Anyone play poker seriously?

[christo]

By "seriously" I mean a game where your intent is to leave with more money than you came with, not just have some fun with friends. I've been invited by a casual friend to play his regular Thursday-night game, and when I asked him how serious the game was he shrugged and said, "Serious".

I don't think he meant "serious" in that everyone at the table is Mobbed up and if I don't pay my debts I'm gonna lose my thumbs. But it's not a bunch of guys sitting around joshing and playing games with six wild cards. That's what I dislike about the games I play with my buddies, it's too loose. Plus taking money from your friends isn't too satisfying.

He told me to bring "a couple hundred" bucks, so I know I won't be selling a kidney if I have a bad night. I've been playing a lot of computer poker, which I know is a poor substitute. As with most endeavors, playing with others is more fun than playing with yourself.

I am reminded of what Matt Damon says at the beginning of "Rounders"-- "If after five minutes at the table you don't know who's the sucker, then you're the sucker". Again, as with most endeavors, I'm hoping I'm the suckee, not the sucker.

 

[joolushko]

Too dangerous to play seriously living in this city.

 

[p_p_man]

I don't play anything seriously...

even da Game of Life...

 

[koalabear]

Just remeber Kenny Rogers song, know when to hold them, and know when to fold them. Keep a stone face and no nervous twitchs, they give you away too.....lol

Good Luck!

 

[Guest]

HEY RUBE!

christo, there is no such game as a friendly game of poker.

anyime you play poker with money involved it is serious!

rule#1 never, ever take more money than you can afford to lose because chances are you will.

rule#2 go ahead and asume you are the sucker unless you have played poker enough to be able to read the habits of those you play with or your able to pick them up damn fast.

rule#3 drink damn little if any while playing poker.

rule#4 if you are not doing it for the fun of it...don't.

rule#5 it cost money to learn (weg) find out the rules for the game before it starts!

rule#6 watch them! don't go looking at some womans tits when you should be whatching the other players and the cards they are playingor not playing.

rule # seven beware of mirrors, your glasses or other shiney things behind you or just off to one side.


..............................have fun!...................................

 

[fgarvb1]

that was me!

i may have gambled a little.

 

[Marxist]

I'm a gamer as well. Make sure there are no alliances among the other players. Two players teamed up can destroy a table.

 

[christo]

I'm pretty sure there won't be any shenanigans like organized cheating, because my friend wouldn't be sneaky and fuck me over. He'd rather fuck me over right to my face. I trust him, insofar as he has something to lose by cheating me, i.e. his reputation at work, which is exemplary.

When you say there's no such thing as a friendly game of poker, that's exactly what I'm looking for. My friend and I aren't exactly friends--I mean, we don't really know each other that well, and I don't even know that we like each other that much. But we're the about the only intelligent, competent people in the department where we both work, and I respect the guy, a lot. He's smart, and he's sharp. He's ten years older than me, and I know that if he skins me for my whole stack he'll sleep at night, no remorse. He thought enough of me to invite me, which I appreciated.

When I play seriously I never drink alcohol. I'm bringing a case of Pepsi One, my preferred caffeine delivery system. That and beef jerky. I don't smoke, but I like to gnaw on jerky while I play, doing my part to contribute to the digustingness level of the evening.

I'm gonna take about $250, which I can afford yet would be pissed if I lost. Any more would be irresponsible, any less and it wouldn't be as interesting. I don't expect to come in and clean these folks out, but I don't think they'll hammer me, either. If I walk out $250 poorer, then I learn my lesson.

One cool thing-- the game is in the basement of this seedy, rundown bar-hotel about a three miles down the road from where I live. Like some dirty little adventures in my life.