TEXAS HOLDEM ONLINE POKER

The poker chips are flying as area bars ante up with free Texas holdem poker tournaments nearly every day of the week. And now women are catching poker fever.

Kyle Villers, owner of City Limits Lounge, 320 S. Link Lane, started the Texas holdem poker tournament frenzy in Fort Collins about six months ago. On Saturday afternoon he shook things up again by offering a women-only poker lesson and tournament.

"We noticed that (poker tournaments) were a highly male-dominated activity," Villers said. "We want women to be able to learn the basics so they don't feel uncomfortable sitting down at any table in town and playing Texas holdem poker."

About 20 women of various ages gathered at the City Limits Lounge on Saturday afternoon for Texas holdem poker lessons, followed by a poker tournament. The women joked about playing poker as they waited for lessons. Among them was Freda Elliott, 66, of Fort Collins, who found out about the poker lessons and tournament from her husband.

"It's something to do, and it might turn out to be a hobby," Elliot said. "We're here gambling instead of going to a quilting meeting."

Dawn Paepke, 37, of Fort Collins, also liked the idea of mixing up her routine.

"I've never played, so it sounded like fun," Paepke said. "I get tired of doing the same old thing."

Villers began with poker etiquette and Texas holdem basics. The atmosphere soon turned light as mock play began and laughter and cheers filled the room.

After winning the first round, Linda Garton, 57, of Fort Collins, said she felt great and was excited to continue playing.

"I'm hooked," Garton said.

Garton said she joined Saturday's activities to get her mind off other things in her life.

"I want to meet some people because I lost my best friend to cancer, and it is time to get out of the house," Garton said. "So, I came to a bar to play poker."

Women-only lessons will continue at 1:30 p.m. every Saturday at the City Limits Lounge, and a tournament will follow at 2 p.m. First-, second- and third-place winners in the women-only tournament receive prizes, which include oil changes and spa and hair care certificates.

While Helen Oakes, 83, of Fort Collins, was initially hesitant to learn poker, she ultimately decided it would be a great thing to try.

"I'm very active and can't sit still that long, but I figured maybe if I'm betting I could," Oakes said.

More seasoned poker players watched the lessons and tournament. Among them was Renee Perry, 40, who began playing poker at the bar in October and has already won bar tabs and a trip to the March tournament in Denver through the general poker tournament on Saturday evenings.

"I think the lessons are good," Perry said. "It is a fun game, and it will be great to have different people playing here. I'm happy it is taking off."