One Authentic Gambling Story From the 2–7

MartinRaymondo

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MartinRaymondo 〰️ 〰️

I never found anything more entertaining than poker. 

Getting together with folks from all over the world, each with their own backgrounds feels like wading into a cesspool. 

There was one particular individual we called “The Captain.” 

He only garnered that nickname because he always wore a nautical captain’s hat. 

It was fantastic and unique, and I did win this hat from him one night, but that’s another story for a different day. 

As usual, one of our local government-owned casinos, which could be run better, hosted a full table this evening. 

Yet another reason not to let your government monopolize your lotteries. 

They won’t allow private organizations in, so that’s essentially racketeering. 

In any case, let’s get back to Mr. Personality, the Captain.

The 2–7

This is a game within a game called 2–7 or deuce-seven. 

A few of my friends are playing that night, and they bring up the 2–7 game. 

Well, once the Captain hears about this side game, he’s very interested. 

The Captain is a true gambling monster who loves action. 

The dealer tries to stop us from playing, yet we all ignore their rules and proceed. 

In Texas Hold ’em, if you win a hand with 2–7 as your hole cards, you get an additional $10 from every player at the table, totalling $90 extra. 

In Hold ’em, you’re dealt two cards, and there can be up to five community cards for everyone to use. 

So, to win with 2–7, you need both of your hole cards to be 2–7. 

After dealing with a few hands, we have all the details, and everyone at the table is in, much to the casino’s dismay.

The Hand

The very first hand dealt is pure action. 

The Captain sits beside me to my right, precisely where I want him. 

We get dealt two cards each facedown, and the betting begins. 

There is some light betting before the flop, yet nothing crazy. 

Afterwards, the first three community cards come up. 

I can already feel the tension in the air, and I’m pinned between these lunatic players.

The flop comes down, and I catch a pair with a three-card flush. 

It could be better, yet it’s enough to stick around as the pot odds dictate that. 

I make a small bet to stop someone else from betting. 

Everyone calls except the Captain, who raises enough to make me think. 

I’m not a slow player, but I also worry some other lunatic will reraise behind me. 

I decide to call, and thankfully, nobody else raises. 

When the next card comes, I check and still have one pair plus a four-card flush.

As the action gets to the Captain, he makes a decent-sized bet, so I hesitate to call. 

I make the call and keep my head down, not wanting to attract attention, as someone behind me raises the Captain’s original bet. 

My stomach drops as it gets expensive, and when it comes to the Captain, he reraises again. 

I immediately fold, and one lady calls, and then the original raiser goes all in. 

The Captain also declared all in, and the lady decided to call. 

She’s a wild one who is a massive chaser of cards, so it’s not a big surprise there.

The Outcome

Here was the entire hand with all five cards out.

7s-7h-Qs-5h-Kd (s=spades, h=hearts, d=diamonds)

The hand reads from left to right. 

The 7–7-Q comes out as one group, then the 5, then the K. 

The dealer demands that the lady open up first and show her hand. 

She shows an Ace-Queen, and I can’t help but laugh as that is so terrible. 

I proceeded to inform her how bad of a play that was. 

It’s okay; we have played together a lot, and she welcomes the help to improve. 

Next, the Captain opens up, holding the freaking 2–7, and I nearly fall off my chair in disbelief, knowing he probably just won the hand and a huge pot. 

He’s excited and anticipates collecting his winnings from the dealer when the original raiser opens his hand. 

He’s holding pocket 5’s, which is two 5’s. 

He slow rolls the captain and scoops the pot, causing everyone at the table to yell, scream, and laugh at the turn of events. 

People from other tables came over to watch this hand unfold as we had thousands of dollars on the line, and two people busted out over that hand. 

It was sad to see that lady and the Captain both get up and walk away with their heads down. 

What a wild rush of affairs. 

Our little game of 2–7 cost two people around a grand each. 

It’s a reminder of how a seemingly dull game of poker can teach valuable life lessons. 

I’m glad I didn’t get fully steamrolled by those garbage trucks.