Episode 15: The Lacework Kid

Show notes for Episode 15:

“Deal” by the Grateful Dead

Starting off with a song this time. Although I fail to mention it on the show, I want here to give a tip of the fedora to our buddy Dr. Pauly, who actually had something to do with this one turning up here.

Here are the Dead performing the song at the Boston Garden on May 7, 1977. The tune appears in numerous places throughout the Dead’s vast discography, the first time (I believe) on the 1981 double-LP Dead Set. Here are the lyrics:

Since it costs a lot to win, and even more to lose,
You and me bound to spend some time wonderin’ what to choose.
Goes to show, you don’t ever know,
Watch each card you play and play it slow,
Wait until that deal come round,
Don’t you let that deal go down, no, no.

I been gamblin’ hereabouts for ten good solid years,
If I told you all that went down it would burn off both of your ears.
Goes to show you don’t ever know
Watch each card you play and play it slow,
Wait until that deal come round,
Don’t you let that deal go down, no, no.

Since you poured the wine for me and tightened up my shoes,
I hate to leave you sittin’ there, composin’ lonesome blues.
Goes to show you don’t ever know
Watch each card you play and play it slow,
Wait until that deal come round, don’t you let that deal go down, no, no.
Wait until that deal come round, don’t you let that deal go down,
Wait until that deal come round, don’t you let that deal go down,
Don’t you let that deal go down, don’t you let that deal go down.

Big Deal (1990) by Anthony Holden

I read an excerpt from British writer Anthony Holden’s excellent nonfiction narrative recounting his year-long attempt to become a professional poker player. In the excerpt, Holden offers some thoughts about that old “poker is like life” analogy that I’ve been known to complain about from time to time on my blog. I think Holden does a nice job with the idea here, though, as he memorably outlines some of the reasons why poker fascinates us so.

One of a Kind: The Rise and Fall of Stuey “the Kid” Ungar (2006) by Nolan Dalla and Peter Alson

One more short excerpt, this time from the biography of three-time World Series of Poker champ Stu Ungar. This one I read mainly as a way of saying a few things about the game of gin, the game played in the feature presentation that follows.

“The Lacework Kid,” The Damon Runyon Theater (originally aired September 25, 1949)

Directed by Richard Sandville. Adapted from a Damon Runyon short story by Russell Hughes.

Here is a website with all 52 of the episodes of The Damon Runyon Theater that aired during 1949. And here is the Wikipedia entry on Damon Runyon. Another fedora tip to Aces88ss for the suggestion!

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