Quads?

I've added a new link (at right) to a blog I just found on a site that I have frequented for a long time. Steve Vai is one of the greatest guitarists around. I would go so far as to say he is the best of the best. Even if you don't know who he is, you've probably heard his music. Check him out.

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Admittedly, the title of this post is in bad taste. Here is why...

Yesterday, I had my poker play criticized by a quadriplegic guy. I sat next to him in a tournament a long time ago and have since seen him around, but this was the first time playing in a cash game with him. The tourney stint was shorter as cash games tend to go much longer with the same people. So there had to be a revalation.

This guy plays with the assistance of a friend who does not play. He lifts his cards for him to see then acts on whatever he says to do -- bet 25, fold, etc. My past impression was that he was quiet, a solid player, and a nice guy. I had assumed that he had a better perspective on the game and life since he had to "persevere" through something the rest of us have not. But it turns out he's a dick. (So I'll refer to him as Dick.)

Dick was in the 4 seat with his assistant in the 4 1/2 seat. There was a hand in which someone raised in middle position (it might have been me in the 9 seat). The 1s called and the 2s reraised. (BTW, I hate the term "reraise." A raise is a raise as far as I am concerned. But I admit it helps in describing hands in print.) It folded all the way back around to the 1s who made another big raise. It was an odd play and sent the 2s into the tank. He had only been thinking for about 20 to 30 seconds when Dick asked for a clock. The 3s seemed to be a friend of the 2s so he spoke up. DIck protested that it had been two minutes but the rest of us agreed that it had not been very long at all. We also all realized there was alot of money in the pot so a little time to think was certainly warranted. The floor man arrived and agreed with the majority (8-1 1/2...DIck's assistant had thrown in his two cents) and declined to start a clock. It didn't take much longer for the 2s to act, folding, and discussion resumed about Dick being too quick to call for time. Then he said, "I don't mind the decision. I'm just mad about your girlfriend getting involved." Dick, of course, was referring to seat 3. And that didn't go over well.

I was surprised. My perception of him was smashed. Then a very strange hand went down. Dick's handler left the table leaving the dealer to reach across and turn up the corner of his cards for him to see. He was under the gun with a straddle on. As the dealer showed him his cards, he exclaimed, "He saw my cards," with his eyes averted to his right toward seat 3. But the guy in seat 3 had been sitting forward with his head down and his view impeded by his own cap. 3s didn't say anything until directly questioned to which he simply shook head. Dick persisted a little longer but I defended the 3s as he had made no extra effort to see his neighbor's cards and it wouldn't matter anyway.

Dick finally gave up and called the $10 straddle. There were a couple other callers and I found A-Ko on the button. I raised to $55 to get rid of some of the limpers. Both blinds folded and the straddler in the 3s called. Then Dick completed a limp-reraise play declaring all-in for $210 total. It folded back to me and I thought about it for a while, trying to talk myself into calling. But I was at best in a race situation. I decided against it and folded. Back to seat 3. He thought for a moment then folded as well. Discussion broke out around the table and everyone egreed that I could have and, likely, should have called. Then Dick chimed in. He claimed to have had Aces and lectured me, "You shouldn't raise if you can't call." The 3s and I exchanged a look of bemusement. I entertained the statement and suggested that it did not actually apply to the situation at hand. He abruptly responded, "Yes it does!" Me: Done. There was no chance for a thoughtful conversation.

There were a few other times Dick made ignorrant and annoying statements throughout the night. For instance, he was called down through the turn by a player who had the nut flush and straight draws. The draws missed, they checked the river and, upon seeing the losing missed draw, he belittled the other player (a very strong player) querying, "Why were you calling?" He certainly solidified his new moniker.

SEEYa