Put on your poker face

There are a mind-boggling number of poker-playing options these days. In addition to Las Vegas — that arid armpit I once called home — and the always fun guys' poker night, there are now a huge number of poker web sights. (Pun intended.) You can play poker with amateurs and card sharps from every corner of the globe  all the while sitting in your underwear. Or less. In the virtual world, one's identity, hygiene, even clothing is optional.

The problem, of course, is that unless you know what you're doing, you're bound to lose that very same shirt you're not wearing. You need some expert advice. I know of no better advice than that given many moons ago by Kenny Rogers. No, not the baseball player, the singer. Yeah, that one. No, he's not dead. Seriously.

For a sip of your whiskey, he'd give you this advice: You've got to know when to hold 'em; know when to fold 'em. Know when to walk away, and know when to run.

Continued...