Poker Night 214: You're Bluffing, Right?

In a recent TV interview, World Series of Poker Main Event champion Jonathan Duhamel said he was able to remain focused throughout the final table. He might have felt right at home Thursday night at Lil Kim's Cove -- as the tournament seemed much quieter than usual. So how do we explain this hand?

BLINDS: 100/200

IN THE POCKET: J-5 of hearts

We won a nice pot with pocket Jacks earlier in the evening, so we have about 9,000 chips -- enough to call in hopes of a flush. About half the table calls.

ON THE FLOP: K-Q-4 (no hearts)

We're first in line to bet, and toss in 300. Two players follow by folding. But one man across from us calls.

ON THE TURN: 5

While this card is dealt, we double-check what we have. We thought we hit the flop -- but no, we didn't. So now we check. Our opponent bets 300, and we fold.

We could have carried on with the hand, staging a bluff. But that's really not our style -- and to be honest, we forgot what our original cards were. We thought we paired with that King! Even in poker, "brain freezes" happen.

But we warmed up later on -- winning a couple of big pots, including 7-7 which brought a third 7 on the turn for a key double-up. As players gathered for the final table, we went all-in again with A-J -- but an Ace of diamond on the river gave an opponent a flush. Only seven reached the final table; we wound up eighth, and call it a miss on our part.

MINISTRY MOMENT: A man grabbed our "Jesus as Your Savior" coin during the game and examined it.

"Do you agree with that message?" we asked him.

"Is Jesus my Savior?" he answered. "He can't save me...." Then the man went on to declare he's heading for Hell.

But a female watching the table disagreed. "You only have to believe...."

We tried to tell the man Jesus desires to be the Savior of everyone....

....God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. -- I Timothy 2:3-4

What is required for that salvation? Some ministers and church denominations try to make it seem complex and difficult. But start with what two budding evangelists recommended to a scared convert:

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved -- you and your household." -- Acts 16:31

Then start reading God's Word, the Bible. Act on what it says. Your "belief" will expand. Your faith will grow deeper. And you salvation will become more sure.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 87 final tables in 214 nights (40.7%) - 15 cashes. Heads-up record: 7-9.

NATIONAL LEAGUE OF POKER TOTAL: One-table sit-n-goes - 8-11-7-3-2. Full tournaments - 98 points wins in 517 games (19.0%), 39 final tables, 2 cashes.

We won a ten-player SNG over the weekend, to make the Sunday weekly championship.

POKER STARS.NET TOTAL: Pretend cash games - $26,849, up $2,630.

There's a "Million-Dollar Challenge" freeroll tonight, the last one of the Fox season -- but our Internet connection is down, so we'll have to pass. :-(