playing poker

Senior Citizens Keep Sharp Through Poker

In Viejas Indian Reservation, senior citizens spend time differently from most people their age. While some old-timers would prefer to spend their days walking on the beach, taking care of animals or just plain staying at home, folks here opt to play poker.

Katie "Dynamite" Rahder is one such senior, and although being tethered to a breathing tube on her oxygen tank might belie her razor sharp skills, she is a card shark in the game.

"The main thing is the camaraderie," said the 82-year-old. Dynamite is a permanent fixture in the Viejas Casino and is known for her hat collection.

"We don't want to sit at home all day watching TV and getting Alzheimer's. You need to get out and keep your mind sharp; even the doctors say this is good for us."

"After I retired, I tried yard work and gardening, tried going the volunteer route," said Bill Bruner, one of the regulars. "But this right here is our heaven. We come every day to socialize as much as to play poker. We love it."

"I have (multiple sclerosis), so I'm limited in my ability to do a lot of things," said a retired attorney, Mike Witte, 71. "This is something I can do.

"Poker is probably the best thing for me, from a standpoint of keeping the mind sharp and the social aspect," Witte said.

A routine of competitive poker can be beneficial to the elderly, said Dr. Mike Plopper from Sharp Behavioral Health Services in San Diego.

"Clearly they are engaged in life and enjoy this very much," Plopper said. "The social interaction, competitiveness and mental challenge are quite positive components.