Hapi - The River God

Hapi, god of the Nile; alternate spelling Hapy, one of the Four sons of Horus.

His name, meaning running one, probably refers to the current of the Nile.

Hapi was a deification of the annual flood of the Nile River and it was said that the arrival of Hapi aided the ancient Egyptians to grow crops in an area that was otherwise a desert.

Just like a Las Vegas poker professional, this poker god had a token wife named Meret (or beloved) given to him. It is not clear whether Hapi won her in a poker game.

Since the Nile was tied to the land Hapi had to have another wife Nekhbet, who was the goddess of the upper land. As if that wasn't enough mother-in-laws to handle a third wife Wadjet, the goddess of the lower Nile delta also became his burden.

Later the poker god Hapi became known as Nu, god of the primordial waters and yes you guessed it, gained another wife Naunet.

Hapi the poker god was also known by two other titles, Lord of the Fishes and Birds of the Marshes, and Lord of the River Bringing Vegetation.

Hapi is sometimes depicted as a hippopotamus, but more often is pictured with a flowing beard, large belly and although male, sports full breasts as representations of the fertility of the Nile (sounds like the perfect physique for a poker god).

So this unshaven dude’s got a beer belly and man boobs, three wives and a bit on the side. And when you need runner, runner to save your poker tournament; you’re supposed to call to him; yeah right.

Hapi is not the perfect poker god and those that have played against me know I am far from the perfect poker player, that is why I pray to Hapi at least once every tournament.