My sister-in-law is a gambler, one of the most dangerous poker minds I have known. I know this to be true even though I am not naive enough to try play against her because her prodigious talent has already helped her nab top prizes at local tournaments, casinos and the deadliest of home poker-night playing fields. It’s a funny thing for her to be good at too; Diane is a level-headed woman who does not take needless risks and doesn’t even play the lottery, as far as I know. But behind her fan of cards, staring a dealer in the eye, Diane can bluff, bet and beat the most battle-hardened of poker sharks.

How does she do it? She never looks like a threat. From what I have seen, Diane does not change her attitude around a table and people mistake the laughing eyes for naivety and the sweet smile as honesty (which is a virtue she possesses in large quantities – away from the table). And while she is dazzling you, she is putting her considerable mind to work, crushing with logic, a keen ability to sniff out a bluff, and a good sense of when to stop throwing chips.

Now, her twin brother (and my husband) on the other hand, has a lot to learn about gambling. He proved this to us one night as Emily, Colin, Adam and I were sitting on the brown couch watching a movie and we had the following conversation: Adam: “How old is Chuki?”
Colin: “Six”
Adam: “No he’s not. Chantelle, how old is Chuki?”
Me: ” Six.”
Adam:”Damn. Okay, double or nothin’. How old is Chuki?”
Colin & Me: “Six.”
Adam: “Damn.”

I am no shark myself, but I am fairly sure that when you go double or nothing on a bet, it should be a bet about something that is likely to change the second time around.

Granted, we had all had a few drinks by then. Well, come to think of it, it was quite a bit more than a few…