A Neighborhood Poker Game

The 90 homes in our South Hills subdivision were built between 2007 and 2010, attracting early residents who valued the excellent school district and beautiful surrounding woods. Most were dual-income with no children or first-time homebuyers with young children — lawyers, doctors, bankers, union trade craftsmen and IT professionals. The new neighborhood was a real melting pot with multiple races, creeds and countries of origin.

In 2008, to build camaraderie and get to know each other, one neighbor proposed a monthly poker game hosted by a different person each month. Almost all the men in the neighborhood agreed and donated money to buy playing cards, clay poker chips, and a purposely ugly rotating trophy to be given to the winner each month. The winner was to proudly display the hideous trophy in their home, even over the objections of their spouse.

The Texas Hold’em games had a “buy in” of $20, and the host provided food and drinks, often a keg of beer and pizza. We were blessed to have native-country food served when a newer American citizen hosted. The first couple of years, it wasn’t uncommon for games to include 20 players, have raucous music and last until 3 a.m.

Over time, with life changes, people came and went. But the poker group has continued, with new neighbors joining. Post-COVID, we have six-to-eight regulars. We like to think of it as a form of immigration. Previously, only players who lived within the neighborhood were allowed. Now we welcome friends and associates from outside the neighborhood to participate, and everyone chips in $10 to the host for food and drink. We keep the noise down and finish by midnight.

The hideous three-foot-high trophy still exists, containing the name of every monthly winner for the past 18 years.

We argue about sports, never talk politics, and hear the latest neighborhood and township gossip. But getting to know our neighbors is the best part. I hope it never ends.