Senior Citizens in Poker

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Senior Citizens in Poker

I have previously covered the topic of underage poker players. This blog I thought it to be necessary to give a mention to the other end of the age scale; The Senior Citizens in Poker. The senior citizens have a lot going for them at the poker table. Most are experienced players and have been around the block quite a few times. They are sometimes very much wiser when it comes to life also; they have been alive longer and this is expected. Life skills are definitely something we use in our little world of poker also.

Senior Citizens in poker are usually very good bankroll managers and have a load more cash than the young guns to invest into their hobby, career or lifestyle; whichever you may call poker. Remember senior citizens have had a life time of learning, saving and building their bankroll. As poker players say; “Poker takes a minute to learn and a lifetime to master”. Senior citizens are well on their way to being masters of the game.

It can be very hard for the senior citizens though; many of us just don’t realize! There are players that are almost 90 years of age. I know from my personal experiences with close relatives that at this age we humans like to have what I call “nanny naps” in the middle of the day; senior citizens do tire a lot easier. Tiring can make tournament play very difficult in particular. Some tournaments such as the Aussie Millions Poker Championship you are playing 13 to 16 hours a day to make the final table. The thought is enough to tire me without adding on another 40 years to my life. I feel tired playing 7 and 8 hours of tournaments and I ‘think’ I am at peak age for sports.

On a very bright note the senior citizens in poker are keeping an active brain. Active minds equate to wonderful outcomes for our health and well being. As we age we tend to slow down our thinking processes. We retire and lay back a little. Sure we may read some books and do jigsaw puzzles but is that really keeping an active mind? By active I mean ACTIVE! I mean thinking as hard as you can to sum up a situation, to count, read, act, watch and be alert nonstop. All of this is in the game of poker.

Many senior citizens I know enjoy walks in the park, bingo, gardening, home bridge games, lawn bowels – I may be biased but I will be a poker player at age 80. It takes more cunning, whit and skill on a mental note than anything else I can think of I would participate in as a hobby after retirement from my day job. It also takes extreme physical effort when you consider the statement above about playing 13-16 hour tournaments. Stewart Scott as an example lost 6 kilograms when he took down the Aussie Millions in 2008 and he is not a big man! It is no easy feat to play these games and any poker player will know it. At the end of each day you have the life drawn out of you. Our Senior Citizens in Poker are indeed TOUGH!

Many of the friends I have that play poker are almost if not over retirement age. To all of you reading this you all rock! Senior Citizens in Poker such as these friends have a load of knowledge to give; to pass down. As the years roll on we all will be passing down our knowledge. I am passing mine to my 12 year old son during home games already. In fact; my 5 year old daughter knows the hand rankings in poker also and at an early age! My point is that senior citizens in poker have wisdom and knowledge that just shouldn’t be over looked. Next time a senior citizen is talking poker to you; don’t laugh or giggle as I have seen some younger poker players do -> LISTEN. You may just learn a trick or two. They are indeed very good on picking up on game and play faults.