The world of poker includes some well-known celebrities. In playing against them, I have often found the experience to quite enjoyable, but different than I expected.
Telly Savalas, television's Kojak, was a frequent and respected tournament player. Unlike his TV persona, Telly was a quiet, low-key, and courteous man. He was one of 60 players that I was competing with in the Commerce Club (LA Open) $120 buy-in super-satellite for a $5000 entry fee into the No Limit Hold'em final event. Second place would get $2000. After playing some of my best poker for over three hours, everyone was eliminated but Telly and me. The two of us then played for 40 minutes before a sizable crowd. It was exciting and great fun as the lead changed hands several times. Finally, I bet all my chips. Telly called without hesitation and turned over AK. He smiled as I turned over QQ. (It was a classic no-limit confrontation). But before the dealer could put out the next three cards, Telly suggested we split the first and second place prize money since "neither of us deserves to lose." I accepted his offer and we shook hands. When he got his $3500, he popped a lollipop into his mouth and headed into the LA night.
I went to school with a friend who was producing movies for Charlton Heston in Hollywood. When I visited my friend one weekend, he had set up a doubles tennis match at Mr. Heston's (friends called him Chuck) house in the LA hills. Chuck and his son would join us for tennis followed by some poker. As we drove to Chuck's home, my friend filled me in on Chuck. He was wealthy (commanding MILLIONS per picture), gracious, and friendly. He was also notoriously tight with the dollar, some would say "cheap".
After cordial introductions, we headed to his tennis court. I brought a new can of tennis balls, but Chuck said he had a can with "only a few sets on them". During the match, I bounced an overhead over the fence. It rolled under a tree at the edge of a steep drop-off. Chuck headed out the gate insisting that he could retrieve the ball. We followed. The next thing I knew, I was holding one of "Moses'" legs as he parted the branches of the Red Sea (I mean the green tree). He scooted precariously out to the edge and got the ball. I was beginning to see what my friend meant by "cheap".
After the match we went inside for some refreshments. Chuck glanced through his mail. He opened an annual dues notice from a very exclusive and expensive local country club. Mr. Heston turned to his son and said, "I'm thinking of dropping this membership. It's not the money, but we rarely use it." His son sheepishly recommended keeping it. Later my friend told me that Chuck was an "Honorary Member" and incredibly had to pay only $1 per year.
Now it was poker time. Chuck left and returned with a roll of dimes and a roll of quarters for each of us. The game would be draw poker. There would be a dime ante and a quarter maximum bet. The first hand Chuck bet a dime and I was the only caller with a pair of kings. Chuck drew two cards and I drew three cards. Chuck bet another dime. I hit a third king and raised a quarter. Chuck looked a little surprised and pondered my raise. Finally he said, "too rich for my blood" and folded-- showing 3 aces as he did so. My friend just looked at me knowingly and smiled. At this point Chuck had to leave unexpectedly and we quit. I cashed out the big winner (50 cents ahead) and left a little bemused and dazed.
