Feisty Repartee

Fleecing the Neighbors

Right or wrong, I have allowed my sweet, eleven-year-old daughter to play poker, particularly when the next door neighbors are over. These neighbors are kind and fun and have spent time with and taken an interest in Sweet One.

One evening when the neighbors were over to play Texas Hold 'em, Sweet One asked to join us. With everyone's agreement, she was given chips and dealt in. A few hands later, the flop showed a rainbow (cards from different suits) of 10, 7, and 3. When the turn (or fourth card) was revealed as a Queen, Sweet One exclaimed "YES!" and smiled broadly. She and Mr. Neighbor were the last two players for that hand. He shook his head, folded his cards, and gave the pot to her. She then showed her hand, a 2 and 5. Junk. She had nothing.

About four hands later, Sweet One and Mr. Neighbor were again the last two remaining. This time, the flop showed an 8 of clubs, an 8 of spades, and a 2 of diamonds. The turn revealed another Queen, this one of diamonds. True to form, Sweet One cried: "YES!" and all but high-fived herself. Mr. Neighbor smiled, said he was not falling for that "trick" again, and raised her bet. Sweet One promptly went all in. He called. With a full house, Queens full of eights, she took the pot and the rest of Mr. Neighbor's chips.

A few weeks later, Sweet One received the allowance she had earned. Immediately thereafter, she asked if she could phone the neighbors.

This was her side of the conversation:

Sweet One: Hi Mrs. (Neighbor). May I speak to Mr. (Neighbor), please?

Pause.

Sweet One: Hi Mr. (Neighbor) I just got my allowance, do you want to play poker?

That's my girl!

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