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Good for you, Whacky!
I remember bluffing through a game of pool once (as if I were any good at it) and I actually swept the floor with my opponents. What a rush! (Of luck!)
posted by
SpitFire70
on February 12, 2005 at 5:05 PM
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should say against the"LAW"
posted by
Whacky
on February 12, 2005 at 9:17 AM
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And here I thought Gambling (for money) was against
Except in certain states and Indian casinos.
Years ago my smart alec cousins thought they would have some fun and beat me at poker. I didn't know what I was doing, and what do you know, I won all the chips. They went off in a huff to find someone else to make a sap of. I just kept betting till no one had any chips but me. We didn't play for money though those cousins were from the "rich" side of the family.
posted by
Whacky
on February 12, 2005 at 1:31 AM
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Thanks Koriani, I didn't know what a "losers table" was!
posted by
SpitFire70
on February 10, 2005 at 12:47 PM
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LittleMsP,
I really don't want to go, but we're kinda obligated. We will just make an appearance, hang for a while, then skate on outa there. I'm sure we won't be the only ones not playing poker. It's just the whole idea of it as a "birthday party" rather than just being a regular "get together" that bugs me.
posted by
SpitFire70
on February 10, 2005 at 12:47 PM
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I wish I could, Cass!!
posted by
SpitFire70
on February 10, 2005 at 12:45 PM
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Wow, JJ, see? What would I do without you??
posted by
SpitFire70
on February 10, 2005 at 12:44 PM
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The invite doesn't say the "loser's table" is for those who are late...
It's for those who get beat in the first few rounds of poker. The "losers" play each other for smaller stakes.
Don't feel intimidated by the invite. I'm sure it's not required for everyone to play. Most likely they understand that not everyone knows how to or likes to play poker.
Just go and enjoy yourself. If you feel uncomfortable, you can always leave.
posted by
koriani
on February 10, 2005 at 7:57 AM
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I go with Ca88andra!
Sometimes it is just easier to do the whole avoidance thing and then work out later whether or not your friendship needs some work - they should already know which friends don't like poker/card games/gambling!
posted by
littlemspickles
on February 10, 2005 at 3:39 AM
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I think I would find something else already booked on my calendar and politely reneg on the invitation.
posted by
Ca88andra
on February 10, 2005 at 2:39 AM
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I just looked again,
Assuming that there is no other piece to the puzzle, there is no statement in the invitation to the effect that you have to play poker. It's really quite simple: go to the Hog Wash without any visible money. (no twenties, fifties, etc., hanging from your shirt pocket) Then ''Oh My Gosh! We were going to skip the tournament. Neither of us knows how to play poker!'' Go, but opt out of the game. How could that possibly cause any hard feelings? I'm sure a gift is expected, that's usual, but the Grand Poker Tourney may actually be considered optional by the hosts.
Tell them that the reknowned JJ Wilde at Blogit researched the matter, and told you, ''Hey, that's bullshit. I looked it up in Emily Post, called Ann Landers, spoke with Mexican Nationals in Home Depot parking lot, asked a guy who used to work for the Arizona Attorney General's office, and discussed it with one of Sheriff Joe Arpaio's officers when he stopped me for expired tags.''
So there is a simple solution for you. Say you thought the poker was optional and blame me if they find it incredible that you believed that. Print this comment to show them how you found out about it from an expert. JJ
posted by
Jack_Flash
on February 10, 2005 at 2:08 AM
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Moondawggie,
Yeah, brash is a good word to describe this. We love them very much, but I just find this to be, well, wrong and a bit insensitive.
posted by
SpitFire70
on February 9, 2005 at 9:23 PM
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DivineD, I agree with that.
The only thing is that they made it a "birthday" poker party and they're really close friends of ours. In fact, the birthday boy was M's best man at our wedding and his wife (also my part-time partner in our paranormal business was one of my bride's maid's) so we kinda feel obligated! Arrrgghhh!! What a catch 22!
posted by
SpitFire70
on February 9, 2005 at 9:21 PM
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Thanks for visiting Symph!
I hope
you're doing okay!
posted by
SpitFire70
on February 9, 2005 at 9:18 PM
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Thanks, katray. I agree.
Poker
is boring! Blach. I can handle playing Gin for fun, but I'm just not into the "smokey room octogon shaped, green table" like thing!
posted by
SpitFire70
on February 9, 2005 at 9:18 PM
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Dark Dreamer, exactly.
I think a poker party is one thing, but having a mandatory $60 cash-in requirement for a seat is one thing, but a poker party as a "birthday party" kind of makes good friends socially obligated to attend! Not right in my book.
posted by
SpitFire70
on February 9, 2005 at 9:15 PM
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Well, thanks for the advice, JJ.
Again, you rock. However, the downside is that these two people happen to be a couple of our closest friends. They know us too well, as do we know them just as well and it would not be right if we didn't show up. I am supposing we'll just make an appearance for an hour or two and then blow out. There's enough going on as of today that I can make a legitimate excuse to have to leave.
posted by
SpitFire70
on February 9, 2005 at 9:13 PM
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Sounds like a good time
for you to have to be out of town for whatever reason. They are rather brash aren't they.
posted by
Moondawg
on February 9, 2005 at 2:03 PM
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To Poker or not to Poker
It sounds like your friends are caught up in this whole Poker rage and haven't thought very long about whether anyone else wants to do it too.
I'd call and say something like "since I'm not into Poker and it wouldn't be much fun to sit and watch, we're going to pass on the party".
If they thought about it longer, they should really have two sets of things going on, poker for those that want to, and something else for those that don't.
posted by
DivineDiva
on February 9, 2005 at 10:39 AM
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I wish I had some advice for you...but sorry I dont know quite what to say
so I will say ..I hope you figure something out....good luck
posted by
_Symphony_
on February 9, 2005 at 6:21 AM
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Hi Spitfire
I think you have to clue them in about the differences in reality between their lives and the lives of their friends. If they are good friends/people they'll try to understand and hopefully lighten up. I don't care for poker either - Boring in my opinion. Good luck.
posted by
Katray2
on February 9, 2005 at 4:58 AM
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Well put JJ_Wilde...
I know that I can tell me good friends (only have a couple close friends anyway) that I can't afford it and that I am not into cards. Besides ~ poker? Yuck! No way ... kind of a tangled situation ...I like old fashioned birthday parties... hee hee
posted by
Dark_Dreamer
on February 9, 2005 at 4:00 AM
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We just won't be able to.....
Sounds like kind of a hogwash. Get the RSVP back quick enough to be sure that they have time to compute for whatever, but not quick enough to allow time for pleading calls. If you happen to get one of those, just say you don't know from shit about poker. Maybe say that some relative had a gambling problem that destroyed his life and you can't get near a deck of cards without crying. Say your car blew a belt, it's in the shop with a seized engine, and it's going to cost a fortune. Say your frog has fleas and it looks like it will be terminal if you don't stay with it.
The whole thing sounds like a con anyway. Sidestep politely and watch for the crash; Certainly sounds like one is coming. People aren't always as ''well to do'' as they pretend JJ
posted by
Jack_Flash
on February 9, 2005 at 3:51 AM
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