"Why thank you, Grizz" Kate replied.  She hoped her smile didn't look too fake.  Many people think that a great poker game is found when strong players butt heads.  In reality, the actual player wants to sit at a table with the worst players she can find.  Grizz was definitely a problem.  First of all, he didn't get drunk and stupid when he played.  Second, he knew her from around town for some time and wasn't interested in her, as a woman or even a quick romp in the hay.  "Damn" she thought to herself, "now I am going to have to pay attention."  She had hoped to mark time with the rubes at the table, winning a pot here and there, donating a few dollars here and there and giving enough action to keep the table lively and prevent grumblings about her taking a seat when she didn't intend to play.  Now her plans were shot.  "Why did I take that drink?" she thought. Oh, she knew why she did it, nobody would expect a real challenge from a woman who took a shot of whiskey *before* she started playing.  Her plan had been that it would wear off by the time Pedro arrived, now she'd have to watch herself with Grizz at the table.  She eyed her stack of bills in front of her, hoping she could keep from risking too much of it before her real target arrived.<br/><br/>Kate picked up her hand. Kh, Ts, 8c, 3d, 4h.  Garbage.  She let it go.  "Fold" she said, breathing an internal sigh of relief she had an easy decision. Bad hands were okay, nobody could fault her for folding those.  She just prayed she did not get one of those borderline hands that can cost so much to call when they don't improve enough.