John Carlisle

A guy named Philip used to be a regular at my home game. A quiet and somewhat socially awkward fellow, he could often go unnoticed for most of the night until everyone suddenly realized that he had silently accumulated a sizable chip stack.

After spending almost $80 per person to enter the theme park, the patriarch of the family dragged his wife and kids from ride to ride in a blistering pace. The kids were cranky, tired, and hungry. His frustrated wife suggested that they find a comfortable spot to sit for an hour or so to take a break. Although he knew it sounded like a good idea, he urged everyone to forge onward in an attempt to "get our money's worth."

After spending almost $80 per person to enter the theme park, the patriarch of the family dragged his wife and kids from ride to ride in a blistering pace. The kids were cranky, tired, and hungry. His frustrated wife suggested that they find a comfortable spot to sit for an hour or so to take a break. Although he knew it sounded like a good idea, he urged everyone to forge onward in an attempt to "get our money's worth."

Coaching in most sports comes down to two distinct focuses. One is game-day preparation, where you watch film, run drills, and repeat plays that you hope will help you beat your opponent. Another important part of coaching is inspiring the players. You have to find a way to get them pumped up to play but still in control of their emotions. When the chips are down on game day, you must invigorate them to continue playing hard. When players check the scoreboard and see they are in the lead, the coach's duty is to keep their confidence in check so they continue to fight hard.

With the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers still alive deep in the NBA playoffs this past season, NBA and ABC television executives were thrilled at the potential ratings juggernaut of a Kobe vs. Lebron finals. The Orlando Magic bested the Cavs, though, and many NBA fans and executives grumbled about what might have been. Efforts were make to pump up the Dwight Howard vs. Kobe Bryant angle, but those efforts flat lined.

There is a long-held myth among many involved in the gaming industry that gambling is one of the few recession-proof industries out there. The mindset behind this sort of thinking seems to be two-fold. First, many gamblers are either addicted or have psychological compulsions to bet, and they'll continue to play no matter how tough the economic times are.

Second, gamblers are drawn in by the hope of the big jackpot and easy money during hard economic times. This theory assumes that some folks are more likely to gamble when their bank accounts dwindle and they're chasing the big score.

With the football team down by a point in the fourth quarter, the coach had to come up with a play to convert a critical fourth-and-one situation. He called a quick hand-off to the bruising fullback. Normally used only as a blocker, the big fullback took the handoff and immediately met opposition from a hungry linebacker who'd broken through the line unchecked. The fullback kept his legs churning, leaned forward and limped his way to a one yard gain. After a measurement, it turned out to be just enough to move the chains.

With most of us are busier than ever, it's more and more difficult to find time to play poker. When you are finally able to carve out a few hours from your hectic schedule to dash into the poker room, you want to have a winning and enjoyable session. Because winning every time is an impossible featâ€"even for poker's very bestâ€"we can't rely on that to be the only criteria that keeps us coming back.

You've sat in traffic for what seems like an eternity. What is supposed to be a fast- moving freeway has been converted into a parking lot, and you've held the brake pedal for so long that your foot is starting to pain you. Finally, you see flashing lights of police cars and tow trucks ahead of you.

Clipping up the interstate at a quick rate in his sports car, a client of mine was sipping his coffee on the way to work one early morning. Without warning a mini-van violently crashed into the side of his car while trying to merge into the heavy flow of traffic.