He Won $50 MILLION At Poker... But The FBI Was Watching

[@carneades4409]

Props to those sex workers for getting their health insurance covered, that can't be very common.

[@ryanlasenbby3974]

I bet it isn't uncommon in that level of business

[@jukee67]

It's just shake down money. Call it extra from the "square"

[@BlakeJohnson1]

They unionized

[@Al_is_XXX]

that's what happens when you move up from day to day gigging, to a long term contract

[@brahmburgers]

The working gals in Macau must be ravishing, tho at least $500/night. I can get Asian gals just as beautiful, for $32/night.

[@garyblackwoodpoker]

Doug Polk vs California Businessman #3 one time

[@joebob1012]

Goldstein is practicing law at the very top tier. Let’s see what’s going to happen to him. If he knows the law so well and he gets away lightly with this then you know it’s a conspiracy situation.

[@maxtheyouth]

more like doug vs asian player #1

[@jordansmith2647]

agree

[@Prazracing]

Never gamble with Goldsteins.

[@Jasper-zl6ld]

968,000 in a duffelbag at Dulles is such a Better Call Saul moment

[@BatkoNashBandera774]

sequential or non-sequential Bills? you know 1993 1994 1992?

[@brahmburgers]

That, in itself, is breaking the law.

[@Southbayexotics]

@@brahmburgershow

[@xavierharding8938]

This was such an amazing video, with a ton of great humor and great info. Thanks so much for putting it together Doug. You the real hero!

[@amg1176mass]

This is a massive shocker. This guy was/is well known in the legal business both for his Supreme Court advocacy and his Supreme Court blog. Also, a few years ago a legal letter that he wrote representing Dan Bilzerian went viral that was the funniest lawyer letter I've ever read. Of course, now him representing Bilzerian makes a lot more sense now.

[@CccKkkk-f4j]

So it wasnt a socker at all?

[@Stockhandle123]

Plus with all the corruption among the justices of the Supreme Court I don't think it should shock anyone that lawyers who argue in front of them often would also be incredibly corrupt.

[@kaceydillin7367]

Professional Gambler 1, and 2, probably never reported their income, and are absolutely cooperating with the government as witnesses. 😂

[@3Questionmark4Profit]

Love Doug’s commitment to the continuing random pops at Luke Schwartz 😂

[@frankieb_nyc]

This story has Rick Solomon written all over it

[@KEEPlT1K]

The 🐐

[@djamo1969]

13:08 “Yo bro, what up? Breakin’ the law. Gettin’ paid dawg!” I almost choked on my breakfast burrito. Lol.

[@GJT-w3y]

Remember kids, don't commit crimes against rich people or corporations, you'll go to jail...Only defraud poor people, if caught, you might get fined if you're unlucky

[@Buz-Lunch-Punx]

Your comment is Communist bullshit. Bernie Madoff was scamming rich people for years

[@Broke_Stacker]

In what way did he defraud rich or poor people? He evaded taxes. I think you need to watch the video again.

[@tubbybuttfishingtennesseem8326]

Facts

[@josephmcbrien7646]

Variance

[@11bornrich]

@@Broke_Stacker He defrauded the biggest corporation in the world, the united states of America by not paying his tithes

[@heathhoward1583]

This needs to be a movie once the dust settles

[@xavierharding8938]

Mark Strong could play Thomas Goldstein.

[@SucceedREI]

The B-roll in this video is top notch, Doug! 👍

[@Harbz]

if Doug knew HU matches like this were going down he never would've retired

[@aadfg0]

He has to put on a mustache to be invited. "¿Qué? No, este no es Doug Polk. Soy Douglas Pocarez 🥸"

[@CodemanAmerica]

Doug knows...Keep in mind that he interviewed Dan Bilzerian awhile back about exactly these type of games.

[@skinovtheperineum1208]

Any time there's that much cash involved, how could you ever think the game is honest?

[@jagr1683]

​@@skinovtheperineum1208it's not.. he thought he could game the whales and the whales gamed him back. He also didn't clock out when he should have but that's the typical gambler's mentality. I Won, I can do it again

[@chrisraehl5290]

Because for people with that much money, cheating defeats the purpose of gambling it.

[@nickhobbs8288]

“This is not just some random guy.” *flashes to Luke Schwartz photo* Gotta love Dougie P.

[@MrCEO-1]

LOL

[@chrisc3346]

California businessman 2 is Alec Gores. Foreign gambler 3 is Paul Phua. Texas billionaire is Andy Beal. California businessman 3 is Bob Safai. Edited to add that Doug brushed over foreign gambler 3 which was obviously Phua....scared?

[@EucalyptusFarm]

Wow, did this come out online or you just know?

[@chrisc3346]

Pieced things together. Dan Bilzerian's book, Google, ect....

[@chrisc3346]

I suspect the "actor" is Rick Salomon and the "producer" is Dan Bilzerian, not 100% on those though.

[@EucalyptusFarm]

@@chrisc3346 nice it makes sense, hadn’t heard of Bob Safai since he folded to Dwan’s bluff on HSP decades ago… I bet Rick Salomon crushed Thomas heads up but I guess he beat Phua bc of the 2 pros analysis strategy memo 🤣

[@christopherhall619]

Andy beal still playing?

[@jukee67]

He fired his accountant and hired John McAfee's accountant from Bangkok. Maybe bath salts entered this mess at some point...Rest in peace John McAfee - A true legend degenerate.

[@jakecooper5855]

Isn't every single federal charge in the US 'The defendant vs The USA'?

[@johnandrews9433]

Yes

[@mrhumble2937]

Yea just like every state it's the entire state vs defendant.

[@connork509]

Yeah and when you have caught a fed case you know you F’ed up. That was the point

[@Dolfski]

Ya and when it happens they have a high win rate

[@itsadoggydogworld8974]

Yeah I been there… sounds like some kind of epic prize fight..but you really can’t win nothing even if ya win..which is rare.

[@morepiff21]

Doug your videos are miles ahead above others, hopefully you are paying your video editors health insurance and other perks :)

[@ivandollar78]

Who was Paul Phua's lawyer who got him off the US vs Paul Phau when he was arrested for running his World Cup betting operation from three Caesars Palace villas? Tom was.

[@didxogns1]

dan bilzerian's story seems alot more believable now huh

[@Lumerlume11]

Most people believe he's probably a winning player in those private Hollywood games against total amateurs. Where'd he get that bankroll to begin with though heh. Everyone knows where.

[@canaans1]

Lol nahhhh

[@pwr_gunr8977]

What story ?

[@pbateman6775]

If you think that he actually won all of the 50m from poker then my god... It's everywhere that that is coincidentally close to the amount of money they couldn't recover from his father's fraud

[@SCAT-PACKtivities_TX]

You know how you can tell when Dan Bilzerian is lying? HIS LIPS ARE MOVING!! The nerve it takes to walk around a huge multimillion dollar property with Kevin O'Leary as the entire meeting is being recorded and proceed to lie straight to Kevin's face when asked what the property cost him... As if Kevin O'Leary had not already done his research beforehand. He knew the answer before he asked the lying snake the question. And to think about all the other bullshit he's convinced people of over the years. I'm sure it's endless. I mean come on he passed all he needed to twice to become a NAVY SEAL but it just wasn't for him. Sure sounds completely reasonable 🤣🤣🤣

[@changingspaces]

As a person who struggles with gambling, we focus more on our wins then our losses and lose track of how much we’ve lost. So it’s easy not to realize how much you are in the hole for cumulatively. Never believe a gambler who tells you they are always up.

[@JohnPark-au]

Please learn the difference between *than and then.

[@sheldenadkins9773]

You may be up in the week but down in the month up in the month but down on the year up in the year down lifetime that's how it works

[@Mr.Muckington]

Sure but we mostly poker players here. I log ever second of every hour I gamble for years now. I'm up but I don't consider myself a real gambler. I dont play the house or gamble on anything besides poker. I don't enjoy winning money. I enjoy implementing a strategy against others inferior strategy. I also know some sports gamblers that make money as well and they also have some crazy strategies but I just never liked not having say in the outcomes. 99 percent of the time what you said is right but not 100 and poker is just a different beast altogether

[@changingspaces]

@@JohnPark-au please stop being grammar police on the internet. I’m sure it’s a stressful job 😩

[@All_Praises]

@@changingspaces im always up

[@jamiepaolinetti5087]

Doug, I've been a filmmaker & director in Hollywood for 30 years, you missed your calling my friend! I mean okay, you're a pretty good poker player, 🤣 but really nice job here! More Documentary content please!

[@filipfilipovic1566]

The fact you never considered this to being some crazy money laundering scheme is mind boggling to me. Seems sureal to have a 700k hourly over 11 sessions no matter the stakes.

[@jasonbodnar9260]

I'm still disappointed this channel isn't just called Doug Polker

[@Graymorg]

Isn't it enough there's Doug Polka dancing Thursdays in the parking lots 7pm at the Lodge ? Sometimes Weird Al sits in on accordion

[@xxxx-cy4rs]

sounds like money laundering // payment for other things disguised as poker wins/losses

[@jaybingham3711]

As a business consultant, I can't tell you how many times I've dealt with "successful businessmen" and long-time pillars of the community...wholly embedded in the upper echelons of local power...just being an absolute mess behind the curtain. I've even seen it with CPAs and, like Tommy boy here, law firms. Horribly miserable "successful" people...for various reasons...just slinging crap all over the place. Totally incapable of getting out of their own damn way. It's way more common than you might ever imagine.

[@musiclife7251]

Money is the root of evil as they say

[@shamirbrown8160]

Hmm... 🤔

[@skinovtheperineum1208]

@@musiclife7251 - It's actually 'the love of'.

[@lynnsamples4126]

first one that comes to mind was inaugurated as POTUS just yesterday

[@Ggoodlad1]

As a consultant, where to you start? Taxes, mgmt, operations, exit strategy...😂

[@supersmoo7377]

FYI Doug. It’s a known town name - it’s pronounced Beh-Thess-dah.

[@soccermix67]

Ty Doug. Don’t be shy posting more vids

[@burstfirelol745]

That B-roll at 7:31 is perfect bro. Good work to the video editor

[@BaasW]

You should make a top 10 of most controversial HCL players.

[@KingHighKen]

Haha yes that be ideal, but doug on the take for hustler live bro romance

[@simpsonsjoke2907]

I think Goldstein's problem was that when he won big he had a backer (presumably Foreign Gambler 3) and when he lost big he had 100% of himself

[@richardgayler4126]

I read through this document in full when it was released and I have to say the BEST part of this is the spiteful 1099 issued at 14:29 in the last sentence by CA Businessman 2. "Yes I'll pay you but I'm going to make sure you burn" I don't know for sure if this is what kicked the investigation off but I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.

[@MrKydaman]

Awesome content as always Doug. Polk for the Peabody!!!

[@joesavino3146]

This is the top comment as far as I'm concerned. None of us would know anything about this if not for Doug. This guy is providing a service for us. Let's acknowledge that.

[@WorldsPhattestMan]

The most shocking thing about this, having watched the HCL stream he played on, is that this bloke is a winning player! Honestly one of THE all-time biggest fish to appear on the show, and thats saying something! He couldnt even read the board! He raised all-in for about 1/10th pot as a bluff vs Keating!

[@xavierharding8938]

I honestly though he was a plant, his punting made Rampage look like a rookie punter.

[@Trizzer89]

What in the actual hell. I wish I could play against billionaire foreign gamblers and give pros a piece of my action

[@antonioennis1448]

I remember watching THOMAS play, he was a fish....

[@skinovtheperineum1208]

He's improved immensely since then.

[@winningbackthegirl]

@@skinovtheperineum1208 right to jail

[@tullochgorum6323]

Wow - this guy has some real issues. Top of the best paying profession in the most litigious country in the world. And he throws it all away for thrills? That's some self-destructive shit right there.

[@Pootie_Tan]

It was cool seeing Thomas in HCL million dollar game

[@marce4241]

Being a lawyer must become boring AF to be fair.

[@somepeoplecanthandlethetruth]

@@marce4241my wife is a corporate attorney and yes it’s a boring ass job. But she gets paid a ridiculous amount of money to put up with it.

[@SamEMartinre]

Love the digestion & commentary!

[@rickbays1608]

It was strongly implied by Molly Bloom in several interviews that Rick Salomon had won close to 100M in games that were running toward the end of her career (not her games).

[@skinovtheperineum1208]

I loved that movie.

[@TheGambla74]

The only actor that actually makes sense that would be playing that big and actually having somebody take a piece of has to be Tobey Maguire

[@homebusinessmastermind8641]

No. Could be anybody. Affleck, Leo , …anybody….

[@Jasper-zl6ld]

@@homebusinessmastermind8641 Matt Damon obv!!!!!! ;)

[@davidstud3952]

nah its not an actor, its gotta be an "actor", aka Rick Salomon. No way this is Tobey.

[@rc705]

I love the typo in now that's what I call poker. Couldn't even be bothered to give the joke a review before just shipping it. Top shelf

[@Crimedawg27]

One of those paid poker players for the HU matches had to be Tom Dwan, right? Would also explain the connection to the Hustler game and the history with the Asian businessmen

[@Foolish188]

And why a professional would need the money.

[@williamsainato697]

Tomas all wrapped up has to be the Thumbnail 😂

[@BeMoreGooderPeople]

I hear this story and then I see him and can only come up with "Inconceivable!"

[@JoePollack]

Lmao perfect

[@Pootie_Tan]

Yep Thomas reminds me of tape man

[@russellmartocci323]

Doug, have you considered that what was taking place was money-laundering under the guise of poker play? This appears to be a way to shift millions of dollars around the world. One thing that happens a lot in money-laundering schemes are loans that go unrepaid.

[@Foolish188]

Amazing how many politicians don't repay private loans until a reporter asks them about the loans.

[@JamesMBT]

Wow Thomas from hustler casino million dollar cash game, what a crazy story! Thanks doug

[@CrabbyOldLady]

Excellent recap of what happened (that we know about). I'd love to see the identities of the actor and the businessmen revealed at trial. but this will almost certainly wind up in plea deal

[@johnbaxter464]

You gotta being 16 million in debt and the government hounding you for taxes on your winnings.

[@tortiemh]

Shout out to the billionaire who wanted a discount on his poker loss😂

[@KingHighKen]

Billionaires out there always looking for a good discount 😂

[@thomopromosingh1860]

Great video. Thanks for that simpsons quote 😂

[@OneOut1]

None of this should suprise us. It's just normal poker activities with a couple of 3 zeros attached to the numbers.

[@vijaytoppo6390]

Coffeezilla vibe... Nice video...loved it

[@jacobwalker57]

WOW! Amazing project just saw the road map. I am in it for the presale 🌟🌟

[@Brian_R82]

They have to do a movie on this. Dont even need a script just use the indictment

[@Pootie_Tan]

30:35 thats so crazy that Thomas played at Hustler million dollar game

[@eliodagostini]

"Monica I know you can't see too well" 😆

[@joeyalberto4105]

Nice work!

[@maxslowplaysHARP]

Doug is awesome and funny as usual;) but you can’t take away the masterpiece of sarcasm in any way!

[@charliehimmelberger7068]

I can't wait for the inevitable movie and / or netflix docuseries about this

[@rodb.5801]

How did he have time to be one of the most high profile lawyers in the country?

[@childressoutdoors6131]

Cocaine.

[@RagePrinceOfFire]

So it looks like he got lucky to win the $50M because he wasn't properly bank rolled. He made the rookie mistake of thinking it would always be that way. Unfortunately, variance caught up to him, and he started to suffer the consequences for playing too high of stakes for his bank roll size.

[@richardmcgregor4424]

“Random guy” and a pic of a pigeon pops up on screen 🤷🏻‍♂️🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@cragjones1799]

Great episode.

[@personalit]

This reminds me a little about the movie "Owning Mahowny".

[@theawfulgambler]

Hadn’t heard of this until your video!

[@BigBundy82]

Doug I was rolling " who would talk about strategies for making money, scumbags ❤😂😂😂😂

[@sheldenadkins9773]

Enjoyed the story 🤙🤟

[@matthewcalhoun4867]

The poker stories are great content!

[@jackripper8337]

It’s absolutely insane and absolutely absurd and absolutely detrimental for one of Pokers #1 promotional tools (HCL) out side of the top tourney prizes in mired in controversy once ever 3-6 months. From J4 to political games, to sexual harassment, to scammers and thieves being in the game. And I’m sure I’m missing something. I quit giving HCL my viewing eyes after the Mars fiasco. I hope everyone takes notice and decides to do the same.

[@DougieBarclay]

HCL is the embodiment of the grimey and shady poker scene.

[@jackripper8337]

@ I just hope the poker community takes theirs (HCL’s money) and focuses on more reputable deserving streams. The Lodge has had a couple less focused on issues like Scott Ball and such. Not sure what the fix is either.

[@HLmilkcarton]

nah im still gonna watch HCL

[@johnvigniero450]

Hahaha! Hcl is a good stream. If you are looking for total integrity and sanctity you are not living. And i don't disagree with your opinion.

[@jackripper8337]

@@johnvigniero450 I’m not looking for total angels. My issue is with the repeated lapses in security and screening it’s not once or twice over an extended period of time. It’s quite often.

[@joebuonomo9438]

The massage girls unionized on this guy. That shit is hilarious 🤣

[@Daniel-i8t1p]

What's the story

[@moneymikz]

15:10 Pay him…pay that man his money 💸

[@djwalker6608]

I totally read your reply in Teddys voice lol

[@moneymikz]

@ I cant believe Doug didn’t work in that clip

[@djwalker6608]

@@moneymikzthat would have been gold

[@PokrRat777]

As a lawyer and semi-pro poker player, everything about this story is absurd. Truly speechless.

[@11bornrich]

Tommy... Is that you?👀

[@KingHighKen]

As a semi professional youtuber i feel your pain 😂

[@PokrRat777]

@11bornrich red handed

[@KingHighKen]

@PokrRat777 as a semi professional youtuber I totally understand 🤣🤣

[@2011claudia]

Great breakdown!! I always love content that crosses between my legal profession and my personal hobbies!! Let me know if you ever need a criminal law perspective! 😄

[@Young-ep8ik]

Doug was Goldstein's coach. I know because I was there, at the negotiation table on health insurance.

[@barzinyzare5061]

Lol no wonder this guy accidently mucked his winning hand on Hustler in a 700k pot.... jeeez

[@katastrafika5253]

Oh that was the guy who was all covered up He didn’t want people to recognize him

[@Theonlysunaz]

I have an interesting story for you . The mans name is Robert joyce and the story's starts in st.charles police department . He was a civilian contractor from 06 -19 who collected evidence from computers, then he "magically " had enough money from cripto he retired at 30 ish. Then, he became a professional Poker player, and apparently, after a few failed years now he just became a police officer in sedona arizona. SOMETHING DOES NOT ADD UP.

[@russellmeyer5854]

So this insane story has motivated me too revisit my favorite Judas Priest ballad Breakin The Law. TYVM DP and R Halford.

[@freeman0048]

The current president be giving out pardons like Oprah gives out cars. This guy seems like the president's type.

[@Broke_Stacker]

All of poker has gotten so tired. Scammers, tankers, nits, Euro’s & crypto-money-launderers make up 90% of players.

[@KingHighKen]

True story

[@Daniel-i8t1p]

You forgot the heavy qanon contingent.

[@brahmburgers]

He's so different than me. I gamble at moving to places on the other side of the world, where I know no one and don't even speak the language. I come into the scene with about $2,000, develop a homestead, have a lot of g.f.'s and then..... well, you'll have to read the 3 books to know more. #1. Farmsteading in Thailand, #2. C.I.A. Brat, #3. 1 Pill = 28 Years. In 2 months, I'm off again for another Asian island, but I won't tell the name, because I'll be the only foreign resident there, and I like it like that.

[@jman33163]

God I hope one of these anonymous people contact you 🙏 😂

[@johnlittle8267]

the IRS is like we don't care that it's illegal gambling, we still want our cut!

[@tommyfu9271]

Technically you're supposed to pay taxes on profits from illegal activities.

[@BPDeadspot]

What if a big baller poker player on drugs went to a big event wearing skates? He'd be at a high stakes game as a high super high roller on roller skates.

[@richardgaryEmartin]

Thanks for the advice! Profited 50% last week. Thinking X.AI50, ETH, and SOL. What’s your take?

[@novapokerplayer207]

Always love the potshots at Luke Schwartz. 🤣

[@williamboltz6974]

But if a game is a private game, does the winner really need to claim there winnings? And how is that different from winning 5-6 jackpots on a slot machine ( with the payouts being under the taxable amount) I’m pretty sure that it’s unreported .

[@tommyfu9271]

Technically yes you're supposed to claim it.

[@truthseeker2222]

I have been noticing a lot of things recently. Great video.

[@Pootie_Tan]

Dough, Ryan secretly hating you light right about now 😂

[@DeezLouize]

Yooo aint no way this whole time the mystery guy playing horribly bad at Hustler was Goldstein. Doug has to be trolling 😂

[@andeydimitrov3685]

His lunch is more than $4000🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ilove9489]

I can hear Netflix calling I wonder if the "actor" is Alan Keating?

[@robertdumitru8675]

Doug what do you think the odds of drugs being involved here are?

[@user-zi8il7mj1i]

50000%?

[@robertdumitru8675]

@user-zi8il7mj1i 😂🤣

[@Aweebok]

Hey Doug, this means Dan Bilzerian could have done his fortune playing poker 😳

[@StevenAdamCox]

Big shoutout for mentioning X.AI50 and SUI. These two look like the future to me. Holding both tight!

[@MichaelWalker-ej7dm]

Line can’t go up if no one buys and sells. We need liquidity.

[@Nevertilted91]

Plot twist Professional Gambler 1 & 2 are Doug and Luke Schwartz 😂

[@mumblesbadly7708]

“Beths-da”, Maryland! 🤣🤣🤣

[@redsprite81]

"What is goin' on" 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@CamdensDad]

A boy i play poker with up Delaware Park daily , who also is a new lawyer that just passed the bar, knew who this was months ago , kinda crazy. I kinda half assed listened to his story but he was spot on

[@D1oBrando]

Initial img is misleading, u naughty boy! 😂

[@FG-pd9wz]

Wow, I click in and it’s at 1337 views. This is a sign 😁 looking forward to the vid.

[@Criminalevi87]

A sign you’re a dumb ass