Almost perfect

"Therefore you are to be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect." - Matthew 5:48, NASB

That's a tough standard set by Jesus, isn't it? In poker, it's even tougher. Sometimes the most perfect moments can fall apart. We saw this today at an NBC Sports online tournament....

BLINDS: 150/300 (25 ante)

IN THE POCKET: Q-6 of spades

We have 2,640 chips, and decide to give it a try by calling. A few other players join in.

ON THE FLOP: 7-5-4

We don't recall any spades falling -- but that's OK, because we have an open-ended straight draw. We check at first. But someone else bets $300, and we call in hope.

ON THE TURN: 3.

Perfect! And we're first to bet, so we don't hesitate to push all-in with about $2,040. But a player across the table calls us. He has 7-7. Three of a kind vs. our straight? "He needs some help," we say.

ON THE RIVER: 3.

"Nooooooooooooooooooooo" we write in anguish -- like a wicked witch floating into outer darkness in a movie. His help came, and he hit a full house. Ouch, that hurts -- but at least we finished in 20th place, barely getting points from the game.

If all this talk about being perfect concerns you, maybe it shouldn't. Grab a Bible, go through our study on that subject -- and you may wind up comforted.