One trait I share with professional poker players is that I hate to lose

Dr. Jerry Buss is a businessman, so a proposition was in order. Option One: Its the seventh game of the NBA Finals. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar matches a rebound and darts an outlet pass to Magic Johnson, who finds James Worthy for a flying one-handed dunk at the buzzer. Final score: Lakers 103, Celtics 102.

Option Two: Having powered his way to a chip lead at the final table, Buss slow-plays a spade flush, suckering Phil Hellmuth into going all-in. Buss calmly calls, turns over Os-1 Os, and wins the main event at the World Series of Poker. Your call, Jerry. Kareem to Magic to Worthy, the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers (since 1979) answers without hesitation.

Buss loves to gamble. But unlike many of todays professional poker players, he does plenty of other things, too. Maybe thats why he never screams and shouts when somebody swallows his chips by catching an inside straight on the river. A lot of people get upset, Buss said. Ive never lost my temper.

Buss has been playing poker for about 20 years. He holds a doctorate in chemistry, and spent much of his professional career running a real estate investment group. Hes best known for owning a handful of sports franchises, including the NHLs Los Angeles Kings (which he sold in 1987) and the WNBAs Los Angeles Sparks.

Buss isnt quite Hugh Hefner when it comes to being surrounded by beautiful women, but he does all right for himself. If you think the poker world can be treacherous, consider that Buss promoted boxing at the Great Western Forum.

Some of Jerrys best attributes away from the card table serve him well at the card table, said John Beyrooty, who headed public relations for Forum Boxing from 1989 to 97. His ability to stay calm and be patient ... his refusal to make harsh, rash decisions ... hes not an easy guy to read. Hes also a brilliant, brilliant guy. When you put it all together, its not difficult to see why hes a world-class poker player.