Lingering Thoughts Of Absurdity

So I'm still reeling over Annie Duke's loss on Celebrity Apprentice.

I'd expect at this point, slightly more than 24 hours after the final termination ensued, that I would have returned from planet Trump and his kingdom of celebrity scuffles back to the actual reality of the world. Unfortunately, this is not case, primarily due to Annie's treatment in the second half of the season, which I see as undeniably vicious.

What respect and admiration I once had for the legendary Joan Rivers dissolved with each disturbing personal attack, leg-kicking tantrum and raving tirade that amounted only to verbal diarrhea. She continuously berated an accomplished, self-made, and intelligent mother of four who just so happens to have earned a WSOP bracelet.

I kept hearing from Rivers that the show was supposed to be about the charities, in fact this might be the only thing the two would agree on, so why would hatred towards a fellow successful woman, albeit in a very different field, though none-the-less equal in her display of determination and hard-work benefit charity? (Let's not forget that Joan managed to squeeze in the time to alienate an entire demographic of people, of which did nothing to deserve or provoke such nauseating disrespect.)

The Duchess of Poker held her own throughout though; real poker royalty. She showed true dignity and self worth, she defended her friends loyally and raised a crap load of money for her charity: Refugees International.

I think the poker world had some luck in having Annie Duke represent us in such a major way. The loss may be a thorn in my side, but she did her very best. Next season we should give Joan and her fans what they want, two words: Mike Matusow.

Del

P.S. Annie makes a very interesting point in her latest blog regarding her firing dished out by Trump and its deviating design as compared to past seasons.

Best Bet

There's not a whole lot of consistency in life is there?

For the most part, things can change at any moment. Beyond this, there are few consistently loyal people in the world as well. You might have heard the old adage: If you can count the number of truly close and loyal friends on one hand you should consider yourself very lucky.

As a gambler I often yearn for any sort of consistency...and frankly, anyone that won't lie to my face for sport. For this, I need look no further than my mother: my biggest fan, my emotional support system, my devoted friend forever. Like any good son, I often declare mine as the best. Yep, I know that she'll love me the same after a major win or a major loss. She'll kick me back in line when I need it, build my confidence when it wavers and remind me that she's got the best son a Mom could ask for.

To my Mom and all the other mothers out there: Happy Mother's Day!

When all else fails and the skies darken with clouds of doom, you can always count on Mom. She's the best bet you'll ever make.

Del

Delik Strikes Back

The calendar may say spring, but from the door step of my home in North Carolina, the air feels like mid-summer. The grass simply will not stop growing; I’m thinking of laying cement in my yard to cut down on mounting lawn-scaping costs.

After a busy few months I feel settled enough to commit myself again to my passion of poker and writing. During my recent sabbatical from my blogs: Quad Seven Poker and Gambler Chronicles, I was able to regain my creative juices and arouse some passion…not to mention play a lot of poker and discover my new favorite obsession: Twitter.

So I present to you a “re-launch” of sorts. Have a look around and you will discover updates to every area of Quad Seven Poker, which serves as my news/editorial/fun and games haven. Beginning today, this site will return to daily updates and postings with the addition of being linked to Twitter and therefore my own personal microcosm in the world. I invite you follow along and join in - after all, poker is the best game in the world and despite Joan River’s thoughts on the matter, poker players are some of the best, brightest, most funny and interesting people on the face of the earth.

I’d like to close with a great thanks to my dedicated readers and new discoverers alike. You all rock and I wish every last one of you Big Flops and Bigger Pots.

Delik James