What Hobby had planned for a cruise as a nice way to get free lessons on how to win tournaments turned into a near disaster. We were interrupted during dinner at a Catalina restaurant by a trio of robbers. Diamond Jim, our poker pro, rather than give up his valuable rings put them into his cup of coffee. After the proprietor cold cocked the guard at the door with a baseball bat, Hobby and I took out the other two perps in a thrilling assault. In the pursuing excitement, Jim took a big draft of coffee; he swallowed one ring and choked on another until Hobby executed a Heimlich maneuver. One ring popped out, but Jim's vocal chords were so badly injured he could only emit a hissing sound.
Our cruise on Lazybuns back to home port was notably absent any words from Jim, but all-in-all the weekend was a memorable adventure. As Jim left he handed Hobby an envelope that went unnoticed in the course of our goodbyes. returned to my condo to work on a movie script I was re-writing.
When Hobby called, I had already forgotten about the failed tournament lesson.
"Guess what, Joe?"
"C'mon, Hobby, you know I don't like guessing games. Just tell me; what's up?"
"The envelope, the one Diamond Jim gave me when he left; there was only one word inside. Just one word ... HAWK. I don't get it, do you?"
"I've got to believe Jim was seriously trying to help you, so let's think about it," I said as I tried to imagine what Jim meant by his cryptic message.
"I have been thinking about it all morning, Joe, but I don't see how it will help my tournament play."
I didn't know either, but I could give it a shot. "Okay, Hobby, let me try to interpret. Jim's probably suggesting you should let the hawk inspire your play. Think about the bird, how it just seems to float high above the action, effortlessly. With its fantastic vision it's always observing, looking for prey. When it spots a vulnerable victim, it dive-bombs and attacks ruthlessly."
"That's good, Joe. See if I understand. When I'm in a tournament I should rise above the action, be aloof and watch everyone like a hawk. Then, when an opportunity arises I should make an aggressive move, swoop in and destroy my opponent. I get it, Joe. It's great advice. The more I think about it, the more I realize my strategy has been all wrong. This is wonderful; I feel I have a great new insight into how I can win at tournaments. I can't wait to try it out. Maybe we should go to Vegas this weekend. How about it?"
"Whoa, Hobby, don't get carried away. You know there's a hell of a lot more to winning than behaving like a hawk. It's an interesting concept, as far as it goes, but it's just a single idea. You need a complete game to play effectively. Incidentally, I'm working on a job and I'll be out of town for a week."
"I'm sorry you'll be gone. Maybe I'll just check out games at the local casinos. But, Joe, I think you're missing the point. I know I have to have more than the hawk idea to win, and I've got it, but what I have been missing is an inspiring model to put me over the top."
"Good luck, my friend. I'll give you a call when I get back."
Actually, I didn't have to call Hobby. He left me a text message asking if I would stop by Lazybuns when I got back Saturday. "Hey, Hobby, what's the good word," I said when I boarded.
"I had a great week, Joe. My new strategy is working. I made money playing tournaments on the internet and I finished second at Hollywood Park last night."
"That's great. Is it the hawk thing?"
"That's part of it, but I soon learned you can't be a hawk all the time, especially when you're on a short stack. I developed a secondary strategy. I'm into the animal images now. I thought what kind of animal would be safe from a hawk? Even big animals can be attacked and have their eyes gouged out, but it came to me, a turtle!"
"A turtle?"
"Yes, when I get short-stacked I go into my shell. I don't make any marginal bets; I just wait for the right hand and circumstances and then I go hawkish again. It's been working, Joe. I've got to call Diamond Jim and thank him for putting me on the right track. I'll get him on the speaker phone."
"This is Jim; who's calling?"
"It's Hobby. I want to thank you for giving me that great advice."
"Hi, Hobby it's good to hear from you. You say advice?"
"Yes, to be a hawk!"
"A hawk? What are you talking about?"
"The note you gave me, Jim."
"Oh, that. I got a confession to make, but keep it to yourself; I can't write. I put some letters on the paper H.A.W.T. Maybe you thought my T looked like a K. The letters are like abbreviations. I meant we Had A Wonderful Time. Anyway, now that I can talk again, next time you come to Vegas, I'll be happy to tell you everything I know about playing tournaments. How's that?"
After Hobby hung up he looked at me while shaking his head saying, "I can't believe I was so stupid."
"Actually, Hobby, you were brilliant to devise a winning strategy, whatever the inspiration."
Hobby beamed and said, "Yes, of course! You're right, Joe, thanks for the kind words."
Write to author David Valley at: dvalley1@san.rr.com
