I enjoy an occasional home game of poker. I generally break even playing this game, or maybe slightly down, but considering I seldom play more than twice a month (and averaging about half that) I could afford to lose every time. I risk less than the price of taking my girlfriend to a dinner and a movie, but with the added benefit that sometimes with poker, I get to go home a winner. That’s what happened last night. I’m not going to bore you with the details (mostly because at this point the evening is a bit of a blur due to lack of sleep and a developing cold).

It got to be late. I had a third of the chips in play, maybe a quarter, but still, I was at a place where I am pretty sure that two all in calls (going my way) would have ended the game, or one call going Sean’s way. The payouts were significantly different, and I really didn’t want second place. Someone brought up the idea of chopping the pot, and I was for it, but as chip leader it was really Sean’s call. He was cool with it as well, so we split the cash and went the hell home.

We had one show down hand to determine next time’s bounty, and it went my way. J 9 vs. K 9 if I remember correctly. J 9 is my favorite hand because it’s easy to throw away when you’re pushed, but good enough to call with on most modest bets. Long story less long, I spiked my Jack, so bounty is on me next time.

I get to completely refresh my reserve fund, and get to have some left over to have fun with, and as we all know I like fun!