I remember my Mother teaching me Solitaire when I was about 5 Years old, and she showed me a lot of variations on the game, and I think since then I was hooked on card games.
I loved the feel of the deck in my hand, and learned early on that if you cheat, you really are only cheating yourself, because it doesn't help you to become better at a game, only better at cheating.
I was introduced into
gambling with cards when I left school and played a lot of Cribbage, Don, Three Card Brag and
blackjack, which I had a basic knowledge of playing for matches when I was at home with my siblings, So I had played for fun basically, but you start to learn more, when it is costing you money.
I did well at times and only got into Poker when I was around 24 as most Pubs banned the game, Why? I really don't know,because Three Card Brag created a lot of trouble back in those days because the rule was, if you could not manage to cover the bet someone made, you were forced to fold, and that led to many arguments and eventually fights between players.
I suppose another reason was, Poker was, even then a Big money game, and some shady characters would dominate the Poker table, and beating them would always end with a bloody nose or broken jaw for someone.
Thankfully Poker has been brought out of the smoky back rooms, and out into the real World where it has become more acceptable to play, I remember when my Grandmother found out I was playing Poker, She was worried I was going to end up in prison being led astray by some of the shadier characters. It always had a bad reputation for trouble.
Now in my sixties, I can play when I want, thanks to the Internet and all the
poker sites, with out a threat of a broken nose.
When the fun Stops, STOP!