'The Seniors' at Palace Station

The new home of "The Seniors" World Championship of Poker is Palace Station Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

More than 10 years ago, I began one of my lifelong dreams – I have to be careful what I dream, because God loves me – and my dreams often come true. Some people dream and wonder why their dreams don't ever come true. I am on a lifetime rush, and am so lucky that many of the dreams that I have had have indeed come true.

So, when I dream, I say, "Why not?"

I will not bore you with all the wonderful things that have happened to me in my life – it would be far more than you ever wanted to know about me – but I will tell you that I have been broke and hungry, and that during the Great Depression, I lived on a dirt floor. I know how big a $5 bill can be – when it is the bottom of your bankroll. I know and feel the pain of the railbird who will never be able to get into the game – but I also know the thrill of victory.

I must tell you that this is a wonderful country that we all enjoy, the United States of America, and I still get a rush of pride each time the flag passes by and I hear the national anthem.

May this country always be in the right, but right or wrong, it is the greatest nation that has ever been created here on the third rock from the Sun. You can go from being one in the crowd to having a crowd around you. You can get it done – so dream a dream and make it come true.

I will share with you a few things that make dreams come true:

1. You have to believe that it is a good dream.

2. You have to work hard to make the dream come true. It is surprising how lucky I get when I work long and hard. Lucky people stay in the game until luck finds them.

3. You have to get other people to trust you and believe in you and your dream.

Now, space will not allow me to go into great detail in this short column, so I will cut it short. If you want more details, read my book The Gentleman Gambler or go to my website: www.seniorpoker.com.

Ten years or so ago, I was watching a seniors golf tournament – and the dream hit me. Why not create the "The Seniors" World Championship of Poker for senior poker players?

I had been retired for a few years and had a lot of experience in creating many different types of successful businesses. I love playing poker and I loved being around poker players, so why not?

I have many great and trusting friends in the poker world and in the business world. I talked to lots of them and received advice, encouragement, and assistance. I then retained a lawyer and directed him to create a Nevada corporation named "The Seniors" World Championship of Poker.

The rest is history. "The Seniors" tournaments have been held at several locations outside of Las Vegas, and now, "The Seniors" World Championship of Poker has been invited to make its Las Vegas home at Palace Station Hotel and Casino.

The first open house, "The Seniors" X World Championship of Poker, will be held Aug. 4-11, and you are invited to my new home. I look forward to playing a few hands with you at Palace Station.

Until next time, stay lucky.