Tidbits and Other Fun Stuff

I received more e-mail about my four columns regarding pet peeves and industry suggestions than I ever have before. Most everyone who wrote was courteous and polite, and either supported my stance on the topics I raised or in a nice way explained how off base I was. I really did enjoy those notes. The e-mail I didn't particularly enjoy was of an abusive nature, in which I was told to "get a life" or it was suggested that I must have gone to Catholic girls school! Being of the Jewish faith, and having skipped lots of classes in school, I found this rather funny. Also, the abusive nature of some of the e-mail was astounding, given that it was that very behavior I was writing about! I was particularly amused by the many letters in which I was told I had a hang up about gum. I stand by my original comments regarding employees in any field chewing gum, and liken it to a waiter or waitress eating a ham sandwich while taking care of my order! Also, I found it comical how many writers told me they had never heard of an employer having a policy against the on-the-clock staff chewing gum. It's funny because I have never heard of a place actually allowing it. Anyway, during my recent trip to the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, I saw a sign at the exit of the staff hallway leading to the public areas of the casino. I thought it might amuse some of you and irritate the heck out of some others.



Now, here's some fun stuff. I recently had the pleasure of spending a week in Oceanside, California, with some very good friends. Our group included Jackie Hankins from Davie, Florida, Valerie Steinsmith of Las Vegas, and Linda Johnson. We rented a great house right on the beach. The bedroom I occupied opened up literally onto the sand. We were there to play in the California State Ladies Poker Championship at Ocean's Eleven Casino. Under the direction of Star McCormick and her entire staff, the event runs smoothly and everyone who attends is awed by the level of service, food, and camaraderie of the guests. This annual event was in its ninth year, and each year there has been a theme. This year's theme was "toga." This also was an event on the LIPS Tour (Ladies International Poker Series). On the evening of the banquet, many of the attendees dressed up in some form of toga: homemade, from a costume store, or simply made from a bed sheet. Not to be outdone, we joined in the fun. Were we cute, or what?



The event featured three tournaments, one being the championship. The first was a limit hold'em tourney, the second a no-limit event, and the third was also no-limit, but it was for those who qualified as one of the top 54 point earners from the first two tournaments. Needless to say, I didn't even make the cut. However, in the true form of "keeping it in the Card Player family," Linda Johnson won the whole dang thing! Along with the cash and bragging rights, Linda won entry to any California ladies event for a year, and also an entry into the 2006 ladies World Series of Poker event. Congratulations, Linda!



During the three-day event, when Ocean's Eleven wasn't feeding us (they are well-known for throwing caution and calorie count to the wind when catering these affairs), there was lots of poker and also some education. Linda and I gave a no-limit hold'em seminar that was well-attended and generated some great questions and answers afterward. We really enjoy giving these seminars, as the audience pays close attention, asks good questions and makes good comments, and also helps us to reinforce some game strategies that we take for granted and ought to revisit more often than we do.



Speaking of educational stuff, please note that there is still time to sign up for the World Poker Players Conference on Nov. 12 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut. Due to some overlapping events, we have been forced to make some speaker changes. I can assure you that this will be an educational and fun event that will be well worth the price of admission regardless of the final lineup of headliners. Please see the ad in this issue for more info, or visit http://www.cardplayercruises.com/.



Thanks for your feedback on my recent columns, and to those who didn't agree with me, your comments are valued always. As an opinionated person, I think it is only right to allow others to vent, as well. Class dismissed.

As always, please write to me with all of your poker-related questions, comments, and column ideas. I have always said that I would reply to every e-mail I receive. Many of you tested me these past few weeks, but got replies. I hope to be able to continue to offer that promise, that of a personal reply. However, if you are rude and vulgar in your notes to me, I might have to rescind that promise.