Texas Hold 'Em

Not far from our home is a bar managed by one of Master's old friends. We go there regularly to watch the Astros win (though sometimes we're disappointed), play pool, & so forth. It's family-friendly, and Moesha's every bit as much at home there as she is in our living room. Most of the regulars know us by sight, if not by name. When we walk in, the barmaids have our drinks ready by the time we reach the counter. Moesha's getting better at pool and shuffle-board all the time (she's turning into a regular bar-fly). And the men, both regulars and non, enjoy the scenery when miranda and shayla are there. We've even helped them with fund raisers for families a time or two.

They've recently started weekly poker tournaments. No buy-in, just sign up, sit down at the table, & have fun. No money involved at all. Master'd taught shayla how to play, but it's only recently been that she's been able to put what she's learned into practice. We've all been getting better as time goes by. Though there's no money involved, it's still a great deal of fun.

There are a few things that shayla's learned about poker in the past weeks -

Drunk people don't play very well, or last long in tournaments. They have a hard time keeping track of which chip is worth what, make irrational bets, and can't deal.

Looking sexy accomplishes things: You wind up 'luring' men to your table. It's also a distraction, one they don't seem to object to.

It also distracts the women at your table, who are tempted to start talking about clothes, hair, etc.

Regardless of how infallible you consider your Owner (or in other women's cases, husband or boyfriend), his humanity is evident when he's playing poker with you. It's adorable, in any case. Even when you've just won the pot he went 'all in' on.

And it's a good way to get out and meet people you'd never come across in your normal, day-to-day routine.

Shayla's not known for her assertiveness, and this is no different. But it's always really enjoyable. She's cautious to the point of ridiculous when she's playing poker (ok, there are other times, too). It's likely that she places to score by sheer luck & the fact that she rarely bets on a hand. But occasionally she's more certain of herself, more likely to take a chance, & it's paid off a time or three. One tournament she even wound up placing 1st. And her judgement keeps improving.

Quite the learning experience.

shayla