Poker fever heats up on Shore

By Brian Gilliland

BERLIN -- It's down to the final hand of the evening. It's late, and you're tired, but you're also playing your father-in-law.

So respect is on the line.

Sometimes money is on the line too, but you're family. This time it's M&Ms, Hershey's kisses and Andes Candies. Next time: Cash.

The deal comes, two cards face down. A nine of hearts and the ace of hearts. Not bad. He looks at his cards and stares, giving nothing away.

Your first bet is two M&Ms, a nice safe opener for this game. He responds quickly and without a raise, which means he's playing the hand. It also means you didn't bet enough.

Next comes the flop. Three cards face up that any player can use to make their best five card hand; two more cards will follow if one of you doesn't fold first. A king of spades, a jack of diamonds and a three of hearts are dealt. No help. Looking over at your opponent; the beginnings of a smile play at the corners of his mouth. Is this good news, or is it like the time he asked you to help him move boxes, where the "help" entailed you doing all the work?

You check the bet, passing control to him. It's time to see what he has. He adds a Kiss and two Andes Candies. He's coming in big, but does he have you beat? You call, adding in the candy from your pile.

The Turn card, the fourth community card, is a jack of hearts. You're working toward a flush (five cards of the same suit), but Dad may have three jacks. If the next card isn't a heart, you're probably going to lose. However, dad may have nothing at all, and if you don't bet he'll never show you.

Drama like this is what drives Texas Hold 'Em poker, and can help explain the massive popularity the sport has taken on since networks like ESPN and Bravo started airing tournaments.

It can also explain the many poker tournaments cropping up on the shore.

Steve Foss, who runs a weekly game during the off-season, describes the game as a passion of his.

"What I like best about this game is that the more you learn, the harder it gets. A lot of people think it's about getting the best cards, when it's all about positioning and control," Foss said.

He also describes some of his shared aspirations with other players on the shore.

"Everyone wants to go to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, but not everyone can come up with the $10,000 to enter," Foss said.

However there are other ways to earn a seat. The winner of the Eastern Shore Poker Finals tournament held at Girdletree Volunteer Fire Company will receive airfare, hotel reservations, and a seat at a table in the big game.

Even charities have caught chip fever. This weekend, the Epilepsy Association of the Eastern Shore is sponsoring a tournament at Ocean Downs racetrack in Berlin. Part of the $120 registration fee will go to fund the association's efforts.

Tournaments have become so popular in and around the Eastern Shore that a calendar of local events has been established at the Web site www.espoker.com.