Before the Turn

The raise from a man to our left was to 1,000.  Two women already committed to the hand threw in 1,000-chip pieces to call.  But there was a small problem.  The dealer sat between the man and the women -- and he was annoyed.

"Your thousands are committed!" the dealer announced as he emphatically stacked them into the pot.  "But I might want to re-raise here!"  He was in the hand as well -- and sure enough, he re-raised to 5,000.

This touched off a loud, short debate.  One of the women admitted she threw her chip in because she saw the other woman do it.  The other woman took exception to the decision to "commit" her 1,000 to the pot.  "It's not proper etiquette!" the dealer declared -- adding he was only doing what a casino dealer might do.

Our hand was folded well before the first raise, so we quietly lowered our head and let the other players quarrel.  The dealer had a point, even if it was made with a measure of anger.  Most organized poker games have a rule we all should have learned in kindergarten -- wait your turn.  We've mentioned before that it's even considered proper poker etiquette to avoid looking at your cards until it's your turn, before the flop.

"That's easy for you to say, Mr. Christian," some scoffers might respond.  "Your bunch probably is polite all the time!"  Well.... actually, no.  The Bible reveals at least one group of believers had trouble learning this lesson.

When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else.  One remains hungry, another gets drunk. - I Corinthians 11:20-21

Many Christian groups will mark the Lord's Supper (also called the New Testament Passover) with a special service next week.  Imagine walking in and seeing everyone in the room rush to the front to grab the bread and wine!  You'd probably wonder what sort of group this really is.  Yet the group at Corinth apparently acted that way -- and not only when it comes to food and drink.

Two or three prophets should speak, and the other should weigh carefully what is said.  And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.  For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. - I Corinthians 14:29-31

What was the point of all this correction?  The Corinthian church members apparently had a problem with being considerate of each other -- perhaps due to factions feuding with each other (see 1:11-13).  But Paul indicated God wanted to see something else....

For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace.... everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. - I Corinthians 14:33, 40

Back at our table, the dealer's re-raise to 5,000 eventually was called by a couple of players.  And as we've seen happen before, the dealer went all-in on the next card to reinforce his annoyance.  He won the pot, but left a bruise or two in the process.

A patient poker player doesn't go all-in with any two random cards, unless it's absolutely necessary.  In the same way, patient play also means waiting for people ahead of you to act first.  Even high-speed online tables require that.  So why not try it around other people?