Trouble in Poker Land

From the Tao of Poker blog, this post linking to other posts regarding cheating at a well known on-line poker site.

I like poker. I used to play a lot in high school and college in friendly games when you sit around the table with your friends getting high on too much Mountain Dew and maybe risk tomorrow's beer money. I like casino poker though I haven't had the time in the last few years to play but two or three times. I hate conspiracy theories and don't like to spread rumors, but the evidence of wrong doing at UltimateBet is too strong to ignore.

The business model of on-line only enterprises is going to continue to adapt and expand as our Internet connectivity continues to become more ubiquitous. As new services and activities are introduced, there will be problems. Paypal? E-bay? On-line banking? All have had their share of problems and have searched for solutions. So keep your cards close, and your wallet closer.

Quick Notes

Had friends over last weekend and have been remiss in recounting my media intake; a couple of teasers:

1. Went and saw Indy IV today. It was my first time in the movie theater since Noah was born. Noah and Saundra came along and both behaved themselves throughout (I kid... I kid... Saundra always behaves herself). More on this later.

2. Also, I finished Forest Mage Saturday night and had to run out and buy then final volume of the Soldier's Son trilogy, Renegade's Magic on Sunday. I thoroughly enjoyed the ending of Mage, but, without trying to spoil the book, its ending was very similar to the end of Royal Assassin. I am going to give Robin Hobb the benefit of the doubt and see where she is going with this. It is far to well written of a series to be so derivative of the first series without a good reason. I'll see what Renegade tells me on this subject.

3. Saundra and I watched Sicko tonight. While there is clearly some (okay, a lot of) propaganda going on inside this film, it is still a thought provoking exercise in the collective discourse of what we as citizens want out of our country and our government. I think that as November comes closer, we need to hear from candidates more about what changes need to be made in America and less that change needs to be made. The DVD had some interesting extras, but after 2 plus hours, you can only take so much.