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A life in the cards

John Liner knew poker. He played it, won it, even did time because of it. And, yes, you might say he wrote the book on it.

By JACKIE RIPLEY
Published August 12, 2005

LUTZ - There are few things in life that 86-year-old John Liner likes better than a first-class game of poker and a fine home-cooked meal.

Fortunately he's an expert at both.

"I used to have a dozen people come in twice a week to play poker," Liner said, recalling his heyday as a top-notch poker player and chef extraordinaire. "I'd cook dinner for them, and, if I may say so myself, it was a good meal."

It was also a luxurious setup. There was always someone on hand to serve the gourmet meal Liner had prepared, and someone else to ferry drinks back and forth so players wouldn't have to get up. There was even a masseuse on hand to ease away tense muscles.

No question, Liner's games were legendary.

"We had people from all over the state calling to get in," he said. "We had management from the Seminole casino to doctors, carpenters and everyone in between."

Each player paid $30 a plate, and even though Liner made extra to feed his neighbors, he still came out ahead.

"I won seven out of 10 times I played, and I played two nights a week," he said. "That averaged about $50,000 a year."

Not bad for two nights' work. And those halcyon days lasted 10 glorious years.

"Then I got busted," Liner said.

He was arrested nine years ago at his home in Lakeshore Villas, a serene retirement community on the outskirts of Lutz. He was charged with keeping a gambling house and sentenced to six months' probation.

"These two fellows from the vice squad sat right here at this table and told me, "This is an old folk's home. Go and find someplace else to play,' " Liner said.

And so he did.

Liner continued living in his mobile home at Lakeshore Villas but rented an apartment in north Tampa for the express purpose of hosting poker games.

That was his second mistake.

"They busted me again," said Liner, who after all this time is still rankled by the arrests, especially since poker has gained such recent popularity.

"Everybody and his brother are playing now without penalties," he said.

Liner said his blunders included using the apartment only for poker games and having a "pot" bigger than $10.

Florida law allows home games as long as the proprietor is not making a profit.

This time Liner was charged with racketeering and sentenced to 18 months' probation. His sentence was cut in half for good behavior.

"I'm just lucky I wasn't there the day they raided," said 78-year-old Gene Asbel, who remembers Liner's games. "He got out of it pretty good. I think it was due to his age."

Two arrests and being carted off to jail in handcuffs might have ended Liner's poker-playing days. But they didn't stop him from writing a book, Winning Texas Hold 'Em Simplified.

"It's all in here, exactly what numbers to play and what numbers not to play," Liner said. "You could win 65 to 75 percent of the time you play."

Liner sold the book in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and California.

He also wrote a cookbook in 1983 titled Good Food From John's Kitchen.

The dedication page that reads To my wives who never learned to cook gives a glimpse of Liner's impish sense of humor.

"All I ever promised my wives was that it wouldn't be dull," he said. "And it wasn't."

Married four times, Liner now lives alone with his dog Tiger. He's still cooking, though now only for himself, Tiger, and a few neighbors.

"I can't keep up with the man," said Cheryl Rice, whose daughter is married to one of Liner's grandsons. "We went to the farmer's market because he likes his fresh produce, and by the time we did that and came back, I had to take a nap. He kept going until 10:30 at night."

That kind of energy has propelled Liner through a life that included multiple marriages, two sons, grandchildren and countless businesses.

Several years ago he handed over a successful construction company to his two sons, John Jr. and Oscar.

"I've had a good life any way you slice it," Liner said. "I have disappointments but no complaints."

Jackie Ripley can be reached at 813 269-5308 or ripley@sptimes.com

What did you like most about your 10-year stint of hosting poker games?

It was good fun, $1,000-a-week fun.

Why did you cook enough food to share with your neighbors?

To keep me in their good graces.

Did it work?

No.

What advice would you give to aspiring poker players?

To remember that poker is a lifelong game and it should be played as one game, and that any given hand on any given day is not to be taken too seriously.

What do you consider the most important part of the game?

Getting a feeling for each individual. It takes about 30 minutes to size them up if you watch.

You've succeeded at almost everything you've tried. Why do you think that is?

I'm wiling to take a shot when the time comes. I'm not always successful, but those times are short-lived.

How much does your book, Winning Texas Hold 'Em Simplified, cost?

It's $6, and you can get a copy by calling (813) 961-4033.

[Last modified August 11, 2005, 08:56:11]