Rachel applies for a job and has a good feeling about it.
The girls convince the guys to let them play poker, but the girls don't know how to play and don't do very well. After taking lessons, they ask for a rematch. One hand comes down to Ross and Rachel; Rachel receives a phone call about the job — she didn't get it. Ross, feeling sorry for her, lets her win the hand.
Tropes:
- Competition Freak: The introduction of Monica's hyper-competitive streak. Ross isn't much better, openly admitting that he plays to win and doesn't care if that means his friends have to lose.
- Cool Old Lady: Monica's professional card sharp aunt, particularly in the extended version of the episode where she gets another scene castigating the girls for their loss.
- Girls vs. Boys Plot: The girls discover that the guys have regular friendly poker games and want in. The guys are reluctant, worrying they won't be able to keep up. Offended, the girls challenge them to a serious game for money...
- Hollywood Board Games: Monica is a Competition Freak from head to toe. She's so obsessed with winning that she threw a plate during a past Pictionary game because she was losing. She excuses herself by saying it was an accident, but she does regret having lost control and accidentally caused harm to Chandler. Everyone refers to it as the Pictionary Noodle Incident. It doesn't stop her from doing it again (with a glass this time) in The Tag, though, when her friends don't understand her drawing of a bird but get Rachel's bean reference to The Unbearable Lightness of Being.
- Hypocritical Humor: Monica complaining about how competitive Ross is being, which amuses the other girls.Phoebe: Hello, kettle? This is Monica. You're black.
- I Want My Beloved to Be Happy: After Rachel fails to get the job at Saks, she starts making insane bets, ending up in a one-on-one against Ross. Ultimately, Ross folds against her hand, and won't show his hand to the guys. After he remarks how happy winning the hand made her, Chandler and Joey make a dive for his discarded cards.
- Nine out of Ten Doctors Agree: Referenced.Rachel: Guess what, guess what, guess what?
Chandler: Um, okay. The fifth dentist finally caved and now they're all recommending Trident? - No Poker Face: Phoebe looks at the first hand she's dealt and confidently shouts "YES!". As the gang stare at her she unconvincingly adds "...or no."
- Open-Fly Gag: Twice involving Ross.Ross: Your money's mine, Green.
Rachel: Your fly's open, Gellar.
…
Rachel: [chanting] I have got your money, and you'll never see it, and your fly's still open... Ha! I made you look! - Pet the Dog: After bragging all night that he'll win all of Rachel's money, Ross lets her win after she finds out she didn't get the job at Saks Fifth Avenue.
- Playing Pictionary: "The Pictionary Incident" where Monica claims a plate slipped out of her hand while she was gesturing. At the end of the episode the gang tries to play again. Monica's attempt to draw Bye Bye Birdie fails and when she reaches for her drink the rest of the gang duck dramatically.
- Surprisingly Realistic Outcome: After losing badly at their first game the girls turn to Monica's aunt to teach them how to play. They start their next game against the guys full of confidence, with Rachel even showing off some fancy shuffling techniques...but then they still lose as they've only had one lesson and the guys have been playing for years.
- The Unreveal: We never find out whether Ross really threw the game to make Rachel happy or not. The last shot is Ross stopping Chandler and Joey from looking at his cards.
