Six Poker Players You've Met

It is a carry-over from his contracting business, where he is considered a tough but fair boss. Next to Wad, Bully is the wealthiest member of the group. He has argued for increasing the stakes: "That'll make it a livelier game." The majority, with Wad in the van, insist it is lively enough now. Nevertheless, Bully succeeds to some extent with blind early raises: "Let's build the pot." These often provoke spiteful reraises.

Although he denies being superstitious, he likes to change seats when he is losing, and he has special quirks such as keeping a blue chip on top of each stack.

When he wins a pot with a full house, he announces, "Three of a kind—plus a wee little pair."

Four of a kind in his hand are, "Two pairs—identical."

Bully gloats when he wins and gripes when he loses. A bad run makes him grumble and bellow and pound the table. "What does a man have to do to win a pot around here?"

The answers run to the ribald.

Merely tolerated by the other players, he is the darling of the kibitzers, for whose benefit he jests and shows off. Their presence brings out the best in his game. "I like to have people watching," he says. "The more the merrier."

"That's because you're a pathological exhibitionist," Wad once answered.

"And what do you think you are?" Bully roared.

Wad knew he had scored.