Weekend trip to a college town- the "poker boom" is...

[bholdr]

...defintily for-real. Not like i didn't know that anyway, but WOW.

this post is gonna be a rambler, sry.

I made a short trip to bellingham, Wa to visit csome 'ol college buddies (they're trying hard to cram an four year degree into eight years up there *rolls eyes*), and it literally seemed like EVERY SINGLE one of them was suddenly into poker! Each of them had a home game that they'd been attending, each has a bad beat story *really rolls eyes*, each had opinions on strategy, pros, etc... of course, each claimed to be "breakeven or a little ahead" *one more time*.

So i started interveiwing them- asking each the same set of questions-

do you play fore real money or for fun? almost all of them played for money- usually 5$ NL freezouts, 2 places pay, three or four of them in a night.

Do you study the game? Not one of them knew about this site (and, no, i didn't spill the beans), two out of ten or so had a poker book- one owned SSII, and the other had TOP (good work, son).

How often do you play? once a week for most, every night for a couple of them.

What's the game? hold 'em, Hold 'em, Hold 'em. All but one of the games i heard about were NL games.

There was the 'rock and roll game'- i'm really, really trying to get into this one- 1/2 $100 buy in NL ring, full of bar owners, musicians, etc- it's kind of an excuse to socialize and get high, with some decent money in play- there's probably about $1500 on the table at any given time- definitly worth the effort. I heard a story of a tank of gas being put into action when a guy couldn't cover a bet. He lost, they busted out the siphon tube... lol. nice.

The "dealer and his buddies" game- one kid deals at the local reservation casino and he and his housemates are always playing 1/2 limit or NL freezouts. They are appearently TERRIBLE. I'd like to get in on this one too.

every one else played $10 .5/.10 NL or $5 or $10 freezouts. I heard about probably 20 of these games. not gonna waste my time trying to play them.

One gouy asked ME if i played. I played it cool, and explained that i breakeven at cardrooms and play for the comps (more or less true) and that i play on the internet quite a bit and chase bonuses. I didn't tell them about the $1500 i make monthly- no need to scare anyone off. I have my freinds trying to get me into some of the games for the next time i make the drive.

I suppose i knew about how popular poker has become, buyt to see it in a university town is really an awe-inspiring sight. literally everyone plays! When i was in town years ago, we had to struggle for a week to get a full table for 1/2 mixed games.

it's a whole new day, people, and it's looking good.

[27offsuit]

*crickets*

[2+2 wannabe]

*tumbleweed*

[WackityWhiz]

* cool... clear... water *