Popular Texas Pastime Has Been Banned From Most Cruise Ships

It does not matter where you come from in Texas there are certain things about you that will let others know where you're from without saying a word. No matter whether you're a Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas, you've seen Amarillo By Morning, or you're familiar with the rumors about that shack outside of La Grange, if you're from Texas there are certain things you do.

No place is the "you're from Texas" stereotype more clearly illustrated than on a cruise ship. Texas cruise guests are really easy to spot. They are the ones that you see in the elevator on the way to breakfast holding a bottle of Tito's and some jalapeno peppers. They are the guests you encounter who always seem to be wearing their boots around the swimming pool.

And dare we say it, the easiest "tell" that someone is from Texas is that they are laughing, cutting up, and having a good time. Unless someone has made a stupid play at Texas Hold 'em.

You see in Texas, Hold 'em is a game that has to be played "right". And a lot of Texas Hold 'em fans love to play for money. So it would stand to reason that if a few Texas folks found themselves on a cruise ship with some cold beer and a deck of cards you might have a spirited game break out.

It's not uncommon to see people playing cards on a cruise ship, is it? In fact, the cruise lines usually provide cards as well as other kinds of games you can play. And if you're wondering you can play Texas Hold 'em on board a cruise ship.

What you can't do is play Texas Hold 'em for money on a cruise ship. For that matter, you can't play any game on a cruise ship, outside of the casino, where money could change hands.

Of course, there is a loophole, the cruise lines can and only enforce this if they see actual money changing hands. So, if you wanted to play cards for profit and use Skittles or M&Ms or empty bottle caps as currency you can do that.

The enforcement of these rules does vary from cruise line to cruise line but for the most part, as long as you're not flaunting actual cash you can get away with playing your games in the ship's public areas.

Now, if you want to use real money you'll want to move that into your stateroom or to another table off the ship while it's in port. But be sure you check the laws in that port of call before you put on your poker face.