You don't get much more American in name than "Jones." Now, add the ever-popular, stretching-back-to-Biblical-times name of "Mary" and you might paint a picture of an All-American gal named Mary Jones going nowhere near a poker table, much less Las Vegas.

While other out-of-town players might have to fight jet-lag or hotel-napping and, if they lose, then suffer the long journey home with their tale between their legs, the hometown player like Alaei can stroll down the familiar streets.

Graeme Newman is a man who recently proved that online poker is far from dead, and is offering greater and greater prizes for tournament play.

"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" is the well-known slogan for one of poker's mainline cities. What the public relations or marketing blitz from Las Vegas won't admit is that for most of us what usually stays in Vegas is our money. And it can even happen to the pros, of course.

Now, what can a guy glean from one sport into another sport to increase his skill level in one or the other? Well, the obvious answer or clue might depend on the similarities of the sports. So how about soccer and poker? That's what Ralph Perry deals with in his life.