Loose translations ...

I am well aware that many traditionalists think that the World Series of Poker's popularity explosion and management by Harrah's is some sort of abomination and would prefer the good old days in the cozy, historic Binion's cavern, but I'm not necessarily one of them. So, don't go assuming that my blog title is some sort of preemptive slam on my temporary summer employer. Having "Rio" in the title is a bit coincidence, not necessarily double-speak. I am happy to have this opportunity and look forward to serving my new employer in a professional, curteous, enthused manner. So, there is a little trepidation in my writing, because I figure that at some point, a colleague or friend I make in Vegas will happen upon this blog, but that is a risk I am willing to take.

You see, I have been sporting a cap around my hometown club for several months with the phrase "Pinche Rio!" embroidered across it. This club was the first that gave me a semi-regular shot dealing and it will always be a bit special to me. I have felt more than welcome by the diverse player base, but its just not a club where "English Only" is a rule, nor would I presume to enforce it if it was. Over the first several nights, I heard the blog title phrase repeated in disgust so many times, I was beginning to wonder if I should take it personally.

I have been told that curse phrases in Spanish have no literal translation to English. Most are used without even consideration of their true meaning, and intonation often determines usage. If you insert my blog title into a Spanish-English translation website, or happen to have a cross-language dictionary, you will probably get something along the lines of "bloody river", but that sort of adjective-noun pairing is far from typical. I don't have much formal Spanish training, and no family or friends that have required me to learn enough to keep up with the pace I hear since moving to Texas. But, I've been told that "Pinche Madre" is roughly the same as Mother-F#@&*r ... so, I got the basic jist of its intent and recognized the timing of the muttering with the final holdem board card.

So, I had the phrase embroidered on a cap and got several laughs, grinning acknowledgements, and a few strange looks, when I started wearing it in the box. It seems to ease the pain a bit when I nod my cap in the direction of a particularly bad beat from some of these players. My apology is graciously extended to whomever I might offend.