How I Played Poker with My Father on the Border with North Korea

Connor Richards shares a unique experience of playing a poker game with his father right at the border of North Korea. Find out how this unusual game went.

At the beginning of September, on a sunny and humid morning, Connor Richards — senior editor at PokerNews and host of the Life Outside Poker podcast, three-time Global Poker Awards nominee for his work — found himself in an unusual place for a poker game. More than 9,600 kilometers from his home in Las Vegas, he was sitting on a wooden bench in Imjingak Park, located right at the border with North Korea, just a few miles from one of the most closed and isolated countries in the world. This border — the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) — is considered the most fortified in the world. Poker at the North Korean Border: How It All Began The reason for Connor’s trip to Asia was work: he was covering the Triton ONE series on Jeju Island (South Korea), and then spent a few days in Seoul. When he learned about the opportunity to visit the DMZ — the infamous border, accessible only as part of organized tours — he couldn’t resist. For most travelers, this is the closest you can get to North Korea, one of the most closed-off countries, which Human Rights Watch calls “one of the most repressive in the world.” Recently, North Korea marked its 80th anniversary by showcasing a new intercontinental ballistic missile, further fueling interest in the region. Connor’s colleague, Eliot Thomas, suggested they play a poker game right during the tour. Without hesitation, Connor bought the first deck of cards he found and headed north. Touring the DMZ and Preparing for an Unusual Game Connor went on the DMZ tour with his father, who had introduced him to poker. The group was accompanied by an energetic young guide, who, during the 40-minute bus ride from Seoul, talked about North Korea’s history: from the brutal Korean War of the 1950s (which, technically, is still not over) to the modern realities under Kim Jong Un, marked by a nuclear program and widespread human rights violations. The first stop on the tour was Imjingak Park, built in the 1970s as a symbol of hope for Korean reunification. Most of the tour participants were Europeans, but the park itself was full of Koreans, for whom this place is tied to tragic memories of the war. One elderly woman, for example, took a photo at a monument dedicated to families separated by the war. The park is home to the Dokgae Bridge — a railway bridge over the Imjin River that used to connect South and North Korea before the war, but was destroyed during the fighting. It was here that Connor and his father decided to play a game of poker. The Setting and Atmosphere They settled on a narrow wooden bench on the restored Dokgae Bridge. All around were green trees, bushes, water lilies, and virtually untouched nature, preserved thanks to the lack of human activity in the area. However, reminders of the war’s tragedy were everywhere: the concrete supports of the bridge are still riddled with bullet holes, and one plaque noted “how terrible the Korean War was.” Choosing the Game Format and Props Since the bench was too narrow for standard flop games (like Texas Hold’em), Connor chose 2-7 Triple Draw. This is a type of draw poker where the goal is to make the lowest possible five-card hand, and players can draw new cards up to three times. For atmosphere, they used North Korean souvenir bills bought at the park’s gift shop, as well as poker chips from a Seoul casino. The Game: Hands and Results Time was short — they soon had to return to the bus, so Connor quickly organized a best-of-five heads-up match (one-on-one play). In the first hand, Connor won: his father couldn’t beat the 10-7 hand Connor made after the second draw. The second hand went to his father: he “stood pat” (didn’t draw any cards on the final round) with an 8-5. Connor won the third hand, also “standing pat” with 8-5. The fourth hand was another win for his father: Connor drew an ace, while his father held on to 10-7 and won. In the final hand, Connor drew two cards, his father drew one, then Connor drew one more, and his father stood pat. On the last draw, the situation repeated: Connor made 9-6, his father had 10, and the match went to Connor. A victory in such a symbolic place couldn’t help but evoke associations: on the very ground where war divided millions of families, father and son strengthened their family bond through poker — a tradition that unites generations. This is especially meaningful in a park designed as a symbol of hope for Korean reunification. After the match, Connor took a winner’s photo with his prize — 5,060 North Korean won — and they hurried back to the bus to continue the tour and get an even closer look at the isolated regime. Journey Through the DMZ: A Glimpse of North Korea Leaving Imjingak Park, the group officially entered the Demilitarized Zone. At the checkpoint, a South Korean soldier checked passports and the passenger list, after which the bus was allowed to continue north. The first stop in the DMZ was the Third Tunnel of Aggression — one of four unfinished tunnels that, according to official accounts, were dug by North Korean soldiers for an invasion of the South. The tourists put on helmets, passed through a metal detector, and descended into a damp cave leading to the closest point to North Korea you can reach without crossing the border. The tour then took them to Dora Observatory — an elevated viewing platform where, through telescopes, you could see North Korea: Mount Songaksan, endless green hills, and the village of Kijong-dong, believed to be filled with empty buildings. Poker in North and South Korea: A Contrast In North Korea, ruled by a totalitarian regime, poker is virtually nonexistent in daily life: the country is completely isolated, violates human rights, and bans any contact with the outside world. Nevertheless, in 2018 there were reports that North Korean hackers were involved in online poker fraud. According to Axios, the regime uses proceeds from cybercrime to offset sanctions. In South Korea, by contrast, there are several legal venues where tourists can play poker. Connor took the opportunity to visit Paradise Casino Walkerhill in Seoul, where he played a $1/$2 cash game (the equivalent in Korean won) and managed to make several hundred dollars in profit. According to him, the game was not only profitable but also very enjoyable, but it was the open-air match on the world’s most fortified border that will remain his most memorable. Scoreboard and Results of the Dokgae Bridge Match Hand No. Winner Hand Comments 1 Connor Richards 10-7 Win after the second draw 2 Connor’s father 8-5 (pat) Father stood pat on the final round 3 Connor Richards 8-5 (pat) Connor stood pat on the final round 4 Connor’s father 10-7 Connor drew an ace and lost 5 Connor Richards 9-6 Connor drew two cards, then one; father stood pat Match result: Connor Richards won 3-2, receiving 5,060 North Korean won as his prize. Context: Triton ONE Series and Poker in South Korea Connor Richards’ visit to Korea was connected to his coverage of the Triton ONE series on Jeju Island. Triton Poker is one of the world’s most renowned high roller tournament series, attracting the elite of the poker community. After working at the series, Connor spent time in Seoul, where he explored the local poker scene by visiting Paradise Casino Walkerhill. This is one of the few places in South Korea where foreigners can legally play poker. Unlike North Korea, where poker is virtually absent, South Korea offers visitors the chance to play both cash games and tournaments, making it attractive for poker tourists. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For PPPoker club members, this story is not just an exciting adventure, but a reason to reflect on how universal poker is and how it brings people together even in the most unusual and historically significant places. Poker is not only a competition, but also a way to strengthen bonds with loved ones, get to know other cultures, and see the game from a new perspective. The practical takeaway for PPPoker players: don’t limit yourself to familiar formats and locations. Experiment with different types of poker, try new scenarios (such as heads-up or draw games), use themed props — all of this makes the game more interesting and memorable. Even a simple game away from the usual poker table can become an event you’ll remember for years. Moreover, Connor’s experience shows that even in countries with limited access to poker, you can find a way to play — whether it’s a home game on a bench or a visit to a legal casino. For PPPoker club members, it’s a reminder: value the freedom of choice that the online platform gives you, and use it to broaden your poker horizons, connect, and share experiences with players from all over the world.