As our reputations grew, we were invited to more and more games in private dubs and homes. For the most part, these games were for rich oil men and cattlemen who had a hankering to take on young professionals like us. It was safer playing in these games than playing in back rooms where you took a risk every time you won a fair amount. I've been hijacked a few times, and I can tell you it's not a pleasant experience to be looking down at the business end of a shotgun.

Sailor, Slim, and I stuck together for six years or so, and we had some mighty fine times. Once in a while we were down, but we managed to hold our own better than most. Our partnership finally broke up after our first big trip to Las Vegas. We lost our entire bankroll-close to six figures-and believe me, there's nothing more cantankerous than three broke gamblers. We went our separate ways after that but have remained close friends to this day.

In 1960, I met my wife, Louise. She was a pharmacist in San Angelo, Texas, and I courted her for about two years. She was something worth winning, you see, and I can tell you I had an uphill fight persuading my sweetheart that I was her one and only She was convinced I was married, and it took a heap of testimonials to convince her that I was single and available. I worked harder for our first date than anything I've ever done in my life. After I asked her to marry me, she had to think twice about permanently hitching up with a professional gambler. She had a lot of doubts. It wasn't what most girls were doing at the time. I finally convinced her and we were married in August of 1962.