(classification: fiction, 100% original ATE material)


Life was not eazy, in 1895 Naples, Italy. 7 year old Antonio Rizzetta had to work in his father's tailoring shop. No public school, no toys. "Someday, you'll be a man, and need a trade" said his father. So, while other boys were flying kites and being hugged by their mamma, Antonio cut fabric, organized thread delivered suits to customers, and got stuck with needles, 3498 times while learning how to sew.

Cut to 1910. Antonio sails off for America, to work in his Uncle's shop, in Chicago. "you'll have a better life, in America" Says Dad.

His uncle began teaching him an additional trade: POKER! "Antonio, in America you can make a living making suits, but you won't get rich" So, over the years, he developed his game, until he was quite good.

Uncle Rizzetta gave him advice " Learn what makes a man tick, learn how he thinks, and use this against him"

Things went well for about seven years, until Antonio was drafted into the army. Fortunately for him, his tailoring skills saved him from the horrors of WWI combat.
The high-ranking officicers were just too pleased with their perfect-fitting dress uniforms, to send "their little Antonio" off to get killed. Antonio kept a positive attitude, largely because the army provided excellent opportunities for great poker games. He learned tricks, from players even better than Uncle Rizzetta.

Upon his discharge in early 1919, he came back to Chicago, only to find that things had changed . . . ALOT! This was the beggining of the mobster era, and they had been forcing Uncle Rizzetta to make free suits for them, AND pay a percentage of the take.

Antonio endured this insult, for three years , until his Uncle decided to move back to Italy.

Taking over the shop, Antonio vowed to get revenge on the Mob boys. He knew that they loved to play poker, and that they were horrible players who threw their money away, as though it were water. But, he also knew of al least 10 players, who got a .45 caliber shower, for winning. Not only did he have to beat them, but do so in a manner that would not get them killed.

Antonio's brother-in-law, wanted to open up a shop in a little town in upstate New York, far away from the influence of ANY gangsters. The people were nice, and liked stylish clothes. Problem was, with all the free suits and payoffs, The Antonio's little shop didnt' make much, and he didn't have anything saved. So, he needed money, and he needed to get out of the game . . .ALIVE!

This would take every bit of his poker skill, and diplomatic cunning! So, one day when the gangsters came in for their free suit, he asked if he could sit in their game.

"ha!" said Sammy the shotgun. "what are you going to use, to buy in"? It's $500 minimum buy in, table stakes dealers choice" By the way, readers, in those days "table stakes" meant that you could bet anything you had on the table-not that you could not take out anymore, as is the meaning today.

"Well, I could put up my shop, as colleteral for a loan" Sammy thought for a while, and then offered him a loan of $1000, but he would lose the shop, if he lost. And, he had to pay back 1500 if he won. Of course, very few ever won, and lived to walk out the door.

Antonio appeared to be very concerned, and took about 2 full minutes, to make his decision "Ok, Mr Sammy, I'll do it"

The night of the game arrived, and Antonio had already worked out his plan. He would not play his best game, just better than his opponents. He would make sure they didn't get insulted.

Antonio made some good hands, and was up a little over $2000, when he saw angry faces in his opponents. No self-respecting gangster was going to be too happy being beaten by a tailor! So, Antonio decided now was the time to impliment his plan. Remembering his father's advice, he decided to use his opponents weakness, against them. He knew that the mob boys, were incredibly VAIN.

"Hey guys, I got this sample in, of a beautiful winter-weight pinstripe wool, from Genoa!

If I win tonight, I can afford to buy enough of it, to make suits for you all!" So, inbetween
hands, he took measurements of each Mobster, pointing out how good they'll look in it.

A little later, Antonio won a big pot in 5-card stud, when his AA stood up over Danny Dynamite's JJ. Now, he was up over 4000 dollars. And, this in an age where the average nice dinner, was around 15 . . . . . . CENTS!

But, of course, Danny didn't look too pleased. Pulling a silk sample from his bag, Antonio said "Hey guys, check out this new silk available all the way from Singapore"

Good thing I won that pot, of I could not afford to bring in any. Since I'm so lucky tonight, I'd like to make beautiful TIES, to go with your suits!"

At that moment, Antonio pairs his jack, drawing to a straight. Max the mauler, bets 200 dollars, into a 100 pot, with his hand holding a cigar while making the bet. Antonio has noticed this betting pattern: Overbet the pot, and hold cigar equalling a 100% sure total bluff. But, you see many bad players think that you have to have something GOOD, to call a bluff. Antonio didn't want to end up the victim of Max's straight razor, by insulting him calling with "only a pair of jacks" So, he let it go and didn't call.

The night turned into the morning, and the game still went on. Now up $6500 Antonio produced another sample from his bag, this time felt.

"you know, this felt is the world's finest, from master craftsmen in Venice. Only about 50 people in the world, can afford hats made from this. I'd be happy to make each of you, a very dapper-looking hat, to go with your suits and ties." Each Mobster fealt the felt, and agreed that it was the finest they'd ever come across"

"It's going to set me back $500, but since I'm the lucky one tonight . . . . . . . ."


By noontime, everyone but Frank the firestarter had lost enough, and quit. But, like all poker fans, they just had to see the outcome of the game. The pick was five card draw, and Antonio found himself with Aces and kings. Frank opened for 1000, and Antonio called, figuring that he would just fold, and that with this pot, he'd be even and may very well call it a night. But, on the draw, Antonio caught another king, filling up!!

Frank the firestarter bet's 6000, which just covers Antonio. Now, Antonio had no possible way he could call! Although Frank had also drawn one card, and thus made it impossible to have a bigger full house, he considered these possibilities:

(1) he COULD have made a straight flush, or even started out wijth Quads

(2) if kings full of aces WAS the best hand, he would certainly NOT leave alive after taking 7K off of FRANK


"Well, you got me Frank, I fold" Antonio tried to stuff his cards into the muck, but Frank would have none of it.

"Let's see what you had, " he said, and grabbed the cards

"What, you folded kings full"!! I don't need any breaks from you, TAILOR! I can take my losses like a man"!!

So, showing his flush, Frank pushes over the pot to Antonio and his UNCALLED hand.

Obviously, he was just trying to look like a BIG MAN, in front of his friends.


Ok, that's it, I'm through. Antonio was allowed to walk home, wondering if he'd be alive in the morning.

"I'm gonna kill that little shrimp" said Frank

"Are you nuts!! You won't touch him!


"Do you think we want to miss out on all those great clothes"!!

"Mess with him, you mess with us"


The next day, the mob boys came to Antonio's shop to collect their "protection"


Inside there was no fabric. No sewing machine, not even a single spool of thread.


Just a bill, for 12,000 dollars. It read


years and years worth of suits 6,000

years and years worth of
"protection" 6,000

total 12,000


Paid in full, thanks guys.





100% original ATE

Adam

Didn't anyone like this? I spent a lot of time on it.

Notice how there's valuable poker lessons, contained within the story.


Adam

I for one absolutely loved it! Great work ATE! I think it even topped the story about the lucky C-note. Can't wait to hear more!

He he yeah that's really good. Get tetsuo to put it up on the front page, maybe we can get a "Poker Stories" article put up and compile this along with the one from earlier this week. Good stuff!

Monk
xxxxx

Great stuff, man! Many a chuckle was had.

Another ATE Classic!

Great story.

I enjoyed it too.

Great Story