A Mean and Vicious Player

Angelo is a nice guy. Sort of. When you catch him in the right mood.

He was born in Italy, has a sharp mind, and strikes some people as being very abrupt.

He owns one of the best Italian restaurants in Phoenix. It is an upscale restaurant with glass and mirrors and it's called the Avanti. Now I don't know what the word Avanti means in Italian, but I would suspect it has something to do with romance, wealth, wine or power.

I play poker with Angelo almost on a nightly basis at Talking Stick Casino near Scottsdale, AZ. Angelo and I play Omaha High-Low, either $4-8 or $8-16 with a half kill.

The $8-16 game is more interesting to me because the dealer deals a round of Omaha High-Low, and then switches to seven-card stud high-low. Angelo loves the high-low game and uses it to relax from the stress of his life as a merchant.

He enjoys razzing me about my raises. Both of us like to raise, but we do it in our different ways.

He will ask me what I raised with and of course, I never answer him. Then he will ponder his hand before deciding whether to call my raise, re-raise me, or throw away the hand.

I asked him about his restaurant and he said it was the best with everything. Salads, 'escargot, spaghetti, wine, whatever, Angelo said it was the best.

I accepted his offer to dine at the restaurant. I enjoyed the Chardonnay, the salad made especially for me, and the angel hair spaghetti with meatballs.

Angelo's employees talk about him with respect and told me he treats them like family. He has met many celebrities and film stars and has his photos with them posted in the lobby.

After the very satisfying dinner, I head back to the casino. Angelo is already there and I take my seat across from him.

'I enjoyed your food very much,' I say, picking up my cards.

'I knew you would like it. I raise.'

'Call. I loved the 'escargot as an appetizer.''

'That is one of my specialties. Why did you call?'

'Because I think I have you beat.'

If you are in Phoenix, make reservations at Avanti. You will definitely become a regular.

Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.

(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).