"Yeah, but I didn't think I'd actually win!"

That's probably what 2006 World Series of Poker champion Jamie Gold is thinking right now. Way back in the summer of 2006, when former Hollywood agent Jamie Gold signed up to play in the WSOP, he was working on getting celebrities who were planning to play in the event to wear "Bodog" (an online poker site) t-shirts. He enlisted the help of LA TV-producer Bruce Crispin Leyser, telling him something like "If you help me, I'll give you half of what I win."

8,772 players later, Jamie Gold finds himself $12 million richer and champion of the WSOP. Then comes the call from Leyser, and I have a feeling it went something like this:

Leyser: "Yo Jamie, I can't believe it! You won! Haha, we're rich! Congratulations!"
Gold: "I know, can you belie... wait, we?"
Leyser: "Yeah man, remember? I helped you out getting celebrities to wear those t-shirts and you said you'd give me half."
Gold: "...uh, yeah, but that wasn't worth $6 million man, let's be realistic."
Leyser: "Whoa, whoa, whoa, Jamie you said half and I want half. It's not my fault you happened to win."
Gold: "You really expect me to give you $6 million? Come on, none of those celebrities even came close to making it to the money, so they probably won't make the air, and that was the whole point of getting them to wear the shirts; so they would be on TV."
Leyser: "Listen Jamie, you didn't say they had to make it to anywhere, you just said you'd give me half, so either pony up the $6 million or I'll see you in court."
Gold: "Hey, we don't need to go there, we're just talking. I'll tell you what, I appreciated the help, so I'll give you $1 million. That was the entire prize for Chris Moneymaker 3 years ago when he won, and he had to earn it, so how's that?"
Leyser: "..."
Gold: "Bruce?"
Leyser: "I'll see you in court."

So guess what? He sued. Then I bet Leyser got a phone call, and it went something like this:

Gold: "Listen, I don't want to get this out of hand. I was going to use that money to pay for my dad's medical bills. He's very sick and I really want to help him, but I'm sorry and I'll give you half."
Leyser: "Listen Jamie, I'm really sorry about your dad, I didn't know he was in the hospital. You must have a lot going on in your life right now, and I'm selfishly getting in the way, so for that I am sorry."
Gold: "Thanks Bruce, that means a lot. So, does that mean you'll drop the court case?"
Leyser: "Yeah, I'll drop it.
Gold: "Thanks a lot man, I appreciate it."
Leyser: "Yeah, don't mention it. So, when should I expect my check?"
Gold: "Wha...!?...(sigh)"
Leyser: "What? I said I'd drop the case, but you still owe me that money, so just send me a check."
Gold: "You jackass."
(Click)

And so Jamie Gold has agreed to give half his winnings to Leyser out of court. I'm not sure we've heard the end of this though. There may be a heist movie finish, if we're lucky. Anyways, sucks to be Jamie Gold, because honestly, when you say you'll give someone half of your winnings, who thinks they're actually going to win $12 mil?

[via ESPN]