Readers this week are questioning foul language by players on television and asking about live sit-and-go events in card rooms.

Two weeks ago on NBC's "Poker After Dark," they must have "bleeped" Gus Hansen 20 times. Do you think such foul language by top-of-the line stars is bad for the game in general? — Jim S. of Dallas

Call me an old fuddy-duddy if you wish, but I think Jim raises a great point. Yes, I believe coarse table language — spread to the masses by television — is harmful to the overall welfare of the game.

I watched PAD that week, too. It seemed like Hansen was trying way too hard to liven up the show, which didn't need the help. The poker action was excellent, with some great moves by Howard Lederer, the eventual winner, and runner-up Tuan Le, who is every bit as dangerous an opponent as Hansen.

It's one thing to let the f-word slip out when you take a bad beat at a critical point in a tournament. You might get a 10-minute penalty, but chances are the time away from the table will help your play more than hurt it. You'll have time to settle down and return to your "A" game.

Hansen, however, was using the word over and over in regular table conversation. There was no provocation. He was just in potty-mouth mode, even with female dealers and show host Shana Hiatt right there. At one point, I sensed that Negreanu actually was a little embarrassed at Hansen's blue language.

For sure, Gus is not the only big-name player who gets bleeped on TV. Also for sure, competitive poker at the highest levels can produce intense emotions. I just can't believe this is the image that will enhance poker's popularity at a time when government and others are trying to stifle it.

Perhaps poker's image will get a boost this week and next when ESPN airs its final four hours of coverage of the 2007 World Series of Poker main event.

We'll see how Laos native Jerry Yang, a 39-year-old father of six from California who spent four years in a Thailand refugee camp, blitzed his final-table opponents this summer to win the bracelet and $8.25 million.

Here's a hint: When he kisses a picture of his kids, expect something good to happen!

I like playing live, no-limit cash hold 'em games, but I keep those sessions short to avoid any big losses. I wish card rooms in my area would spread sit-and-go NLH games, but they are hard to find. Why is that? — Barry P. of the Illinois Quad-Cities

Sit-and-gos are like mini-tournaments. Most are one-table events, and they are extremely popular online because they give players the chance to play no-limit hold 'em for a fixed cash investment.

A typical online $50 sit-and-go has nine players, a $5 entry fee and a prize pool of $450. Players start with $1,500 in chips. Blinds usually start at $15-$30 and increase every 10 or 15 minutes. The top three finishers get paid $225 (50 percent), $135 (30 percent) and $90 (20 percent). Normally, a one-table event lasts about an hour.

Besides the chance to play no-limit hold 'em at minimal cash risk, sit-and-gos also offer opportunities for short-handed and heads-up play. You have to know how to change gears — from solid, low-risk play early to aggressive moves at the end. You learn chip-stack management, which is crucial when the money "bubble" approaches.

The downside to sit-and-gos, compared to regular cash games, is that to make a profit you need to finish in the top three spots about a third of the time. Playing well and finishing fourth nets you zero.

So, why can't you routinely find sit-and-gos in your area casinos?

It's likely a question of money, Barry. Larger card rooms in Las Vegas and elsewhere are advertising sit-and-gos as a regular feature, but smaller poker rooms probably view them as unprofitable to spread.

A typical cash-game table might bring in $100 an hour for the house, assuming 30 hands dealt with a 10 percent rake up to $4 per pot. By comparison, a $50 sit-and-go with a standard 10 percent entry fee would yield $45 for the house.

E-mail your poker questions and comments to [email protected] for use in future columns. To find out more about Russ Scott and read previous LuckyDog Poker columns, visit www.creators.com or www.luckydogpoker.com.