Aces High

Fifty two in a deck,

Shuffle and cut,

The dealer deals,

The room is silent.

Don’t let the others see,

The joy or sadness

As you look upon your hand.

Don’t just play what you’re dealt,

Play the other players.

Have they got a good hand?

Are they bluffing?

See how they bet.

Fold.

Check.

Stay neutral.

Lose little and win big.

Watch the players,

Their habits and tells,

A few people fold,

The amateur players.

Time to show.

One player bluffed,

Only one queen.

The second grins,

A pair of kings.

He thinks he has won.

My turn to show my hand,

Poker face in place.

Three of my cards mean nothing,

He smiles.

Next card down,

His smile slips slightly.

Last card,

His smile is gone,

As I rake in the chips.

To bad for that player,

Aces are always high.