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Full house for a red-hot craze
By GENEVIEVE READ
09apr06
IS poker back in style? You bet.
Clubs are meeting weekly, women are taking their cue from Desperate Housewives and poker kits are popping up for sale in the most unlikely places.
Most attribute pay-TV tournaments and the internet for the surge in popularity of Texas Hold'em, the poker game played most widely around the world.
In Tasmania, the boom started late last year when poker kits started appearing in Christmas catalogues.
At furniture and homewares store Freedom, not even the sales team could believe the interest.
"People kept asking us about the kits but wholesalers couldn't supply us until late December because they were so popular elsewhere," said Freedom homewares' Lesley Graves.
"When they came in there was a rush of sales, lots of women buying them as gifts -- for their husbands or girlfriends, we're not sure."
Liza, 37, of Launceston has been hosting weekly poker nights with her girlfriends since Desperate Housewives hit TV screens last year.
"Following the girls' lead, we decided to learn the rules and have it as a social catch-up night," Liza said. "We all bring something to nibble on and it's a great laugh. Plus, no guys are allowed."
In Hobart, a strictly guys-only night is held weekly by Shannon Coyle, 27, of Mt Nelson and about six of his friends.
While the Launceston ladies bet for chips and the odd shopping coupon, the guys are out of pocket just $5 each for a night of entertainment.