I would never join the Enterprise-D's poker table.

[alpha_leonis]

I mean, think about it:

• LaForge could probably see through the cards
• Troi would know when you were bluffing
• Data could pretty much instantly compute your hand by counting cards and observing each shuffle in detail
• Worf could easily rip off one of your limbs if he lost

 

[Trekker4747]

Counting cards only works in Blackjack and you have to be able to see the cards, observing the shuffle "in detail" does him nothing in regards to winning, he still has to see the faces of the cards,

No "probablies" about it, Geordi could see through the cards but I believe he said it only worked with some decks and he only looked after the person had folded or the hand was over, he'd also said once he could tell when most species were lying to him,.

But, keep in mind, they were mostly playing for fun and not real financial gain.

 

[at Quark's]

I mean, think about it:

• LaForge could probably see through the cards
• Troi would know when you were bluffing
• Data could pretty much instantly compute your hand by counting cards and observing each shuffle in detail
• Worf could easily rip off one of your limbs if he lost

Just insist on playing an online version of it (with randomized computer shuffling). Removes all of their advantages, except perhaps for Troi's.
Then again, perhaps you have just discovered the real reason Picard never joined until the very last scene of the series. Who knows, perhaps Q gave him a little insight in the game of that night to make up for the ordeal he put Picard through

 

[Tenacity]

Removes all of their advantages, except perhaps for Troi's.

I remember a movie from the 1960's, with Leslie Nielsen back when he did serious roles.

He was playing a single high stakes poker hand with the movies villain, but the villain had a mind reader standing next to him. Nielson's character won the hand by not looking at his cards.

Geordi ... he only looked after the person had folded

This would give him an advantage over the other players, because he would then know which cards were no longer in play. Probablies.

 

[Orphalesion]

With the way they occasionally show Geordi's vision to work, I'm more surprised that he can see the symbols on the cards at all...

 

[gakelly]

They aren't very good at poker.
Riker simply tries to bluff every hand. That is a great way to lose tons of money playing poker.
I played semi-professionally for a while, and they don't impress me.
In best of both worlds, Wesley plays first and has 3 of a kind showing, he bets and Shelby calls (she later claims she only has 2 pair). There are no more cards to come. Shelby cannot beat Wesley, so there is no way anyone in their right mind would call his bet.

 

[Qonfounding Ghooool]

I mean, think about it:

Spoiler

YOU'RE BLUFFING!!!

Spoiler

• LaForge could probably see through the cards
• Troi would know when you were bluffing
• Data could pretty much instantly compute your hand by counting cards and observing each shuffle in detail
• Worf could easily rip off one of your limbs if he lost

LaForge just looks the other way.

Troi focuses her mind on all the crewmembers shagging so she's not a problem either.

Worf hasn't torn off any limbs since when he was with that kid in that lovely DS9 season 5 episode with Vanessa Williams that loads in a lot of great plot ideas but does sod all with any of them...

Data can count cards but couldn't care.

I'd still go all in.

Especially if it were

Spoiler

strip poker.

 

[Makarov]

Picard would interrupt the game by smiling at everyone telling them all how much he appreciates them.

 

[Tenacity]

Worf hasn't torn off any limbs since ...

C3PO: "I suggest a new strategy R2. Let the Klingon win."

 

[JaxsBrokenHeart]

I always wondered if poker was a generally popular game among Federation crew members in the 24th century or if was largely an Enterprise D thing.

Amusing to imagine those on the USS Galaxy having a weekly Monopoly game among their senior staff.

 

[Orphalesion]

Honestly I never liked the Poker scenes on TNG, I don't think it's a game that's interesting to watch.

Amusing to imagine those on the USS Galaxy having a weekly Monopoly game among their senior staff.

They play hungry hungry hippo.

 

[Skipper]

What is it the point if they even didn't use money? Once I just played just with the gaming chips (no money involved) and:

1. No one played like when there was real money involved (rarely folded, everyone bluffed all the time etc)
2. It wasn't remotely equally fun

 

[Nyotarules]

What is it the point if they even didn't use money? Once I just played just with the gaming chips (no money involved) and:

1. No one played like when there was real money involved (rarely folded, everyone bluffed all the time etc)
2. It wasn't remotely equally fun

Whoever wins gets to eat real food and not replicated crap lol

 

[Orphalesion]

In one episode Troi beats Data at chess and because she won Data had to make some fancy cocktail for her at Ten Forward.
Maybe they play for stuff like that.

 

[Trekker4747]

What is it the point if they even didn't use money? Once I just played just with the gaming chips (no money involved) and:

1. No one played like when there was real money involved (rarely folded, everyone bluffed all the time etc)
2. It wasn't remotely equally fun

It's than an odd place to take. I mean, you can make that argument for any game, what's the point of winning any game other than to just say "I won?" I mean, if you wing a Monopoly it's not like you get to have all of that money.

I've played poker plenty of times with friends and family using just the chips and no monetary stakes and everyone played it seriously, stiff, and with bluffing and such just out of wanting to have the "bragging rights" of winning.

 

[MANT!]

 

[Pumpkin Bread]

* There's no actual money, so you can't lose anything.
* I'll keep my cards behind my hands, blocking Geordi's thermal vision.
* I'll think disgusting thoughts about Deanna Troi's cleavage, and she'll stay out of my head.
* Data regularly loses.
* I'll keep Riker between me and Worf. Worf won't mutilate a superior officer.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I'm actually not sure if Deanna could tell when somebody was bluffing.

If a player has a good enough "poker face", they might also be good at hiding their emotions from her.

 

[amp]

* Data regularly loses.

By the time we get to season 4, Data winds up being a pretty good player. In "Legacy", he's about equal to Riker. And of course in "Time's Arrow" he's hustling hustlers.

 

[Pumpkin Bread]

Ok. Well, I'd still play against him, just not for money. Which doesn't exist in the Federation anyway.

 

[JesterFace]

Some of us here might be ready to lose few chips just to get to play on that table.