Texas Hold’em Poker Gags

Winners are grinners at Las Vegas poker tables. What’s the difference between a man praying at church and a man praying at the poker tables? The guy at the poker tables actually means it :) Join me as we delve into the exciting world of Texas Hold’em Poker in all its glory.

As a dealer at a prominent Las Vegas hotel and casino I see a lot of things and hear a lot of things. But the funniest stories are the ones I remember most. Join me as the underbelly of poker gaming humor and mishaps reveal themselves in a delightful expose. Texas Hold’em poker is enjoyed in a generally congenial atmosphere. Sure there are moments of tension and anxiety, but it remains a game and entertainment is the reason why I and so many others play.

A few silly calls amidst the laughter at the tables

So one night I’m dealing at a bustling table. There are a handful of regulars at my table and a new guy has moved in to my right. So the hole cards have been dealt. I’m patiently waiting to deal the next round.  After all the community cards are on the table, a bizarre set of circumstances unfolds.  Jim Bob on my right claims – and he truly believes this – that his Q, K, A, 2 and 3 make up a straight flush. It breaks my heart to tell him that even though the sequence might look okay – it’s totally wrong,  and that a straight flush is actually made up of five cards in sequence all comprised of the same suit. An example is a K, Q, J, 10, 9 of hearts, spades, clubs or diamonds. Jim Bob was not happy that the order of his cards was haywire – but a pat on the back and a round of drinks for the table raised his spirits (excuse the pun) :) I’ve seen players folding perfectly good hands – for no rhyme or reason. I recall a lady folding her pocket Ks even though the flop would have gifted her a full house. Anything goes in Las Vegas and I’ve seen my fair share.

Jokes aplenty at poker tables

When the going gets tough there’s nothing like a great poker joke to lighten the mood. And regular players are well-stocked in that department. I remember hearing the joke about the little girl who would not speak. This little teeny bopper was not diagnosed with any medical condition, but she wouldn’t speak. So one day at age 5 she’s with her mom at an informal game of Texas Hold’em at home. Her mom Sally is enduring a poor run of form for the evening and eventually makes a mess of things. ‘Mom that was surely a poor call you made!’ utters the girl. The mom – positively shocked - says, ‘Baby you spoke! I’m so thrilled – you’ve never said a word before!’ The little girl looks into her mom’s face quizzically and says – ‘Yea! You’ve been playing perfectly okay until now!’ Talk about a poker face.