
I had a poker night a few weeks ago, something I try to do approximately every four months. The cards are basically the excuse we use to get out of the house for a few hours. Bring a 6-pack, throw in a $20, and you’re good to go. We always play “dealer’s choice” which is fun because there are a million different poker games out there – Night Baseball, Chicago, Follow the Queen, Omaha, whatever – so that keeps the table running.
Every now and again we’ll play a game someone hasn’t heard of and we’ll have to stop and explain the rules. No big deal. We explain the game, clear up any confusion, and then deal out the cards. At this last poker night, a buddy of mine pulled me aside and apologized because he didn’t know many of the games. He just didn’t play cards all that often. I assured him it wasn’t a problem. He is a great guy, so what if poker isn’t his thing? He wanted to join in and I guaranteed him he was more than welcome.
Nobody gave him a hard time that night. However if someone would have picked on him I would have asked that person to leave immediately. See, I’ve been there. I’ve been the odd man out at the poker table. The guy who didn’t understand the rules and got roundly, repeatedly, and viciously harassed for it. That was five years ago and I haven’t forgotten the feeling. It’s not good. I wasn’t “smartened” up to all the games so I took a beating for it. Nobody was going to make someone feel that way in my own house. You want to play at my table? There is always a seat open and a cold beer waiting.
What does this have to do with wrestling? Well, in my personal opinion, no community is as fractured, judgmental, and condescending as professional wrestling fans. Of course, that’s just my opinion. We’re allowed to have those, right? Right??
Well…maybe not.
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