Something important happened when professional artist Sandra Palmer discovered poker. "Suddenly, my lifelong passion for art and my new passion for poker fused in a kaleidoscope of ideas and inspiration," she told Poker Player.

Since then, Sandra has been producing some of the most unique, acclaimed art for poker players. Especially popular have been her eye-catching cardprotector pieces. Working with heavy metals like zinc and nickel plate, she designs card-cover pieces that are a little larger than a silver dollar.

Nothing stays the same, except some poker players. You can always tell a poker player; but, you can't tell some of them very much. You can go back in six months to your favorite brick and mortar poker room or online room and find some players that are playing the same way and still losing. The new rise of fresh players and the arrival of softer games are things that successful players watch and adapt to. Where a loose approach in late position worked several years ago, today you can find yourself called and outrun by looser players.

The way millionaire sports handicapper and professional personality Wayne Allyn Root remembers it, his fascination with big time politics took root - yes, that IS a pun - about the time he was handing out Barry Goldwater for president material while cradled in his father's arms.

I was in a $300 buy-in no-limit cash game last Monday. I felt good and made all the right moves. Don't you love it when that happens? I sure do. I played rock star poker that evening, fearless like a rock star but careful and wise at the same time.

I took my seat and the guy to my left tried to chit-chat with me repeatedly-about nothing. "Buddy, give me a break," is what I thought. The man just would not zip it. When blinds came around he'd say things like, "Why don't you straddle?" I'd smile, thinking I'd laugh later.

It is only normal to remember the good things that happen to us. But sometimes losing a hand can be memorable and educational too.

I asked Benny Asher to check out my computer. He's an old drinking buddy who keeps up with computer technology. My email was all screwed up. I didn't know what to do, short of buying a new computer.

Benny explained in too much detail what I could do, but it was beyond my ken. I said, "Benny, I'll pay you to make a house call."

"No way, Joe, but I'll accept a dinner at Chico's."

"Sounds fair to me. How about tomorrow?"

Everyone has heard the old expression, "Time flies when you're having a good time." Well, I guess it's true because this is my 100th column for Poker Player Newspaper and I've enjoyed having my messages on these pages for the last four years.

Cherokee Casino - Living on Tulsa Time

There is a certain peaceful serenity among the people from the South. Seldom have I found that to be truer than during my two visits to Cherokee Casino in Catoosa, Okalahoma, which is located near Tulsa. I was eager to return to Cherokee to see if the incredible hospitality I experienced during my first visit was a fluke. It wasn't! The staff all go out of their way to make sure that customers have a good time and are treated like royalty.

In the first part of this column, two issues ago, I identified the rewards of playing poker while traveling. There are many. There are also risks. The biggest risk, I've found, is weariness. When I travel, especially to all-night gambling venues like Las Vegas and Atlantic City, I have a hard time getting a good night's sleep. This is partially due to the natural affects of being away from home and my comfortable bed and pillow (and wife). But it's also a product of the extra adrenaline that's pumping through my veins in these exciting places.

Where does poker fit in our universe? I'll tell you where it fits. It fits right between precipitation and obscenity. It is a little less common than rainforests, but a tad more common than a revolver.

Poker ranks 18,443rd in our lives. Chess ranks 9,033rd.

I hear you ask, "What the heck is the Mad Genius talking about?" I'm talking about where the word "poker" appears on a web site: Wordcount.org