Dear Cecil: I’ve got a bet with my poker buddies. What hand did Steve McQueen lose to Edward G. Robinson’s straight flush in the movie The Cincinnati Kid? John F., Washington, D.C.
Cecil replies:
My usual cut on bets is 20 percent.
Robinson was showing the eight, nine, ten, and queen of diamonds; McQueen the ace of clubs, the ace of spades, the ten of clubs, and the ten of spades. On the call, Robinson shows the jack of diamonds for a straight flush, beating McQueen who turns up the ace of diamonds for a full house. “You owe me five thousand dollars, kid,” Robinson purrs, as McQueen breaks out in hives.
Cecil Adams
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