Poker Night 232: A Tens Situation

"You've been playing every hand," someone said to a man across the table from us at Lil Kim's Cove tonight. Trouble was, that man was winning most of them -- building a big chip stack, then betting accordingly. We gave up great cards to him a couple of times. Then came our hope for a big comeback....

BLINDS: 200/400

IN THE POCKET: 10-10

We're dealing -- and dealing with a serious challenge. After winning the first hand of the night with three 10's, we struck out with hands such as A-K and A-10. We have 4,325 chips. The big winner raises to 1,500 ahead of us. But he's bluffed at times, so we can't back down here. We call -- and we end up heads-up with him.

ON THE FLOP: 9-10-J

Can a flop be both pretty and ugly at the same time? This one is. We have three of a kind again -- yet the straight chances are obvious. Mr. Big Stack bets 1,500 again, and we really have little choice.

"I'll go all-in," we say and count out 1,325 chips on top his bet. Our opponent doesn't hesitate to call.

"Do you have the straight right now?" we ask as we show. "Because I've got the three 10'ers singing." Our opponent makes a facial expression of exasperation -- as if we've got him.

ON THE TURN: 4

Our opponent says nothing -- and he still hasn't shown his cards.

ON THE RIVER: Q

"Straight," says our opponent.

"Nooooooo" we say -- joined by several around the table, as the chip leader turns over pocket Kings. The river cards drowns us, as we're first out at our table. We pretend to cry on his shoulder, after shaking his hand.

MINISTRY MOMENT: We live a short drive from Auburn University, which is making national news because a supporter of rival Alabama allegedly poisoned two historic trees on the Auburn campus. That act and an arrest came up in table conversation tonight -- and someone asked why the suspect might have done it.

"He was upset because someone put a Cam Newton jersey on the Bear Bryant statue in Tuscaloosa," we said recalling one online report. "That's a case of 'God is not mocked' in Alabama."

Yes, we said that -- because some Alabama football fans seem to put the late coach Bear Bryant on a god-plane. (And by the same token, some Auburn fans are sounding like a sacrilege was committed by poisoning the Toomer's Corner trees.) But in reality, there's only one true God -- and we were quoting Him:

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. -- Galatians 6:7 (KJV)

"I'm glad I don't do that," you might say. To which we would answer: are you sure you don't? If you flippantly use the name of God or Jesus in profane language, we'd suggest you're doing it. And keep reading in Galatians....

For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. -- Galatians 6:8

You're mocking God if you live only for selfish earthly pleasures, and not the spiritual things of God. We'll consider that more closely in an upcoming post.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 94 final tables in 232 nights (40.5%) - 15 cashes.

NATIONAL LEAGUE OF POKER TOTAL: Full tournaments - 119 point wins in 605 games (19.7%), 45 final tables, 4 cashes.

These numbers include the "knockout hold 'em" tournament we won last Saturday night. (We're one-for-one playing that!)

POKER STARS.NET TOTAL: Pretend cash games - $41,822, down $300.