12.20.07
How did you ever get into poker?
I have been asked many times. How did you ever get into poker?
I have always said that many things have happened that influenced me into taking the direction that I did. As a kid I remember running around the kitchen table looking at my family’s hands while they were playing pitch. It was a social thing that all of my family liked to do when they got together. They were usually joking and laughing while they were playing. As a youngster I always wanted to play but they made me wait until I got in my teens before I got to play regularly. It was always a lot of fun but especially when I was able to make a high bid with a bad hand.
My first memory in poker was in the fall of 1968 riding a train from Payette Idaho to Kansas City Mo and back. My two teammates was Jim Miller and Jerry Nicholson, we were representing the State of Idaho at the Future Farmers of America National Dairy judging contest which is held every year in Kansas City Missouri. 
We had a great time on the trip coming in 5th in the judging. The part of the trip that stands out the most on the trip besides the Juicy fillet mignon we had there, was playing penny ante poker on the train ride each way. I don’t think we even slept on that trip. I guess quitting a big winner with 35 cents extra in my pocket made me feel like a great poker player. Boy do I have a lot to learn.
