Poker Face

Casual dating in New York is like playing high stakes poker. If you want to play at the big table, you better have some game. And you won’t be able to stay at the table if you don’t have at least a few cards to play.

You have to have equal if not better hands than the guys you’re dating. They’re professionals. You can’t expect them to go down without a fight, and you better be able to raise the stakes when necessary. If you aren’t seeing anyone else, you will become too available because, let's be honest, he probably is. You will blow your cool and he will know you’re bluffing.

Even though he might be your Ace, if you don't have anything else to compete with, it won’t do you any good. It's hard to win with just one card. You have to have a few other interests to spread out your time. Even if it’s just a couple of twos, keep them in your hand.

The thing is, though, eventually the game gets old after awhile. Unless you’re on the World Series of Poker tour, you realize there is more to life than playing games and trying to have the best hand.

Most of the guys I’ve dated recently seem to be more focused on their game than seeing where things are going with me. They’re players.

And I'm not the kind of girl who can keep up her poker face after awhile. I just get fed up with the games.