Trapped Chilean Miners Use Poker To Cope

Franklin Lobos and his fellow miners keep it together with the help of poker. (Photo by BSK)"]

The UK's Daily Mirror newspaper reports that the Chilean miners trapped underground have turned to playing poker in order to keep their spirits up during the long wait for rescue. If you've not been keeping up because you've been grinding at Bodog's tables, a group of 33 miners were caught in a mine collapse near Copiapo back on August 5. Rescuers using high-tech equipment were surprised at first to hear hammering from the men and then heartened when a note that read "all 33 of us are fine in the shelter" was tied to one of their probes.

Since then, the world has looked on as these brave workers have endured ghastly conditions underground as they wait for rescue. One of the miners was a soccer star in his country in the 1980s and is using poker to keep himself and his fellow miners occupied during the long, grueling wait. Franklin Lobos represented his country in the 1980s and his free kicks made him a megastar to the populace of the South American country. His daughter Carolina told the Daily Mirror: "It will be difficult, I'm sure, but I'm not worried about him. I know he is happy and content down there because he is playing lots of poker and cards. It is good for his mind."

Medics observing the scene are paying close attention to Lobos due to his age (53) and diabetes. They've sent insulin to him through the borehole that's been used for communication, but no word on how much he's up or down so far in what's surely the highest-pressure tournament in the world.

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