I Heart Poker
i played in a quiet little game of poker yesterday - no-limit hold 'em with about 6 other guys.
it was all fun and games, until the table puts up Queen Clubs, Ace Clubs, 5 Hearts. people are betting pretty light, until the turn card comes up King Clubs, and a hush falls. I'm feeling pretty good, because i had pocket 10 and Jack, but the nerves were also there because my 10 was...yeah, 10 Clubs.
anyway, i knew i was in for the straight in any case, so i go all-in, which at this point was just under a hundred bucks. obviously, a couple of the other guys also fancied a go at the straight, so they match it and continue with a new pot. i'm also really nervous now, because i didn't expect three guys to match me, but what the hell, i'm in for it now.
then, the river, and i swear that time slowed down about 50% at this point, like a sergio leone film, because the river card comes up Jack Clubs. i realise that this means i don't need to use my Jack Spades, and i have something quite wonderful. this slow motion intensity kinda flows over me, and for about 30 seconds i kinda miss the betting and i miss two of the guys arguing about which pocket card of theirs is larger, since they have even straights. apparently, i went completely pale just before i lifted my arm up, said "guys, guys, guys..." and dropped the 10 Clubs.
there was quiet for about 3 seconds, and then a lot of screaming as people realised i had just popped down a royal flush.
after the hand-shaking and high-fiving, we all signed the 5 cards and dated them, and i got to keep the deck. after that, everything was kinda dull and subdued, but i played till i was about R200 ahead and went home feeling pretty good with myself.
for those who are interested, the chances of getting a royal flush in a game of 5-card poker are about 4 in 2,598,960, or about 649,739 : 1.
it was all fun and games, until the table puts up Queen Clubs, Ace Clubs, 5 Hearts. people are betting pretty light, until the turn card comes up King Clubs, and a hush falls. I'm feeling pretty good, because i had pocket 10 and Jack, but the nerves were also there because my 10 was...yeah, 10 Clubs.
anyway, i knew i was in for the straight in any case, so i go all-in, which at this point was just under a hundred bucks. obviously, a couple of the other guys also fancied a go at the straight, so they match it and continue with a new pot. i'm also really nervous now, because i didn't expect three guys to match me, but what the hell, i'm in for it now.
then, the river, and i swear that time slowed down about 50% at this point, like a sergio leone film, because the river card comes up Jack Clubs. i realise that this means i don't need to use my Jack Spades, and i have something quite wonderful. this slow motion intensity kinda flows over me, and for about 30 seconds i kinda miss the betting and i miss two of the guys arguing about which pocket card of theirs is larger, since they have even straights. apparently, i went completely pale just before i lifted my arm up, said "guys, guys, guys..." and dropped the 10 Clubs.
there was quiet for about 3 seconds, and then a lot of screaming as people realised i had just popped down a royal flush.
after the hand-shaking and high-fiving, we all signed the 5 cards and dated them, and i got to keep the deck. after that, everything was kinda dull and subdued, but i played till i was about R200 ahead and went home feeling pretty good with myself.
for those who are interested, the chances of getting a royal flush in a game of 5-card poker are about 4 in 2,598,960, or about 649,739 : 1.