Poker: A Game for All Nations

Whether you play poker on-line or in a land-based casino, you are going to run into opponents from many different countries. And some of those players have developed survival talents that are highly refined and, quite frankly, difficult to defeat.

The other night we had a table at Wild Horse Pass that was made up of two people from New York, one woman from Omaha, Nev., a Cambodian, two men from Vietnam, a young man from the Mideast and three Americans -- a cultural melting pot.

One of the Vietnamese had a stack of chips built up in front of him that reminded me of the Taj Mahal. And he continued coming up with winning hands and moves that were more than just commendable -- they were uncanny.

We talked and he told me he had come to America at age 17. The Cambodian was older than tht when he emigrated to the United States. People from other countries can become very observant and learn what to do by watching others, and these guys had learned their lessons very well.

When you run into cultural shock at the table, you need to upgrade your game. Don't play as many hands and set trap plays that will take advantage of cunning moves that are a part of a people's culture and a need to survive if you expect to walk away from the table a winner.

I enjoy playing against people from other nations -- but I don't like giving my chips to them.

Usually Vietnamese, Cambodians and people from the Mideast are not very talkative, preferring to let their actions at the table speak for themselves. I try to draw them into conversations with joking remarks or comments on their play. It often works in relaxing them and sometimes rewards me with a winning pot.

Having lived on three Caribbean islands for five years, I have an understanding of other cultures that has opened up my eyes to the problems faced by people from Third World nations.

You have to admire their ability to adapt, to learn and to survive. They had to learn a new language, they needed to learn the American way of life, and they were forced to become proficient at an international card game that has many different twists and turns. If you think that is an easy process, just try it.

My new Cambodian friend has a smiling face and is quick to laugh at the hand life has dealt him. He is planning a trip back to Cambodia in May and has generously offered to take me with him and find me a place to stay.

'You are divorced?,' he said as his sister stood behind him smiling. 'i will find you the most beautiful young Cambodian girl to marry you.'

I wasn't sure about that, but I liked his attitude and we exchanged contact information. Sometimes what you lose playing poker, you can gain n other ways.

Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.

(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).