Only a thin layer of ice/snow covered the parking lot, so we were being humorous (even though school indeed is canceled). But minutes later, the Director had some sad news. Tonight was the final night of business for the billiard hall. Not many people apparently stopped by to play pool. So the drinks were half-price, but the poker blinds were the same as usual....
BLINDS: 100/200
IN THE POCKET: 9-K of hearts
It's the very first hand of the night - and the table is small. We're one of five players; cold weather may have combined with the closing news and the national holiday to kept people away. We're in the Big Blind, and the man with the deal raises to 400. Since these cards are suited, we'll take him on. The Small Blind calls as well.
ON THE FLOP: Qc-Jc-10d
Not our suit, but still quite handsome! We have both ends of a straight, but we politely check to the raiser. Sure enough, the Dealer bets 400. The Small Blind calls, but that's not enough for us.
"Raise - 1,000," we announce. Our two opponents call. Are they chasing what we have?
ON THE TURN: Qs
The board pairs - but if someone has a Queen, we're still in front. The Small Blind checks, and we bet 1,000 again. Both men call again, and we feel good.
ON THE RIVER: 5c
Now things aren't so good. Three clubs are showing, which opens the door for a flush. The Small Blind checks. We cautiously check. But the Dealer checks as well, giving us hope.
"I have a straight," we reveal.
"I have a boat."
What?!?!? The Small Blind turns over Q-5! Yes, he had three Queens - but the river brought him a full house. (The Dealer had A-J, and missed a higher straight.)
We lost the second hand we entered as well, and it looked like our night would be brief. But then we won a couple of pots, and tripled our stack to 19,900 when A-J led to three Aces. We reached the first break at 17,900.
We won another small pot in the second term, then lost two hands in a row to a man who first fooled us by bluffing a big hand, then actually made one. Yet we reached the final table with 6,000 chips.
At that point, we went all-in with K-J of spades. A woman called with A-5, but received an Ace on the flop. She took us out in eighth place - but at least we can say we reached the last two final tables at Five-Star.
MINISTRY MOMENT: The holiday marked today was Martin Luther King Day, and we referred to it a few times. "How about equality, with an extra 1,000 chips for all?" we joked - referring to the bonus WPT League VIP members receive at every tournament.
"Be known not by the color of your chips...." a man to our right offered.
"But the content of your character," we said when he couldn't remember the end of the sentence. "Character matters," we added.
It's been intriguing in recent days to hear U.S. right-wing conservatives turn that line from the "I Have a Dream" speech against Democrats. But we're not here to play politics. Instead, we wish more people emphasized what Dr. King mentioned. How is your character?
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. - Romans 5:3-4
Our hardbound dictionary has more than 15 definitions of "character." They include, "The combined moral or ethical structure of a person or group" and "Moral or ethical strength; integrity; fortitude." We think that's what these Bible verses have in mind.
God wants to build strong moral character in you. If you think you don't need God's help, we think you could be sadly mistaken....
All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.... - Isaiah 64:6
That's especially true compared to God. So what can we do? Isaiah goes on to hint at an answer:
Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. - Isaiah 64:8
It starts with believing in God, and allowing Him to do His work in you. God can provide His Holy Spirit to help.
Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those that live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.... the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. - Romans 8:5-6
We've mentioned before that receiving God's Spirit to develop His character begins with repenting of your sins (Acts 2:38). That "turn" is bigger than any poker card you'll ever see - and it can bring great victory, in this life and the next.
UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 191 final tables in 526 games (36.3%) - 39 cashes. Final score at Five-Star: three final tables in eight tournaments.
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