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Yes, the deck's been stacked
against me at various times in my life, but I've overcome
every cold deck I've faced. I'm enough of a dreamer to realize
what got me through might have been that elusive something
a gambler calls luck. But I'm also enough of a realist to
know that, in general, we make our own luck-through knowledge,
skill, and experience. And that goes for the game of poker
as well as the game of life.
In the summer of 1933, I was born in the West Texas town
of Longworth, a spot on the road consisting of a few houses
and a general store. I don't suppose the population ever
exceeded one hundred. We had only two industries in the
area, farming and a US. Gypsum plant. My dad worked for
Planters Gin Company, and while he didn't make much money,
there was always food on the table and a little extra for
the kids once in a while. We lived in a four-room frame
house at the time, with an outhouse at the back. I remember
thinking when I was little that, if I ever got any money,
I'd bring the plumbing indoors. It used to get mighty cold
on those prairies during the winter.
There were five of us living at home when I was small: Dad,
Mom, my sister Lavada, my older brother Lloyd, and myself.
It was crowded but we didn't mind. There was a lot of warmth
and a lot of love.
My mother was a religious, God-fearing woman who did her
best to raise us with a sense of moral values. I suppose
a good deal of that has remained with me. She used to tell
us that you'll find good in every man if you look hard enough.
I've always tried to remember that and act accordingly,
although sometimes it's been mighty difficult considering
some of the unsavory characters I've come in contact with.
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