In the red lighting of Punch’s Alley, with sparkly black clothing glimmering and poker chips and cards stacked on desks, the Wellesley Poker Club hosted its inaugural meeting on Nov. 7. Poker-loving sibs were ready to enjoy this special place on campus, while many first-timers arrived not only to learn poker but also to meet new people and form meaningful connections.
The idea for Poker Club began two years ago, with simple poker games among the e-board’s friend group during their spring break.
“I think it really solidified our friend group at that time,” Poker Club Co-President, Josephine De Carbuccia ‘26 recalled. “Some of us had played with our families, but most of us hadn’t, and it was so fun to teach them. It brings out a new side of your friends.”
When the group returned to campus after spring break and noticed that there was no Poker Club at Wellesley, their planning began. However, due to complications with the Org Chair’s leave and e-board members’ junior year study abroad plans, the club wasn’t able to complete the org application process until their senior year. Despite the obstacles, Carbuccia and the e-board are thrilled that their club is officially recognized as an organization on campus.
For those with no previous experience, joining Poker Club may sound challenging, but poker is also new for many e-board members of the club. Co-President Lila Zakaria ‘26 explained: “A lot of our friends were initially intimidated, but it was just that they had never thought to play. Go for it. Texas Hold’em is a very simple game.”
Society often tells women that there are things they’re “naturally bad at”: STEM, finance or even a gambling game built on luck and bluffing. Founding a Poker Club, something stereotyped as a “finance bro thing” and a “male-dominated” game, at a historically women’s college like Wellesley is, in fact, a unique form of empowerment to “break that stigma,” Zakaria reflected. Indeed, “everyone can be good [at it]. It is just a big-name game,” Carbuccia said.
While enjoying snacks and playing a round of poker (with no actual money involved) at the Poker Club, sibs took turns introducing themselves and chatting about classes, Wellesley life and even some of their interesting background with poker. Although the club offered a beginner-friendly table, many sibs with no prior experience learned Texas Hold’em alongside more experienced players. The guidance came naturally among sibs, inviting first-timers to join the table whenever someone new walked through the door.
Beyond the fun of poker, Zakaria highlighted that Poker Club is also a place to engage and make friends: “It is easy to sit down at a table with five other people who are already playing and just pop in. It is like watching a TV show, but you’re all actually doing something together.”
Looking ahead, Zakaria said that Poker Club is currently in the process of getting underclassmen on board to find representatives from different classes, since all the current e-board members are seniors. For the remainder of the school year, Poker Club will be hosting open meetings every other Thursday, with the next one scheduled on Dec. 4 after the Thanksgiving break.
“Everyone at the end of the day needs something fun to do on a Thursday night,” Zakaria concluded. “We’re hoping to be that space.”
Contact the editors responsible for this story: Hira Khan, Chelsea Tarringer.
