Friends With the Hi-Lo

Some people play in free local poker tournaments simply for the friendship and fellowship. We see nothing wrong with that. But sometimes they want all their buddies to gather at the same table to play -- and that can be a thorn in the side of other players, who think the Tournament Directors are "playing favorites," or giving certain people protection.

In a high-stakes tournament at a casino, that never would happen. Your seat might be determined by a blind draw or computer randomization. By comparison, free games for a small prize tend to be more informal. "Fun and games" are supposed to come first -- although the seriousness of the play and the drama of a final table can change all that.

In our last post, we talked with two players about making pre-game agreements -- and we mentioned God is "no respecter of persons." That concept comes from the book of Acts:

Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that fears him and works righteousness, is accepted with him. -- Acts 10:34-35, KJV

Other translations say God "does not show favoritism" with a person. But The NIV Study Bible adds this note: "He does, however, respect his character and judge his work."

The first half of James 2 explains this farther -- indicating you shouldn't play favorites based on someone's financial standing or wardrobe. "But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers," warns verse 9.

This admittedly can be a tough balancing act. But we take these verses to mean you should try to be friends with everyone you meet at a poker table -- whether you've known them for years, or they're playing for the first time. The attitude they display and the things they do can determine how deep you want the friendship to go.

(P.S. The way those people play poker can determine whether you want to privately paint targets on their chests, and aim to eliminate them early. All in fun, of course....)