Posted by Nolan Dalla on Sep 20, 2013 in Blog, General Poker, Uncategorized |

A few days ago I received an e-mail from Derrick Oliver-Dewan. He’s the founder, director, and on-air personality for a new radio format called High Roller Radio.
Derrick said he wanted to interview me for his show. I figured we’d discuss the usual topics going on in the poker world.
To my surprise, Derrick went a lot deeper than I expected, and I certainly talked a lot longer than he planned. A radio show the customarily went 15-20 minutes extended close to an hour, due mostly to me discussing Stu Ungar, the World Series of Poker, Poker Night in America, and even some political issues.
Sometime later following our interview, I discovered that Derrick probably was the one who deserved the microphone, for his personal story is far more compelling — and even inspiring — than anything I’ve ever done. I won’t steal away Derrick’s thunder. Instead, I’ll let him tell his own incredible story at his own time. Nonetheless, I expect he will make an excellent feature subject for an upcoming “Facing the Firing Squad.” So, remember the name Derrick Oliver-Dewan.
In the meantime, here’s the re-broadcast of my interview today with Derrick which took place earlier this afternoon

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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Sep 19, 2013 in Blog, Las Vegas, Politics |

Las Vegas faces a serious crisis.
I’m not just talking about the local economy, where every street corner seems to attract someone holding a cardboard sign and more than 40 percent of homeowners are upside down on their mortgages.
I’m talking about water. More specifically, I’m talking about the increasing lack of it. After all, let’s remember — we live in a desert.
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Sep 18, 2013 in Blog, Essays, Personal |

What’s the way to handle anger?
We all get angry at times. That’s just part of life.
Trying to suppress anger seems pointless. It’s better to channel our basic instincts and raw emotions hopefully in a positive manner — assuming that’s an option. Not every situation gives us that option, of course.
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Sep 18, 2013 in Blog |

I’m launching a new feature. Let’s call this the “Doppelganger.” Doppelganger is a German word meaning someone who looks like another person. Here’s the first look-alike photo of what I hope and expect will be many more to come.
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Sep 17, 2013 in Blog, Politics |

With all our guns, all our bombs, all our intelligence — are we actually any safer than the nations with essentially no security or national defense?
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Sep 16, 2013 in Blog, Las Vegas, Restaurant Reviews |

One of the butcher cabinets at Echo and Rig. All meats are hand-craved on site.
Echo and Rig is unlike any other restaurant in Las Vegas.
First, there’s that odd-sounding name, chosen (I was told) because the owners thought it had a nice ring. In a sense, the nonsensical name embodies the free-spirited and self-confident approach here to the entire dining experience — including food, drink, and service.
It’s best classified as a nouveau steakhouse, yet it also defies conventional description and expectation. On one hand, it’s a butcher shop, yet also offers an extensive salad and vegetarian menu. Its bar selection is top-notch (Abita Amber on tap!). Deserts are homemade. The staff knows and loves food. Bargain prices compared to what you’d pay elsewhere. What more could you ask?
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Sep 14, 2013 in Blog, Sports Betting |

How’s it possible there are more than half a million enlisted men serving in the United States Army right now, and yet not a single one of them can throw a forward pass?
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Sep 13, 2013 in Blog, Essays, Politics, What's Left |

Is American intervention in Syria justified?
If so, what are the costs and consequences of taking military action?
How do these costs and consequences compare with the potential risks of non-intervention?
That’s what I’ll discuss in today’s column.
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Posted by Nolan Dalla on Sep 12, 2013 in Blog, Las Vegas |

Would you give this man five dollars?
Apparently, a complete stranger would. That’s precisely what happened earlier today, in a public restaurant, no less.
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