The Hard-Boiled Poker Radio Show

It seemed unlikely, I know, that there'd ever be another post here. I'm sure everyone thought the Hard-Boiled Poker Radio Show had gone the way of so many other poker podcasts over the last several years, never to be heard from again. But like a runner-runner straight unexpectedly coming to save your tourney life, the show goes on! Show notes for Episode 21: This episode highlights the great comic actress Lucille Ball, star of film, radio, and television. Also given some attention in this one, of course, is Desi Arnaz, Ball's husband of twenty years and I Love Lucy co-star. “Strip Polka” by the Andrews Sisters, music and lyrics by Johnny Mercer There's a burlesque theatre where the gang loves to go
To see Queenie the cutie of the burlesque show
And the thrill of the evening is when out Queenie skips
 And the band plays the polka while she strips.

 “Take it off, take it off,” cries a voice from the rear.
“Take it off, take it off.” Soon it's all you can hear.But she's always a lady even in pantomime
So she stops! And always just in time.

 She's as fresh and as wholesome as the flowers in May
And she hopes to retire to the farm someday.
But you can't buy a farm until you're up in the chips
 So the band plays the polka while she strips.
 “Take it off, take it off,” all the customers shout.
“Down in front, down in front,” while the band beats it out.
 But she's always a lady even in pantomime
So she stops! And always just in time.

 Queenie, queen of them all.
Queenie, someday you'll fall.
Someday church bells will chime
In strip polka time.

 Oh! She hates corny waltzes and she hates the gavotte
And there's one big advantage if the music's hot.
It's a fast moving exit just in case something rips
So the band plays the polka while she strips.

 Drop around, take it in, it's the best in the west.“Take it off, take it off, take it off, take it off” -- yell like the rest.
Take her out when it's over, she's a peach when she's dressed
But she stops! And always just in time.

 Queenie, queen of them all.
Queenie, someday you'll fall -- ouch!
 Someday the church bells, the ol' church bells will chime
In strip polka time. “Be a Pal,” My Favorite Husband, June 18, 1950 This show ran from 1948-1951 on the CBS Radio network, a comedy starring Ball and Richard Denning as Liz and George Cugat (later Cooper). The show provided inspiration for Ball's landmark TV series I Love Lucy (1951-1957). As I explain, this particular episode was a reworking of an earlier one on the radio show (assigned the title “Be Your Husband's Best Friend”) while also providing the basis for one of the first I Love Lucy episodes (see below). There were 124 episodes altogether, many of which are available over at the Internet Archive. Along with Ball and Denning, Gale Gordon and Bea Benaderet appear as the Atterburys, with Ruth Perrott as Katy, the maid. Jess Oppenheimer produced and directed the episode, and he also co-wrote the script with Madelyn Pugh and Bob Carroll, Jr. Marlin Skiles composed the music, with Wilbur Hatch conducting. “Be a Pal,” I Love Lucy, October 22, 1951 At the end I play a couple of audio excerpts from the second ever episode of I Love Lucy, one that borrowed the plot and many lines from the earlier radio show. Any feedback on the show is welcome, as are suggestions for further episodes. Here's hoping it doesn't take as long for me to get to Episode 22. Download.

Show notes for Episode 20:This episode focuses primarily on the great actor, singer, comedian, and “man of 1,000 voices” Mel Blanc.“Money” by Mel Blanc, music and lyrics by Stan Freberg and Ruby Raskin.Don't want no lovin', don't want no kissin',Don't want no gal to call me honey.Don't want my name in the Hall of Fame,Just want a big fat pile of money.Give me that all mighty dollar, for that lettuce hear me holler.Give me buckets full of ducats, let me walk around and wallerIn Mazuma, el dinero, wanna be a millionaro.Give me money, money, money, money, money.I want that green ammunition, that's the stuff for which I'm wishin'.Fill my closets with deposits, I'm a demon at addition.Give me sheckels, give me pesos, let me see their smiling face-os,Money, money, money, money, money.I wanna get me a suit that's made out of lootAnd whistle the wearing of the green.I've got that monetary-itis, like to be just like King Midas,Want that golden touch is what I mean.Give me that old double eagle, want that tender that is legal,And financially substantially any sum I can inveigle.Wanna live in regal splendor, with that lovin' legal tender, Give me money, money, money, money, money.I'm a greenback collector, I'm a paper bill inspector,I'm a savage for that cabbage, man, to me it's golden nectar.Pour that filthy lucre on me, spread those lovin' germs upon me,Give me money, money, money, money, money.Just let me roll 'round upon it, stuff those bank rags in my bonnet,Any kind just so some president has got his picture on it.Let me feel it, let me hold it, let me sit there and fold it,Give me money, money, money.I wanna car load of cash, the kind I can stashA vat full of vo-do-de-oh-dough.You know your banker never lets it matter whereabouts you gets it.Has you got it, boy? That's all he wants to know.Give me treasure I can measure, 'cause that's my idea of pleasure,Give me wampum, guilder, Jesus, let me count it at my leisure, Let me live in regal splendor with that lovin' legal tender, Give me money, money, money, money!And if they ever plant trees of E Pluribus Unum,I wanna be the guy that they send out to prune 'em!Money, money, money, money, money!“Bonanza Bunny” (1959) and “Barbary-Coast Bunny” (1956)I talk a little bit about a couple of old Bugs Bunny cartoons in which our favorite rabbit finds himself playing cards during the 19th-century gold rush. Included in there is a hand of blackjack in which Bugs defeats his opponent after standing on just one card!“The Postman's Ball,” The Mel Blanc Show, October 15, 1946Not hard to find episodes of this one on the intertubes. Here is a site where you can listen to just about all of them streaming on the web, and here is another where you can download most as .mp3 files. This particular episode stars Mel Blanc, Mary Jane Croft, Earle Ross, and Joseph Kearns. The music is by Victor Miller and His Orchestra, and Bud Hiestand is the announcer. Read more about Mel Blanc's long, varied career over on Wikipedia. As I mentioned before, the show will soon be syndicated over on the Poker Radio Network, which from what I hear should be up and running fairly soon. Stay tuned! Download.

Show notes for Episode 19:“The Opposite of a Peace Sign” by James McManus, an excerpt from his book Cowboys Full: The Story of Poker (2009).I start the show with an excerpt from one of the later chapters in the new history of poker by James McManus (Positively Fifth Street). The chapter originally appeared as a column in the June 10, 2008 issue of Card Player magazine.This passage comes amid a discussion by McManus of some of the associations made over the years with the ace of spades. In particular, this excerpt focuses on how the card was “played” (so to speak) during the Vietnam Conflict.“Ace of Spades” by Motörhead (1980)Could not possibly have an episode with this title and not pay homage to Lemmy and his mates, could we? The lyrics:If you want to gamble, I tell you I'm your man.You win some, lose some -- it's all the same to me.The pleasure is to play, it makes no difference what you say.I don't share your greed, the only card I need isThe ace of spades, the ace of spades.Playing for the high one, dancing with the devil,Going with the flow -- it's all a game to me.Seven or eleven, snake eyes watching you.Double up or quit, double stakes or splits,The ace of spades, the ace of spades.You know I'm born to lose, and gambling's for fools,But that's the way I like it baby,I don't wanna live forever.And don't forget the joker!Pushing up the ante, I know you've got to see me,Read 'em and weep -- the dead man's hand again.I see it in your eyes, take one look and die.The only thing you see, you know it's gonna beThe ace of spades, the ace of spades.“Fatal Ace of Spades,” Nick Harris Detective, July 15, 1938There is not a lot of information out there regarding this show. Here is the cast as best as I can make out from their listing at the end of the episode:The episode starred Betty Carmine, Olive Thomas, Jack Coster, Thomas Melba, Eddie Bryan, Malcolm Belairs, Robert Moore, Aldine Brennamen, and George Conkling. Eric Laurens was the announcer, with Nicholas B. Harris appearing as well. The script was written by Ralph Brookhart, and the show was directed and produced by Carolyn Carol.Anyone with more info about Nick Harris Detective, please feel free to send it along. Also, anyone with suggestions or ideas for future shows, do either leave those here in a comment or contact me via email at shamus at hardboiledpoker dot com.In other news, I mentioned at the end of this episode plans to have the show syndicated over on a new internet streaming station called the Poker Radio Network, currently set to launch in early December. More to come on that. Download.

Show notes for Episode 18:“Counting Beans” by John Fox, an excerpt from his book Play Poker, Quit Work and Sleep Till Noon! (1977)I read a short selection from the entertaining and informative strategy text by John Fox, a book that preceded both Doyle Brunson's Super/System and Mike Caro's Book of Tells. Click here to read my Hard-Boiled Poker post in which I discuss the book further. In the excerpt, Fox tells a story of how he devised a system for keeping track of statistical data at the poker table -- and how all of his careful planning was nearly spoiled in dramatic, humorous fashion.“Gun Shy Gambler,” The Lone Ranger, November 15, 1944Starring Brace Beamer (The Lone Ranger) and John Todd (Tonto). Directed by Charles D. Livingstone.Here is the Wikipedia entry on the Lone Ranger, which includes the story of the long-running radio show. Sites with many of the episodes are available all over the web -- here is one with nearly 1,000 episodes of the show. Download.

Show notes for Episode 17:“Turn the Cards Slowly” by Patsy Cline; written by Sammy Masters (1955)Turn the cards slowly while you're dealin', darlin'.Please don't double-deal to win my heart.Turn the cards slowly while you're dealin', darlin'.Don't go breakin' rules right from the start.The ramblin' gamblin' reckless way you treat my heart's a sin.Each night down on my knees I pray your gamblin' ways will end.Turn the cards slowly while you're dealin', darlin'.And if you stack the deck, then I'll move on.“House of Cards Worth $220,000” by Pat Putnam, from Sports Illustrated, May 31, 1976 issueI read excerpts from an article about the 1976 World Series of Poker Main Event. You can access the full article online in the Sports Illustrated “vault” -- an archive of all SI articles -- by clicking here. “Jack of Clubs,” Pat Novak, for Hire, February 20, 1949.Starring Jack Webb (Pat Novak), Raymond Burr (Police Inspector Hellman), Tudor Owen (Jocko Madigan), Betty Lou Gierson, Victor Perrin, Ted de Corsia, and Herb Butterfield. Music by Basil Adlam. Produced and directed by William Rousseau. Announced by George Fenneman. Download.

Show notes for Episode 16: Most of this episode is taken up with the main feature. By the way, it appears whatever problems I was having before with iTunes have been resolved, so the episodes should all be appearing over there as before. Enjoy!“The Poker Game,” The Burns and Allen Show (originally aired March 7, 1944)Starring George Burns, Gracie Allen, and Jimmy Cash. Guest star Alan Ladd. Music by Felix Mills and His Orchestra. Announcer: Bill Goodwin. Here is a website with about 40 more episodes of The Burns and Allen Show. And here is the Wikipedia entry on the comedic couple. Download.

Show notes for Episode 15: “Deal” by the Grateful DeadStarting off with a song this time. Although I fail to mention it on the show, I want here to give a tip of the fedora to our buddy Dr. Pauly, who actually had something to do with this one turning up here.Here are the Dead performing the song at the Boston Garden on May 7, 1977. The tune appears in numerous places throughout the Dead's vast discography, the first time (I believe) on the 1981 double-LP Dead Set. Here are the lyrics:Since it costs a lot to win, and even more to lose,You and me bound to spend some time wonderin' what to choose.Goes to show, you don't ever know,Watch each card you play and play it slow,Wait until that deal come round,Don't you let that deal go down, no, no.I been gamblin' hereabouts for ten good solid years,If I told you all that went down it would burn off both of your ears.Goes to show you don't ever knowWatch each card you play and play it slow,Wait until that deal come round,Don't you let that deal go down, no, no.Since you poured the wine for me and tightened up my shoes,I hate to leave you sittin' there, composin' lonesome blues.Goes to show you don't ever knowWatch each card you play and play it slow,Wait until that deal come round, don't you let that deal go down, no, no.Wait until that deal come round, don't you let that deal go down,Wait until that deal come round, don't you let that deal go down,Don't you let that deal go down, don't you let that deal go down.Big Deal (1990) by Anthony HoldenI read an excerpt from British writer Anthony Holden's excellent nonfiction narrative recounting his year-long attempt to become a professional poker player. In the excerpt, Holden offers some thoughts about that old “poker is like life” analogy that I've been known to complain about from time to time on my blog. I think Holden does a nice job with the idea here, though, as he memorably outlines some of the reasons why poker fascinates us so.One of a Kind: The Rise and Fall of Stuey “the Kid” Ungar (2006) by Nolan Dalla and Peter AlsonOne more short excerpt, this time from the biography of three-time World Series of Poker champ Stu Ungar. This one I read mainly as a way of saying a few things about the game of gin, the game played in the feature presentation that follows.“The Lacework Kid,” The Damon Runyon Theater (originally aired September 25, 1949)Directed by Richard Sandville. Adapted from a Damon Runyon short story by Russell Hughes. Here is a website with all 52 of the episodes of The Damon Runyon Theater that aired during 1949. And here is the Wikipedia entry on Damon Runyon. Another fedora tip to Aces88ss for the suggestion! Download.

Show notes for Episode 14: Raymond Chandler & PokerThe show begins with a brief explanation of an quote about poker often attributed to the great hard-boiled novelist, Raymond Chandler. The line comes from his 1953 novel The Long Goodbye, although often the exact words uttered by the narrator-protagonist, the detective Philip Marlowe, get transformed somewhat. I refer to a couple of posts over on Hard-Boiled Poker in the segment. The post “Raymond Chandler Said a Lot of Things” explains with a little more detail how Chandler has been misquoted. Another post, “Raymond Chandler & Poker,” collects a few references to poker from Chandler's fiction and letters.“The Hot Hundred Grand Caper,” The Adventures of Sam Spade (originally aired September 19, 1948)Starring Howard Duff (as Sam Spade, pictured). Also starring Lurene Tuttle and Sadie Thompson. Written by Bob Tollman and Gil Doud. Produced and directed by William Spier.Here is a detailed article about the radio series, written by Martin Grams. The article is an excerpt from Grams' book The Radio Adventures of Sam Spade. And here's a link to an archive with over 50 episodes of the show. Download.

Show notes for Episode 13:“Everything is Wild” by James ThurberJames Thurber's hilarious poker-themed short story, first published in the New Yorker in 1932. Vera Valmore helps out with the voices in this one.The story can be found in several places, including in a Thurber collection titled Middle Aged Man on the Flying Trapeze. It also appears in John Stravinsky's 2004 compilation of poker writings titled Read 'Em and Weep: A Bedside Poker Companion.“The Gambling Lesson,” The Life of Riley (originally aired April 27, 1946) Starring William Bendix (as Chester A. Riley). Also starring Paula Winslow, Scotty Beckett, John Brown, Todd Hausner, and Jerry Hausner. Produced by Irving Brecher. Directed by Don Bernard. Here is the Wikipedia entry for The Life of Riley radio & television shows. Download.

Show notes for Episode 12:Excerpts from Total Poker by David Spanier (1977)Published before many of the other, “classic” examples of poker journalism such as Al Alvarez' The Biggest Game in Town (discussed back in Episode 1), Anthony Holden's Big Deal, and James McManus' Positively Fifth Street, David Spanier's 1977 collection of essays titled Total Poker smartly covers a wide range of poker-related topics. On today's show, I read from a couple of different chapters in Spanier's book. First I read excerpts from a chapter titled “Morals” in which Spanier examines differences between amateur and professional poker players. I conclude with a paragraph from his chapter about poker in the movies in which Spanier makes a connection between poker and old Westerns.If you're interested, click here to read my full review of Spanier's Total Poker, which I wrote for my blog, Hard-Boiled Poker, back in the summer of 2007. “The Gambler,” Gunsmoke (originally aired October 7, 1956)Starring William Conrad (Matt Dillon), Parley Baer (Chester), Howard McNear (Doc Adams), Georgia Ellis (Kitty). Also starring Lawrence Dobkin and Ralph Moody. Produced and directed by Norman Macdonnell. Written by John Dunkel. Music composed and conducted by Rex Koury.Here is the Wikipedia page that covers both the radio and television versions of Gunsmoke. And here is a site where you can download and listen to more episodes of the show. Download.

Show notes for Episode 11: “Five Card Stud” by Lorne Greene, from his 1965 album Lorne Greene's American West. The song was written by Wally Gold and David Hill. Here are the lyrics:I remember it well, it was a hot rainy nightWhen that stranger rode into townAnd tied up his horse at the Rainbow Cafeand bought everybody a round.“Hey bartender, break open a new deck of cards,Let's have some good, honest fun -- ha!Now, a sociable game for a dollar or two,That never hurt anyone.Now, put your money right down on the table, boys,The name of the game... five card stud.Deal slow and easy from the top, son,The name of the game... five card stud.”That poker game lasted all through the night,It lasted all through the next day.But one by one, they had to drop out.When they had no more money to play.That night there was only the strangerAnd a cowboy -- a young friend of mine --They shuffled the cards and the crowd sensed the endAs they put all their chips on the line.“Now, put your money right down on the table, boys,The name of the game... five card stud.Deal slow and easy from the top, son,The name of the game... five card stud.”After four cards were dealt to the young cowboy's hand --Two kings, everybody could see -- But the stranger's hand, looking better than his, Showed an ace, and an ace, and a three.The last card was dealt to the young cowboy's hand, And when he turned up a third king,Why that stranger just smiled and threw in his cardsAnd he left without saying a thing.Well after he'd gone, they turned over his cards,And surprise showed on everyone's face.Oh, they'll never know why he got up to goWhen his card in the hole was an ace!Now in poker all the rules say that aces beat kings,So in truth, the stranger had won.But out of the crowd, just the two of us knewThat the stranger was playing his son.“Now, put your money right down on the table, boys,The name of the game... five card stud.Five card stud, five card stud, five card stud....”“Poker Chip Draw,” The Cisco Kid (originally aired February 19, 1957)Starring Jack Mather (as the Cisco Kid) and Harry Lang (as Poncho).Here is a website where you can find about 200 of the over 600 episodes of The Cisco Kid. And click here if you would like to read O. Henry's 1907 short story, “The Caballero's Way,” in which the character of the Cisco Kid -- very different than the hero depicted in the movies, radio shows, and on television -- was introduced.Finally, here is that old episode of the TV show The Cisco Kid I mentioned on the show, titled “Buried Treasure.” Incidentally, this episode originally aired on February 19, 1952, exactly five years (to the day) before the radio show featured on this podcast was first broadcast. Download.

Show notes for Episode 10:Most of this episode is taken up with the feature presentation, another old radio show featuring poker. The show begins on a train, which reminds me of a card trick I once learned while riding on a train. The first segment finds me performing the trick for you, dear listener, as a lead-in to the show...“Come, Fill My Cup,” CBS Radio Mystery Theater (originally aired June 27, 1977) Hosted by E.G. Marshall. Written by Sam Dann. Starring Larry Haines, Russell Horton, Earl Hammond, and William Griffis.Here is the Wikipedia entry on the CBS Radio Mystery Theater which provides a good overview of the series (which ran from 1974 to 1982). Here is an incredibly thorough guide to all 1,399 episodes. And here is a site that is one of several around the web with other episodes. Download.

Show notes for Episode 9:“Stud Poker,” Calling All Detectives (originally aired September 2, 1948)Another mystery from the casebook of Jerry Browning, Private Detective. Starring Paul Barnes (who voices all of the parts).As I mention on the show, Calling All Detectives originally started out as an “interactive” program, with Barnes calling listeners to see if they could solve the mystery. I have (sort of) recreated the idea here, stopping the show with a couple of minutes remaining to give you a chance to try to solve the case. (Good luck.)And speaking of luck, click here to learn more about the dice game of “Chuck-A-Luck” that is played in the show.“The Case of the Poker Murders,” Nick Carter, Master Detective (originally aired May 21, 1946)Starring Lon Clark (Nick Carter), Charlotte Manson (Patsy Bowen), and Ed Latimer (Sgt. Mathison). Script by Max Early. Music by George Wright. Produced and directed by Jock MacGregor. Here is the Wikipedia page describing the radio show. And here is a fairly detailed website that gives a historical overview of the Nick Carter character. Download.

Show notes for Episode 8:“Tales from the Tables” by Bob Woolley(a.k.a. Rakewell, the Poker Grump)The “Poker Grump” offers sketches of three characters he has encountered at the tables in the Vegas card rooms as well as while playing on the virtual felt.For more of Bob's tales from the tables, check out his blog. In particular, take a look at this recent post in which Bob recounts a number of characters he encountered during an evening at the Hard Rock. “Silver Dollars” by Billy Collins (1977)After a bit of background regarding Wild Bill Hickok -- gleaned in part from Des Wilson's book Ghosts at the Table (2008) & James McManus' CardPlayer article titled “Aces and Eights” (8/21/2007 issue) -- I read a poem by Billy Collins that humorously revisits the story of Hickok's demise.Collins' poem originally appeared in his first collection of poems, titled Pokerface. It is also anthologized in John Stravinsky's Read 'Em and Weep (2004).“Aces and Eights,” Frontier Gentleman (originally aired April 20, 1958) Written, produced, and directed by Antony Ellis. Starring John Dehner, John McIntyre, Jeanette Nolan, Jack Moyles, Larry Dobkin, Stacy Harris, and Vic Perrin.Here's the Wikipedia entry on the show, and here is a link to an archive of what I believe is all 41 episodes of the show. Download.

Show notes for Episode 7:“Dolan's Poker Party” (ca. 1925-29) by Frank CrumitFour aces and a joker is a lovely hand at poker -- All the money in the pot is yours according to the law.Though I never like to gamble, let me say without preambleThat I am a trifle partial to a quiet game o' draw.On Thursday night McCarty organized a poker party.There was Dolan, Martin, Doyle, and Reilly -- six of us in all.Although the game was very quiet, but it ended in a riotSure they overturned the stove and smashed the pictures on the wall.Listen and I'll tell ye how the trouble did begin:Dolan opened up a pot and three of us went in.'Twas opened for a quarter and when Dolan won the potHe counted it and found that sixty cents was all he got -- ho ho ho ho ho.Oh, Dolan got excited and declared that he would right it.He got up and intimated he was ready for a bout.Then he reached for Reilly's Galways which he carried with him alwaysAnd before we could prevent it he had plucked a handful out.Just to keep the ball a-rollin' I declared meself for DolanSure they threw me on the floor an' slammed the stove upon me back,All o' the furniture was broken and I carry yet a tokenOf the luck I had the night that Dolan opened up the jack.All the furniture was broken and I carry it a tokenOf the luck I had the night that Dolan opened up the jack. Here's a brief bio of Frank Crumit. As mentioned on the show, the song appears on Ricky Jay Plays Poker, a collection of old poker songs compiled by the sleight-of-hand artist. And here's that interview with Ricky Jay from NPR's Weekend Edition in which he discusses the collection. “Poker and the Written Word” by Tim PetersThis time Tim offers an interesting overview of the history of poker books, reaching back to George Devol's Forty Years a Gambler on the Mississippi (1887) to Herbert O. Yardley's The Education of a Poker Player (1957) to Doyle Brunson's Super/System (1978) on up to the present day (and beyond). Send Tim your thoughts to pokerbooks at mac dot com. And visit his website, The Literature of Poker, for reviews and other interesting writings related to poker and the written word. The Education of a Poker Player by Herbert O. YardleyI read a short excerpt from the beginning of Yardley's classic instructional manual-slash-autobiography. Click here to read my earlier post about the book, written last year to mark its fiftieth anniversary.“Poker Game,” Fibber McGee and Molly (originally aired February 23, 1943)Starring Jim Jordan, Marian Jordan, Bill Thompson, and Harlow Wilcox.Here's the Wikipedia entry on the show, and here is a link to a large archive of old episodes. Download.

Show notes for Episode 6:Audio from the 2008 World Series of PokerThe show begins and ends with some sound from Day 1a of the Main Event, recorded July 3, 2008. “Four Men and a Poker Game, or Too Much Luck Is Bad Luck” by Bertolt BrechtThis story was originally published in a German literary magazine in 1926. You can find it in John Stravinsky's terrific 2004 anthology of poker writings titled Read 'Em and Weep.“The Ambassador of Poker,” Escape (originally aired April 4, 1950)Produced and directed by William N. Robson. Starring Elliott Reid (as Randolph C. Fairburn), Lucille Meredith, and Ben Wright. Based on the short story by Ahmed Abdullah, a.k.a. Alexander Nicholayevitch Romanoff (adaptation by John Dunkel).Here is the Wikipedia entry on Escape, and here is an archive where you can find many of the episodes. Download.

Show notes for Episode 5:“Tales from the Tables” by Bob Woolley(a.k.a. Rakewell, the Poker Grump)The “Poker Grump” shares some anecdotes about drunks he has encountered at the tables.If you don't know who Red Skelton was, here's a short biography of the comedian and long-time star of radio and television.“Little Queen of Spades” (1937) by Robert JohnsonShe is a little queen of spades and the men will not let her be.She is the little queen of spades and the men will not let her be. Every time she makes a spread,cold chill just runs all over me. And I'm goin' get me a gamblin' woman if it's the last thing that I do. Goin' get me a gamblin' woman if it's the last thing that I do. A man don't need a woman,hoo, fair brown, he got to give all his money to. And everybody say she got a mojo baby been usin' that stuff.Everybody says she got a mojo ‘cause she been usin' that stuff.She got a way trimmin' down hoo, now babe, and I mean it's most too tough. Well, now little girl, since I am the king, fair brown, and you is a queenSince I am the King baby, and you is a queen Let's we put our heads together hoo, fair brown, then we can make our money green.“The Queen of Spades,” Mystery in the Air (originally aired September 11, 1947)Starring Peter Lorre, Henry Morgan, Maureen Tuttle, Peggy Webber, and Ben Wright. Based on the 1833 short story by Alexander Pushkin. Here is a description of faro that originally appeared in The Merry Gamester: A Practical Guide to the most popular card, dice and board games of the English speaking world, from ancient times to 1900 by Walter Nelson. And here is that site where you can play faro online, a nifty flash player created by Sean Gleeson. Download.

Show Notes for Episode 4:“Poker Woman Blues” (1929) by Blind BlakeI love to gamble, gamblin's all I doI love to gamble, gamblin's all I doAnd when I lose, it never makes me blueI gambled away my money, I gambled away my shackI gambled away my money, I gambled away my shackSame way I lost it, same way I get it backI won a woman in a poker gameI won a woman in a poker gameI lost her too, win another just the sameSometime I'm rich, sometime I ain't got a cent Sometime I'm rich, sometime I ain't got a centBut I've had a good time, every way I wentI got a new mama, ain't gonna gamble her awayI got a new mama, ain't gonna gamble her awayGoin' to keep her with me each and every day“Tales from the Tables” by Bob Woolley(a.k.a. Rakewell, the Poker Grump)The “Poker Grump” returns with the continuation of his list of stupid things players say at the tables, including the ever-popular “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner.”For the first part of the list, check out Episode 2.An excerpt from The Gambler by Fyodor DostoevskyIn which Granny comes to Roulettenburg and wants to go to the casino.A couple of years back, I wrote a series of four posts about The Gambler titled “Dostoevsky Is Not Considered Summer Reading” in which I discussed how the novel might be of particular interest to poker players. Those posts begin here. “Hitchhike Poker,” Suspense (originally aired September 16, 1948)Starring Gregory Peck (Ray Fowler) and Ed Begley (Belden). Produced and directed by Anton M. Leader. Written by John and Gwen Bagney. Here is the Wikipedia entry on Suspense. Hundreds of episodes of Suspense remain available. Here is a page containing a sampling of some of the best. And here is a story about Utah's recent license plate poker contest. Download.

Show Notes for Episode 3: 2007 World Series of Poker Player of the Year Tom Schneider (author of Oops! I Won Too Much Money) starts the proceedings. Excerpt from “Strip Poker,” Stop Messing About! (July 12, 1970)Excerpt from “Jack's Trip to Las Vegas,” The Jack Benny Program (May 23, 1954)Starring Jack Benny, Don Wilson, Bob Crosby, and Mel Blanc. Here is the Wikipedia entry on Jack Benny, and here is a link to about 600 other episodes of The Jack Benny Program. For more on the history of the Flamingo Hotel, click here.“Playing Poker With Charles Coburn,” Duffy's Tavern (originally aired May 4, 1949)Starring Ed Gardner (Archie), Charlie Cantor (Finnegan), Eddie Green (Eddie), and Hazel Shermet (Miss Duffy). Guest starring Charles Coburn.Here is a a terrific, comprehensive history of Duffy's Tavern, and here are links to other episodes of the show.Leave yr comments, suggestions, and other whatnot here on this post, or send them to shamus at hardboiledpoker dot com. And if you haven't already, go subscribe to the show in iTunes! Download.

Show Notes for Episode 2: “Poker and the Written Word” by Tim PetersTim discusses Jesse May's 1998 novel Shut Up and Deal. As Tim explains, May is also known for having been “The Voice of Poker” on the British TV show Late Night Poker (1999-2002). In fact, during the first season of the show May hosted the show as Mickey Dane, the name of the central character in Shut Up and Deal.Along the way, Tim mentions a couple of other poker novels: Rick Bennet's King of a Small World (1995) (which he recommends) & Richard Jessup's The Cincinnati Kid (1963). (I wrote about Jessup's novel early last year.) For those interested in some other poker novels, Tim also provides the following list of titles (no particular recommendations intended, here): Tap City by Ron Abell (1985); Broke: A Poker Novel by Brandon Adams (2008); Lucky at Cards by Lawrence Block (2007); The Rebuy by Burto Deluchi (2007); The Prop by Pete Hautman (2006); Texas Poker Wisdom by Johnny Hughes (2007); Dead Money: A No Limit Poker Mystery by Rudy Stegemoeller (2007); Deadman's Bluff (2006) & Deadman's Poker (2006) by James Swain; The Picasso Flop (2007) by Vince Van Patten & Robert J. Randisi; and The Perfect Play (2005) (called The Big Blind in the U.K.) by Louise Wener.You can read Tim's reviews for CardPlayer along with other writings at his website, “The Literature of Poker.”“Who Played Poker With Pocahontas When John Smith Went Away?” (1919) sung by Fanny Watson(Sam M. Lewis / Joe Young / Fred Ahlert)From the musical Monte Cristo Jr. Here are the lyrics (again, as well as I can make 'em out):Looking through my historyI find a little mysteryAbout a certain dame.How did little PocahontasTake John Smith for all his wampus?There! I know her game!He taught her how to play poker --She sent him home without his dough.But every time that John came backHe found her with a larger stack.Here's what I'd like to know . . . Now, who played poker with Pocahontas when John Smith went away?She always dressed up so pretty.Somebody must have spent the kitty.She wore a bluff just like every Indian that led John astray.Johnny's pipe of peace goes out the day he quit.When he came home he found his piece of pipe was lit.Now, who played poker with Pocahontas when John Smith went away?Now, who played poker with Pocahontas when John Smith went away?She always dressed up so pretty.Somebody must have set the kitty.She wore a bluff just like every Indian that led John astray.He called on her one cold night in an awful storm.She had no coat but still he kept her always warm.Now, who played poker with Pocahontas when John Smith went away?“Tales from the Tables” by Bob Woolley(a.k.a. Rakewell, the Poker Grump)The “Poker Grump” returns with a list of stupid things players say at the tables, in particular focusing on a couple of categories: "Compliments" & "Clichés."You can read more of Bob's tales -- of both the grumpy and non-grumpy varieties -- over at his blog, Poker Grump.“The Killer Cards,” The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe (originally aired January 12, 1951)Starring Sydney Greenstreet (Wolfe) and Gerald Mohr (Archie Goodwin). Also starring Betty Lou Gerson, Jay Novello, Howard McNear, Barney Phillips, and Bill Johnston. Hosted by Don Stanley.Here is the Wikipedia entry on the show (in all of its versions), and here are links to other episodes of The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe (the Greenstreet version).You can leave comments and/or suggestions here on this post, or send them to shamus at hardboiledpoker dot com. Also, you can now subscribe to the show in iTunes! Download.