[elwoodblues]

My family was always into playing cards. We often spent at least one evening per week playing cards (never poker.) We usually played partner games with my brother and I against my parents. When I was really young (grade school), our game of choice was Canasta. In middle school to early high school we played double deck pinochle. At the peak, we would play 1 or 2 games of pinochle every night (usually before dinner.) We shifted back to canasta 10 years ago or so and have been playing that (when we play) ever since.

Each summer we would vacation at my grandparents lake cabin. We would usually play our game of choice (pinochle or canasta -- depending on the game era.) However, if the grandparents wanted to play or we had more people than four, we would usually try something different. This usually led to playing Skip-bo (I think that's the name) or Tripoli/Michigan Rummy. Michigan Rummy/Tripoli contains an element of poker. I suspect that's where I originally learned, but I could have been taught by my brother (I really don't have a specific recollection.)

Every once in a great while, I would play penny ante poker with some friends (grade school.) Then in Jr. High, my older brother, a few of his friends and I would play poker on a semi-regular basis. The game was usually 5 card draw (as this is the form of poker most people learn first) or mindless games like Between the Sheets.

All throughout High School and most of college, I never played a single game of poker. It just dropped off the radar entirely. One New Year's Eve at the home of my then girlfriend (now wife), we all decided to play poker. That's what really started it for me. I had a blast. I was not good, but it was still fun.

I soon decided to try to learn some strategy. A little internet research led me to an on-line book about home games. I don't remember a lot about it except it was more entertainment than strategy (there were such hot tips as don't drink, keep your opponents well fed, and I distinctly remember a side bet where the author offered a loose player that they would share $1 out of every pot they won...the loose player won more, but smaller, pots so the bet was a good one.)

Soon, I was reading everything I could find on the net --- and actually playing fairly rarely. I wanted to learn the game and didn't have too many opportunities to play, so I read a lot. I downloaded a hold 'em game for my palm pilot and played that quite a bit (I really didn't get the whole blind structure for quite some time.) Once I understand the mechanics of the game, I ventured to Canterbury and tried that. I purchased Turbo Texas Hold 'em and tried that. All of that taught me one thing --- I sucked rocks at poker, but still really liked it.

I started buying books TOP, HPFAP, Lee Jones, Gary Carson, Ken Warren (what was I thinking?), Ray Zee and many others now line my shelves. I tried Paradise --- won some money and then tried UB --- won some money and tried Party.

Over the years, I've gotten better. I'm not great by any stretch of the imagination. I'm not making a lot of money. I have no delusions of winning a bracelet. I just really like to play cards. Playing nearly any card game brings faint memories of playing Pinnochle at the lake. It reminds me of sitting around the table with old family, and new, sharing time together. A deck of cards (or two decks for Canasta, or four for double-deck pinnochle) have provided me a lot of enjoyment over the years.

Poker can be a great way to make money. At times, it can be frustrating as hell. At times, it can be an emotional high. Throughout all the peaks and valleys, both now and in the future, I hope that it always reminds me of sitting around the table playing cards with my family. I hope that it is a tradition that I can pass on to my kids. I hope that poker always remains fun.