“I like it because when people use a lot of poker lingo, it usually means they’ve been playing the game for a while. Which is why I immediately avoid those people.”

“Just because I tread heavily on propriety's toes doesn't mean I can't play the game when it's of use to me.”

“I don't play games with people's lives like you do.”

“Everyone's scared. So scared they can't sleep sometimes. Or eat. Or keep their weight on.""Then why bother playing?" I asked. It was a whisper, this question."Because. You love the game. You love the people you play with. You love winning, maybe. You love that one moment when you get it right . . . I dunno. Why do you play?""Because," I whispered, "it's who I am."Sounds like a good reason to me.”

“And that's why people no longer care which words they use as long as they use lots of them.”

“Your house, huh?""I've seen yours, I think it's time I show you mine.""Ya know, when people say that, they're not usually talking about houses."He chuckled. "Yeah, but we've already played that game. We can play it again later, if you like.”