When our poker party convenes every Thursday evening, the discussion inevitably revolves around the seduction of gambling and games of chance.
The talk also often contains some insights on fashion and style for readers of The American in Rome.
Our last meeting was at the Golden Gate Yacht Club, which hosted America’s Cup in 2013. Readers will recall that legendary mogul Larry Ellison of team Oracle, chose this venue to make the GGYC “great again,” while snubbing the posh St. Francis Yacht Club down the road.
During the memorable event, St. Francis wanted too much money, and made other unreasonable demands. Ellison threw the dice, and figured that the U.S. team would just as easily win the race by staging it at smaller, cozier, venue. He was right…but just barely. The race was the closest in World Cup history, and our team only prevailed by dominating the final 7 days of competition.
Zachary, Jacob, and Nicholas are young men in the hospitality industry. They pay close attention to their grooming and personal appearance. One runs an upscale saloon, one owns a trendy men’s wear boutique, the other is a classic tobacconist.
They are smoking, drinking, and betting furiously when I arrive.
Zach: You are bluffing.
Jacob: Yeah, you’ve got a Zelensky hand.
Nicholas: Our president would say I’ve got all the cards on the table.
Zach: I dig The Donald.
Jake: We all dig The Donald.
Nick: Well, here’s my hand, gentlemen. Read them and weep.
A full house was displayed on the table when I sat down to gather my chips.
“Zelensky got quite a dressing down at the White House in February,” I observed.
Jake: He had no hand to play.
Nick: And you can’t dress down a slob like that conman. He never served in the military.
Zach: Guerilla chic. He wears fatigues like Castro, but Fidel walked the talk.
Jake: Che was cool too. A killer. He was authentic.
Nick: Ho Chi Minh was also a warrior. But no Beau Brummel either.
“And he kicked our ass in the Vietnam adventure,” I noted.
Nick: The Donald missed that party. As did former presidents Joe Biden and Bill Clinton. All crafty draft dodgers.
Jake: So as world leaders go, who’s the smartest dresser?
All: Putin!
Jake: Hands down.
Zach: That dude is chill.
Nick: Vlad so bad.
“A poker face to respect,” I added. “But we have yet to measure the stakes.”
Meanwhile, we pause from wagering to share our impressions of Larry Ellison, a visionary titan of the Information Age industry and a contemporary fashion plate.
Zach: All Brioni, like Putin.
Nick: Perfectly put together.
Jake: The Donald should take a page out of his book. They seem to like one another.
Nick: The Donald has his own style marketing agenda. MAGA hats, cologne, sneakers….
“Kind of vulgar, though,” I opined.
The boys all sigh, roll their eyes, and nod in agreement.
The GGYC was recently thrumming with excitement when “Oracle Sail Grand Prix 2025” was staged on the bay last month.
Record crowds turned out for the event, but unlike The Ultimate Fighting Championship, we did not see many MAGA accolytes.
Indeed, showing the least liking for our current Commander in Chief in San Francisco would invite derision…or maybe even incite an old fashioned waterfront brawl.
A paradox, no?