I had the opportunity to play poker with a group of guys a few weeks ago. Before heading to the game I did a little homework and studied up on whether a flush beats a straight or vice versa (a flush DOES beat a straight as it turns out.). Having studied up on the rules I felt pretty good about how the night of poker would turn out. When I arrived at the poker party that evening I discovered just how unprepared I was.
There was a ringer there who went by the name “Slim”…and he had a cowboy hat. Son of a Mother! I instantly felt “Out WhataBurgered” and was envious of both the nickname and the hat. I felt like I had studied my English lit book in preparation for an Algebra test. How could I have been so foolish!
I should have spent the bulk of my time concocting a poker outfit that conveyed the persona I was wanting to achieve. I could have been the ” indoor sunglasses” guy, or the “sideways ball cap” guy, or the “dressed in a tux” guy.
The nickname is a little bit trickier. You can’t create a nickname for yourself. Well, I suppose you could, but people are going to think you’re a moron if you go around to everyone and tell them you want to be called “Pickles”. To achieve a nickname you need to do something nickname worthy; like spill your coke on the table and then drink it all up through your nose with a straw, or be able to burp the pledge of allegiance, or have Martin Van Buren sideburns. Yeah, I know, those examples stink, which is probably why I don’t have a nickname. Maybe next time I’ll go with sideburns and see what that gets me.
Despite my failings, luck was on my side and I got the cards I needed to win a few hands. Maybe “Winner” isn’t a bad nickname…(crickets chirping in the background)…Nah, I think I’ll try the sideburns thing.