StefYour father just wanted to protect you from the seedy element that surrounded poker and casinos and backroom games. It was one bet he didn’t want to risk. It shows that his love for you was deeper that you can imagine. You should write your book and if there are some things about the game(s) that you don’t understand I’m sure you can consult some of the card players that knew your father and have them fill in the blanks and maybe share with you some of the most memorable times that they had with him. I remember reading an article about your father. The article mentioned that he didn’t play many Hold ‘em tournaments, but of the 30 that he played he placed first in 10 of them. To me that’s an amazing feat. The article didn’t mention the other finishes, but I’m sure he placed in the money. I feel that all of us each and every one of us have a certain talent, but sometimes we don’t want to pursue it for fear of how others judge us. I feel that your father was very gifted and had a passion for what he did and that’s what made him great. Passion can go a long a way…it becomes a part of you, your soul. I use to play a lot of pool and I knew a few pool players that were very talented. I would watch them run racks of 9-ball and think nothing of it, but they had other problems with drugs and alcohol or would take their winnings and loose it at the race tracks…. sometimes I ask myself how or why they seem to have so much going for them? I have no answers, but can only admire their true gifted ability to do what they did. I often wonder if the success is like a monkey on their backs. I just don’t why? I hope that everyone who reads these postings respects and understands what a gifted and talented person your father was.