RAF Poker

[Flopper]

Anyone know where poker is being played in the RAF? No doubt there is a QR against it but I'm addicted and have to find a live game.

RAF Poker Society anyone?

[Bob Viking]

Flopper,
I presume we are talking about Texas Hold 'em?! The only form of poker as far as I'm concerned!
BV

[B9]

There used to be an active poker school at RAF Coltishall in the early 70's with dealer's choice of game. Anyone out there who remembers the Regt Two-step ' Fours, whores, one-eyed jacks & King with the axe wild, three-two-one to the right, stack them and roll them, high/low split?'

[Flopper]

Texas Hold'em indeed.

Watched it on telly, played with a couple of mates and recently played in a card room. What a hoot!

I had always dismissed Poker, but now I am hooked. It's a thought provoking multi facted game. It would be great to see Hold'em nights in the mess -

nothing major that would get OC Admin all excited but say a £5 entry No Limit tournament. Winner takes half the pot - benevolent fund takes the other half.

You could have say 10 - 100 players in the bar/dining room. As people get all in and eliminated the tables re-org until there is head to head with just 2 players amongst massive excitement.


My guess is that the final would end up with a Plt Off and a padre.

It would take 20 minutes to brief people on how to play - couple of experienced guys on each table to self deal.

I notice that many Universities have Poker Societies now, and messes often have horse race nights, at least Poker takes a bit of thought.

[16 blades]

Texas Hold'em is crap. It's no fun when you can easily guess what hands the other players might have (by virtue of the fact you can see 5 cards on the table) - much more fun when you hold all 5 cards and no-one has a clue. Then it really IS down to pure wit and who has the best poker face / biggest balls!

16b

[Red Line Entry]

I'm a long time poker player but have never played within an RAF environment. The primary reason that the game is not played is of course the QR that specifically forbids gambling (with certain exceptions, Mess nights etc)

While I understand the concern, the QR is, in my opinion, a hangover from an earlier era when control of servicemen's personal lives was more accepted.

Would removal of the QR cause problems? No doubt there would be the occasional incidence of gambling getting out of hand, but there already exists a raft of QRs that would cater for such excesses (and there's always the good ol' Sect 69 of the AFA). To have a blanket ban that prevents a regular social get-together (like the American Thursday night poker tradition) is unnecessary.

Oh, and for skill, my vote goes to 7 card stud but my online preference is for Texas Hold 'em - lots of online Yanks with no idea how to play the game!

[Impiger]

Not sure QRs forbid gambling per se as of course we have all those fruit machines! As I recall the template for Mess Rules it goes along the lines of 'games of skill for small stakes only' such as Bridge at a penny per hundred points.

Poker is clearly a game of skill so game on. :ok:

[On_The_Top_Bunk]

Texas Hold'em is crap. It's no fun when you can easily guess what hands the other players might have (by virtue of the fact you can see 5 cards on the table)

Probably one of the most ridiculous things I have ever read.

I would love to play you at holdem if that's what you honestly think.

[soddim]

B9,

Remember the game well - needed 5 Aces or 1,2,3,4,6 to win!

[D-IFF_ident]

I usually play once a week - either at my house or the RAFLO's. It's 5 bucks a head and you're all welcome to join anytime you're in town.

[opso]

Sounds like Monday could be good for a laugh. Does anyone have any links to decent 'how to play Texas holdem' sites?

[On_The_Top_Bunk]

Sounds like Monday could be good for a laugh. Does anyone have any links to decent 'how to play Texas holdem' sites?

www.google.com is you friend

http://www.texasholdem-poker.com/

http://www.flopturnriver.com/


thats the basics

[Red Line Entry]

Remember - picture cards are BAD. Wait till you get something like 3 8 unsuited and put all your money in the middle of the table...

[Flopper]

- On the top Bunk- Nice one

I will be registering tonight.

Looking forward to seeing how this goes.

At the very least we all gain valuable experience and the honour of participating in the inaugural Pprune RAF Poker Society meeting!


:cool:


So, bigshot 16b.....are you signing up to demonstrate your mastery of this simple game....after all its easy working out what everyone has got with 5 cards on the table??!

Money....mouth...etc

[16 blades]

Didn't say I was a master! Far from it in fact!! I won a couple of lucky tables at a meeting recently, but then played like a chimp for the rest of the evening. I'm just not a fan of hold'em, not when all players have the same hand bar 2 cards, and arguments about 'senior suits' start when 2 or more people have identical (value) hands. I prefer games without communal cards myself - more mystery! Maybe my post's wording didn't convey what I was trying to say (for a change!) - perhaps it's not that easy to work out what hands players have, but it certainly is obvious what they DON'T have. Love poker in general though.

16B

[Flopper]

16 Blades - Just trying to get you into the game! Especially if you "play like a chimp"! C'mon it will be fun, especially if I play like an urangutan.

Texas Holdem is the only Poker I know, and it is great as far as I can tell.

[Bob Viking]

16B.

That is precisely the reason why Texas hold em is so good. The fact that there are five visible cards makes bluffing a much more interesting hobby! It's all about what people think you have rather than what you actually have.

It's ridiculously satisfying to beat someone with a pair of two's when they thought you obviously had the straight/flush/full house that looked to be on offer.

Have also played 5 card draw and it's not a patch on hold em.

We regularly have poker nights on our squadron. Started on a recent US det and been hooked ever since. Never won more than twenty squid but it's still a great way to spend an evening with a few mates and copious beers.

BV:cool:

[16 blades]

I'm tempted, I must admit. But the 'beer and mates' side of a game is what makes it what it is - not sure it'd be quite the same online. Having said that, I'll wait and see if I'm free Mon night (not sure yet) and may be a late entry!

16B

[opso]

Thanks OTTB - I'll register and learn how to play over the weekend. See you Monday.:ok:

[Flopper]

Shall I post this on Jet Blast to raise some interest...(and the pot!!)?

[Son of N Genfire]

P message me

there is a society, black hand gang.

[opso]

I tried to register and all seemed successful, but when I tried to login, it refused to recognise me. Done that to me twice now - I've emailed the support line and hope to join you in time.

[On_The_Top_Bunk]

We can make this a regular thing if we get the support.

Doesn't have to be a Monday night but I thought that would be the night when most are at home recovering from the week-ends.

[BANANASBANANAS]

Best "gambling" experience I ever had was in a casino in central america. As long as you were playing the tables you drank for free. A mate and I just played roulette all night. He bet on red, I bet on black. We walked out with exactly the same money between us that we went in with and drank for free all night.

Croupier knew exactly what was going on but it was a fairly slack night and he didn't seem to mind.

[Red Line Entry]

Of course he didn't mind Bananas - that's what the zero (or in some countries, also the double zero) is for!!

[opso]

Finally got on! What a faff that software is - almost so bad that you'd think it was written for the MoD! Anyway, now registered and I even bought a book in the Outlet Centre today, so by Monday I'll be an expert and...erm...flopping with the best of you.

[snafu]

Considering that I'm reading this thread whilst playing some NLTHE on PartyPoker, I reckon the boom in poker is definitely starting to hit the Services! I'm not sure about the 'RAF' Poker Club though - any chance you'd let a matelot in?! :E Also, do you have to run it on Ladbrokes? I'm a regular on Pokerstars and Party, where you can run private games, but don't have an account on Ladbrokes...yet.

I run an occasional game at my place for very small buy-ins to teach people the game and have had a reasonable amount of interest. I also ran a game once or twice in the Mess while detached a few years ago, although I did keep it fairly quiet in case the heirarchy decided that it wasn't the 'done thing'. :yuk:

Personally, I reckon a Hold 'Em tournament would be great in the Mess (assuming you've still got a Mess with enough life to support one!). Given the number of fruit machines in most of the Messes I've ever seen, there's got to be a reasonable argument to allow a game of skill like poker. Yes, there's an element of luck, but the skill can overcome it - if you're good enough.

BTW 16 Blades - if THE isn't such a good game, why is it the game played at the Championship final of pretty much any poker tournament in the world today? $7.5 Million for the first prize in the recent World Series and a prize pot of $54 million made it the most lucrative sporting event in history - not bad for a card game!

Added later:

I'm in - just got to remember to play now!:ok:

[Flopper]

On the top bunk r u signed up -

zoffy has left???

[opso]

Flopper: You've just bought a set of poker chips from ebay and you want to borrow my book! It only covers the basics though as it came in a £5 set from the cheapie bookshop by the foodhall - 2 packs of cards, a set of dice, some plastic chips and an idiots guide book all for a fiver yesterday. :) Just got to read it all by tomorrow evening and I'll be an expert!

[16 blades]

Looks like I may be working Mon night, so I'll have to wimp out of this one. Interested in joining a future game though, so I may see y'all on a table soon. Good luck!

16B

[Strictly Jungly]

Count me in...................

[Flopper]

Opso, I bought the chips for a nice game of blackjack in the evenings after sea fishing trips - awesome fun with a real casino felt layout but Texas Holdem Poker is what the chips should really be used for.

You have a book,
you say it just has the basics but I reckon that is the first of many bluffs!!

Welcome aboard Jungly

Looking forward to monday night & gettin a little nervous !!

[Red Line Entry]

Chips are no fun - far better to see real cash in the middle of the table to give it that old west feel!

[BEagle]

Somehow I get the feeling that 'they' might be a bit concerned to know that people were encouraging others to gamble using the PPRuNe Military Aircrew forum. "Contrary to good order and discipline, might lead to the chaps getting into debt. Not the sort of thing we want to see being discussed publicly...." You know the sort of thing.

Just a thought.

Besides, it wouldn't appear to have much to do with military aviation..............

[Red Line Entry]

Might be a valid point BEagle if PPrune were an official website - but it's not, thank God, which is why I come here!

But I've no doubt that you are right that some in authority may take that view - comes back to the issue that society is changing and the military lags behind. This is not in itself a bad thing, but it inevitably leads to some friction between new and old schools of thought.

As for relevance to this forum, to be pedantic it is

"A forum for the professionals who fly the non-civilian hardware, and the backroom boys and girls without whom nothing would leave the ground. Army, Navy and Airforces of the World, all equally welcome here."

Nothing in there about what the subject matter of any thread has to be. From the amount of replies the forum members (ie serving and ex-serving military personnel) want to talk about poker (particularly in a military context), ergo it must be a valid thread.

[snafu]

BEagle

Whilst poker retains a slightly risky image - desperate gamblers throwing their car keys into the middle of the table and sweating over the appearance of the right card, while the sharks in their sharp suits throw chips with abandon and have the poor loser thrown bodily out of the door - the reality of poker today is a little different. Marketing and corporate interest have raised both the profile and the standards of the live game, while an online poker explosion over the last 2-3 years has seen the biggest expansion in online gaming of any sort ever seen. I don't know if you noticed, but UltimateBet have been sponsoring horse races for a couple of years now and there was at least one PartyPoker advertising board at Edgbaston during the latest Test. With the demise of tobacco sponsorship in sports, I would not be very surprised to see poker sites sponsoring other sports in the near future.

We're not degenerates trying to corrupt other servicemen and women, we're fellow PPRuNers enjoying a new hobby. I don't see a great deal of 'Military Aviation' in the Speed Camera thread, or the PAYD thread, but they affect military aviators and have every right to be here. OK, so maybe we should move this thread to JetBlast and accept that we'll get aviating poker players from all communities, but I think Flopper was just trying to see how much interest there is in poker within the military aviation community and it's sparked a game at an online site. Is that really so bad?

Fancy a game?

[BEagle]

It's not me you need to convince, chums as I'm sure you're all being honest and open about it all. Just sounding a note of caution!

Gambling doesn't float my boat (apart from some inherited stocks and shares), so shall have to decline the offer of playing, thanks!

[Flopper]

"Its not me you need to convince"

erm...............we know........... thought you retired!

Thanks for your valuable contribution Beagle!

"Inherited stocks and shares"

Just had to type something did ya?

[Strictly Jungly]

registered as 128 years.......... let combat begin.......we could do with a few more though..............Ill still be happy with $12.50 though.


Beags,

I take your earlier point, however, the fun police have already "ruined" certain activities within RN/Army/RAF messes and service life in general...one could almost say that poker is the new Bridge...but much easier to learn!

Snafu......lets see if the practice runs round your place bear fruit!

Regards,

SJ

[Strictly Jungly]

Many thanks.....Beags we missed you!

[DaveyBoy]

You're still a shark...

"How do you play?" indeed... :-)

[snafu]

And the winner was......Zoffy! Despite trying hard to keep the dark blue flag flying, Zoffy and SquawkIdent made it too hard and took the spoils. :{ Well played guys - that was without doubt the most enjoyable tournament I've played. The game was great and the table chat was outstanding!

Bring on Round 2 (as long as I've got web access!)

[Flopper]

Unlike OPSO I really was new to the game (excuses excuses!!) however, it was a hoot - I enjoyed the game and the banter.

Some fast typers out there!

Spend wisely dear friends. Would love to do it again sometime - gotta get a book though!!

[opso]

Really was my first game of Texas Hold 'em. Never played online before. Did spend the weekend reading my book and as much as I could online and watching it on TV. I had little comprehension of what was going on for much of the game, given that it was one hell of a lot faster than I was expecting and I had serious trouble keeping up until the latter stages, at which point I got knocked out! Hardly a shark - if I were I'd be a hungry one as I'm $5 down.

I agree, it was fun though and I'll have another bash on Wed.

[Strictly Jungly]

20th wedding anniversary tosay so i can't make the tourney!!!

Will keep my eyes open for the next one.

Very enjoyable...it was like swimming in a shark pool!!!!!

I intend to improve on my lowly 5th position next time.

Regards

SJ

[Strictly Jungly]

Next week but will make week commencing 22 August...who was victorious last night?

[Flopper]

Zoffy won, again. You can see why he is keen to hold twice weekly meets! He's good and he's obviously been playing longer than the average 3 weeks of most of those at the table!


Next game should be a bounty hunter variation where 50% of the pot goes to the player that takes Zoffy down!

[Strictly Jungly]

What a bandit!!!
Ill be back soon!

[JNo]

Would love to get involved but as I own a Mac, am restricted to playing at no download (Java) only sites like pokerroom and pacific poker.

Will see what I can do in the near future, like jumping on someone elses PC for the poker nights. Can't do much next week though due to a tiny event like my Wings trip on Tues, then the resulting uber-lash that will follow!

[On_The_Top_Bunk]

Bumping the thread up for Mondays game.

Bring your mates.

[Strictly Jungly]

Wednesday for the next exciting installment!!

How many made the last tourney???

Regards,
SJ

[On_The_Top_Bunk]

There was a game booked for last Wednesday but no-one registered.

if there is enough interest i'll book another table for Monday 22nd 9PM BST

[CAC Runaway]

I'll hopefully make it

[Aeronut]

I've decided to practice a little before I fund 'On the top bunk's retirement any more!!

I let myself get trapped by pocket rockets holding cowboys pre-flop, all-in and was first to go in the first game!

I'll be back!!

[CAC Runaway]

I guess we are not playing tonight then!!

[snafu]

I couldn't see any tournament in the Private Tourneys, but would be interested if you wanted to book one for Weds evening or similar. Why not place a thread on JetBlast and see what interest is generated?

[Strictly Jungly]

in for Weds. I checked last night but as others said nothing seen.

[snafu]

I'm in, although there's only me and Zoffy registered so far.

[Paracab]

If you don't mind a civvy playing I'm up for The Weds night tourny.

How much is the entry fee ?

Hope to see you on the tables, good luck to y'all !

Regards,

Pc (or E-Boy, if on Ladbrokes poker)

[Paracab]

Thanks for that OTTB, see you all there.

[Son of N Genfire]

Shut up and deal !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!;)

[Strictly Jungly]

Takers.......where is Beags when we need him??????????:D

[kissmysquirrel]

so why only 6? scared mil boys? fishies scared of the sharks?
;)

[BEagle]

Strictly Jungly wrote:

"Takers.......where is Beags when we need him??????????"

Errrm, I don't do gambling.

[Strictly Jungly]

The tourney awaits you!!!!!!!!!!

[opso]

How many players this time?

[snafu]

Oggin

Try it and find out. You're very welcome to swell the dark blue presence at the table!

[Oggin Aviator]

Seeing as I live between Vegas and Reno they'd all better watch out :E There's no water here but plenty of sharks if you get my drift !

I'll try and register with my Neteller account (and my UK address etc) and see what happens. Would love to help out my Senior Service colleagues!

Oggin

[Oggin Aviator]

Wouldnt let me register :(

Something to do with Cookies and the US.

[Grum Peace Odd]

Too many cookies?

[Strictly Jungly]

you will have to play when back in UK then!

[Oggin Aviator]

Grum - Too many pies (or flame grilled burgers) maybe !!!

SJ - Yep, I'll register when I'm back in Blighty. Won't be till the New Year though. I'm registered on Pacific, Empire and Party so if you want a match there .......

[Ron Manager]

Can't give you all another opportunity to take my money until next week, but good luck and have fun til then!

Ron, who shouldn't drink so much rum whilst playing for money. ;)

[akula]

When is the next poker night? I fancy a slice of the action, is the venue still Ladbrokes?

[fixa24]

hey all...
whens the next poker night?

[On_The_Top_Bunk]

It sort of died a death due to lack of interest.
Ill resurrect it, if there are enough wanting to give it another go.

[Red Line Entry]

I couldn't before, as I was away from Blighty, but am keen to join in now - give us a date!

[akula]

I would be interested in a bit of poker, just let me know where and when.

[I_stood_in_the_door]

Sign me up - will be like taking candy from a baby!

LFOGOOTFW!

ISITD

:}

[CAC Runaway]

Count me in please. See you there!!!

[Strictly Jungly]

there.

Cheers Snafu..............when is the next home game BTW??

I can always organise one at ours if you wish.

See you tonight!

Be lucky

[Strictly Jungly]

Havent kicked off yet. 15 mins to run.

Will let you know result later.
SJ

[Oggin Aviator]

sorry, screwed up my time zones - :eek:

[CAC Runaway]

I'm now registered see you there. Come on people there are 3 of so far..bring it on!!

[CAC Runaway]

So anyone playing tonight?

[Oggin Aviator]

I'm looking to join in next week, maybe Thursday. Busy till then but keen to have a game.

Oggin

[On_The_Top_Bunk]

I'v PM'ed all the regulars with Mondays details i think.

If I have left u out?

PM me if u want to be included or let me have an email and this thread can die a death.

[Oggin Aviator]

Anyone up for a game on Ladbrokes ??

Oggin

[Aeronut]

Yeah! I'm up for that - when where

[Oggin Aviator]

Ladbrokes Poker, private table, time/date tbc when enough interest (suggest Tuesday evenings) - £5 entry via password supplied on here, tournament structure NL Holdem.

Anybody else??

Oggin

[On_The_Top_Bunk]

I'm happy for a game anytime.

i think someone on e-goat was trying to revive it as well

[JNo]

We've got a $10 Tuesday night (8PM) game running on e-goat. PM me or check out the goat for details.

[Oggin Aviator]

I am about to be banned from Pokerroom as I registered when I was Stateside and all the US accounts are about to be binned due to the new US Legislation. Then last year on here I couldnt play cos it was being done on Ladbrokes which didnt accept US residents .........

[Strictly Jungly]

I am about to be banned from Pokerroom as I registered when I was Stateside and all the US accounts are about to be binned due to the new US Legislation. Then last year on here I couldnt play cos it was being done on Ladbrokes which didnt accept US residents .........

Currently in the US..........return home tonight. Please keep me informed of any game this week, prefer Ladbrokes...
SJ

[Oggin Aviator]

Anyone up for a game of Texas Holdem?

However Forum rules state:

PPRuNe doesn't carry free advertising for commercial sites, as per the site rules.

Nothing to stop people expressing interest and setting up times, etc, on here, but all details of where the games are being carried out (i.e on a commercial for profit website) , costs, and any other arrangements, can be done by PM between each other.


I am happy to coodinate via PM. Was thinking of Wednesday nights at say, 20:00.

Oggin