I will continue analyzing the play of hands after the flop today by looking at two forms of 3 of a kind. There are three ways to make 3 of a kind in Omaha on the flop. First: the flop may contain 3 of the same rank. I will not consider this probability as it offers all players the same advantage. If you are holding two cards of the same rank and flop a third you will have 3 of a kind. This is commonly referred to as a set. When a pair flops and you hold a single card of the same rank this is referred to as flopping trips.

I thought I could win the hand with a pair of kings, but when an ace dropped on the river and the tough looking old woman opposite me went all in, I declined to call. A few hands later, she went all in again; this time her kings beat a pair of queens. It was a righteous win, so why did I feel uneasy? There was something about this wigwearing woman that made me wary. She wore a pound of makeup, even had some on the backs of her hands. Her lipstick looked like it was applied with a palette knife.

You don't have to wait for summer for poker to heat up in New York State. It's hot now and getting hotter!

Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, NY, is going even bigger . . . from 22 poker tables to 32. Construction starts after their Third Annual Empire State Hold'em Championship, August 14-21. To hone your tournament skills prior to the event, you can take advantage of any of 10 daily tournaments, most no-limit hold'em. The poker room is open 24-7.

[Editor's Note: This story is an adaptation of interviews and material that are part of Ms. Eolis' forthcoming book, Power Poker Dame.]

During the past several weeks, scores of poker players have taken their places on the set of the new poker movie, Lucky You, to participate in a piece of modern poker history. I was part of the crowd, counting the blessing of yet a third tony poker invitation in one week.

"Las Vegas of the Northwest" is how one visitor described the MUCKLESHOOT Casino, between Tacoma and Seattle. The largest casino in the NW, it is a handsome, modern, spacious property offering more than 70 table games, over 2,000 machine, keno, poker and Big Name entertainment.

Already a NW poker power with a large, luxurious, very professional room, Poker Manager Dennis Willits is preparing to nearly double the size of his operation, bringing the number of tables to over 35! "We are it for live action and tournaments," he explained.

Bobby Dunning left his birth place of Newark, New Jersey in 1964 to attend Gordon Military Academy in Barneville, Georgia. After graduation he entered Gordon's Junior College to prepare for the University of Georgia. In 1971 Bobby graduated with a BA in Business.

During Bobby's college days he worked as a bartender to help finance his education. Within a year of graduation Bobby built a bar in a hotel in Athens, Georgia. In 1974 the hotel went out of business and Bobby was looking for a new location.

It was a blast! Sunday, May 15; Gardena, Calif.- The ESPN Radio 710 Mason & Ireland Big Show Poker Tournament was held at the Normandie Casino; and I was privileged to be among the 200 participants in the no-limit hold'em tournament. With a $25,000-guaranteed first prize, the no-limit hold'em event was held to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a large portion of the prize pool being donated to help those living with the crippling disease. Sponsored by Newcastle Brown Ale. the event was organized by VIPPoker. (ESPN Radio 710 is also the "Home of Angels Baseball.")

Babe Ruth "was the greatest player in the history of baseball", declares bad-boy Pete Rose, prohibited from the Hall of Fame for betting on his sport. On the other hand, George Herman Ruth, notorious gambler, drinker, womanizer, and brawler, was among the first players named to baseball's Honor roll.

Anthony Reategui annihilates final table in No-Limit Hold'em Shootout, and takes $269,100 for first place

The most valuable ability in poker is often the least discussed. The element of surprise is the "sine qua non" tool of a successful player. It's the ability to avoid telegraphing what you have, the talent of hiding in the bushes, the wisdom of letting others do your betting, and the finesse of setting successful traps for your opponents. In the end, he or she who surprises the most will usually leave with the most chips.