The first time I met Wayne was in 2014. Right after I started running my first poker room, I made it an effort to get to know the people in the industry. I went all the way to Kuala Lumpur to rub shoulders with the hosts and players at Goldhill Poker club. I doubt he noticed me much at the time, but fate would have it 9 years later, we got to know each other more and reminisced in the early years of Malaysian poker and look back on how far the industry has come.
Wayne was one of the pioneers of poker in Malaysia. He and others before me paved the way for us to enjoy poker the way we do today. He was passionate about the game, innovative and creative, always coming up with ways to make the game more accessible to new players.
In the past I was always a little bit intimidated by Wayne. He had a temper and sometimes would get upset and scolded the people around him. But as I got to know him, it was his way of teaching others to improve and do the best they can. There is often a better way to do things and he would always push others to think, learn and do their best. He also had a softer side to him. Anyone that approached him, he happily joined them in conversation, often with funny stories and jokes, only until recently when his health was waning where he was more quiet.
In the last few months I got to spend more time with him, even had a few phone conversations. Wayne had irritable bowel syndrome and when it acted up it would give him stomach cramps and put him in pain. One time when we were playing poker, I tank called a big river bluff from him. However after the hand his IBS acted up and he was in agony. Even though I should be happy to win a big pot, I felt so bad afterwards and since then I tried to act as fast as I can whenever I was in a hand with him.
The last time I saw him was at the recent Poker Dream 8. Everyone saw that he was unwell, he even complained about being out of breath. But against the advisement of all his friends, he insisted on staying on to play poker, a place where he feels at home, where he could see the fruits of his labour, his legacy. The next day he took our advice and went home, we exchanged some texts and one of the last messages I got from him were "LOL ok" and "thanks".
I am grateful to have met Wayne and gotten to know him more. He shoots like a straight arrow, but he means well. If he saw something he didn't like, he wouldn't hold back. He doesn't butter you up or soften the blow, but gives you his honest opinion. He was kind and generous in giving and helping others. He commanded respect and authority, and could solve some of the biggest issues with one phone call. He would often affectionately call someone (myself included) "你条 bangkali" and then joked and laughed together. You will be missed and fondly remembered, rest in peace.
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