US man selling wine so he can play poker

A Las Vegas man has announced he is trying to sell some of his fine wine collection in order to raise funds to play in World Series of Poker (WSOP) events this summer.

Geno Foschi, who is selling the 38 bottles of discounted wine via Craiglist, said he has about a 600-bottle collection.

Foschi said: “I have an extensive wine collection, so I thought why not just try to dump some of those. People need to celebrate when they win, so it won’t cost me money out of pocket to play some of these events.”

The wine for sale includes 13 bottles of Château Margaux 1984, five bottles of Château Lafite Rothschild 1984 and six bottles of Château Margaux 1982

In total Foschi is offering 38 bottles of fine wine, which he says have all been stored properly and most have been owned for more than 20 years.

The package of wine, which Foschi says has a retail value of US$25,000, is available for $13,000 and he said the wines have been “priced for a quick sale so I can play some WSOP events.”

Foschi said he has been collecting wine since his early 20s.

He said: “It has stuck with me through the years. Wines, spirits and cigars — those are the only vices I have because poker is not one of them.”

Foschi is small a business owner and said if he were to sell his wine, play in the WSOP and win, the money would go to his business, he said: “I can’t take money away from family and business with the economy the way it is. I could not afford to just play these events, which is why I am selling accumulated assets.”