James Acquaintance and I were playing one-pocket at Speeds, because I wouldn’t play him at 9-ball and he wouldn’t play me at snooker or straight pool. I don’t know why we always went through such a negotiation before we played; there was never any money on the line. We didn’t want to miss out on other action because we had something going on (or at least, it’d look like we did).

As one game started, James broke and it was my turn to shoot I took a drag off my cigarette and headed to the table. As I passed James walking back, he grabbed my arm to stop me. He flicked a small piece of cigarette ash off my collar, looked me right in the eye, and said, “Keep it clean, dude.” At an opportune point later in the evening, I asked James what difference it made if I had a bit of ash on my shirt…after all, he’d smoke a pack or more over the course of an evening. He had to have his own ashes, right? “Look me over. Find one spot. I’ll lay you odds if you want.” Of course, he was right about his appearance, and the reason why.

Gambling, and especially proposition wagering like a game of pool or other endeavor, is mostly about inviting action. You want people to want to be around you. As much as people may want to take your money, only a really serious person is willing to go through some unpleasantness to get it. Those are the people you don’t want coming after you, obviously. You want to the mark, Joe Chump who is out on a Friday night to have some beers and some fun, and will gamble with you for a little bit of a thrill. He isn’t thrilled if you’re dirty or smelly.

This is true in most walks of life, including the poker table. If the worst player at the table gets up because your jeans are torn or your shirt stained or you haven’t showered, you’ve cost yourself money. If you’re verbally abusive to anyone, dealer or other players alike, you’re creating the same negative atmosphere. Negativity rarely translates to positive results.

NP: “Live at the El Macombo”, Elvis Costello and the Attractions. This disc is included in the “2 1/2 Years” box set that also includes Costello’s first three records. When you see him now in car commercials and singing with Burt Bacharach in Austin Powers movies, it’s easy to forget how edgy, aggressive, and flat-out brilliant his early work was.