Dez Loreen
Northern News Services
Published Monday, November 19, 2007

INUVIK - Poker is a popular game in Inuvik, and it has a lot of people talking.

One player is looking to turn his luck around and shared some stories from his years at the table.

Card players have been dealing themselves into recreational poker games for years. In Inuvik, one former card shark tells of his in-house games, a trip to Las Vegas and strategies on how to keep your shirt. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Duke Foster (not his real name), has been an avid poker player for the past four years. He said the game took off when it became popular on TV.

"I've been a poker player for the last four years, but it has been really heavy for the last three," said Foster.

Texas hold'em is the most popular type of poker that he plays.

The years of gaming and shuffling have got to Foster. He has taken a step back and admits to cutting down his card playing in the past few months.

"I've slowed down quite considerably," he said.

"I would classify myself as a recreational player now."

Aside from television coverage, he said the popularity of the game can be rooted to online tournaments.

"Online poker can be strangely addicting," he said. "When that blew up on the scene I jumped on the bandwagon."

Foster learned how to play and win at the game from a combination of his peers, watching TV and reading books on the subject.

"I've only read one poker book, which was just basics," he said.

When it comes to playing the game, the player admitted to participating in house games, but his preference is the sweet sounds of a casino.

"No doubt, a casino is the best place to play," he said. "The atmosphere, the sound of the slot machines, the lights, it all makes the experience so much more."

Foster has been to casinos in Yukon and Alberta. However, his biggest rush came from the capital of gambling: Las Vegas.

Foster said when he travels for card games, he lets the rest of the trip fall into place.

"I don't usually plan much else when I leave town for card games," he said. "But anytime I leave Inuvik to a place where there is a casino, I will play cards."

It was in 2006 that Foster made the trip to Vegas.

He said he made the trip on his own dime and holds himself to that rule.

"Never gamble with borrowed money," he advised. "Always play within your means and don't over do it."

He said he understands how easy it is to lose a well-earned cash roll in a long game of cards.

"What people need to remember is that it should only be a hobby, something to do on the side," he said. "I read somewhere that you should only gamble with 10 per cent of your pocketed cash."

When it comes to managing his money, Foster is no fool.

"I don't play with rent money, bill money or owed cash," he explained.

"When you start into that, you can find yourself in real trouble."

While he's a devotee of the game, Foster recently decided to take a break from the gambling lifestyle, and he said he feels good about it.

"Playing poker is fun, but it's all about moderation."

He suggested that people should seek help if they find themselves regretting decisions and wind up on the losing end all the time.

"It can be an addiction, don't fool yourself," he warned.