When You Say Nothing at All

"Thank you, sir," we said to a man after winning a big pot at a live tournament.

"Don't worry. I'll get you the next hand," the man responded.

All right, it's your turn. What's the next line in this conversation? What would you say to a man who promises to get even with you? Here's what we said....

"Oh. OK."

Instead of engaging in "trash talk" at the table, we quietly let him say those words and moved on. Any tough or pride-filled words might have escalated things -- and that's not the example we personally want to set at a poker table.

We prefer to follow the example Jesus taught and lived: "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also" (Luke 6:27-29).

Words of insult or put-down can sting every bit as much as a slap on the cheek. One man admitted at a tournament last week he took exception to an opposing player calling him a liar.

But at moments like those, we need to remember these additional words of the Lord in verse 35: "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great...." Maybe not at the end of the poker tournament, but in the ultimate reward Jesus will bring for believers at His second coming (Ephesians 6:8).

That's the Biblical way of explaining our approach. There's also the old-fashioned poker-centered explanation. Let your cards do the talking -- or "read 'em and weep."