I always enjoyed playing cards in school during the summer months when the woodwork and metalwork teachers weren"t arsed any more. I then played 7 card stud with work mates when we had golf tournaments with overnight stays, and won a few quid although that seemed like everyone just put their money in and waited to see who won.
Then, like a few people, I saw LNP and loved it. I really wanted to have a go in the casino, so when I moved regions with work, they asked me what I wanted to do for a leaving do. A few others had mentioned wanting to play, so about 10 of us donated some money to local players at Walsall. The card room supervisor even announced before we started that there were some new players in that night, "so could you take it easy on them please" !!!!!!!
I sat down, and a couple of minutes later, I couldn"t believe it when Malcolm Harwood from LNP sat down 2 seats to my right. It was like seeing a Premiership footballer at the time!! I won the 3rd or 4th hand of the tournament, and he leaned across and growled "You"ve just won your first hand at poker, son".
I lasted about an hour and paid about 8 buy ins before I decided I"d leave them to it. That trend seems to be continuing............