Now that I’m retired, one of the “hobbies” that I can concentrate more on is my love for card games, and in this case – poker.

Sure, there are lots of variations of the game: 5-card stud, 5-card draw, 7-card, Hi-Lo, and many others.  I like them all, but the one that I concentrate on the style that seems to fascinate spectators the most (and garners the most money and prestige) is Texas Hold-Em.

For those of you who need a quick course, each player is dealt two down cards.  A round of betting ensues, and then three community cards are dealt (the “Flop”).  A second round of betting is held, followed by another community card being dealt (the “Turn”).  Another round of betting and one last community card (the “River”) is dealt, followed by a final round of betting.  The object is to take your two “hole” cards and while utilizing the community cards, make the best 5-card hand in poker.

Oh, and as for the betting, the style I like is called “No-Limit”, where, as the name implies, there is no limit on the amount that can be bet.  You can risk your entire stack of chips, and either win a ton of money – or lose it all on one hand.

Formerly relegated to back rooms and hard-core gamblers, No-Limit hit its stride in the early 2000’s when a gentleman named Chris Moneymaker (not a typo) won the Main Event in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas in 2003.  He turned an $86 entry fee into a $2.5 million dollar payday, and the modern poker boom was on.

Suddenly, poker (specifically, Texas Hold-Em) was everywhere.  Poker tournaments were televised.  Movies were made about it (“Rounders”, starring Matt Damon, is still the Holy Grail of poker films).  Players became celebrities and folks could hone their skills playing online and in home games. 

Although some of the luster has faded from its mid-2000’s mania, Texas Hold-Em has been steadily making a comeback.  This past year’s Main Event at the World Series in Vegas attracted a staggering 10,112 players, who all put down $10,000 for a chance to win over $94 million in prize money (with $10 million going to the winner).

The thrill and chance to win life-changing money is almost irresistible.  Strategy books are written on the subject and online classes are available to improve one’s skills.  “Free” games are popping up all over the Four-State area, being held at local bars or restaurants (where you can try for prizes and in some cases, cash).  You can still find places to play on the internet (both for fun and for money).  Local private clubs host cash games, tournaments, or charity events, and if you know the right (or wrong) people, you can find a home game where the stakes can get pretty spicy (but I’d watch my step).

So, if you’re hankering for a card game and can handle the chip swings of Texas Hold-Em, there’s a local game somewhere around here that might fit the bill, but be on the lookout.  You never know where I might just pop up to try and take your money.

Shuffle up and deal!