The beginnings of a poker player

My first time playing poker
By Bella


In 1992 I started driving a tour bus to native casino's. At first I just played Black Jack simply because you could bet $2 at a time and I wasn't into gambling much. I didn't even care for it and didn't even walk around the casino much. I took many people gambling and made many senior friends during this time.

I was sitting at a BJ table one day when this grouchy Greek guy sat down and started betting big ($10) each hand and was grumbling under his breath the entire time. Needless to say he lost around $100 and pushed his chair back and left. The dealer made the comment that Chris must be losing at poker if hes here playing BJ.

The next time Chris came back to the table he was grouchier than ever and madder than all heck. He started yelling at a few of the BJ players at the table saying "don't you people know how to play BJ?' Things like that and he started irritating me. I was in last seat and had 2 face cards which I split hitting both and doubling down. I started with 20 and made 2 splits hitting 20 again which I split again. I had 4 hands in front of me with the lowest hand totaling 19. If I hadn't split and let the dealer hit he would have busted and the entire table would have won. Needless to say Chris went ballistic and ranted at me about how dumb I played. He was so irate he jumped up tipping over the chair and walked out of the casino. The dealer again commented that Chris must have lost big time at the poker tables. I told the table I was sorry about splitting because I was new to gambling and didn't realize I should have stayed. The entire table thanked me for getting rid of Chris. LOL.


I then think Chris started looking for me and would sit at my table to play. He would give me pointers which I thanked him for. His wife was sitting next to me playing one time and he introduced her to me. I said oh that's your wife?? She rides with me on my bus. She later told me she hates to spend hours at the casino so her husband drives up to play poker and she comes later on the bus, have supper together then she rides home with him if hes ready to go. Otherwise she will ride back with me if hes winning.


One day I heard the announcement that they needed players for the poker game. I decided to walk back to the poker room and look around. I walked back there looked into the room and there sat Chris. He yells at me to come play. I walk over to him and say I don't know how to play poker. He convinces me to sit down and play after all its a 25 cent game with a $10 buyin. During the early morning hours the casino had a 25 cent Holdem/ Omaha game. Many of the regulars played in it to guarantee them a seat in the evening games. There was always a long waiting list as the casino only had 4 tables.


One of the regular 25 cent players named Tony taught me a good lesson once. I had QQ and he bet into the pot raising me and I called him. I of course didn't know how good my QQ was so didn't reraise him. The flop comes Q88 and I thought great, I have a full house. I bet and its raised by Tony. I did reraise him and it ends up capped out.

The turn brings another 8 and I'm still happy because I have a big full house. Its again capped out and I'm getting excited that I'm going to win a big pot. I get to be a smart azz and start taunting Tony that I have him beat. He looks at me and says are you sure of that. I'm smiling real big and the other players are looking at each other laughing. On the river comes an Ace and I bet again talking about what a big pot it was and how broke Tony was going to be.

Tony cocks his head sideways and says are you sure you're going to win and I say yep. He raises me and again its capped out. I'm feeling good when the dealer asks to see our hands. The dealer has the pot more toward Tony's side of the table as he turns over one card and ace making him a full house 888AA. I say ha! I have a full house and turn over my pocket Queens making my full house bigger QQQ88. Tony smiles at me and says "I have never had more fun playing a hand in my life" He then turns over and 8 making him the winner with quad 8's.

Needless to say I was devastated and the entire table were busting a gut laughing as they had played many times with Tony and knew he had the nuts. Tony was known as the "rock" of the poker room and never played a hand unless he had the nuts! My first lesson in humility at the poker table.


After about 3 months of losing money in the 25 cent game I started getting the hang of it and decided to try the bigger game. The $2/$5 game was my start to loving poker and I very seldom played BJ again. It took about 6 months for me to get fairly good at poker. Of course Chris taught me alot along the way as he took my money lol. He would point out how his full house was bigger than mine, how I should raise preflop and many other tips that have helped me come to love poker.

Many people disliked Chris but I learned to love him like a father and understood his wry sense of humor. He did have a bad temper which was part of his heritage and he did on purpose tilt many people. His usual comment was "I'm not here to make friends but to take your money." Chris died of lung cancer and many people said they were glad. I personally stood up and announced that you may be glad hes gone but I will miss my friend and teacher. I really do miss many of the regular poker players as many have passed away and many have moved to California where the fishing is better :)

I hope you enjoyed this story as I have a few more to tell you sometime soon.