Poker in the Rear! LCB up front!

Well I have been 'out of order' for the past half week. But now do I have a story for you. We can throw this under etiquette. Well this local watering hole (you can even call beyond dive) was offering me games on a Wednesday nite for so long. I was loyal for years, until recently. This place scraps up barely two tables, 5 per. 5 bucks buy in, figure out the rake, you break even with drinks. Fun when its all your friends, but when they arn't? So, I do make friends with the 'old heads'. They usually know where a good game could be found... apparently one told me a few weeks ago to go right down the pike. You live once, lets check it out.

Bigger stakes down the pike. 20 bucks for the 30 person game to win bout 200. So I quit trying at the 'beyond dive' and drove up the pike with Mike. My first experience at any new place is just to check out the scene and see how everything plays out. The people, the cards, the chips, the bartenders, the atmosphere.

I did not receive my first cards when my ears perked up to hear, "side game". Now thats the game I'm looking for, with none of bullshit card playing involved. Chips were flying, color denominations confusing me, and now I was down to about 300 in chips of maybe 2 grand. Now it was time. Pre flop conditions told me it was all or nothing. J - 9 off suit. It was now or never. K-J-Q off suit on the board. 2 others fighting for the pot after my all in. All I need is a 10 for straight. Another K came out, and some junk. Bro to the right flipped over QUADS. I never made my straight.

So back to this 'side game'. Always the new fish (me) is always questionable for first time playing their 'side game'. Sat at the bar, waiting for this new Mike to let me know how the show goes down. Had a few drinks and finally figured out I was hanging out with the owners at the bar, bullshitting about AC the whole nite, and this Mike was their nephew. Owners peace out. Now I am on game control. Nothing to be dealt for the 'second game.' or so Mike tells me. I was so ready to throw down wicked skill.

In between all of this, I always get the 3rd degree, cause LCB (liquor control board) would have a field day with a 'late nite game'. Not so much being grilled, as to poking around to see if I'm legit. Happened in the 'Burgh as well. You have to give it a few weeks to get into this 'side game'. They have to feel you out. Cause you never know, I can be LCB staking out joints for the past few years for illegal gambling to have the biggest bust on the East Coast.....


F that! pass me the dealer button, let's get this game on!