Monday, August 31, 2009

Ace High

I have a sordid little confession to make.

I think I’m a closet gambler.

Can you be a gambler if you don’t spend money?

I’ve discovered online, free Texas Hold ‘Em poker games. Playing with somebody else’s fake money is incredibly liberating. I’ve gotten bold, fearless, willing to push the envelope, up the ante, even when I’ve got bupkus in my hand. Because some folks will just plain fold their hands because I’m daring them to take big risk with their cash.

On the other hand, I’ve also lost a couple of fortunes when the computer calls my bluff and discovers that I got nothing.

Maybe there’s some metaphor for my writing -- even my life -- in all this risk-free gambling.

Maybe the lessons I’m learning are:

* Fake it till you make it. Or as Anna in The King and I reminded us:

Make believe you're brave
And the trick will take you far.
You may be as brave
As you make believe you are.

* Put on your game face, that may be good enough.

* Most people don’t know more than you do, they’re just better at selling cow manure as perfume.

Of course, the other lesson might be: a fool and his money are soon parted.

But I assume that it’s okay to be a fool and part with my money if there is no actual moola involved.

In the meantime, cut the cards and deal.

Evelyn David

Murder Takes the Cake by Evelyn David
Murder Off the Books by Evelyn David
http://www.evelyndavid.com

4 comments:

  1. Oh, the Texas Hold'em tournament is on for March 30, 2010. Deal the West Coasters in!

    Rose :-)

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  2. Playing online poker is something I will never have to worry about. I never gamble--can't even figure out the machines. Only time I did it was years ago when they had the old fashioned one-armed bandits.

    I do play Solitaire on my computer sometimes to de-stress, but that's about it.

    Our family loves to play a card game named Estimation--we always do it at Family Reunions--sometimes with three decks of cards because so many people want to play. It's a crazy game--but kids to older people like me can play. My mom and dad loved the game and we'd play at Christmas and Thanksgiving get-togethers as well as when we all went to church camp.

    We'll be getting together in September so I'll have to hone my bluffing skills.

    Marilyn

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  3. Oh, man, my mom and I love the penny slots at Harrah's. We never play more than $40 each (and rarely lose it all and sometimes win--of course, that's what keeps you going back!). We don't go that often, maybe twice a year, and we feel like that's our (kinda) vice since neither of us smokes, drinks, or does anything much naughty except being super bossy. I don't know how to play poker, but I'm staying away from free poker online just the same! It sounds way too addictive (particularly with the no money involved part!). Glad to know you have a (kinda) vice, Ms. M!

    Cheers,
    Susan
    http://SusanMcBride.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good one on ace high and it helps a lot.

    Thanks,
    Karim - Positive thinking

    ReplyDelete

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