Unfriendly card games at Rec Centers
 

Today I played tennis with a delightful couple who are renting and considering buying. They said they went to Canal St. Recreation Center last evening and arrived before the card games were scheduled to start. (I don't know what card games.) They said no one invited them to join them. I have not participated in card games at the rec centers. When cards are listed in the paper are they "open?" The couple said no one acknowledged them even though they stood there.

I think some groups are friendlier than others. I know that when I play duplicate bridge, we go out of our way to welcome newcomers, both before the game starts and when we sit at their table. I've also seen "open" card games (which I believe is what Canal Street has) where newcomers were totally ignored.

I would say that the best way is to call the person listed in the Rec News and ask about the game -- do they need a partner, who do they need to see when they get there, etc.

The same seems to hold true for any of the club meetings. Some welcome newcomers with open arms, some totally ignore them.

I've not been to any of the card games, but have been at the pool where it looked as if people were ignoring others only to find out they were ALL new and just shy.

I don't know if this is the situation, but sometimes people just don't always know how to "break the ice".

In my neighborhood we are all working to find common ground and sometimes it comes easy and other times it doesn't.

I'm sure given a little time and patience, it will all come together.

I hope your friends have better time of it at the next game. :)

In the beginning I found this true at the centers, billiards, water volleyball and golf. I would just "join in" and soon am part of the "group". If you wait to be invited it may be a long wait....jump in there we don't bite

JoJo... The rec schedule does say Friday 7pm Open Cards at Canal. However, I know some folks that go up there evey other week to play poker and their tables are set. So, a mixed message. I guess some events are more open than others. In hindsight, they maybe should have asked the staff person on duty as they left if it was truly open.

I'm sorry to say we have experienced this also. I think the problem may be that there are so many people one doesn't always recognize who is new and who is not! We had the same problem at Crispers for the TOTV meet until we decided to have a volunteer to greet! BY THE WAY, I believe we need a volunteer for the April event which will be April 20th.

Happy Easter. Good thoughts. Blessings and hugs and Lovely Passover too.
 

All of your posts are right on and so helpful. We need to remember to think positive thoughts too, rather than negative. They may not be ignoring...just thinking you are waiting for the rest of your group.

A little smile and question," pardon me, but I am not sure how this open card business works and this is our first time", or something to that effect....... well, I bet you would get smiles and welcome.

I've been meaning to ask about cards, since you bring it up. Does anyone play gin rummy regularly?

It really depends upon the card game that is being played if it is "open" to walk ins. I can speak to Texas Holdem and poker..

For example if you play Texas Holem (tournament style), we can normally handle 12 at a table but we "normally" have chips to accomodate 24 if necessary. Our game never has more than 24 players although I do know of other Texas holem games that welcome all players. In our game there is a priority list to play, with people that support the game every week getting first crack to play. If spots remain before the game starts then others are invitied to play. Once the game has started no additonal buy-ins are allowed.

However with regular poker where you can play with no more than 7 people at a table, most of those games are pre-arranged..and besides that you really need to know what type of game you are asking to play in...by that I mean table limits. If a seat is open at the start of the game and someone asks to join in, we have always welcomed walk-ins to play with us ...but again as long as they understand the game being played and the table limits allowed.

Just say Hi and ask if you can join in, all the can say is no, then go to another table and try again. Thats how you make new friends, plus the ones that said no you dont want as friends anyway.