Remember As You Play....

He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment. - Proverbs 12:11

We're reading the book of Proverbs throughout August, about one chapter a day -- and this verse makes us think of straight draws. How many times have you heard poker players admit, "I'm chasing," especially after they miss a draw?

If you have a 6 and the board shows 5-7-9, you have a "belly-buster" or "gut-shot" straight draw. The odds of an 8 to make your straight is four out of 47, or 8.5 percent.

But if the board shows 5-7-8, your 6 suddenly is more promising. You have an "open-ended" straight draw. The odds of a 4 or 9 appearing becomes eight out of 47, or 17 percent. (A flush draw with one card missing is even better, at 19.1 percent.)

So some draws are better opportunities for success than others. But in all these cases, the odds are against you.

Should this verse in Proverbs lead you to draw away from all draws? We'll leave that answer up to you. But the verse applies to life as well.

It's good to dream -- but think the dreams through carefully before you attempt to pursue them. We had a dream of business success five years ago this summer, only to see it blow up (literally) when we tried to put that dream into action. (Search our other blog for "frisbee" to read details.)

An unknown wise man once said: "Plan your work, then work your plan." That works in all sorts of ways -- from your career to family to poker. And even to developing a strong relationship with God. If your plan for success isn't realistic, seek God's help in having a "Plan B."