City youth find a new stimulant: POKER

Mumbai's underground 5,000+ poker circuit of 16 to 35 yr-olds, spans North to South and traverses the hippest areas of the city. Bhairavi Jhaveri tells you why Poker has suddenly replaced drugs, alcohol, excessive partying and even girlfriends

City youth find a new stimulant: POKER

The next time you find a nightclub half-empty on a weekend, don't blame the global meltdown. It's just that youngsters have found something more invigorating to do with their free time, and it involves being cooped up

at home.

Mini common-interest Poker circles of five to seven players have erupted within the last year, in almost every urban locality in Mumbai, from Cuffe Parade and Worli to Bandra and Andheri. Poker parties have turned into the most enjoyable recreation for several urban professionals (95% men) in the age group of 16 to 35. After-work
on weekdays and all weekends are dedicated to high-adrenaline Poker games played in the safety of somebody's home.

Friday night is Poker night
A game of Poker usually kickstarts at about 10.30 pm (invariably on a Friday night), once the location has been discreetly let out to 7 players. A complete deck of cards and a chip case are placed on the bed, while the players find a comfortable spot to settle in. BYOB (Bring Your Own Booze) is the rule, along with your choice of mixers. But players keep drinking to a minimum since the game is intense. Buy-ins and blinds are fixed and a banker is chosen from the group. The chips are distributed against these rates. Food is ordered in, but is either devoured before or after the game, before it turns into a distraction.

Can anybody join these circles? Not unless you have been referred to as trustworthy by an existing player. This is done primarily to remain underground and protect every player's safety.

Texas Hold'em Poker is the most popular
Poker enthusiasts also have a choice of budget they wish to play with, and can pick a circle accordingly. The range is between Rs 500 to Rs 1 lakh, and players can lose/win anywhere between a couple of hundred bucks to a lakh-and-a-half in a night. Unemployed teenagers usually play for lesser amounts. More than luck and money, the game requires skill and is, therefore, seen as an intelligent man's game, not just a wealthy or frisky person's pass time.

Even losing doesn't sadden Poker players; the real rush comes from enduring a full game replete with mind-boggling strategies. The consequence also depends on what kind of a personality you are, how aggressive or collected, and how well you can gauge another player's under-the-sleeve tricks.

Facebook could have stoked the Poker wave
The Texas Hold'em Poker game application on Facebook had millions hooked to it a little over a year ago, and it has extended to forming Poker-centric communities and a chance to meet Poker buddies through your online friends list. The same concept soon got photocopied into the offline world to enjoy the way Poker must be played with money. Now, most players use the online version as nothing more than timepass. Unlike the Poker parties, the online version sees a lot of women players too.u00a0

Poker is better than poking
Gambling isn't called an addiction for no reason. Like most professionals, Poker enthusiasts find free time only on weekends. But weekends are also "relationship time". But a pre-decided game on Friday will mean plans-with-girlfriend out, Poker in, often leading to arguments. Poker players admit to spending time with girlfriends on a weekday, and Saturdays turn into a "boys night out" for those men who have to keep the Poker game a secret from their women.

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