dimanche, février 12, 2006
I've seen you walk unafraid
Last night I finally played poker at a real casino against real people. And I didn't lose my shirt! Things actually didn't start out so well, but I was determined to fight back and I came out victorious.
These were my partners in crime. Now, Pammy and Roz are casino regulars, so I was a little out of my element down there at the Elbow River Casino for a while. And Pammy kept announcing that I was a "casino virgin", so that drew some not-necessarily-wanted attention my way.
We signed up to play poker at the $4-$8 tables (a ninety minute wait!), then ventured over to the roulette table to kill some time. All this time I'm kinda in shell shock, taking in the bazillion flashing and beeping slot machines, observing the crowds at the Blackjack tables, trying to see what all the fuss at the craps table is all about. I wasn't really interested in trying roulette, so while Roz cleaned up with Pammy at her side (not so much cleaning up), I strolled over to observe the craps game that was receiving so much attention. After I bit I wound up wandering down a hall where I could hear live music beckoning. Donald Ray Johnson was singing and it was quite the performance. Live jazz music is about as good as it gets, I think.
(you're not supposed to take pictures at the casino. Shh!)
Then it was time to play poker. I bought sixty dollars worth of chips to start, and proceeded to lose it all in what seemed like no time. Still trying to settle in and feel comfortable at these busy and intimidating 10-man tables, I decided a quick walk to clear my head and a trip to the bank machine was in order. I took a chance and withdrew one hundred dollars, knowing I had to win back my money, and knowing I was more than capable of doing so. I might be a casino virgin, but I'm not new to the game of poker...!
I put my name down on the waiting list again and was seated at a new table. The boys around me were sporting rings from St. FX, so I instantly bonded with them when I said "hello, fellow Maritimers". My first round was another losing one - forty dollars this time. I bought back in, my last sixty, and the last I was willing to gamble. I started playing really conservatively, knowing I had to get some good cards eventually. I won one pot, raked in a nice pile. Then the big one.
I was dealt Ace-Seven suited. The flop was Ten-Jack-King. I forget the suits, but it was enough to make me hang on. The Turn was another Seven. I stayed in. Then the mighty River: a Queen. I was golden. So I bet again. And several other people must have thought theirs were good hands, because many of them called the bet. Heheh, winner: Stacey...!
As I calmly rake in my impressive stack of chips, working really hard to appear as casual as possible while I pile them in my chip tray, I whisper to Chris next to me, "On the inside I'm doing cartwheels right now". He nods and says, "I know what you mean; earlier I was doing naked backflips on the kitchen table".
I cashed out with $220. I'm so hooked. Anyone wanna go to the casino? | ¶ 1:56 a.m.
These were my partners in crime. Now, Pammy and Roz are casino regulars, so I was a little out of my element down there at the Elbow River Casino for a while. And Pammy kept announcing that I was a "casino virgin", so that drew some not-necessarily-wanted attention my way.
We signed up to play poker at the $4-$8 tables (a ninety minute wait!), then ventured over to the roulette table to kill some time. All this time I'm kinda in shell shock, taking in the bazillion flashing and beeping slot machines, observing the crowds at the Blackjack tables, trying to see what all the fuss at the craps table is all about. I wasn't really interested in trying roulette, so while Roz cleaned up with Pammy at her side (not so much cleaning up), I strolled over to observe the craps game that was receiving so much attention. After I bit I wound up wandering down a hall where I could hear live music beckoning. Donald Ray Johnson was singing and it was quite the performance. Live jazz music is about as good as it gets, I think.
(you're not supposed to take pictures at the casino. Shh!)
Then it was time to play poker. I bought sixty dollars worth of chips to start, and proceeded to lose it all in what seemed like no time. Still trying to settle in and feel comfortable at these busy and intimidating 10-man tables, I decided a quick walk to clear my head and a trip to the bank machine was in order. I took a chance and withdrew one hundred dollars, knowing I had to win back my money, and knowing I was more than capable of doing so. I might be a casino virgin, but I'm not new to the game of poker...!
I put my name down on the waiting list again and was seated at a new table. The boys around me were sporting rings from St. FX, so I instantly bonded with them when I said "hello, fellow Maritimers". My first round was another losing one - forty dollars this time. I bought back in, my last sixty, and the last I was willing to gamble. I started playing really conservatively, knowing I had to get some good cards eventually. I won one pot, raked in a nice pile. Then the big one.
I was dealt Ace-Seven suited. The flop was Ten-Jack-King. I forget the suits, but it was enough to make me hang on. The Turn was another Seven. I stayed in. Then the mighty River: a Queen. I was golden. So I bet again. And several other people must have thought theirs were good hands, because many of them called the bet. Heheh, winner: Stacey...!
As I calmly rake in my impressive stack of chips, working really hard to appear as casual as possible while I pile them in my chip tray, I whisper to Chris next to me, "On the inside I'm doing cartwheels right now". He nods and says, "I know what you mean; earlier I was doing naked backflips on the kitchen table".
I cashed out with $220. I'm so hooked. Anyone wanna go to the casino? | ¶ 1:56 a.m.
