Excuse-O-Meter. Share Your Interesting Excuses For Leaking Out... (1 Viewer)

[Trihonda]

This is open for Hosts and Players.

Have you ever worked hard to organize a game, and then had someone leak out at the last minute?

Have YOU ever leaked out of a game last minute?

Share your interesting excuses (both lame and legit)..


I'll start:

One that comes to mind is a guy who claimed he had to leak out of my game last minute because he had a flat tire the day before, and then had to use his $30 buy-in money to get a new tire... Um, my first thought is you shouldn't be playing poker anyway, if you can't afford it. But the excuse just seemed bogus. LAME


Or another guy (who played a few games until he was uninvited). Texted me to say he was running 15 minutes late, then texted an update every 30 minutes or so... Apparently, he was getting a ride to my place from a friend, but had to stop at the ATM, then stop at a grocery store in my town (for the friend), then drive to the friend's house in another town to drop off the groceries, then back to my house... 2.5 hours later. He played one $40 buyin, and when he busted, he tried to hit up other players he knew for cash... One of his other buddies said "I thought you stopped at an ATM?".... Ya, the real story (I later found out) was he got a ride from some dude, and they hit up some meth house on the way to my place, which is why he was short on time AND cash. To be honest, that guy was always respectful and friendly. He played ok, and really loved the game. I suspected he might have had a drug problem, but so long as that never interfered with how he conducted himself in my home, I wasn't going to judge too harshly. However, his lying to me about the entire incident is something I don't tolerate (in my home). Frankly, he could have just said "sorry, I was late/got delayed" without the obviously untruthful story, and I'd have probably given him a pass. LAME


Had one guy leak out last minute, but his wife just went into labor early. The group took up a collection. LEGIT

 

[gopherblue]

Once I said I was going to come to Berg's game, then later decided not to.

On a side note, if you play with meth addicts, best keep a weather eye on your card protector.

 

[rowlin]

To "leak" is to flake?

 

[Mr. Cheese]

I put together a game for a old college buddy who is living in Japan. We planned it like a month in advance and it was specifically for him being he was going to be back in town. The day of we were talking and he said he was pumped and couldn't wait to come and see everyone as it had been a year. Start time roles around and he's a no show. Everyone else including people that specifically came just to see him show up. I text him and he says he's not feeling well and won't be able to come. 2 hours later I look on Facebook and I see pictures of him at a night club dancing. Not feeling well enough for poker but definitely well enough to go out drinking and dancing all night.

 

[Trihonda]

I put together a game for a old college buddy who is living in Japan. We planned it like a month in advance and it was specifically for him being he was going to be back in town. The day of we were talking and he said he was pumped and couldn't wait to come and see everyone as it had been a year. Start time roles around and he's a no show. Everyone else including people that specifically came just to see him show up. I text him and he says he's not feeling well and won't be able to come. 2 hours later I look on Facebook and I see pictures of him at a night club dancing. Not feeling well enough for poker but definitely well enough to go out drinking and dancing all night.

That's pretty lame... To be honest, darn right sh!tty. The fact of leaking out (ignoring all your efforts), or just lying to you (even though it was prob done to spare your feelings)... Not sure what was worse.

 

[Trihonda]

To "leak" is to flake?

Yes, leak out is to flake.

Spoiler: Flake out: Urban Definition

Flake out
Verb: To cancel previously agreed upon plans last minute, or simply not show up

Noun: the act of flaking out

-so remember that hot girl from the bar, I was going to have dinner with her last night but she flaked out.

 

[Chicken Rob]

I once had to work late. So I cancelled last minute.

 

[jbutler]

To "leak" is to flake?

Never heard this either. Maybe it's a Wisconsin thing? Google didn't return any results that I saw indicating "to flake"as an alternative definition of "leak out".

I don't take much notice of people who cancel. Sometimes people just change their minds.

 

[detroitdad]

I've never canceled last minute. A few years I had a prior commitment so I opted out of one of our league games. The date with my wife was ending early and she said that I might as well go play (didn't opt out cuz of the date). I texted the host 30 minutes before the start time and said I was in if a seat was open. I ended up taking second place.

The latest I ever canceled on a poker commitment I think was a few days prior. Grandfather out of state passed away.

I had a similar guy cancel about needing money for car repairs.

One guy was at least honest with me. He called me about an hour before the game and basically said something better came up (date with a chick). I respected his honesty. Never invited him back.

 

[Psypher1000]

"My mother-in-law died and I have to fly to Indiana." - confirmed true

"I'm the only one that can read from the Torah at Passover." - probably true, but not confirmed

"He's still recovering from neck surgery/in too much pain from the surgery/loopy from the pain pills." - My friend's spouse after his surgery; the first two confirmed true; the last false (he's loopy all day long regardless of pills).

"I came down with the flu." Believed false - it was August.

"I have to go to a wedding with my wife." Believed false.

"Something came up." *technically* true, but still bogus; may as well be false.

 

[gopherblue]

We are talking about a poker game, right? Not marriage or surgery or a court date?

 

[bergs]

I leaked out Courage's. I passed out downstairs after the game was over and drooled on his table while sleeping.

I've often suspected that Harley leaked out during a ham, but he goes to the bathroom and confirms that he didn't shit himself. I've never verified this independently - I'm taking him at his word here.

 

[jbutler]

One guy was at least honest with me. He called me about an hour before the game and basically said something better came up (date with a chick). I respected his honesty. Never invited him back.

Seriously? A guy cancels an hour before the game and actually has the courtesy to let you know he's canceling and he's just booted from the invite list?

I'm floored by the fact that anyone actually expends the mental energy to evaluate whether someone's reason for canceling is legitimate.

We are talking about a poker game, right? Not marriage or surgery or a court date?

Of course, gopher articulated my thought better than I could as I was typing. Exactly this.

 

[detroitdad]

Seriously? A guy cancels an hour before the game and actually has the courtesy to let you know he's canceling and he's just booted from the invite list?

I'm floored by the fact that anyone actually expends the mental energy to evaluate whether someone's reason for canceling is legitimate.



Of course, gopher articulated my thought better than I could as I was typing. Exactly this.

It wasn't his first last minute cancellation or outright no show. I find it disrespectful. I'd rather invite people that want to be here.

 

[rowlin]

Our roster would probably have about three names on it if leaking out was a bannable offense.

 

[SixSpeedFury]

Seriously? A guy cancels an hour before the game and actually has the courtesy to let you know he's canceling and he's just booted from the invite list?

I'm floored by the fact that anyone actually expends the mental energy to evaluate whether someone's reason for canceling is legitimate.

Of course, gopher articulated my thought better than I could as I was typing. Exactly this.

This

It wasn't his first last minute cancellation or outright no show. I find it disrespectful. I'd rather invite people that want to be here.

And this. If they're a repeat offender, then that's a no-no.

 

[abby99]

Gee, I'm from Wisconsin (Milwaukee area) and we use the term bail, as in, "he bailed at the last minute."

My biggest one was when I bailed on a MA/NH meetup. An hour before my cab was due to arrive, I admitted to myself that I was in no condition to travel, cancelled the cab and my flight, and contacted Chicken Rob and bergs. I also texted courage, who was going to share a ride with me. I spent the next ten days in bed with bronchitis. I'm confident that the entire crew was glad that I bailed.

 

[gopherblue]

^^^ I was there and you were missed. But your bronchitis was not.

 

[Psypher1000]

I'm floored by the fact that anyone actually expends the mental energy to evaluate whether someone's reason for canceling is legitimate.

I don't and wouldn't. Confirmations sometimes come through happenstance. I don't seek proof, though, and haven't banned anyone for canceling.

 

[gopherblue]

Once I was at a wedding and the waiter asked me "fish or steak?" I said "fish," but then--for no reason at all--I changed my mind and said "steak."

I haven't been invited back by that couple for a wedding ever since.


Pffft. Lesson learned.

 

[Trihonda]

It wasn't his first last minute cancellation or outright no show. I find it disrespectful. I'd rather invite people that want to be here.

Bill, I'm guessing some people might not put the same emphasis into hosting? Maybe they host weekly, So if people don't show up, who cares? Their games might be run different. Different player expectations, Who knows?

Me personally, I have limited ability to host, and when I do, I want to put on a good event. This includes recruiting players. I and my poker regs feel a fuller table is better. So, when someone leaks out last minute, it requires me to scramble to fill the seat. Often times, I'll have a wait list, but in the final hour before a game, wait list folks often wind up making other plans (I don't expect people to sit around waiting for a call from me). So, in theory a last minute leaker could cause a game to play shorter than optimal. If the game were short to begin with, it could cause the game to fall apart (before it even starts).

Where I'm from, when you RSVP for an event (expecially when you're filling a set seat number), you don't back out unless you have a valid reason. At least that's how I was raised. "Disrespectful" is how it comes across to me as well. That said, if someone has a valid reason for leaking, there are no hard feelings whatsoever, and it's in no way disrespectful. Finding a "better" party to go to is not a valid reason, and shows a lack of character IMHO.

For instance, despite already having a table set up, chips handy, etc... I just spent 3 hours prepping, cleaning my basement for a 20 player tourney tonight. That doesn't include all the lead up efforts, and the food prep and running for ice that I have yet to do. If you were a no show, and I later found out it was because you decided to go dancing, or play another game, I think you could assume you'd be the last person to receive an invite to my next game. (n) :thumbsdown:

 

[Trihonda]

Gee, I'm from Wisconsin (Milwaukee area) and we use the term bail, as in, "he bailed at the last minute."

My biggest one was when I bailed on a MA/NH meetup. An hour before my cab was due to arrive, I admitted to myself that I was in no condition to travel, cancelled the cab and my flight, and contacted Chicken Rob and bergs. I also texted courage, who was going to share a ride with me. I spent the next ten days in bed with bronchitis. I'm confident that the entire crew was glad that I bailed.

I've heard this term used synonymously as well.
Bailed
Leaked
Flaked (harsher connotation IMHO)

And it sounds like bailing was the smart choice, for all.

 

[jbutler]

If you were a no show, and I later found out it was because you decided to go dancing, or play another game, I think you could assume you'd be the last person to receive an invite to my next game. (n) :thumbsdown:

George Orwell had a similar policy in his home game.

Come to think of it, maybe "leak out" is newspeak?

 

[stocky]

One guy showed up really late because he was visiting a hooker. Everyone agreed legit excuse.

 

[gopherblue]

Bill, I'm guessing some people might not put the same emphasis into hosting? Maybe they host weekly, So if people don't show up, who cares? Their games might be run different. Different player expectations, Who knows?

Me personally, I have limited ability to host, and when I do, I want to put on a good event. This includes recruiting players. I and my poker regs feel a fuller table is better. So, when someone leaks out last minute, it requires me to scramble to fill the seat. Often times, I'll have a wait list, but in the final hour before a game, wait list folks often wind up making other plans (I don't expect people to sit around waiting for a call from me). So, in theory a last minute leaker could cause a game to play shorter than optimal. If the game were short to begin with, it could cause the game to fall apart (before it even starts).

Where I'm from, when you RSVP for an event (expecially when you're filling a set seat number), you don't back out unless you have a valid reason. At least that's how I was raised. "Disrespectful" is how it comes across to me as well. That said, if someone has a valid reason for leaking, there are no hard feeling whatsoever. Finding a "better" party to go to is not a valid reason, and shows a lack of character IMHO.

For instance, despite already having a table set up, chips handy, etc... I just spent 3 hours prepping, cleaning my basement for a 20 player tourney tonight. That doesn't include all the lead up efforts, and the food prep and running for ice that I have yet to do. If you were a no show, and I later found out it was because you decided to go dancing, or play another game, I think you could assume you'd be the last person to receive an invite to my next game. (n) :thumbsdown:

Are you sure you're not related to my wife?

 

[Trihonda]

One guy showed up really late because he was visiting a hooker. Everyone agreed legit excuse.

If nothing else, it makes for a great story!!!

(y) :thumbsup:

 

[stocky]

Are you sure you're not related to my wife?

Are you sure you're not his wife? The constant nagging has me wondering.

 

[jbutler]

Are you sure you're not his wife? The constant nagging has me wondering.

The zinger just got zunged!

 

[manamongkids]

Are you sure you're not his wife? The constant nagging has me wondering.

 

[bergs]

Honestly, if I locked up a seat, I might "leak" just because I was afraid of being banned. If you're not on your best behavior at Chez 3Honda, you may find yourself playing pinochle in the snow.