Wise men speak because they have something to say. Fools speak because they have to say something. -Plato

Of the 149 funerals held for the victims of the suicide bombing of Las Vegas' Crystal Poker Room, Delia Harris attended a total of 39. Putting aside her own grief over the death of her fiancé, the poker champion Jonathan Gray, Harris crisscrossed the country attending the funerals of murdered poker players.

Early in the 16th century, the Italian author and statesman, Niccolo Machiavelli, wrote his most famous book, The Prince. This work has been studied and debated for centuries and has made Machiavelli's name a symbol of political unscrupulousness. "Si guarda al fine" is one of The Prince's most famous passages, which translates to: "One judges by the result."

Poker is a funny game. It may be the only game where in order to play your very best, you need to instantly forget about your most recent results. Anytime we drag a big pot, there's a little voice in the back of our minds telling us: You played it right! You deserved to win! And we want to believe that voice. It's a perfectly natural, instinctive human response-but in poker it can be a disastrous mistake.

Holding pocket kings, Fred raised pre-flop in a ten-handed hold 'em game. Two others called. After burning a card the dealer placed A-J-2 on the table. "Ace magnets," Fred muttered to himself. Cautiously he bet again. One player folded; the other called.

The dealer placed another ace on the table. Figuring that the second ace made it less likely that his opponent had an ace, Fred led the betting again. His opponent just called.

The response to my metaphors-in-poker column (Poker Player Newspaper, June 9) was overwhelming. There were several outstanding contributions from readers for unique poker-related metaphors. One person confused metaphors with similes; many people do that. Even so, the contribution from Nick G. who plays at the Lucky Chances Casino in Colma, Calif., is noteworthy:

It began as a trip to the World Series of Poker-to play in the $1,500 HORSE event. It has turned into a multi-faceted poker journey filled with many poker sessions in more than forty poker rooms in Las Vegas, Laughlin, and Southern California. I've met many poker celebrities and had many interesting adventures. Let me give you a brief taste of the experience.

Trump Plaza, which towers 39 floors above Atlantic City's Boardwalk, opened its East Tower Poker Room, featuring twelve, automated PokerPro® tables where hands are dealt electronically to players seated at a traditional-style poker table. There is a clear view of the pot size and chip count during this interactive game.

PokerPro® is expected to attract traditional poker players as well as those who have been curious about the game, but didn't have an opportunity to get into some of the city's bustling poker rooms-until now.

Most players will admit that poker is a people game as opposed to a pure card game. That's because there is a limit to the study of such things as odds and the value of hands. There's no limit to knowing the variety of people that come to play and how complex each player can be, and endless lessons can be learned about what drives poker players. Is it skill, luck, or the endless variety of playing styles?

Hobby and I were having lunch at the Marina Deli. It was one of those grey coastal days when the temperature hung in the low sixties and the dampness made it feel cooler.

"I should have worn a jacket," I said as I shuddered.

Social aspects aside, the goal of poker is to win as much money as possible. And since playing poker takes time, winning as much money as possible equates to optimizing your hourly win rate. Making the best decisions possible whenever it's your turn to act is part of time-efficient playing. But it's not enough.