Remember As You Play....

I hate double-minded men, but I love your law. -- Psalm 119:113

Some chess masters put on exhibitions where they play 20 games at a time -- going to a board and making a move, then shuffling to the next board to make a move, and on around a room.

Could you imagine poker players doing that sort of thing? Believe it or not, Daniel Negreanu's schedule at the World Series of Poker was arranged that way earlier this week. From his Twitter feed....

Playing 3 events today: 1500 PLO noon, Day 2 10k Stud, 3pm, 2500 8 Game 5pm, then noon tmr is 5k NLH shootout. Hectic schedule coming.

The WSOP website indicates Negreanu made all three games -- by going bust early in two of them. His apparent strategy: build a big stack in a hurry to gain a chip lead worthy of cashing, or crash in a hurry and move on to the next event.

Negreanu has the star power to pull a stunt like that. But we think most players would do better to do what athletes often say -- take things one game at a time. Distractions can cost you focus, cost you hands and even cost you a winning tournament.

So if you need headphones to concentrate at the table, go ahead. If you need to throw them away because the music shakes you up, go ahead. Keep your mind on poker. But oh yes -- don't forget the second part of that verse in Psalms. Love God's law, and reflect it in godly words and actions.