Quick In, Quick Out?

The first hand of the day brought us 7-7.  By the river, two more 7's had shown up - giving us quads!

It could have been a big jackpot hand -- and in a way, it was.  We were playing a computer in heads-up poker, on our last trip to a Kansas City casino.  We inserted $40 to start, and that first hand brought our total to $88.

We were trying to win back money we lost in a casino tournament, and pay for our trip across the state.  We could have cashed out immediately, taking only a small loss.  But we decided to play another hand.  And lost.  Then another.  And lost.  And then....

Well, we had a small winning streak recovering to about $50.  But we pressed our luck too much against a computer programmed to be wily -- and in a few minutes, our $88 was down to zero.

"Why don't we ever get out?" we recall a man asking with a bit of a sigh during a poker room discussion months ago.  That's a great question not only in cash games, but other aspects of our lives.

But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death  - James 1:14-15

A small first step which looks successful can lead down a slippery-slope into big trouble.  That's why it's important in poker to sense the tide is turning -- and have the wisdom to get out when it does.  Even famous characters in the Bible had to learn that lesson the hard way:

One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace.  From the roof he saw a woman bathing.  The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her.... Then David sent messengers to get her.  She came to him, and he slept with her. - II Samuel 11:2-4

The look alone was not enough.  Being told the woman was married (verse 3) was not enough.  King David had to "go all the way" with Bathsheba.  Read the rest of the chapter and you'll discover that lustful and covetous act led to an unexpected pregnancy, and a plot to have Bathsheba's husband killed.

But the thing David had done displeased the Lord. - II Samuel 11:27

We've heard ministers on Christian radio put it this way: Sin will take you farther than you want to go, and make you pay more than you wanted to pay. 

We think the same is true in poker.  Don't simply play with emotions or "gut" feelings.  Play with your brain active and functioning.  It might save you money, and even some heartbreak.  Believe us - because we've been there.