Where's your better half?

That was one of the dealers at the Muckleshoot Casino last night who knows Michelle and me as semi-regulars, often sitting at the same table. I gave my standard answer for those nights when Michelle doesn't accompany me to the card room: She's in the trunk.

Actually, we haven't been playing together much lately. Michelle got tired of poker and decided to take a break. I still go a couple times a week, but usually during the day when she's off working for a living.

Plus it feels like we've both been on a sustained, Mariners-like losing streak, and that gets old.

We did play together on Thursday night at the Roxy, the dumpy little card room in White Center, pretty close to our West Seattle house. I won a bit, Michelle only lost $13, so that felt like a huge victory. And then I dragged a few pots again last night at the Muck, including a big score when I flopped a straight flush.

Gambling's more fun when you win.