Texas Hold’em is a type of poker in which players can make their best 5-card hand out of 7 available cards. In Texas Hold-em, players receive two facedown cards as their personal hand (blind hole-cards), after which there is a round of betting. Then three board cards are turned face up simultaneously (called the flop) and another round of betting occurs. The next two board cards are dealt face up to the table, one at a time. The first is called the “turn”. The next card is the last. It’s called the “river”. There is a round of betting after each of these last two cards. A player can “fold” (drop out) at any time.
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “All Bets Down” by: rob kistner © 1/25/24
As poker games go, Texas hold-em’s best
beats all the rest, the bet makes it so
first two cards come blind, then three face up flop
betting don’t stop, if your cards are kind
fourth face up turns, one more ups the river
don’t blink or shiver, ‘cause weakness burns
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “Sharks”
by: rob kistner © 1/25/24
first bet the flop, then two to the river
if you deliver, thrills never stop
your blind cards are key, dictating the bet
never forget, each bet costs money
right here I won’t share more about this game
should you play if you’re tame… my thoughts — don’t!
Original DDE™ surrealistic art: “One Hand Too Many”
by: rob kistner © 1/25/24
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rob kistner © 2024
Poetry at: dVerse
Thank you for the bast of Stephen Still, Rob, I haven’t heard ‘Black Queen’ for a long time. I have no idea about poker and I’m not keen on gambling, but your toddaid made it seem so slick and easy.
Stephen Stills
🙂
One of his very best, and it really shows what a remarkable guitarist he had been for his long career. His solo album on which this song appears is still one of my favorite… 🙂
warning appreciated… but I have never really been tempted to gamble a lot… love the flow and a real unique topic.
Thank you Björn. I play Texas Hold’em for the challenge, I love the excitement — but I have no money to gamble… and i am too tight to risk losing any… 🙂
You surprised me with a poker poem, Rob. 🙂
It made me think of the poker games my husband and friends used to have–never more than a few dollars won or lost though.
Was playing a friendly game of Texas Hold’em the other day with the entire family, including my 10-year-old grandson Alex — so it was fresh on my mind. 🙂
A very unique response to the prompt!
A unique response to a “unique” poetry form… 🙂
All of it! Art, poem, music ~~~~ an absolute treat!!! I could easily spot the rhyme words in the nine word lines. Not easy in many of the others!
Thank you Helen very much. Well dear friend, I figure if I’m gonna chase the form, then I’m going to make the pursuit obvious. 😉
Great job for this tough prompt. I like the gambling theme.
Thank you Sara. My son just taught me Texas Hold’em, so it was fresh on my mind. It was a fun write. Tough game, but it’s fun… 🙂
What a great take on the prompt, Rob! The risk, the strategy, the excitement of the game, all comes through: you made this toddaid dance to your tune!
Thank you Dora, very much. Took a minute to sort out the form, but it finally started to click… 🙂