THE POKER TABLE.....VIRTUAL FRIENDS, REAL PEOPLE.
By
The Savvy Old Lady ©
Joan Giorgianni

I would imagine that gambling of some sort or other can probably be traced back to the early cavemen.  So maybe they bet with pebbles or flint sticks but since the very beginning of time women and men have found gambling a source of entertainment and amusement and sometimes (albeit rarely – wealth).  Look at the Romans as they went to the Coliseum and bet on the Gladiators, even a pair of ivory dice dated before 1500BC  was found in Egypt and one of the Kings of England, Henry VIII was reported to have banned his military from gambling since they were spending too much time gambling and too little time soldiering.  (Source: www.gamblingorigins.com)

However, now, in the 21st Century, gambling around the world has become a multi-billion dollar industry.   Yes, you can travel to the French Riviera, England, Monaco, Las Vegas, the Caribbean Islands, or on a Cruise Ship and many, many more exciting destinations to spend your money or, as in my case all too often,  donate my money and chase that little will-o-the-wisp dream of winning the big jackpot.  Still many people, due to time constraints, work and financial issues just prefer a friendly game of poker or bridge or Old Maid or something with small stakes, played in their own homes with family or friends as an evening’s enjoyment.  But I must tell you that there are a huge number of folks out there all over the world who enjoy playing poker.  They also really enjoy the companionship of other players they meet – or at least virtually meet - at the on-line tables.  These people sit comfortably in their own homes or hotel rooms when on the road, maybe even wearing their jammies, with a beer or Pepsi next to them and they bet as aggressively as if they were in a high stakes poker game in Monte Carlo.

So, who are these people and where do they play?  It’s simple anyone over the age of eighteen, anywhere in the world, can log onto their computers and visit any number of on-line poker websites and play for endless hours and the cost...zero.  It’s all for play money but don’t be fooled the competition is usually stiff and at times tempers do flair.  Yes, I know there are some “real-money” sites out there (I am The Savvy Old Lady, you know) – but since they are illegal in the US of A I don’t go there … and neither should you.

Just for a moment picture yourself sitting down at the Poker Table with seven other people.  Their names are: ‘One Round Man’, ‘Patty Perfect’, ‘Hunter’, ‘Getback’, ‘USMCMOM’, ‘Teenie’ and ‘Cisco’.  All are anonymous pseudonyms and, at first glance, all virtual-reality people who are enjoying the same low impact past time, relaxing and chatting.   But over a period of time these anonymous virtual-reality people take on a real-reality and their lives and personalities are slowly revealed and shared.  Friendships are made and broken.  Serious discussions began to enter the picture...they no longer are just the virtual-faces created by an artist on a website, the faces you see on the screen become for you the real faces of real people, their pseudonyms become real names (reminds me of what Shakespeare had to say about one of my favorite flowers, “A rose by another name would still smell as sweet.”).  Relationships are made and although these people are likely never to meet in the-flesh there is no doubt that strong bonds are formed.  The people on these sites eventually describe things in their lives that they would never ever think of saying even to a best friend.  Illnesses, addictions, marital problems, family issues are spoken of with sincerity and conviction.  I’m sure some psychiatrist could explain this with some psycho-babble terms that would be beyond my interest, but that matters less than the fact that all of these glimpses of personal and sometimes secret lives have as much texture, meaning and emotive ability as if the person were sitting live at my kitchen table every evening.

Often I wonder if the Poker Table doesn’t turn into a sounding board for many, a place where they can work out their problems with the help of others and not fear the embarrassment and reprisal of having to come face to face with that person after describing personal matters.  The casual poker game sometimes seems to become secondary to a more important focus and that is the people themselves.  Not the virtual-reality people that so often are spoken of but the cops, firemen, lawyers, doctors, retirees, moms, dads, grandparents and those who are too ill even to leave their homes.  Now I don’t want to sound as if the games are always filled with drama, morose discussions and depressing views.  More than often humor appears and the dark clouds quickly disappear.  Humor with laughter, although silently muted on the web, are the mainstays for most Poker Tables – the virtual and the live ones.  Yes, we do get our fair share of nitwits in the game but it doesn’t take long to weed them out; sort of like life in general.  Anger and frustration also appear when players lash out for no apparent reason but usually it’s because they either have no one in their lives to listen to them or they can’t bear the thought of burdening their loved ones.  There is no doubt in my mind that every human being hungers for someone to listen to them and I mean really listen and if the venue turns out to be a virtual poker table so be it.  The table may be virtual but I have come to understand and respect the people, the real people, who have become an extended group of friends.

This blog is dedicated to “Oneroundman”, a man who is a hero in my eyes, and who each and every day wakes up and faces the trials life has handed him.  It was not his fault that he woke up one morning went to work as usual and was hit by a speeding trucker. Through pain and anguish he still keeps a great sense of humor and teaches me the importance of friendship, kindness and most importantly to live each day as it comes. 

God Bless You, You-Know-Your-Real-Name.  I will never forget you!

STAY SAVVY!

Hugs

The Savvy Old Lady