I was inspired by
this article (which I recommend as a good read for ANYONE, especially if you don't understand what I'm on about making this) to create a space for trans people to learn poker. It's a wonderful game, it's an equalizing competition, no one has to approve you to participate or has a right to criticize you for being you, and it can be done just as meaningfully online as in person (probably don't need to explain this, given where I'm posting).
I'd also like to speak to anyone who isn't trans or queer who might be reading this: it's good for the game. The more people who feel welcome, the more money there is in the poker economy. Maybe you don't understand it, but you can still sit and play with us as equals - our money spends the same. And life gets more fun and interesting the more you accept all the different ways a human can be. We're an interesting species, just as it's an interesting game: always more to learn.
It's in its early stages and not all that active, but I'm determined to build this community (I might need help getting the server all nice - I'm a poker person, not a computer person). There's nothing planned, but I post pretty regularly (I need to add more to the Poker Theory forum channel, but basic strategy is there) and am happy to meet/work with people, esp. beginners, individually. I've studied NLHE the most (I'm thinking of getting the Tipton books because I'm not having the easiest time getting through the postflop section of Modern Poker Theory, is about where I'm at), I'm confident with Omaha games and 5 card draw, I can passably play Stud/Razz, and I've at least tried out (ie read the Super/System 2 section and played through some hands by myself) triple draw - I think the only games on Pokerstars I'm super unstudied on are badugi and the nonstandard omaha/holdem variants.
I'm not an expert or a pro, I've probably spent more time reading theory than actually playing (at least when it comes to real money), but I have a lot of passion for the game and do have some experience teaching (which I'm not bad at). We can play heads up and talk about how we're thinking through various decision points, sit and watch Triton (etc) and pause to think through the hands, go over your own play footage, or do a book club and cover something chapter by chapter (I'd love to reread Super/System 1&2 and play each game after we've gone over each section). There's also plenty of channels to post on, and the server is in its early days so you definitely will have a say on how things look. Also also, I've set up a club on Pokerstars, and there's a channel to use the Poker Night app for playing play money NLHE.
If you're interested, send me a pm with a social attached (for opsec - some people might see this and decide to be shitty, plus I want to keep it a space just for trans people) and I can send you a server invite.
Join us! Help make it an active server! Improve your game! Dear lord please talk poker with me!
