DOYLISM OF THE DAY: “The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.”

I see where Huck Seed took 33-1 he could run a 4 minute 39 second mile. I’m a former miler, having run 4:38 to win the Texas State Championship in 1950.  I ran 4:18 in college, not very impressive by today’s standards, but I never trained and never had a competent coach; and the world record was 4:01. I know how tough it is to run when you don’t devote a lot of time to it. But Huck is an enigma, a physical freak with so much athletic ability, you can’t believe it.

Ten years ago, I bet Huck $20,000 he couldn’t break 4:20 in the mile. He lost, then we bet $50,000 on a 4:30 mile, after a year passed. He lost but ran 4:38 at the UNLV track, so I know he has done it before.  We bet $20,000 his brother Leif couldn’t run 4:15 and he did it easily, running 4:12 at UNLV. So although he probably won’t win the bet, I will take 33-1 for a big bet if anyone is interested.

I’ve got to give kudos to the team at DoylesRoom.  In our weekly bounty tournament we have Mickey Rourke, Nicky Hilton, Jamie-Lynn Sigler and the rap artist Eve as celebrity bounties this week.  DoylesRoom is the only poker site that could have gotten these celebrities to play in an online poker tournament.

The NCAA basketball tournament is down to the Final Four.  Pittsburgh was my team and now they are gone.  If North Carolina wins the tournament, I may have to move to a foreign country. These college players are terrific.  The center for Oklahoma is the best college player I’ve ever seen.

Finally there is action in Bobby’s Room at the Bellagio.  The Five Star World Poker Classic is starting and there are lots of players in town.  We have lowered the limits so more players are able to play.  With the economy so bad, I’m not sure we shouldn’t lower them even more.

-DB

DOYLISM OF THE DAY: “Life is one sweet song. Enjoy the music.”

I hope this football season gets through soon.  I only leave my desk and TV to go play poker when there is a game.  I thought I had the football needle out of my arm but it’s so much fun to bet and watch, I can’t help myself.  Anyway, in the NFL I think Pitt and Carolina will be in the Super Bowl.  And if Florida doesn’t beat Oklahoma by more than 3 points, I may be in the bread line.

It looks like golf may be the favorite gambling game among the poker players.  David Benyamine, Patrik Antonius, Phil Ivey and Daniel Negreanu are all playing and willing to play for big money if they think the games are close.  David and Patrik are amazing the way they have improved.  A year ago, neither one was much of a golfer but both being ex-tennis players, are great athletes.  Also, they have had good instructors and both guys are going to be able to break 80 before this summer is over.

I saw on the news last night that President elect Obama, who is an avid poker player, may introduce a new bill to legalize internet poker after he takes office.  Our country could certainly use the revenue in taxes that would be raised.  Obama faces the greatest challenge a President could imagine with the economy and terrorist threat.  I know Ivey and Negreanu both met Obama and he knew them by name so he for sure has an interest in poker.

There is a 15-year-old young lady named Margaret Hussman, a niece of a longtime friend, who has untreatable cancer and has less than 90 days to live.  My ex-roomate in college, Ray Hibler, called and asked me to write her an encouraging letter recounting my “terminal” battle with cancer 55 years ago.  Margaret is a poker enthusiast and I’m certainly going to call.  She is trying to spend her remaining days doing something new and enjoyable.  Send Margaret an e-mail at anne@ddgoose.com  I know she will appreciate it.  For all of us, there is no promise for tomorrow.  Happy New Year and lets all have a great 2009!