Dewey Tomko – Subject of Op-Ed Hoax?
Nolan Dalla says Tomko didn't Dew it.
Remember a while ago when Poker Hall of Famer Dewey Tomko (supposedly) co-authored that op-ed for the Press of Atlantic City basically condemning online poker? Tomko took a TON of heat for it on Two Plus Two and in the poker media in general…which might have been warranted…if Tomko actually co-authored it!
Turns out, according to a new blog post from Poker Night In America's creative director (and personal friend of Dewey Tomko) Nolan Dalla, Tomko had NOTHING to do with it.
While Tomko knows (now supposed) co-author Bill Byers, according to a phone conversation Dalla had with the bracelet winner, it’s been a while since he’s heard from Byers.
Sure, I know Bill Byers. But I haven’t talked to him in ten years.
In fact, Dalla says that Tomko not only hasn’t talked to Byers in years but has NO IDEA about the article and, in fact, is actually a supporter of online poker, despite not ever having played it.
I have no association whatsoever to anything to do with that. I don’t play online poker. I’ve never played online poker before. Not even once. I don’t know anything about it. Why would I say something on something I know nothing about? I don’t do that.
The Press of Atlantic City ran the op-ed, likely, under the assumption that Tomko’s affiliation was genuine and, of course, we and other media outlets had no reason to question the authenticity of the Press of Atlantic City op-ed. Well, **** us.
Good thing Nolan Dalla has a personal relationship with Tomko and could get to the bottom of it. Six weeks after the op-ed was published Dalla called Dewey for an extensive conversation about the piece. Dewey claims to not know anything about it.
I have no idea what you’re talking about. You know me. I don’t write columns to newspapers. I’ve got other things that keep me plenty busy.
So here’s the summary as Dalla states it:
First, Tomko didn’t write the editorial. Second, he knows nothing about it. Third, he hasn’t lent his name to any cause associated with any findings about online poker.
To be fair, while Dalla, a longtime trusted industry staple and a historian of the game, talked to Tomko, and obviously very much believes that Tomko had absolutely nothing to do with this, there are still, perhaps, scenarios that exist making this very unclear as to exactly what happened.
Perhaps Press of Atlantic City was just plain duped, in which case we all were, or perhaps it’s Dalla that doesn’t have all the information. The answer, of course, may lie somewhere in between.
When we called and talked to Editorial Page Editor Jim Perskie at the Press of Atlantic City he indicated that an email of verification was sent back to both parties and that, via a Google search, they were who they said they were. Upon further pressing of how this op-ed came to be, we were stopped with: “I’ve got nothing for you.”
Perskie also indicated that we were (as of 1:40pm EST) the only people on the planet to ask him about this as of yet. We don’t think we’ll be the last.
So, while it looks like Tomko was attached as a co-author without his permission – we just don’t know.
Of course, this story holds nowhere near the same severity as the Ultimate Bet scandal, but it wasn’t that long ago that one of the most trusted names in the game, Barry Greenstein talked face to face with Russ Hamilton and told the world he was convinced that Hamilton had nothing to do with the superuser scandal.
Let’s hope though that we’re not entering a time when we need to double check every article published to make sure that the person attributed in the by-line was in fact the person that authored the article. If so, Steve Ruddock is going to have a pretty hefty cell phone bill.
We’re going to let the final word (for now) go to Dalla himself who states it pretty clearly.
Someone is lying. Someone is making things up. Someone needs to be exposed as soon as possible and all those who have used any evidence or testimony from the such an individual should be dismissed immediately as sources who are not credible.
All of that said, if you followed this story, you need to read Nolan Dalla’s post about his conversation with Dewey Tomko.
Lucky Player Wins $413K The Deal Jackpot at PokerStars
A lucky player from Ireland caught the big jackpot spin, while all other PokerStars players who participated in the Deal in the last 12 hours banked $31 each.
Follow PokerStars on Twitter & Claim Free WCOOP Tickets
All PokerStars account holders have daily opportunities to win WCOOP tickets without risking a single cent.
PokerStars Introduces Poker With a Twist via Mystery Cash Challenge
The brand new show by PokerStars combines elements of ring games and mystery bounty tournaments into a new and exciting format.
France’s Simon Wiciak Wins PokerStars EPT Barcelona Main in an Epic Fashion
PokerStars wraps up another successful EPT in Barcelona with a Main Event story worth of poker history books.
Watch EPT Barcelona Main Event: Day 3 Live Streaming
Join the excitement as the €5300 EPT Barcelona Main Event enters Day 3, and catch the live streaming coverage.
EPT Barcelona 2023 Main Event Exceeds €10M Prize Pool Again
Maintaining a remarkable trend, the EPT Main Event has achieved an impressive milestone for the second consecutive year, with over 2000 entries.
Get Ready for 2023 WCOOP at PokerStars – $80M up for Grabs
Kicking off on September 10 on PokerStars, this year’s WCOOP will feature 340 individual events and $80 million in guaranteed prizes across the board.
EPT Barcelona by PokerStars Is Just Around the Corner
One of the hottest stops on the PokerStars LIVE calendar is about to start, and there is much more to Barcelona than just poker.
PokerStars Power Path Offering Packages to Biggest Live Events
With PokerStars Power Path, you can win packages to all major events, such as EPT Barcelona, UKIPT London, and much more.
A Week of Midstakes Madness Is On at PokerStars
Running throughout the week, the PokerStars Midstakes Madness series features 61 events and brings almost $6,000,000 in guarantees across the board.
15 More Bracelets up for Grabs With WSOP Paradise
Taking place in the Bahamas during the first half of December, WSOP Paradise will feature a variety of events to match all bankrolls and preferences.
Check Out the Final Episode of Between the Lines by PokerStars
The fourth and final episode of PokerStars exciting Between the Lines show is out, bringing more exciting comparisons between poker and F1 racing.
PokerStars Power Path: New Way to Qualify for Major Tournaments
Power Path gives all PokerStars players a way to qualify for some of the biggest tournaments starting with a tiny investment.
PokerStars UKIPT in Blackpool Comes to a Close
The Main Event winner takes home a very respectable amount of £53,630 after outlasting the field of 262 players.
Brian Rast is Named 2023 WSOP Poker Hall of Fame Honoree
The six-time WSOP winner has now secured his place in poker history.
PokerStars Between the Lines: Waiting for Your Moment
The latest episode of the fun PokerStars mini-series teaches the importance of patience and discipline, both on the green felt and at a racing track.
Watch the World Series of Poker Live, Exclusively on PokerGO!
Immerse yourself in the electrifying atmosphere of the 2023 WSOP from the comfort of your home with PokerGO.
Tune in at PokerGO for the Conclusion of the 2023 WSOP PLO High Roller
The remaining five players will come back today to battle it out for the bracelet and $2.3 million first prize, with all the action brought to you live by PokerGO.
Last Chance to Win a WSOP 2023 Main Event Seat!
For players in Nevada and New Jersey the Seat Sprint promo is giving away 112 WSOP Main Event seats over the next 11 days.
Mike ‘The Mouth’ Matusow Just Misses Out on His Fifth WSOP Bracelet
Matusow came within inches of claiming a WSOP gold but couldn’t get over the last obstacle between him and his fifth bracelet.