Illustration by Catherine Chan
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We range in age from 70 to late 80s. We range in hair colour from blonde and brunette to grey, white and whiter. Some of us have hearing aids. Some don’t have them but probably should. Almost all of us wear glasses. There are knee replacements, a heart replacement and one or two husband replacements. But what we all have in common is that we love a good game of poker.
A few years ago, a couple of women in our condo started a weekly poker game. Newbies were taught the basics of Texas Hold’em and a seat at the table costs $8. The game is restricted to women. On one occasion, a man dropped in, uninvited, and, before you knew it, there was some “man-splaining” going on.
Most of us live in the building, except for a couple of regulars who brave the traffic and the elements to play every week. We play Friday afternoons from 1 to 4. Fridays haven’t been the same since.
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Initially, we had 10 players around a dining room table and the size of the group was manageable. As word spread, our numbers increased to the point where not everyone who wanted to play could be accommodated. Someone would put out a call for players for the next game via e-mail. Those who responded first were in and the rest were “ladies-in-waiting.” (Our host, who is willing to have us in her home every week, is always guaranteed a seat at the table.) This system eventually became unworkable and a new system was devised whereby each player was assigned a number, and we rotated through the list.
Several months ago, I started taking notes of the humorous things people said at the table while still trying to play the game myself. You could say I was multitasking, especially since I was often the dealer. Later, I would write about the game and share it with the group so I became known as “the Scribbler.” We also have “the Folder,” who chooses to fold (or not play a given hand) more frequently than most. We have “the Curser,” who threatens to put a curse on anyone who wins too many hands. There is also “the Thinker,” who likes to ponder her next move a tad longer than the rest of us. We laugh a lot and curse our luck a lot. One player still hasn’t recovered from folding a hand in 2025 that would have won the pot. Occasionally, (actually, frequently) more than one of us will use language that would not be considered acceptable in certain circles. We have often thought that our game should be televised for a sitcom.
At the end of the game, the cash is divided among the three players who have amassed the most poker chips, plus the one who has the highest ranked hand. Someone takes a picture of the winners to email to the whole group. We used to use a trick with a large mirror that would show the losers, too, but we don’t do that anymore.
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As a group, we have become supportive of one another through good times and challenging times. After months of coaxing, I finally got one of my single neighbours to join the group. That was over a year ago and now she thanks me almost every time we see each other. She says it was one of the best decisions she has made in years and the feeling is mutual, she is one of the most interesting and amusing people at the table.
For our breaks, each player takes a turn providing something tempting to eat. Many of us have dietary restrictions. One requires gluten-free, some are lactose intolerant and most are trying to avoid sugar. Occasionally we cheat on our diets, but never at poker.
A remarkable offshoot of this weekly game has occurred. Several of the women who are without partners started getting together in the evening after the game. They go to a local restaurant where they laugh some more and enjoy each other’s company for a few more hours.
When it comes to playing poker, everybody likes to win but what keeps us coming back, week after week, win or lose, is the wonderful time that we have together.
Susan Cochrane lives in Toronto.