Poker 101 Night
A beginner-friendly poker night. No poker experience needed. If the game has ever felt like something that happens behind closed doors you weren't invited into, this night is the invitation.
We're bringing people from the community together to learn poker from scratch, in a warm, low-stakes room in the heart of Glencoe. Because poker isn't really about cards: it's about making smart decisions with imperfect information, knowing when to hold and when to fold, betting on yourself, and getting comfortable taking a seat at the table. The same skills that serve you in every room you walk into.
Come learn the game and meet some neighbors.
📍 The details
🗓️ Thursday, October 8, 2026 · ⏰ Starts 6:30 PM · 📍 668 Vernon Ave, Glencoe
🎟️ $30 ticket to hold your seat — keeps it accessible and helps everyone actually show up. Snacks & drink included. The room is intimate, so spots are limited. 👉 Save your seat now! Come on your own or bring a friend.
✨ What to expect
A relaxed, social evening: part hands-on learning, part networking, zero pressure. You'll be taught the basics at small tables by experienced instructors (trained through Poker Power), so total beginners are not just welcome, they're the whole point. We'll have snacks, drinks (and non-alcoholic options), and plenty of time to actually talk to the people in the room.
🃏 Learn to play, from zero — small tables, friendly instructors, real hands.
🧠 The skills underneath the game — confidence, decisions under uncertainty, knowing your worth at the table.
🥂 Real networking — founders, investors, and women doing interesting things, in one room.
🧀 Snacks & drinks — a spread to settle in with.
💡 Why you should come
♠️ Demystify a game you were never taught. Walk in curious, walk out able to play.
🤝 Meet your people. Learning something new together is one of the best icebreakers there is. You'll connect faster than at any standard mixer.
💪 Build the seat-at-the-table mindset. Confidence, negotiation, and comfort with risk. Get reps making bold calls with imperfect information, on the felt and off.
🌃 Spend an evening in a beautiful Glencoe community space.
🗓️ The night, roughly
6:30 — Arrive and mingle
6:50 — Welcome & host intros: how poker builds confidence, strategic thinking & comfort with risk
7:00 — Breakout poker teaching sessions (beginners encouraged!)
8:45 — Wrap-up & networking
👋 Your hosts
Sophia Huard — Ghost Social 👻 Founder building in the IRL economy — bringing people together in real life and connecting the rooms that matter. A poker instructor who genuinely loves the game and its mission.
Haley Kwait Zollo — Starting Line 🃏 A VC at Starting Line and a poker instructor who'll be running a table. She knows firsthand how the game's instincts — reading the room, sizing up risk, making the call — translate straight into investing and leadership.
Jori Greenhill 🎯 With over 25 years as a high school teacher and a lifelong love for poker, Jori Greenhill brings expert instruction and genuine enthusiasm to every lesson. Her interactive, easy-to-understand approach makes poker accessible and fun for players of all ages. Jori’s favorite poker lesson is grit—learning from mistakes and pushing forward. She’s passionate about using the game to foster both personal and professional growth.
Everyone wants a village. Nobody wants to be a villager. Tonight, let's be villagers — and learn to play while we're at it. ♠️