Round 1: Cards are War, in Disguise of a Sport

This year’s poker tournament began deliciously, with an ample supply of thin-crust – “I’m practically salad” – pizza. We found our seats and enthusiastically prepared to take as many blinds from the latecomers as possible. I played tight for a while to get a feel for the others. I folded an Ace preflop and cursed my caution when one inevitably came down. In my final hand, I had a lively two pair. I bet aggressively, believing I could better my one opponent. He had a flush. The walk of shame followed. I pottered over to the organizers to sign out, amid the commiserating cheers of my still hopeful peers. Until next year!