Poker News

George Epstein

With all the terrible things going on in our world, it’s wonderful when a person can make a positive impact on the life of fellow human beings. Here’s a story that will make you smile. . .

Those of you who have read my first book, The Greatest Bookof Poker for WINNERS!, know that it is unique in several ways. For one thing, a full chapter is devoted to why poker is an ideal recreational activity for senior citizens. Basically the chapter explains how and why playing poker can help us (I recently turned 80) to live longer, healthier, and concomitantly happier lives.

Indeed, as George Bernard Shaw told seniors: We don’t stop playing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop playing.

I am a living example of that adage. Along these lines, recently one of my poker class students told me about his remarkable experience as a result of playing poker. When Aaron B., a retired accountant, attended my seminar and then joined my Poker 101 class at the Freda Mohr Senior Center in Los Angeles, he could barely walk even with the help of a walker device and it was difficult for him to sit in one place for long periods of time.

At the poker class, it was apparent that Aaron had a natural flair for the game of poker although he bluffed all too often during our practice sessions.

(Subsequently he learned how and when to bluff, and even became adept at the “Esther Bluff.”) Then he joined our Poker 202 (more advanced) class at the Claude Pepper Sr. Citizens Center, sponsored by the City of Los Angeles Dept. of Recreation and Parks. where he continued to make progress in developing his poker skills. More important, he was much steadier on his feet and had less difficulty sitting for long periods during the class (two hours at a time). A few months later, after joining our Poker Lab, Aaron felt he was ready and now regularly plays low-limit hold’em at a local casino.

Speaking to Aaron and his wife Amy during our seniors’ tournament that was hosted by a local casino, she smiled happily as she said that at the time Aaron met me, “he was having the worst year of his life medically. Aaron was not well, and even had difficulty using a walker.”

Excitedly, with a big smile on her pretty face, she added, “I am happy to say my husband developed a great interest in poker and, along with that, his health has improved a great deal.” For a retiree, what could be more important than good health. . .? (It also helps that Amy encourages his playing, although she herself does not play poker.)

At his most recent medical exam, Amy said, “Aaron’s doctor could hardly believe the remarkable recovery he had made. The doctor was amazed.” He asked if Aaron and his wife “had taken a long vacation or something.” What accounted for this remarkable change? In addition, “the medical lab test results are now the best they have been in years,” she smiled. And, being the wife of a retired CPA, Amy offered a testimonial that I treasure: “George and his poker have helped Aaron’s health. It’s amazing!”

Needless to say, I was pleased. Sure, Aaron still has the medical condition that had so disabled him; it will be with him the rest of his life. But, thanks to playing poker one or two times a week, and now being able to exercise (he also eats a vegetarian diet, she added), he has overcome all his physical problems. And he’s enjoying life again. . Wow!

. . . So readers, what’s YOUR opinion?

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