https://www.thefarside.com/2026/11/06/4
Caption:
Long before his rise to fame, artist Gus Nickerson experimented with many variations on a single theme—until that fateful day when a friend said, “Gus … have you tried dogs playing poker?”
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Friend sued him for stealing the idea.
better with or without the caption?
Far Side is almost always better without the caption.
i personally think: no caption, but a poodle is walking across the street, the artist nitices, and a lightbulb is above the head
I wonder how many younger folks get the reference?
I knew Dogs Playing Poker but wondered if “Gus Nickerson” was the actual artist; it turns out Larson made it up and (according to this possibly spam website) later regretted not looking up the actual artist’s name (Cassius Marcellus Coolidge).
I wonder how many younger folks get the reference? Edit: The Dogs Playing Poker paintings were the backdrop of my childhood. Every house with a finished basement had these hanging on the wood paneling. Often with a wet bar and/or a poker, pool or ping pong table. So I got curious and so far have been down a shallow rabbit hole. Interesting findings:
Larson made up the Gus Nickerson name and later regretted it. The real artist is Cassius Marcellus Coolidge The paintings were done between 1894 and 1910. They were a hit in the 70’s
