  I have a confession to make. Hubby and I have recently started playing online poker. At urlLink The Gaming Club . We started playing for free, but recently started playing on the "money" tables. In tournaments.
Our best finish is 4th place (out of over 1,000), our worst was much lower. Now I KNOW I heard a few *gasps* of horror out there, but before anybody starts panicking, let me explain. Our poker interest was piqued one Sunday night at midnight. We were about to shut the t.v. off and go to bed when urlLink The World Poker Tour happened to come on the channel we were watching. Hosted by Vince Van Patten, Mike Sexton and Shana Hiatt ... and I thought to myself, "Self? How unwholesome could this game be?
With Vince Van Patten at the helm? " And with the first hand of No Limit Texas Hold 'Em poker, we were mesmerized. For those of you unfamiliar with this particular game of poker, it's urlLink pretty simple . Two players post a "blind" bet, after which every player is dealt 2 cards face down. There is a round of betting. Then (those that haven't folded) see three more cards dealt face up. These cards are called the "Flop" and all players use them to build on what they've got in their hand (called the "Hole" cards). There is another round of betting, at the end of which the remaining players view the next card, called the "Turn. " There is more betting, followed by one last card being added to the community cards, which is called the "River," at which point there is a round of final betting. Finally the player with the best combination of "Hole" and "Board" (the table) cards, wins the pot.
As I said, we have graduated to money tournaments ... approximately 8 so far. Our first tournament we came in 7th out of approximately 700 players. We won 107USD. Our fourth-last tournament we came in 4th place out of over 1,000 players and won 180USD. And finally, our second last tournament we placed in the top 100 out of 8,000 players and won 88USD. In all we have staked 17USD of our own money, the rest of the time we have been winning or playing off our winnings.
And we're having a blast. If I've piqued anybody else's interest out there, we'll maybe meet you one night across the green felt ;-) If not, that's okay too. In the meantime, tonight the "World Series of Poker" is on t.v., and if hubby and I can find the broadcast, we'll be watching. Kewl Poker Terms: American Airlines -- A pair of Aces. Big Slick -- A King and an Ace. Broomcorn's Uncle -- Someone who keeps anteing up until he goes broke.
Draw Dead -- Trying to make a hand that, even if successful, will not win the pot (e.g. drawing to make a flush when your opponent has a full house). Gut Shot -- To draw an inside straight. Limper -- The first to call a bet. Maniac -- An overly aggressive player, who usually ends up losing. But beware those who just pretend to be maniacs: their wild play is a ploy to confuse. Railbird -- A non-playing spectator who enjoys watching the action. Sitting on the Button -- Having the dealer's position where you bet last. The Flop -- First three common cards in games such as Texas hold 'em. Walking Sticks -- A pair of sevens. 
