It really isn't just a man's game

I have to say that if anyone had asked me even two months ago if I would willing go play poker a couple times a week, I would have said "when pigs fly".  Poker was just a game to play once or twice a year and maybe win some money or lose some money. Guess I should look outside to see pigs flying around our house.

I have always heard that couples start to like what the other likes. I guess that is true but the inclination has to be present and awakened. If someone hates something, they are unlikely to change their mind just because their partner likes it. They might come to tolerate it but not love it. Now I'm not saying that I'm in love with poker but I could see that it could come to be that way with time.

This love affair with a card game started innocently enough with Bobby wanting to play at night then upgraded to wanting an actual poker table. At the time, I thought "what the hell if it makes him happy?" I had nothing to lose really and might gain some bonus points later on when I wanted something. Then he wanted to go to a poker league "to just check it out". Less than two months later, it is a given that we are going to be at Drifters every Thursday and Saturday that we possibly can be.

Now I would go if I just tolerated the game but now I'm the one who suggests we play on our off nights or turns on the poker video game we have. Yes we have a poker video game. Guess once a nerd always a nerd, no matter the subject! But I have realized poker is more about skill than luck; more about strategy than chance; and more about intuition than knowing exactly what the "pros" or "cardsharks" say you should do in a certain situation.

I'm excited to see how I can progress in this game that it more realistic than any game that I've ever played. Every time I sit down at the table, I see all eyes assess me as the weakest player at the table. As a 23 year old female, I have felt that before in on the basketball court, in the classroom, or in the workplace. I am often seen as too young and not experienced enough. Its always too little something or too much something else. It was a heady experience to get up from my first poker tournament in 4th place again older and more experienced men and women at a game that's bread and butter is strategy and skill.