I enjoy poker. I enjoy playing poker from time to time and we pretty much watch one of the myriad Texas Hold’em Tournaments several times a week. (Sorry you had to find out this way mom.) Back when I was a summer student in Thompson I played somewhat serious poker, and pretty much doubled my summer’s wages. But watching some people get carried away and lose more money then they could afford to lose left a bad taste in my mouth and I evolved into playing "friendly" games. For awhile after I moved here to Arctic Bay we played a game pretty much every Saturday. It is the ultimate friendly game, limited to 3 hours, thirty dollars, and even if you lose all your money you can still play on your "face" and could even end up the "big" winner.
I think that part of the current fascination with poker and the popularity of Texas Hold’em is that is sort of an every(wo)man’s game. Most people watching think "I could beat these people". Hardly true though, it is no accident that you see the same people in the final tables again and again.
That my grandfather knew poker surprises me. Grandpa was a pretty straightlaced guy. He was a teatotaller even during a war when rum was constantly dolled out to fortify the men, before, after and even during battles. I suppose it shouldn’t be a surprise , given the popularity of gambling amongst soldiers, but he seems to have known it from even before the war. That is just a guess mind you, but that is what I took from this letter to his father about some souvenirs he took off some prisoners in their line during the battle of Vimy Ridge.
France Ap. 25/17
Dear Dad –
Just a few souvenirs taken from German prisoners in their own lines during the Big Push. Keep them for me will you. The cards make a poker hand. At first I thought I had a "tight on sevens & Jacks but found it was 3 sevens a Jack & a King. Still it would open the pot wouldn’t it? Well bye bye Dad. Love & best wishes to all.
Your loving son.
Alvin
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ah poker! what fond memories that brings back for me.. my Grandfather and I would play poker for hours.. I’ve since forgotten how, but have a deck of very well worn cards that he and I used for years. (I think he secretly let me beat him more than once)
let me know how you like the B.H. book on winter survival.. I found it, as all of his books, very worth reading.
(see, told ya I’d visit!) 🙂
Always good to have you visit Cindy. The card game I played with Grandpa was cribbage. He taught me to play and then we would often play at visits. Don’t think he let me win though.
I’m enjoying the BH book, but haven’t picked any book up in a while now.