If you're reading this blog you probably owe Henry Orenstein a great debt. Go with me here...

Orenstein, the man who patented the idea of showing hole cards in poker to television audiences, will be enshrined in the Poker Hall of Fame at the World Series of Poker main event Saturday in Las Vegas.

If it weren't for Orenstein, how many of us would be watching poker on TV? How many of us would then be playing poker? (Tell the truth.) How many gambling writers (Mirror, meet Nick. Nick, meet mirror.) would even be in existence if it weren't for the popularity of Texas Hold 'em? Bottom line: Wendy's would have at least one more employee. Me.

Trivia: Orenstein, of Verona, N.J., also created “Transformers” toys.

Three-time bracelet winner Duane “Dewey” Tomko also will be honored for his 35-year participation streak in the Texas Hold ’em main event. The former kindergarten teacher has $2.6 million in winnings in the poker series.