Randy's poker haven in LA

Dishes clatter as Kathleen prepares for tomorrow's special breakfast. The prestigious Saddlebrooke Ladies Adventure Club (SLAC) will gather at our Tucson house tomorrow for Katie's waffles and Poker Lesson No. 2. Besides chat and poker rudiments, there will doubtless be frequent references to our weekend pilgrimage to the Gambler's Garage in Los Angeles, where the senior pastor of the Church of Good Poker hosted Kathleen and all the regulars in his weekly No Limit Texas Hold 'em services.

St. Paul Katie pretty much just donated to Sunday's collection plate, but she did meet more than enough genuine Angelino characters to heartily regale her ladies tomorrow morning.

Fast Eddie, (left) for example, was the first to show. His job is to set up some side proposition bets (first person to get two aces, first person to bust out and picking the ultimate winner) to add some interest to the day. Kathleen happily won three of those prop bets so she was able to at least cover her entry fee. Not enough for $3 gas back to Tucson, but a nice amount, nonetheless. Eddie's the "joke a minute" guy. He's got the sharpest wit at a very witty table. Sort of the Shecky Greene of the Church of Good Poker.

Doc aka Dr. Phil (above) actually IS a doc, a psychologist who composed, sang and strummed a birthday ditty to ex-Minnesotan Mark Rikess (aka Reckless, shown getting his Bday hug) celebrating his 59th. Doc's an aggressive, cigar-smoking poker player and always a favorite with the ladies.

Reckless probably wasn't the oldest player at the table. That distinction may go to Larry, (left with Randy) a retired screenwriter known as Notorious Chips, who alternates at the felt with his wife, Joyce. She cut and dished the Reckless cheese cake Sunday. Joyce's handle is "EPG", which stands for El Pistolero Grande. She never backs down from the boys, never afraid of a "showdown."

Reckless not only got a song and a cheese cake, but some very sexy Joe Boxer house pants, replete with snappy poker sets and phrases boasting that he's got "quite a pair." Remember, he's not sixty yet. Mark Rikess is dubbed "Reckless" , because he plays so many marginal to weak hands and makes many "loose calls," which he announces as such, and never lies about it.

Then there was 42nd Street, (Sandra) a dance instructor, duh. One of her dance students is EPG (Joyce). Her non-poker-playing husband had a lot of problems with her disappearing for hours at the poker palace...UNTIL she started bringing home money. She recently won a casino tourney and made $1200.

Buyback (Michael Schaffer) plays poker professionally and has no other job. But he doesn't ease up, plays it straight, even among his friends. He was a winner Sunday. He and is wife recently gave birth to a baby girl, MacKenzie.

You JAG fans will probably recognize Karri Turner, (aka Momma, right) a regular at Randy's table. She had a lead role in that hit TV production for 11 years. Now she has done multiple USO tours to Iraq. On Sunday, she wore the t-shirt: "Momma needs a new pair of Choo's." (Jimmy Choo's are expensive women's shoes, if, like me, you didn't know.)

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Randy's house was built in 1927, allegedly by Hollywood producers who wanted an after-hours trysting spot. Not sure if that is apocryphal or what, but each of the bedrooms was built with an outside exit. The home has been owned by a number of stars, including Barbara Stanwyck.

Randy rented the house, then bought it a number of years ago, and it makes a wonderful bachelor pad as well as a great investment. For most of those years, the garage served as a, well, garage full of junk. Bitten by the poker bug a couple of years ago, Randy pulled out all the stops and created a carraige house suitable for classy poker rendezvous.

(Believe it or not, Randy has dial up, no high speed line, so these photos are presented intentionally in a small format. The rest of America, with high speed lines, should double-click to enlarge these photos and see all the glorious detail of Randy's room and friends. In the meantime, Randy, you better hurry up and read quickly, as you might be missing an important phone call.)

The richly-appointed poker den continues themes set up in the house and includes a 3/4 bath, wet bar and a classic queen-size Murphy bed; and of course, there's a custom-made burgundy felt poker table that can seat 10 under a massive stained glass fixture. The garage doors swing like old-fashioned carriage doors, letting California weather into the game.

Randy loves the Pre-Code Hollywood era (1927-1934), when movies were hot and uncensored...just like the poker games at the Church of Good Poker. His art-deco room reflects that with selected movie posters honoring his regulars and his period memorabilia. The vaulted ceiling accepts a huge overhead bookcase and a wall system displays tons of movies and music.
Much of the money that paid for the "poker palace" came from Randy's late father, Oscar, who named his fledgling congregation at Bad Medicine Lake in the early '60s, "the Church of the Good Creation." Hence, "the Church of Good Poker." A photo of of the Rev. watches kindly over the proceedings.

Randy's poker name is "Hat Daddy", because he started it all and at first always wore a porkpie hat to the games.

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When the gamblers went home, the bed dropped down and Kathleen and Stan spent three wonderful nights in the garage. A fine host and friend, that Randy.

Maybe next time we'll bring along the Saddlebrooke Ladies Adventure Club. The ultimate road trip and the perfect venue for their new poker skills!