How to Get Your Wife into Poker
More women play poker now than ever. At the time of this writing, Kathy Liebert has lifetime earnings of over $5 million, Annette Obrestad has lifetime earnings of $2.7 million, and Vanessa Rousso has lifetime earnings of $2.5 million. Texas holdem isn't a man's game anymore.
So encouraging your wife to get into poker makes sense now more than ever too. The trick to getting your wife interested in poker is finding ways to make the game appeal to her. (It also helps if she's flexible and open-minded. Some women are never going to get into poker no matter how persuasive you are.)
For example, if your wife likes to entertain and loves being a hostess, then ask her to help you host a poker tournament. Hosting a poker tournament is a terrific way to introduce her to the great game of poker in a situation where she has a significant amount of control.
Here are some other ideas and tips about getting your wife interested in Texas holdem.
Show Her the Advantages of Playing Poker
If your wife isn't interested in money, then I'd like to meet her.
But seriously, most women are interested in money, just like most men are. If you can demonstrate how to win money while socializing, then many women are going to become interested in poker without much effort from you at all.
I brought home $1000 in winnings one night from my local pot limit game.
I left it on the counter in the bathroom for my wife to find. Did she get
more interested in the game after that? What do you think?
Some wives hate poker without knowing anything about poker. They see it as a stupid waste of your time.
Point out some of the advantages to your wife:
- You can play poker at home, which means you are around more
- You’re not out drinking with your buddies
- You can help out with the kids since you’re home.
Get her to see poker in a more positive light, and you're more likely to convince her to play a game of poker.
Show Her You Can Play Poker for Free
If your wife thinks you're blowing money on some “stupid game,” then she's going to refuse to play with you. Show her that you can play poker online for free, and that you can even win money playing free poker, and she might actually give it a try herself.
Togetherness
Does your wife think you don't spend enough time with her? Demonstrate to her that playing poker is something you can do together. Try playing Internet poker with your wife on her terms, by buying her some of her favorite ice cream and putting her favorite sitcom on in the background. Mix her favorite cocktail for her.
She might not be totally engrossed in the game, but you'll have at least won brownie points for supplying the snacks.
Poker Date Night
Every couple needs a date night. Typical dates include dinner and a movie. Most people don’t get more creative then that.
Every so often convince your wife to have a date night in. Sure, online poker won’t go over well every week, but once a month might be fine. Play the free poker games so that she isn’t worried about how you two will be able to come up with Junior’s lunch money for the week.
Since you will be participating in free poker games, play up the fact that your date night in is saving money and still allowing you guys to have the private time that you need.
Poker can be a really fun game. Many men know this, but sometimes their wives don’t. Many wives won’t even give the game a chance.
If you're a husband who wants to get his wife interested in poker, keep the following things in mind:
- She needs to know that the poker games won't clear out the bank account.
- She wants to spend time with you. Together-time is important.
- Earning brownie points by supplying her favorite snacks and drinks can help.
- Not every wife will get interested in poker. Some women are a lost cause in that respect. If that's the case, accept it and move on.
Good luck getting your wife into poker. If you succeed, you're guaranteed hours of enjoyment together playing one of America's real pasttimes.
This article about how to get your wife into poker was last updated on May 3, 2010.
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