Whether on a riverboat atop the Mississippi or in the smoky dimness of a mining camp saloon, poker was king in the Wild West. Professional gamblers like Wild Bill Hickok, Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson and other men of the era often made their living off the game. Despite their high opinion of themselves, they were generally viewed with disdain, as they took advantage of America’s obsession with gambling and sometimes engaged in questionable behavior.
One of the most famous instances of this was in Deadwood, South Dakota. There, a drunken Hickok allegedly played a game of poker with another man and then shot him when he lost. The gunfight is now known as the famous “dead man’s hand,” and it’s a reminder that playing poker can have deadly consequences.
In a recent event in Mesquite, Texas, however, four brave cowboys proved just how safe the game can be. They took part in a cowboy poker competition during the intermission of a rodeo show. The rules are simple: four people sit around a table and play poker while a rank bull is set free in the arena. The last person to remain seated in their chair wins the competition and a cash prize.
The contestants were warned to stay away from the edge of the table and to keep their chairs in contact with the ground. The rules also state that a player may not touch any of the discards or peek at them. This is because peeking at the discards can be considered a breach of the rules and lead to a loss of the pot.
While the cowboy poker is not a regular rodeo event, it became a national phenomenon after the TV series Yellowstone featured the activity in an episode. The show has been nominated for an Emmy, but has yet to receive a win. Regardless, the game is an exciting and dangerous way to add excitement to a rodeo.
In addition to the safety risks, the game can be very expensive for the rodeos. It can cost up to $1,000 to hire a bull, and some rodeos offer a limited number of seats for the poker game. Some cowboys participate in the event as a way to promote their ranches, but others simply enjoy the thrill of taking on such a dangerous challenge. The game is also a popular fundraiser for local charities.