Life in prison can feel extremely dull if not downright depressing with no real means of enjoyment. With that said, board games and especially playing decks over the years have turned synonymous with the passage of time. This begs the question, are playing cards, which can also be used for gambling; be allowed in prison?
The answer is No. Gambling or playing cards is technically prohibited in prison. However, the prisoners always find a way to play, not openly but secretly. Playing cards are often considered a “Bird Killer,” making the sentence time pass quicker than sitting idle.
Prison can be harsh at times, and inmates tend to find every possible way to keep themselves busy and trouble-free. Let us read about what card games they can play in prison.
Pai Gow
Pai Gow is a popular Chinese card game in prisons, with inmates getting away with it conveniently after implying their own rules. In simpler words, this game is basically modified Dominoes, played behind bars. The inmates create their own table markings, sometimes not to get caught playing the game. Some prisoners have shared that Pai Gow is one of the most dangerous card games played inside prison, as the players get into huge brutal fights if they catch someone cheating.
Watch this video to learn about playing Pai Gow:
Poker
Although playing poker is strictly prohibited in most prisons, it is still played secretly in many jails. The simple rules of poker, its players and wagers, means that this game can be easily played and kept a secret at the same time. The game is obsessively engaging and can continue for hours and hours.
Bridge
The older people in prison play this card game more. Playing Bridge is taken very seriously behind bars. The game is ideal for prison as it requires ample time to master. The Bridge card game is said to be evolved in the 19th century from the game of whist. It is considered a sophisticated card game for prison compared to others but can lead to brutality due to confrontations or disagreement.
Why Is Gambling So Common In Prison?
Inmates mostly gamble to pass the time, build feelings of self-worth and self-esteem, and simply build a social life. Playing cards may help the prisoners get used to prison life and help them protect against violence. Players may gamble for cigarettes, money, commissary items, specific tasks, food, or sexual favors. However, the game can get brutal when the participants cannot pay debts.
Conclusion
Since inmates have almost nothing to do in prison, they get attracted to every way to distract themselves from the boring prison life. However, many other games are commonly played in jail apart from playing cards. Some of these include basketball, handball, tennis, four bounce, etc. Gambling in most prisons is forbidden but only allowed if no betting is involved.
