The Business Side of Poker

Golf is a great game. It's relaxing, it contributes to your good health, it gives you time to think, and you can get a lot of business accomplished while playing those 18 holes.

President Donald spends a lot of time playing golf. His critics attack him for doing it, saying he should invest more of his time taking care of the country's business. Excuse me. Executives and political leaders have always worked out a lot of important issues by discussing them on a golf course. While non-golfers don't understand this, anyone who has swung a seven-iron at a Titleist or Wilson golf ball surely does.

Golf has enjoyed a long reputation for being a place where power brokers work out important transactions. However, in the past 10 years, another game has emerged that is replacing golf as an important conference table. I am talking about poker.

The average person would be amazed at how many CEOs, business owners and even politicians play poker. Between hands, they talk business and politics. I have witnessed business deals completed and contracts being signed at poker tables -- after the hand is completed, of course.

The other night I was playing poker at Talking Stick Casino near Scottsdale, AZ. I struck up a conversation with the young man sitting next to me and he turned out to own a travel agency that specialized in booking cruises.

I have taken a number of cruises and love them. I shared an idea with him about promoting cruises to some of the islands that I know intimately. He liked the idea and we exchanged information. We are planning to meet on the subject in the near future.

Another person I met the same day owns a hotel in Kansas. He shared some humorous tales with me about some of his guests. I told him I was a ghostwriter with two published books under my belt. We exchanged emails and plan to discuss the possibility of co-authoring a book.

The next time you sit down at a poker table, get to know the person sitting next to you. He or she may be a dentist, cardiologists, an auto mechanic or a retired military veteran who can share some good stories with you.

Above all, never forget that poker is a social game. Try not to let it get personal when another player raises or check-raises you. That individual is simply playing according to what he knows about the game just as you are playing your best game.

If the player wins the pot, congratulate him. Ask the player where he or she is from and find out his or her profession. You can make a new friend and also gain some knowledge of the person's playing style. Good luck. Let the games begin.

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 ).