Sunday, April 18, 2010

Heads-Up Week 1: Read Me Wrong

Again this year, we're offering thoughts on the National Heads-Up Poker Championship telecast (except for the final round, which we'll have to miss). One of today's moments of drama came when Daniel Negreanu had 5-5, while Jason Mercier had Q-Q. With a pair showing on the board, Negreanu dared to go all-in -- but Mercier called and had him dominated.

The NBC announcers called it a "rare mis-read" by someone famed for reading opponents. Perhaps it was a case where the looks wound up being deceiving.

Jesus warned a crowd of people long ago about doing that. "Do not judge according to appearance," He said in John 7:24 (NASB), "but judge with righteous judgment."

Someone could make an impressive-looking bet -- and even look impressively confident doing it. But it could all be "Hollywooding" (to borrow some poker slang) to scare you away. On the other hand, someone could make a weak-looking bet while holding pocket Aces.

The warning here is against "reading" too much into what you see. There's a thinking element to poker, every bit as much as there is an aspect of luck. Think carefully before you act.

"A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge," Proverbs 22:3 reminds us, "but the simple keep going and suffer for it." Sadly, the Bible evidence shows King Solomon didn't always follow this good advice. How about you?

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