFORM has had on communities since it was founded more than four years ago.
As part of the night’s festivities, guests were able to participate in a blackjack tournament, a dinner program, and a live auction. Guests like Travis Scott, Matthew McConaughey, Tiffany Haddish, Alex Rodriguez, Lil Kim, Ne-Yo, and others all enjoyed the evening. Yet it was a moment between former NFL quarterback Tom Brady and media personality/socialite/businesswoman/model/actress Kim Kardashian that caught the attention of many during the night.
Not only did the two make charitable gestures at the Casino Night, but there was an animated bidding war between the pair too.
Brady appeared in black suit and white shirt whilst also wearing a Rolex watch naturally. The piece, which was adorned with pink and blue diamonds, was much more than a simple accessory to his attire. It served as quite the statement and was a precursor to an unexpected turn of events. The combination of such luxury with a charity event is quite the paradox that many people noted.
During the live auction, Brady and Kardashian went to war over a piece of George Condo art. “Standing Female Figure,” as the piece is titled, was introduced at a bidding starting point of $500,000 by Kardashian. A light-hearted battle ensued, with Brady reaching the ultimate bid of $2 million for the piece. Yet upon hitting that peak, Condo, in perhaps an amused state, said he would create a second artwork specifically for Kardashian if she was willing to match Brady’s $2 million bid.
As a result, both stars were able to come away with something much more valuable than a Condo piece of art. They acquired the narrative that becomes a peculiar tale where competition, art, and benevolence unite. Doubtless, the moment will linger around in the midst of the pair’s philanthropic futures. It was somewhat of a spectacle where Brady and his $180,000 Rolex as well as the $2 million art bid became quite the metaphor for the multi-faceted nature of such celebrity charity events.
The evening’s final blackjack hand occurred on-stage for all to witness too. Culminating in a $1 million prize, the successful attendee was Andrew Goldberg, managing partner of TAO GROUP. He then announced he would donate $750,000 of his winnings to REFORM Alliance. We’re not sure where the other $250,000 went – but someone who can throw around $750K is likely to be able to afford to donate the remaining amount, we’d say!
100-Year-Old Stock Trader and Poker Player Shares Her Tips for a Happy Life
The final amusing story of the past fortnight surrounds Florida resident, Shirley Bernstein. The 100-year-old great-grandmother has shared some important tips for a long and happy life. And those tips involve playing poker and investing in stocks, would you believe!
She regularly trades stocks online, frequently following their ups and downs on CNBC. She also reads up on the companies involved, as well as financial trends. This, she says, is what keeps her going. Having “very high expenses” due to her assisted living status, investing in the market has allowed her to stay where she wants to be. Yet, she does know that “you’ve got to be lucky” with such activity.
Bernstein also says that people need to make smart life choices. Born in Philadelphia on Oct. 1, 1923, her family had a track record for longevity. One of her grandfathers lived to be 104. Her siblings were heavy smokers though, and thus did not last as long. She has never partaken in smoking, and limits her intake of alcohol, too.
Yet it’s also her enjoyment of playing poker that provides her with extra sustenance. Bernstein loves to gamble and says she has been participating in poker for many years. Now, she plays the game around three times a week, competing against “some guys” who she met at the assisted living complex she is a resident of, according to her daughter, Judith.
We don’t doubt that she has some stamina left in her. Here’s hoping she’ll be participating in games of poker for many years to come!
