Poker Night 250: More Power to You

Tonight marked our 250th live poker tournament, over a span of almost four years. We returned to where it all began for us, Lil Kim's Cove -- and it didn't start well, as a man to our immediate left played what they like to call on TV "power poker." Aggressive pre-flop raises led to a couple of early losses. Eventually it was time to return the favor....

BLINDS: 25/50

IN THE POCKET: Ace of clubs - 4 of spades

Those losses knocked us from a starting stack of 8,000 chips to the 6,000 range. So we'd like to enter cautiously for a while, and we merely call this. The power player simply checks, and most of the players at the table are in.

ON THE FLOP: 6-8-9 of clubs

We're on a draw for the "nut flush" -- and we're first to act. We know the power player well enough to think a bet on our part will slow him down. So we bet 300. He calls instead of raising; a couple of others do as well.

ON THE TURN: Ad

It's not a flush yet, but at least it's top pair. We seize on that by betting 600. The power player isn't scared, and calls. Everyone else at the table folds.

ON THE RIVER: 7h

Uh-oh - now four cards are on the table for a straight. We really don't think our opponent is after that. But we also don't want to be cautious and check; that would give the impression we missed completely and open the door for a big-bucks stab at the pot. So we make a mid-range bet of 500 with top pair -- and are happy to see our opponent fold. We gain back about 1,000 chips.

"I had a really good club," our opponent says. Aha - he was flush-hunting, too. Too bad a club didn't come for him, eh?

While we missed there, flushes came our way two or three times after that in the first hour. They allowed us to win big pots, and jump above 30,000 chips. We went to the one-hour break at 24,500, and won one more pot after that. But then we went "card-dead," with little of quality to play.

A couple of wise folds with semi-quality hands (such as A-8 and K-J) allowed us to hang around to the final table, entering with 10,000. But the draw for dealer at that point forced us into the big blind immediately for all 10,000 -- and while we were dealt A-10 and a 10 came on the board, a man to our right made triple-8's. At least we touched the final table, before finishing eighth.

MINISTRY MOMENT: "How are you, Mr. Jesus?" That was the power player's greeting to us tonight -- pronouncing Jesus in the Spanish way. He knows about our poker ministry well.

Later in the game we whispered between hands, "I'm not Jesus. I just try to be like Him."

"I knew that," our opponent answered. "I was just f***ing with you."

With us, perhaps he can. With the name of Jesus, he'd better be careful....

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. - Exodus 20:7

God gave that commandment to Moses -- but some Christians say "God" in this case refers to the pre-incarnate Jesus. Even if you don't accept that, consider this....

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. - Hebrews 4:14

If Jesus is God's Son, shouldn't His name receive the same respect and honor of God the Father? The apostle Paul thought so....

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. - Philippians 2:10

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 97 final tables in 250 nights (38.8%) - 15 cashes. Our "streak" has turned from cold to hot, with three final tables in the last four.

NATIONAL LEAGUE OF POKER TOTAL: Full tournaments - 144 point wins in 666 games (21.6%), 50 final tables, 5 cashes. UFC Knockout Hold 'em - one win in five games (20%).

We came very close to winning money Wednesday afternoon, taking a chip lead to the final table in a game with 628 players. But we finished sixth, one slot from the cash.

POKER STARS.NET TOTAL: Pretend cash games - $46,764, down $280.