| Since the semifinals were scheduled to begin the | | | | Vegas Sun, another favorite. I was considered an |
| next morning, the tie-breaking games had to be | | | | underdog. Toward the end of my gin rummy |
| played that same night. Fourteen tired players | | | | game with Lass man, when we were both within |
| reported to a banquet room at the Sands for the | | | | twenty-five points of victory, I heard a loud cry |
| tie-breaking games which started about eight | | | | from the audience watching play at the other |
| o'clock at night. I understand there was an | | | | table. One of the officials walked by as I was |
| additional player with 15 and 5 who, for reasons I | | | | shuffling the cards. "What happened?" I asked him. |
| have never learned, did not show up. Possibly he | | | | He informed me, "Mr. Sleater needed a few points |
| threw in the towel too soon by not waiting to find | | | | to go out and made a quick knock, but Mr. Shubin |
| out if fifteen wins would make the grade. I won | | | | undercut him." |
| one of the six open finalist spots in the play that | | | | Acting strictly on a hunch, I made a mental note |
| night. Another of the spots was won by Bert | | | | that I would not nsk losing the game by an |
| Shubin, a realtor from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, | | | | undereut. I would wait for Lass man to knock or |
| whom I was to see again in the final match. The | | | | I'd get gin on him. It was a decision I was never |
| next day I breezed along to reach the semifinals. | | | | to regret. After a few minutes I was able to |
| The other three survivors were José Lass | | | | knock. But I didn't. A few plays later Lass man |
| man, a Mexico City sweater manufacturer; Ronald | | | | picked a card from the deck and dropped it face |
| Sleater, Sati Lake City businessman; and Bert | | | | down-meaning it was a hot card. Instead of |
| Shubin. | | | | putting it in his hand and studying it and taking bis |
| The semis and finals were covered by closed | | | | time, he seemed to panic and threw it in the |
| circuit television cameras. The audience followed | | | | discard pile. |
| each card player on large TV screens. This acted | | | | I picked it up faster than I ever picked up a card |
| as a slight healing balm to the kibitzers, but they | | | | in my life, went gin-and I was in the finals. Later I |
| stii fidgeted and whispered excitedly among | | | | met Lass man. He was wandering around in a |
| themselves, casting longing glances at the area | | | | daze mumbling, "I should have won... I should have |
| directly behind the players' chairs. Veteran gin | | | | won." He sorrowfully related that he had his cards |
| enthusiasts called my contest with José | | | | analyzed and that if I hadn't played my intuitive |
| Lass man the most exciting game of the entire | | | | flash and had knocked, he had a layoff on my |
| Tournament. Lass man was a strong favorite to | | | | hand that, while it wouldn't have given him the |
| win the tournament. Earlier in the day he had | | | | game, would have stopped me from going out. |
| elemi note Hank Green spun, editor of the Las | | | | |