Graveyard Games NEW YORK CITY

Graveyard Games KANSAS CITY 106
Originally uploaded by Avant Game.

On Saturday November 5, 2005, Graveyard Games will be in New York City so you can meet the living and play with the dead.

You're invited rain or shine to Brooklyn’s own Cypress Hills Cemetery to get to know your local dearly departed, pay your respects, and learn Tombstone Hold 'Em — the secret poker game you can only play in a cemetery.

(See photos from previous games in San Francisco, Washington D.C., Kansas City, and more.

Instructions

1. Arrive at the Main Gate of the Cypress Hills Cemetery (833 Jamaica Ave), near where Jamaica Ave meets Cypress Hills Street, between 2 PM and 2:30 PM local time.

2. Look for the tournament's host. She'll be holding a deck of cards and will have further instructions and supplies for you.

3. Bring a single flower to place on a grave to show some respect, and to signal that you're one of us.

4. Take a few minutes to explore your section of the cemetery. Look for any poker chips left on tombstones. You'll need these to play.

5. Be sure to look for the grave of someone you can prove died on your birthday. You can use that tombstone as a Joker during the game.

6. Tournament begins at 2:30 PM. Learn the rules before you come if you're serious about winning. We’ll have extra instructions on hands for any friends you bring along.

7. The winner is crowned at 3:30 PM. No fancy prizes, but lots of respect and maybe a special memento from Lucky's estate. And everyone can keep the chips they earn as a souvenir.

8. Afterwards, you’re invited to nearby Mike’s Pub (7919 Jamaica Ave) to raise a glass to the players you’re leaving underground at Cypress Hills.

The Cypress tree, they say, is a symbol of sorrow. I won’t argue that. But let’s meet here, even in the cold of fall, and push back a little on the winter coming in.

One time in New York, I was out strolling with this girl. It was cold enough our breath was smoking in the air, you know, and every time I made her laugh I would cup my hands around the little puff of steam and say, “I caught a laugh!” and breathe it in, and she would laugh some more, and maybe punch me in the arm.

Of all the breaths I ever took, those are some of the ones I remember best. The damp cold, grey concrete, traffic going by and the smell of her laughter in my lungs, like fog and old leaves…

For more information on cemetery gaming: http://www.lastcallpoker.com/allin/rules.aspx

a cemetery is like a long-running poker game...

Graveyard Games KANSAS CITY 079
Originally uploaded by Avant Game.

The Tombstone Hold 'Em tourney in Kansas City's Historic Elmwood Cemetery was a beautiful way to spend a Halloween weekend. You can see my photos from the KC game here.

In the morning, Kiyash and I ran the annual 5K Graveyard Run through the cemetery, and finished with respectable times for the very hilly course: just under 28 minutes. The cemetery was actually a pretty inspiring setting for a race. When I got frustrated with the hills, I'd just look around me and think, "Look, would you rather be running up this damn hill, or be dead?" Right. Morbid, but effective.

By the way, for those of you who haven't heard Lucky's thoughts about cemeteries and poker games yet, I thought I'd post 'em here. Also pretty inspiring stuff.

A cemetery is like a long-running poker game. Same fellas at the table, by and large; a new kid dropping in from time to time. As a rule the dead play tight, and they hate to lose. Tombstones have tells too, you know. Not just what’s carved into them, either. There’s a hundred little things: the plot they chose in life, and the way the grass grows around it; whether the visitors leave fake flowers or real ones. Whether there are visitors at all. Humor an old man, and get to know a few of the better cemeteries. Think about the people there. They cussed and dreamed and drank like you do now. To love and lose is what it means to be human. We haven’t all of us loved as much as we should. —Lucky Brown

Graveyard Games KANSAS CITY

Graveyard Games WASHINGTON DC 048
Originally uploaded by Avant Game.

Won't you come play your respects this Halloween weekend?

On Saturday October 29, 2005, Graveyard Games will be in Kansas City, MO so you can meet the living and play with the dead.

You're invited to the Historic Elmwood Cemetery to get to know your local dearly departed, pay your respects, and learn Tombstone Hold 'Em — the secret poker game you can only play in a cemetery.

Instructions

1. Arrive at the main entrance to the Historic Elmwood cemetery at 4900 Truman Road between 1:30 PM and 2 PM Central time.

2. Look for the tournament's host near the main gate, off E Street. She'll be holding a deck of cards. She will have further instructions and supplies for you.

3. Bring a single flower to place on a grave to show some respect, and to signal that you're one of us.

4. Take a few minutes to explore your section of the cemetery. Look for any poker chips left on tombstones. You'll need these to play.

5. Be sure to look for the grave of someone you can prove died on your birthday. You can use that tombstone as a Joker during the game.

6. Tournament begins at 2 PM. Learn the rules before you come if you're serious about winning. We’ll have extra instructions on hands for any friends you bring along.

7. The winner is crowned at 3 PM. No fancy prizes, but lots of respect and maybe a special memento from Lucky's estate. And everyone can keep the chips they earn as a souvenir.

8. Stick around and join us after 3 PM at the Eastsiders Bar and Grill ( 7321 E Truman Rd) to raise a glass to the players you’re leaving underground.

See photos from San Francisco’s October 15 Graveyard Games and Washington D.C.’s October 22 Graveyard Games.

"The most alive dead place in town"

Graveyard Games WASHINGTON DC 062
Originally uploaded by Avant Game.

It was cold and rainy and extraordinarily wet, but that didn't stop 25 of Washington D.C.'s finest gamers from coming out to Historic Congressional Cemetery for a Tombstone Hold 'Em tourney last Saturday.

Linda Harper, the chairman of the board of the cemetery, was there, as well, to welcome our players and tell them a bit about the cemetery's history and mission. "We're the most alive dead place in town," she said, encouraging the players to have fun and enjoy the historic space. The cemetery's goal? To become, again, the kind of public social and recreation space that cemeteries in the U.S. used to be, before the 20th century. "Before there was Central Park, there was Mt. Auburn Cemetery," she said, reminding us that cemeteries were the original parks and recreation centers in the U.S. It was like being welcomed home again. Linda was so pleased with our game and players that she invited 'em back to come play Hold 'Em any time they want.

Rumor has it that, besides the six official Graveyard Games in honor of Lucky Brown, grassroots Tombstone Hold 'Em games are popping up in cities all over. I just rain into someone in the airport last night who was on his way to Seattle, where he suggested a THE game is on its way. Also this week, Austin and Oakland are having grassroots games... I'm not involved in organizing them, so all I can say is keep your eyes and ears open for more info...

See you in Kansas City next.

Flickr photos are here.

Play with me: Graveyard Games, Washington D.C.

RAIN OR SHINE! Saturday afternoon October 22, 2005

You're never too dead to play.

On Saturday October 22, 2005, Graveyard Games will be in Washington, DC so you can meet the living and play with the dead. You're invited to the Historic Congressional Cemetery to get to know your local dearly departed, pay your respects, and learn Tombstone Hold 'Em — the secret poker game you can only play in a cemetery.

Graveyard Games SAN FRANCISCO 241
Originally uploaded by Avant Game.

1. Arrive at the Historic Congressional Cemetery (1801 E Street Southeast) in D.C. between 2:00 PM and 2:30 PM.

2. Look for the tournament’s host near the main gate, off E Street. She’ll be holding a deck of cards. She will have further instructions and supplies for you.

3. Bring a single flower to place on a grave to show some respect, and to signal that you’re one of us.

4. Take a few minutes to explore your section of the cemetery. Look for any poker chips left on tombstones. You’ll need these to play.

5. Be sure to look for the grave of someone you can prove died on your birthday. You can use that tombstone as a Joker during the game.

6. Tournament begins at 2:30 PM. Learn the rules before you come if you’re serious about winning.

7. The winner is crowned at 3:30 PM. No fancy prizes, but lots of respect and maybe a special memento from Lucky's estate. And everyone can keep the chips they earn as a souvenir.

8. Stick around. You’re invited to Trusty’s Full Service just down the block (1420 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003). Doors open at 4 PM, so raise a glass to the players you’re leaving underground at the Historic Congressional Cemetery.

See photos from San Francisco's Graveyard Games.

A full house at the Italian Cemetery

Graveyard Games SAN FRANCISCO 183
Originally uploaded by Avant Game.

Over 100 playful folks showed up for the first Tombstone Hold 'Em tourney, here in San Francisco. Flickr photos abound, with the tags "graveyard games", "Tombstone Hold Em" and "Last Call Poker". Here's my set of favorites from the unforgettable afternoon, all taken by our "estate photographer", Kiyash. Lucky would be proud.

Play with me: Graveyard Games, October 15th

Playing Tombstone Hold 'Em
Originally uploaded by Avant Game.

On Saturday October 15, 2005, Graveyard Games will be in Colma, San Francisco’s very own City of the Dead, so you can meet the living and play with the dead.

You’re invited to the Italian Cemetery to get to know your local dearly departed, pay your respects, and learn Tombstone Hold ‘Em—the secret poker game you can only play in a cemetery.

Instructions

1. Arrive at the Italian Cemetery (540 F Street, Colma, CA 94014, 2 blocks from Colma BART station) on Saturday October 15 between 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM.
2. Look for your host near the main entrance, under the white arch. She’ll be holding a deck of cards. She will have further instructions and supplies for you.
3. Bring a single flower to place on a grave to show some respect, and to signal that you’re one of us.
4. Take a few minutes to explore the cemetery. Look for any poker chips left on tombs. You’ll need these to play.
5. Be sure to look for the grave of someone you can prove died on your birthday. You can use that tombstone as a Joker during the game.
6. Tombstone Hold ‘Em Tournament begins at 2 PM. Here’s a tip: learn the rules before you come. We’ll have instructions on hand for any friends you bring along.
7. For non-poker players, there will be other creative, playful things to do. And expect a few surprises.
8. The winner is crowned at 3 PM. No fancy prizes, but lots of respect, and maybe a special memento from beyond the grave. Plus, everyone can keep the chips they earn as a souvenir.
9. After 3 PM, you’re invited to nearby Globe Tavern (7379 Mission St) to raise a glass to the players you’re leaving underground at the Italian Cemetery.

By the way, if anyone asks--you’re here for the last call.

The old man had a brilliant idea

cemeterypokertourneycrop
Originally uploaded by Avant Game.

WWII veteran and genius poker player Lionel "Lucky" Brown died a rich man, with some very playful ideas about the legacy he wanted to leave behind.

I'm honored to be a part of how his final wishes are carried out.

Besides, you know me. Can't help but get really excited about a benevolent mob of gamers playing together in an unexpected, public space.

So graveyard games, it is.

When was the last time you played games in a cemetery? When is the first time you play games in a cemetery?

Come play your respects:

October 15 San Francisco/Colma
October 22 Washington, D.C.
October 29 Kansas City
November 5 New York City
November 12 Atlanta
November 29 Los Angeles

You’re never too dead to play.

Hope to see you there.