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

Last Days 2008

The last few months of this very long year have flown by with such cat-like speed that I have even refrained from sleep at times in an effort to avoid missing a moment of it. But the inevitable has come now: We have a newly elected President (woo-hoo!), made it through the annual turkey holocaust and Christmas is now behind us too...kind and joyful holiday sentiments stuffed away like decorations for another year to become dusty and forgotten until the next go-around and the days before New Years can be counted on one hand.

As 2009 nears I have positive expectations for what's to come: I look forward to new experiences, new casinos, new people, new people's money, new strategies, lots of blogging, travel, plenty of tournaments, saftey and health.

Thanks for visiting me here at Quad Seven Poker and over at Gambler Chronicles.

Wishing you Big Flops, Bigger Pots and a Happy New Year!

Delik

New Site On The Block

I'm pleased to announce the arrival of Gambler Chronicles **

My new website is officially up, running, and expanding more each day.

With the intent of funneling my energy into a single project, I've launched the chronicle of a semi-fictional gambler on a journey through life and the places, people and bets he comes across. Greyson Slate is in a world of endless wagers and a life of unknown outcomes.

What does this mean for Quad Seven Poker?

I will still post at Q7P and update news and features often. Lots of updates are made and will continue to be made in the Grease the Rail Section and poker tools will remain active!


And Don't Forget!

I will have a weekly post at Poker Bankroll Blog with an eye towards Poker News!!


Thanks for all of your continued support.

Wishing you Big Pots and Bigger Flops,

Delik James

Special Reminder

Hey Poker Lovers! Just want to remind you that I have a new Blog Post today at Poker Bankroll Blog. You can find a link to the site with my "A Man, A Spider, and a Question of Ethics" post in my Quad Seven Top 7 Links in the sidebar!

Also, don't forget to stop by my 'Grease the Rail' section for lots of fun stuff to kill some time while avoiding work or between porn downloads - much has been added and all is updated often.

Wishing you Big Flops and Bigger Pots!
Del

P's and Q's

Generally speaking, I think taking things too seriously in life can be a hazard.

For one, it's not good for your health to add such unnecessary stresses about mundane issues that would otherwise just pass as most things do. Also, you tend to come off as a real loser in the meantime - spending your days and nights nit-picking and vexing over every little thing.

So what about strictness towards proper etiquette?

Well, I couldn't care less about using the proper fork at a dinner party, I like to avoid wearing suits - especially when their 'required', and chances are that I'll call you by your first name or even a nickname rather than Mr./Mrs. So-and-so if the mood should strike me. There is one place however, that I refuse to circumvent proper etiquette at all cost: On the felt.

I think this stems from a deep respect for the game of poker. Some might confuse the phrase 'game of poker' to be defined simply as an amusing pastime, but don't be fooled. Although poker is extremely entertaining, I think it is more accurate to define it as something like...

A competitive activity that challenges the skill, chance, and endurance of two or more persons who play according to a set of known rules; A game which requires a cerebral application of math, experience, psychological detection.
(Take that Webster!)

Now, when you look at it that way, you might agree that poker is something that deserves to be treated with class and respect. If not a respect for the game, then at least for your fellow players who are there to play poker and not listen to you give fuddled advice, berate dealers for bad hands or hum and haw during the hand when you folded on the flop and the river made you a flush.

I leave you with my Top 7 Poker Etiquette Rules I hold sacred:

1. Don't splash the pot.
2. Don't discuss a hand until it has been completed.
3. Don't cash out immediately after winning a large pot.
4. Don't blame the dealers.
5. Don't offer or ask for help from other players/spectators.
6. Don't talk on your cell phone during a hand.
7. Win/Lose gracefully.


Wishing you Big Pots and Bigger Flops,
Del


Read more about this subject:

Texas Hold'em Poker Etiquett

Basic Poker Rule and Table Manners

Proper Poker Behavior