Is it ok to write an article without any agenda other than to just let loose one

[Peter Costa]

I used to love writing when I had something to write about.  Sadly, my lack of live play has ensured that I am running on empty as far as material is concerned.  However, in saying that, the past can still come to the rescue….

The place, Nottingham. The time, back in the days when I almost knew every poker player. The game is Pot Limit 7—card stud.

On the table sits my brother Kim. I hated playing on the same table as my bro, but sometimes there was only one table going. Kim also hated playing against me. He used to say said that I confused him too much.  Or in his words, “you do my f…ing brain in”. I loved Kim to bits, but hated the fact that he used to sometimes gamble  too much in poker. And although that was mostly in the past when we used to play 5-card strip deck, it didn’t stop me from worrying about him. In fact, if I won and he lost, I felt sicker than if I had lost. But I think with 7-card Stud, Kim had found a game that curtailed any gambling instincts.

It could have been the case that the game was already riddled gamblers through an influx of Chinese players?  Perhaps he had learnt that gambling in poker needed immense control?  Either way, it looked like 7-Card Stud was an answer to Kim’s prayers.  Just as importantly, I also seemed to find the kind of peace that can only come through watching your brother win on a very regular basis. 

Then one night, it was getting late and the game had got bigger and bigger as 4.am and closing time at the casino loomed ever closer. The chasers were chasing and the winners destined for a good night’s sleep. Suddenly, a big pot was developing…..

Looking at Kim’s card on fourth street, his 3-4 of spades looked like they needed another spade. On fifth, Kim got his spade, but it was only a small one. In fact, with him being last to act and four players betting and raising before him;  my old habit of worrying about bro again began to surface. When he picked up the cash to call the bet, I cringed. Inside I was begging him, “please Kim, please don’t call”. For starters, the fourth street better paired his cards as did the fourth street raiser. If that was not bad enough, the other two in the pot seemed to have bigger flushes.  Kim looked in serious trouble.  Suddenly, all hell breaks loose as two of the players jumped up from their seats with the intent of attacking each other across the table.

“Gentlemen, pleeeeeease”, I heard Kim say. Kim’s words seem to do the trick and calm was restored.  The bad part was that Kim made the call. I don’t recall if any of the five players in the hand had any money left on the table, but the mother of all pots was well and truly established.

Kim won the hand. He had made a straight flush just before the fracas began.  Needless to say, “gentlemen pleeeeeae”,  became two words that Kim often heard over the coming weeks. Especially by the two players that held Kings full and Queens full during that hand.  Fun times!

[StuartHopkin]

Nice story Peter, a friend of mine used to run a pretty big game I believe in Notts, he always tells me that strip deck and 7 card stud is proper poker, etc

He has some great stories, wondered if you had ever played his game, or knew him.

The infamous Colin Wing?

[paulhouk03]

any more stories?

[Peter Costa]

Nice story Peter, a friend of mine used to run a pretty big game I believe in Notts, he always tells me that strip deck and 7 card stud is proper poker, etc

He has some great stories, wondered if you had ever played his game, or knew him.

The infamous Colin Wing?

I remember playing at a place in Notts run by an older English guy called Colin -- would that be him? 

[julian]

i miss kim,
i'll always remember him quietly tut-tutting when another of my bonehead plays backfired,
good memories

[snoopy1239]

Sorry to ask a delicate question, but am I right in thinking that people are talking about Kim in the past tense, hence he has sadly passed away?

[StuartHopkin]

Nice story Peter, a friend of mine used to run a pretty big game I believe in Notts, he always tells me that strip deck and 7 card stud is proper poker, etc

He has some great stories, wondered if you had ever played his game, or knew him.

The infamous Colin Wing?

I remember playing at a place in Notts run by an older English guy called Colin -- would that be him? 

Yeah probably, If i remember correctly many of his stories involve Taffy and a pretty sizeable game in some back room in Radford.

[julian]

Sorry to ask a delicate question, but am I right in thinking that people are talking about Kim in the past tense, hence he has sadly passed away?

hey snoops,
not that i'm aware of...you'll have to excuse my non-journo type posting

[Woodsey]

Nice story Peter, a friend of mine used to run a pretty big game I believe in Notts, he always tells me that strip deck and 7 card stud is proper poker, etc

He has some great stories, wondered if you had ever played his game, or knew him.

The infamous Colin Wing?

I remember playing at a place in Notts run by an older English guy called Colin -- would that be him? 

Yeah probably, If i remember correctly many of his stories involve Taffy and a pretty sizeable game in some back room in Radford.

Here you go Peter, that one name should trigger a few stories you can tell us...........

[GreekStein]

lol now Taffy is a character!

[Chili]

Sorry to ask a delicate question, but am I right in thinking that people are talking about Kim in the past tense, hence he has sadly passed away?

Only past tense Snoops as in he doesn't play poker anymore, and to quote him from last week.

"I can't believe I wasted so much hard earned money and time on that game over the years" 

[redsimon]

Sorry to ask a delicate question, but am I right in thinking that people are talking about Kim in the past tense, hence he has sadly passed away?

Only past tense Snoops as in he doesn't play poker anymore, and to quote him from last week.

"I can't believe I wasted so much hard earned money and time on that game over the years" 

What's Kim doing nowadays? He was a fearless cash player when I played at the Gala

[julian]

Sorry to ask a delicate question, but am I right in thinking that people are talking about Kim in the past tense, hence he has sadly passed away?

Only past tense Snoops as in he doesn't play poker anymore, and to quote him from last week.

"I can't believe I wasted so much hard earned money and time on that game over the years" 

wow,
tell him to come to his senses please & that not every game is rigged!