by George 'the Engineer' Epstein
People frequently ask me about the Claude Pepper Seniors Poker Group. Perhaps this will inspire other seniors groups to follow in our footsteps.
First, understand that recreational poker is great for retirees. It’s important that we seniors get out, away from the TV, and interact with other people. “Couch potatoes” rarely enjoy happy golden years. Also, playing poker exercises our brains by stimulating the growth of the synapses that connect our brain cells, thereby helping overcome memory loss and preventing dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease, often associated with the aging process. And a healthy mind leads to a healthier body.
The game of poker involves chance—luck. Likewise it was chance that got the Claude Pepper Seniors Poker Group started. I had just presented a talk about the benefits of playing recreational poker to the Seniors Club. The senior center director, former National Football League lineman Homer Post, said as he shook my hand: “George, how would you like to teach poker here?” Wow! Although I had taught engineering courses at UCLA and several NASA centers, delivered hundreds of technical papers, and led seminars at engineering meetings, I had not considered teaching poker. I leaped at the opportunity! Homer gained permission from the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, overcoming naysayers who regarded poker as “gambling.” But Homer is a winner. He called, saying “Let’s go!”
Rapid Growth. Our first class, Poker 101, was in the small VIP Room at the senior center seven years ago. We started with six members. Then it mushroomed. Today we have almost 150 members. Many were already members of the senior center. We posted and distributed flyers, announced the classes at Seniors Club meetings, and it was included in the Senior Center newsletters.
Two local newspapers and a monthly newspaper for seniors were extremely helpful in getting the word out, permitting others in the area to avail themselves of the opportunity. At least one local casino referred people to us. Several joined our group from the nearby Culver City Senior Center after I presented a seminar. The audience numbered about 80, most were merely curious, though some were really interested., and were delighted to join us. In fact, one Culver City woman, Yvonne Thomson—who ascribes much of her success to learning our Poker Algorithm—became so skilled that she regularly wins in tournaments locally and in Las Vegas.
She presented a talk about her experience at one of our regular Friday afternoon meetings, and served on our Panel of Experts, alongside poker pro Robert “Chipburner” Turner, when we were hosted recently by the Normandie Casino in Gardena.
Richard Blyth, a retired manager from a State of California agency and his wife Anita, are personal friends whom I told about the group. He has become our “tells” expert and developed several of his own. He created the “Richard B. Reverse Tell”—an effective reinforcement for the Esther Bluff. He shared his findings in a seminar at a local casino.
Pat Saikeo was the first to join our group from outside of the local area. I told her about it at a poker players conference in Las Vegas, organized by Linda Johnson and Jan Fisher, at which I served on a panel with celebrities Doyle Brunson, Jennifer Harman and Roy Cooke. Recently, at one of our Poker Labs, Pat demonstrated outstanding aptitude in “reading” tells. Twice in a row, she won the “Reading Tells” award.
Periodically, I teach poker at West Los Angeles College—another enjoyable experience. Several students joined our Claude Pepper Seniors Poker Group. Some brought along a friend. And we continue to grow.
Look for Part II coming soon.
George “The Engineer” Epstein is the author of The Greatest Book of Poker for Winners! and Hold’em or Fold’em?—An Algorithm for Making the Key Decision and teaches poker at the Claude Pepper Sr. Citizen Center in Los Angeles. Contact George at geps222@msn.com.
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