Poker Day 576: Power Outage?

It's a stormy weekend in the Cincinnati area - and even though the rain had stopped, we lost electricity at home during our morning prayer. But we'd already planned a Sunday morning trip to Jack Casino, hoping to repeat our last success there. Would timing the trip for Father's Day work to our advantage?

BLINDS: 100/200

IN THE POCKET: Queen-10 of hearts

A slow-arriving crowd allowed us to claim a few small pots in the first period. Now we're in the Big Blind with six at our table, and about 24,000 chips. A man sitting on our immediate left leads off with a raise to 1,000. Everyone between us folds.

"OK, OK," we say. We'll defend and call.

ON THE FLOP: 3c-8h-9h

This is a flop with lots of promise - all the way to a straight flush. But our opponent makes a continuation bet of 3,000. We sense he has a strong pocket pair, like Q-Q. But with hope, we call.

ON THE TURN: 4d

That's not the right answer for us. And we could pay for it, as our opponent throws out 6,000. Now we know he's trying to run us off, and we're still not convinced he's hit the board. It's a big risk, but with potentially big reward. So we call. Any heart or a Jack....

ON THE RIVER: 6d

Aargh! We struck out. Now our opponent goes all-in, and there's no way we can call it.

"I swung, but I missed," we say as we fold.

"So did I," he answers - and shows K-7 of diamonds! He was bluffing all along. But he still would have topped us, if we had called.

That loss was a crippler for us. We never won another hand, and went all-in with 2,700 left when we saw J-J. But a man who called with K-7 caught a King on the flop. Father's Day was not our day, as we're the second player out at our table.

MINISTRY MOMENT: "Are you an electrician?" a woman near us when she saw our card protector. We get that question a lot, when we bring out our electric adapter.

On this day, it was inspired by the power outage at home. But we added our usual explanation: "This reminds me that I receive power from the Holy Spirit of God."

The woman seemed to understand what we meant. She said she's attended a "Power and Purpose" conference the previous weekend at a Catholic university in eastern Ohio. She considered it very helpful.

"Our church congregation marked Pentecost last weekend," we noted. That's a celebration of the Holy Spirit that actually has Biblical roots, as we mentioned here recently:

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.... All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. - Acts 2:1-2, 4

What sort of "power" does the Holy Spirit provide? Among other things, it gives us the courage to speak about God in a poker room....

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. - Acts 1:8

In the days of the early church, that power was evident in more than flames of fire (Acts 2:3)….

...By the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. - Romans 15:19

That woman had spoken before the game about escaping damage from recent tornadoes in southwest Ohio. We can't say for sure, but perhaps it was a case of God miraculously intervening.

When in doubt, we recognize God as our powerful King who can do powerful things through His Spirit. It certainly beats trying to claim credit yourself - right?

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 221 final tables in 576 games (38.4%) - 48 cashes.
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Poker Night 575: Power Trip

A recent post here mentioned a poker pro who suggested an aggressive "three-bet" approach to pre-flop success. It sounds good in theory. But does it really work? We tested it Wednesday night at Hollywood Casino Indiana….

BLINDS: 50/100

IN THE POCKET: 10-10

It's the second round of blinds, and we haven't won a pot yet. This fairly big pocket pair is in the Small Blind. A man across the table from us raises to 300. We see these cards, and it's testing time.

"Raise - 675," we say.

Three other men are in the running. The Big Blind folds. The man who made the first raise calls. The third player folds. So there's no guaranteed success - yet.

ON THE FLOP: 7-4-4

A second pair, in our view - and a good-looking one, because it's low. We're first to act, and decide to keep up the pressure with a bet of 700. Our opponent thinks for a moment.... then folds.

OK, it worked! And it really worked later in the evening, when we bet with 404 after a flop of 9-6-3. That won us a big, stay-in-the-game pot. Slow growth in the first hour fell prey to bad betting on our part late. We reached the first break at 9,800 chips out of a starting 12,000.

A straight with 8-7 was part of a second-hour comeback for us. Our stack approached 25,000, but then more setbacks came including a blunder to a man with a 6-high full house. Yet we survived to the second break at 12,100, and built back to make the final table at 16,000.

Once there, we survived one all-in moment as the field dwindled. Then a young man saying some wild things admittedly distracted our focus (more on him below). But as the third break arrived, we had A-2 and an Ace on the flop. When another player bet 10,000, we went for it all with 7,100 left. But he had A-7, and the 7 played when nothing else paired.

So as we told a co-worker earlier in the day, "I'm due to lose."  No money came on this night - but it was a strong fifth-place finish on a night with 19 entries.

MINISTRY MOMENT: Our final table included a young man who sounded like a follower of conspiracy theorists such as Alex Jones. For instance, he made questionable claims that the space agency NASA founded Google, and is not a U.S. government agency. He went on to say some people "want a one-world government, and it's not going to happen."

"I think a one-world government is going to come," we responded. "Only someone bigger than you and me will bring it. Jesus will set it up."

Why do we say that? Because the Bible indicates it....

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said, "The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." - Revelation 11:18

How will this happen? Through the work of some dominating church group converting people? The Bible shows something else - the personal intervention of Jesus Christ. In fact, He predicted it....

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. - Matthew 25:31-32

The young man said he believes in a "Christ consciousness," but has his doubts that Jesus really lived in the flesh. Yet on a day of Pentecost long ago (we're still working on that counting topic from our last post), Jesus's disciple Peter declared....

"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.... God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact." - Acts 2:22, 32

The resurrected Lord was seen by 500 people during one appearance (I Corinthians 15:6). Yet that young man at the final table needs more proof from that. We'll have more of our fascinating discussion with him in upcoming posts. But in the meantime, will you accept the promise that Jesus finally will bring a united government to a divided world?

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 221 final tables in 575 games (38.4%) - 48 cashes.

The Fight Over 50

The 2019 World Series of Poker is underway in Las Vegas. There seems to be a format for practically everyone - including an online tournament and a "Mini Main Event" (as if the Main Event is too big for some people).

This weekend marked the first four flights of a No-Limit Hold 'em tournament called the "Big 50" -  because the WSOP is marking its 50th year. Everyone starts with 50,000 chips, and the blinds go up every 50 minutes.

The top note atop the website calls it the "50th anniversary of WSOP." But hold on - the history page says the first one was in 1970. So isn't this really the 49th anniversary?  If you became married in 1970, that's what you would logically celebrate during 2019.

The timing of all this is fascinating, because an annual Biblical festival is approaching where the number 50 matters - including how you count it.

From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off 50 days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord. - Leviticus 23:15-16

Many Jews call this event Shavuot. Many Christians call it Pentecost, based on a Greek word meaning "fiftieth." Something big happened on that day long ago, shortly after Jesus returned to heaven....

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.... All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. - Acts 2:1-4

Jesus promised His disciples that the Holy Spirit would come and enable them to do amazing works (John 14:12, 26). This annual festival day is considered the unofficial launch date of the New Testament Church.

But would you believe church groups have divided over the proper way to count to 50 days? Some people (and countries) keep Pentecost on Monday, calling it an "absolute" vital doctrine. Others say the proper day is Sunday, since a Sunday was "the day after the Sabbath" and should count as Day 1.

If church groups are divided by this, do you see how the WSOP's way of counting and wording can make things confusing? Which way would you figure it - and why?

If you want to make an appeal to WSOP to straighten things out, that's up to you. Instead, we're beginning our own study of which "count of 50" to Pentecost is proper. We're already seeing it can be a matter of detailed wording of ancient tongues.

Poker Night 572: Well AJ-usted

Our last trip to Hollywood Casino Indiana was a confusing mess, with a "six game mix" tournament. Wednesday night, it was back to basic Texas Hold 'em. Maybe that's too boring for some people....

BLINDS: 100/200

IN THE POCKET: Ace-Jack of spades

How slow was it Wednesday night? So slow that cards weren't even dealt until 18 minutes were off the clock! Not enough people were at the two tables for play. But the usual latecomers eventually arrived to get things going.

Now we've folded a blind, and have our best cards so far. But we see these nice cards sitting in the leadoff seat. We limp in, and a couple of people at the table of five call.

ON THE FLOP: Jh-10x-Qx

A high-end flop gives us a pair and a big draw. Other players check, so we don't wait. We bet 400. One man calls, while the other folds.

ON THE TURN: 5h

This card seems harmless, but what is our opponent holding? We check for a clue. He checks. So much for that.

ON THE RIVER: 6h

This complicates matters, because now three hearts are showing. We could keep it slow, but decide aggression is the better response. We bet 500, and get a call. If he has a Queen....

"Jack with an Ace?!?" we say hopefully.

"You're good," he answers! He never shows his cards, and we take a nice pot.

Patient waiting for good cards paid off after that, as our stack grew - to 13,825 at the first break, then a near-high of 25,800 heading to the final table! But then big cards turned back for us - as A-K lost to a woman with 6-6, and A-J lost when the same woman with 608 caught an 8 on the river.

With five players left and our stack down to only 3,800, we saw 2-2. One player was all-in for much more, but we decided we couldn't wait for something better. We made it two pushes at the same time - but a man with (we believe) Q-8 hit a bigger pair, and took us both out.

Only the top two made money in a night with 16 entries. Bbut we finished strongly in fifth place (officially; by our reasoning tied for fourth).

MINISTRY MOMENT: At one point, we pretended to cool off a man who was winning hand after hand. "He's on fire," we said.

Surprisingly, that led the dealer to mention the recent devastating fire at the historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Something's been on our mind about that.

"What surprised me about Notre Dame Cathedral was how many people acted like their grandpa had died," we told the table.

"It's like if the Washington Monument caught fire," another player explained. He pointed out that monument is a symbol of the U.S., as the cathedral apparently is to France. (We visited Paris years ago, and don't recall anyone ever mentioning it as an icon for tourists.)

We understood the man's point. But we responded, "It's a very nice building - but ultimately, it's just a building. It's going to be rebuilt. They're worshiping the creation more than the Creator." That comes from the King James Version of this verse:

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen. - Romans 1:25

We've heard ministers apply this version in a number of ways - going after environmentalists and animal rights supporters, among others. But religious people can do the same thing, if they aren't careful. God's hand can be seen in nature or great art - but that does not mean the nature or art should become our god.

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.... Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone - an image made by man's design and skill. - Acts 17:24, 29

The other poker player seemed to understand our point as well. "But try telling that to the Catholics," he replied. Indeed, the Roman Catholic Church seems to put a lot of emphasis on icons - such as the "crown of thorns" in the Notre Dame Cathedral that the ministers there presume came from Jesus Christ.

Our point is simply this: put God first. Not a minister. Not a church building. Not a national or local politician. As Jesus put it....

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. - Mark 13:31

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 218 final tables in 572 games (38.1%) - 46 cashes. We're currently at six finals in nine tournaments this year!

Poker Day 569: Ace is Enough?

On this Presidents' Day, we hoped to set a personal precedent. We've never made the money in a tournament on this holiday - although we did on a Sunday of the holiday weekend in 2014. With an extra-high buy-in of $90, we drove to Hollywood Casino Indiana and gave it a try....

BLINDS: 75/150

IN THE POCKET: A-6 offsuit

We won a couple of small early pots, and still stand around the starting line of 15,000 chips. No one at the full table raises, so we call. About six players are involved.

ON THE FLOP: 8-A-8

Two pair looks good - and perhaps looks obvious, if we bet. But when the play checks to us, we offer 300. That chases all but one man away; he calls to put us heads-up. We're admittedly a bit concerned about our 6 kicker.

ON THE TURN: Q

Now we're not - because that Queen becomes the kicker. Our opponent checks, and we bet 300 again. He calls again. Hmmm - is he hiding a third 8?

ON THE RIVER: Q.

Now it gets interesting. Two pair are on the board, with the best possible kicker as well. But a full house is very possible. Our opponent checks, and we carefully do the same.

"Three pair," we declare as we show. Our opponent.... discards without showing! We win a healthy pot, and guess he might have had a different pocket pair (maybe 10-10?!).

We hit a high of 15,175 chips with that win. But it all dissolved away in the next 20 minutes. A-K came our way three times, and it never worked for us. The last straw came with a flop of Ks-Jc-9c. Our King was a club, but a 1,200 bet was greeted with a raise to 4,200. A third club on the turn led the raiser to bet 7,000 - nearly everything we had.

After thinking it over, we called with conceivably a lot of outs for a flush. But our opponent turned over A-A - including the Ace of clubs, which topped ours. Our only hope was a King on the river, and it didn't come. We headed home early, out first at our table with a stinging loss.

MINISTRY MOMENT: The table talk turned at one point to Sunday's Daytona 500 stock car race.

"Joe Gibbs Racing finished 1-2-3," a man across the table pointed out.

"And that website on the car probably crashed minutes later," we said humorously. A sticker on the car referred to a tribute to the son of team owner Joe Gibbs, who died in January.

"He obviously was a person of faith, based on the cross on the logo," we added. "And we all should be people of faith."

J.D. Gibbs made a commitment of faith as a teenager, through a ministry called Young Life. If you're a youth or young adult reading this, we recommend giving your "young life" to God.

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them." - Ecclesiastes 12:1

You may think matters of faith and religion are simply for old, retired people. But they're not. In fact, Jesus started His ministry as a young adult....

Now Jesus himself was about thirty years of age when he began his ministry.... - Luke 3:23

The Lord died about three years later - crucified before turning 35. Given that Biblical truth, why should you wait for gray hair to appear before committing yourself to a relationship with Him? That day might never come.

But perhaps you're on the opposite side - old and filled with gray hair. It's not too late for you to become a "person of faith."

Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? - Job 12:12

You may have seen enough of this life to know how ugly and sinful it can be. The wise course is to turn to a better way - a godly way.

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.... - Acts 3:19

As long as you have life, you can turn to God. Is there really a better place to put your faith?

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 216 final tables in 569 games (38.0%) - 46 cashes.

Poker Night 568: Four-warned?

Driving to poker night in six-degree F. cold was challenging enough. But as we crossed the Ohio River toward Lawrenceburg, Indiana Wednesday night, a light on our dashboard starting blinking. We'd never seen the "tire light" blink before.

"I'm heading to a poker night, but I'd don't want to gamble with my tires," we told a man at an automotive shop where we stopped. The man understood, and a check showed our tires simply needed a little air. (The blinking was something else, which we'll explain another time.)

With that service done for free, we drove on to Hollywood Casino Indiana. Would warning lights abound as we returned to night tournaments?

BLINDS: 100/200

IN THE POCKET: 4-4

We won an early pot with A-10, which topped a man's A-8. But slow losses after that (including one with A-K) have put us at about 10,500 out of a starting 12,000. Now we have a small pocket pair in the Small Blind. The table of six isn't betting. So we choose to trap and call. The Big Blind checks, so we're heads-up.

ON THE FLOP: 4-3-Q

Four the win! A third four plays exactly into our strategy. Small Blind plays first, so we check. Big Blind bets 200. We call, of course.

ON THE TURN: K

No worries to us. Our patient play continues, with another check. Now Mr. Big Blind offers 425. We call, of course.

ON THE RIVER: 10

We have no idea what out opponent has. But he's betting, so we'll let him do it again with another check. This time, though, he checks as well.

"I hoped you'd bet again," we admit as we show "trip fours." Our opponent folds without showing a thing.

"At least I only lost 625," he admits. His wariness of us was correct, and that saved him a larger loss.

We reached the first break with 11,525 chips. A slow drain continued after that - but with only 16 players in action, we made it to the final table with 9,200.

After two players dropped out, a man bet 6,000 with us in the Big Blind. We saw pocket Queens and naturally called. So did a third player - and that man turned a 4 into his own "trip fours" on the river. Our big winning hand turned into our big loser, and we drove home with eighth place and no more blinking lights.

MINISTRY MOMENT: One young man at our starter table is chewing Nicorette gum, to overcome a tobacco habit.

"It beats smoking, I guess," he said. We agreed with this. Lots of things are better than smoking, especially for your body.

"We're all gonna die of something," he added. We agree with that, too. But that gave us a thought.

"And after you die.... what happens?" we asked.

"Most likely.... nothing."

"But what if there's a judgment?" we followed. "There very well could be."

Some ministers would say that response was too soft. We should have spoken in more convicting faith. because the Bible has no "could-bes" about this:

And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment.... - Hebrews 9:27 (NLT)

People unaware or unaccepting of God have no real knowledge of this. That's because they haven't seen it directly. But a Christian should have faith in God, but in what He plans to do for people after this physical life is over.

For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead. - Acts 17:31 (NLT)

These words originally said to the generation alive after Jesus Christ was resurrected. Some of them may have heard about it. But other people who actually saw the risen Savior may have still been living witnesses to it. Jesus will come back to judge. But there's some good news about that, back in Hebrews....

...So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await him. - Hebrews 9:28 (NASB)

People who "eagerly await" Jesus strive to live a life free of sin. They repent, if and when they do sin. They long for salvation and eternal life, and the Bible promises they'll receive it. Other people who expect "nothing" after death are in for a rude surprise. Why take a chance with that? Isn't the better course to accept salvation through Jesus now?

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 216 final tables in 568 games (38.0%) - 46 cashes.

Never Let 'em See You Sweat

Dealers in poker tournaments sometimes "wash" the cards as they shuffle. They're all scattered face-down across the table, and mixed up with the dealers' hands.

But there are times when we wish someone in a casino would wash the poker chips as well. Maybe even with bleach. We've been able to scrape, well, something off them - likely dirt, or even sweat, that's built up over a lot of play.

We're reminded of that by a question posted at a poker chat room overnight....

Is poker a game as stressful as it seems?.... If the bet is very high, stress increases?.... only with experience decrease?

We think the answer to this depends on the situation and your perspective.

If you're playing simply for free food at a sports bar, that's low-stress. The emphasis is on having fun and camaraderie. If you're at the WSOP Main Event playing for millions of dollars and a world title, the stress level probably would be higher - especially if you want to regain your $10,000 buy-in, which most people do not do.

A big bet or all-in moment certainly makes a hand more exciting. If you've faced these moments before, the experience can make them easier to handle. But we think it also helps to have something with you to stay calm. And no, we don't think that has to be a glass of wine or bottle of beer....

The Lord will give strength to his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace. - Psalm 29:11 (KJV)

True peace and calm (the opposite of stress) come from God. How does He provide that?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace.... - Galatians 5:22 (KJV)

....as in the Holy Spirit of God. A lot of people talk at this time of year about "peace on earth" (Luke 2:14) - but they may not realize Jesus's birth in part was designed to bring a different sort of peace agent:

And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth.... - John 14:16-17 (KJV)

God's Holy Spirit can lower the stress level in all kinds of situations at a poker tournament. And even in far more dire moments....

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; you rod and your staff they comfort me. - Psalm 23:4 (KJV)

If you feel stressed out during or after a poker night, pray to God for His Spirit of peace. But be sure you repent of your sins as you do (Acts 2:38). Then, to borrow a U.S. Southern phrase about hairstyles - the higher the stakes, the closer to God.

Keep Your Feet On the Ground....

Our last post mentioned the discussion that developed over our small electric plug, which we used as a card protector. One man at the poker table explained it's a "grounded device" to use two-pronged appliances in three-prong wall outlets.

"And I know that, because I had a thousand G** d**n outlets - which I shouldn't say with this - in my home," the man continued.

Yes - the man caught himself cursing, in the midst of a faith-based discussion! We could have scolded him on the spot for that....

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. - Deuteronomy 5:11

But the man self-corrected his commandment violation (sort of), so we said nothing about it.

Our point here involves that word "grounded." That word can have many meanings. Electrically, you can "establish a ground." Or you can "place on a foundation; fix firmly; settle or establish.... instruct in elements or first principles...."

In what areas are you grounded? If you're grounded in the rules of poker, you know how to play the game and which hands are better than others. But there's a better way to be grounded....

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able…. to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. - Ephesians 3:17-19 (KJV)

The New International Version has "established," instead of "grounded." Both words work, in explaining how we should be well-set in the love of Jesus Christ - so we can know His love, and then be filled with God.

We're not sure if the man who uttered those expletives at the poker table is grounded in that love. (Based on his continued use of expletives during the tournament, we have our doubts.) But if you want to be grounded in it, the best way to start is by accepting God's great act of love for you....

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." - Acts 2:38

Repent of the sins that have separated you from God's love (Isaiah 59:2). Claim Jesus as your loving Savior (John 3:16). Then receive that love....

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us - Romans 5:5

Being grounded in love can make you like that old TV comedy - grounded for life.

Poker Night 554: Jack 360

Have you ever played a poker tournament where someone made the final table twice? We saw it happen tonight at Jack Casino. So few players entered the Sunday night tourney that at least one eliminated man was able to re-buy his way into the final table before the first break. That wasn't the only memorable part of the night for us....

BLINDS: 1,200/2,400

IN THE POCKET: Queen-Jack of clubs

While others kept spending $80 a seat for a second chance in this game, we earned our way to the final table. After winning several pots, we've built a chip stack of about 19,000 after starting with 15,000. Now with eight players left, we have strong suited connectors. No one raises, so we limp in. Two other players are with us.

ON THE FLOP: Ac-Kh-10s (Suits might not be precise)

We hit the jackpot! And we want or straight to pay off right now. So after the first player checks, we go all-in. When a man to our left also goes all-in, we smell a big payday.

But first, there's a man to our right - someone who rebought four times to reach this point. "I've got you all beat right now," he declares. (If he's trying to draw a tell from us, we're trying to avoid it.)  "Unless you've got Queen-Jack...."

"I could have a lot of things," we admit in a non-committal way.

Then the man to our right turns over his cards! They're K-10 offsuit.

"Can he do that?" we ask the dealer.

"I can," says our opponent. "I'm last up, either way." The dealer doesn't confirm that view, so the opponent goes back into the tank. Finally he chooses to fold.

"By the way, I do have the straight," we say as we show our cards.

But what about that man to the left? He flips over.... Q-J! His are in spades. So this hand isn't quite settled yet.

ON THE TURN: 8s

Uh-oh - he's one spade away from a winning flush.

ON THE RIVER: 8h

A sigh of relief from us. A fist-bump for our opponent on the left, and an overall gain from a split pot.

Big cards came in spurts for us throughout the evening. A-K was strong enough to eliminate two players at the final table. Then we went dry, as the remaining players started grinding toward the money. Three players would be paid, out of 24 total entries.

We scored timely wins with A-J and 9-8 in the Big Blind. A man to our left clearly seemed to be gunning for us, but we were cagey and refused to over-commit.

Finally, four players were left. That man refused to accept a "chop" of the prize money. But after several setbacks impacting his huge chip stack, he finally accepted the split at around 10:00 p.m. At last - we really made the money at a tournament in our new area!

The four-way split gave each player $360. And because the Tournament Director filled out the names of winners from the bottom up, being last in line gained us the unofficial position of first place. We don't really think we were the chip leader at the end. But boy, that looks good!

We thank God for finally getting a breakthrough to "the money" after a strong final-table record in the Cincinnati area. (We had a "bubble boy" game in June.) It's our third cash win of 2018, and the biggest since Thanksgiving week of 2017 - just in time for Canadian Thanksgiving on Monday.

MINISTRY MOMENT: At one key final table moment, a man to our right exclaimed, "Jesus Christ!"

"He's my hope of salvation," we said - something that's become a common response for us.

"He's the only hope I've got!" the man surprisingly replied. "He's the only one you've got, too."

This was a talkative man who had downed a few beers. Yet we agreed on that key point. If you think you can save yourself by a long list of good deeds, we point you to the apostle Peter:

After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them.... "No! We believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." - Acts 15:7, 11

The words "just as they are" may bring back memories of an old Christian song. The context here is that "Gentiles" can receive salvation, as well as members of the tribe of Judah (the "they" and "we" of verse 11). How does this happen?

But because Jesus lives forever.... Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. - Hebrews 7:24-25

We all sin in one way or another, violating God's rules (Romans 3:23). But if we repent of our sins, Jesus Christ the Son can intercede at the throne of God the Father to grant us forgiveness.

Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. - Hebrews 7:27

To go back to that song, it can start right where you are. It officially did for us on a cold January night years ago. Salvation will become final and complete when Jesus returns and the saints of God are resurrected. But we're trying to walk in that path now. We hope that man at the poker table is as well - and we hope the same for you.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 206 final tables in 554 games (37.2%) - 42 cashes.

Signs of the Times

Some players at the final table couldn't believe their ears, when we explained a call at a recent tournament. We matched an all-in bet with our pocket 8's, after seeing a lot of 8's at our regular job earlier in the day.

Was it really a "sign from God" that we should play poker? Well, the Bible indicates God has given signs from time to time during history. One of the most famous examples involves a man named Gideon....

Gideon said to God, "If you will save Israel by my hand - look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said." And that is what happened...." - Judges 6:37-38

Gideon went on to ask God for a second sign, before going into battle - and God provided it (verses 39-40).

But many modern-day preachers say that's not how a believer in God should operate now. They'd say we should follow the Bible for guidance in life....

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking correcting and training in righteousness.... - II Timothy 3:16

That's very good advice, of course. But how does it translate to day-to-day decisions, such as entering a poker tournament? Or searching for a job or a mate?

One way to know God's will in a matter is to see if He blocks your plans. It happened to an early apostle:

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. - Acts 16:6-7

The Bible doesn't say exactly what kind of block God threw. Our NIV Study Bible says He could have used "vision, circumstances, good sense...." We lean toward a vision, based on what happened afterward:

During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. - Acts 16:9-10

So God also can send messages through visions, about what you should or shouldn't do. We addressed this in a post about dreams earlier this year.

Whether your big decision involves poker or not, we recommend praying to God about it first.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. - Philippians 4:6

We pray before poker outing we make. Sometimes we hit it big. Sometimes we don't. But seeking God's guidance in a matter.... in any matter.... certainly can't hurt. In fact, we believe it often helps.

Poker Night 538: Holiday Road

Some casinos have big special poker tournaments around national holidays. But the poker rooms in our new area do not. It was Sunday night business as usual, when we visited Jack Casino for the first time in several weeks. Memorial Day is an off day for us, so we were prepared to go all night....

BLINDS: 100/200

IN THE POCKET: 8-8

The room is full of poker players, but most of them are in cash games. We're at a full tournament table of nine, and early efforts have not gone well. We start this hand with about 12,750 chips, from a starting 15,000. But we'll gladly give a mid-range pocket pair a try. No one raises, and about five players are in.

ON THE FLOP: K-9-2

Not looking promising for us, with two higher cards showing. A man across the table bets 500. It's enough to chase off other people, but strikes us as a "position bet" to steal a pot. We dare to call, and now are heads-up.

ON THE TURN: 7

Well, 8's do beat 7's. But what are we really up against? We check. Our opponent checks, too.

ON THE RIVER: 9

This pairs the board, and gives us two pair. Suddenly we think it's time to turn the test in the opposite direction, so we bet 500. The other player calls.

"Nines and eights," we say as we show. Lo and behold, that's good enough! Our opponent folds without showing his cards. Our best guess is that he had something like A-Q, and the higher cards missed.

We won a few more modest pots in the first two-hour period of the turbo tourney. Our high was 19,200, and 18,200 remained at the first break. Then rising blinds forced some bold decisions. We went all-in four times without getting a caller, making nice gains in the process without showing our cards.

The four-table tourney went to two in a hurry, and quick dropouts put us at the final table of nine with 21,800. But that was on the low end of the list - and while we held on for a while, eventually we went all-in with 3-5 after seeing a flop of 2-4-9. Our straight draw missed twice. So a man with a mega-stack took out a woman who also had 3-5, as well as us.

Final result: a tie for eighth place, out of 36 players. The Sunday afternoon tournament at Jack had 91 entries - so many that the final table was still going when our tournament began. The top four there earned more than $1,000. Our contest only paid the top six, and we missed the money.

MINISTRY MOMENT: "Do you have an extension cord for that?" the final table dealer joked when he noticed our card protector. We brought an electrical adapter, which people use to plug three-pronged devices into two-pronged wall outlets.

"I brought this to remind me," we explained to everyone, "that I receive power through the Holy Spirit of God."

A few people laughed at our words. We hope it was simply because it was a clever explanation. If you scoff at the idea of a Holy Spirit, the joke someday may be on you - as it was on scoffers long ago:

Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine." - Acts 2:13-14

Both groups in this chapter had witnessed an amazing sight - the Holy Spirit filling Jesus's followers and guiding them in speaking other languages (verse 4). The apostle Peter explained what they saw:

These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.... I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below...." - Acts 2:15-19

It was a moment for joy, but not necessarily scoffing laughter. That's because Peter had a serious offer to make....

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.... Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. - Acts 2:21, 38

Some believers say they "speak in tongues" today, because they're filled with the Holy Spirit in the same way. They need to be sure others can understand what they say (verses 6, 11). But Peter's main point was that people should call on God, seeking forgiveness with a repentant heart. Then they can be forgiven. People around you might not forgive you, but God can - and that's a wonderful blessing to have.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 196 final tables in 538 games (36.4%) - 40 cashes. The final table count in our new area now is four out of five!

Poker Night 537: Triple-A Benefits?

Three final tables in three tournaments - quite a start to poker in our new home area! But could we make it four-for-four? We drove to Hollywood Casino Indiana Wednesday night to find out....

BLINDS: 300/600

IN THE POCKET: A-9

Things were more challenging right off the bat, compared with last week. Enough players showed up for two tables, and they disrupted our plans often. For instance, slow-played pocket Kings ran into an Ace on the flop. We were ready to accept an early exit - but then came a surprise straight and triple-7's. We ended Hour 1 where we started, at 12,000 chips.

Now in Hour 2, a couple more pots have pushed us to a high of 17,000. We can get in for the minimum with these cards, but a woman raises to 1,600. We decide to take her on; about four players are in.

ON THE FLOP: Ad-3h-Ah

Marvelous! Three Aces, and we're already laying low. We check, and the woman down the table makes a continuation bet of 1,600. We smooth-call, as they say on TV; a third player calls as well.

ON THE TURN: 7c

This card seems meaningless. We check to the raiser again, hoping for more gains - but this time she checks.

ON THE RIVER: Qh

The third player in the hand is actually first to act - and now he offers 2,100. Uh-oh. With three hearts showing, did he make something big? Or does he have the missing Ace, and has been thinking what we're thinking? We have to call to find out. So we do - and the woman who fueled the fire folds.

The man turns over.... 8-3 of hearts! Indeed, he made a flush on the river. Our effort to drain the aggressive woman allowed a relatively passive man to come from behind and win a big pot. That'll teach us to bet early with draws showing, to ensure some gains - although, of course, that man may have kept calling, anyway.

We never recovered from that big loss. Minutes later, we went all-in with K-Q of diamonds after a an across the table pushed. We thought he had less. In fact, he had A-Q. An Ace on the river meant the end of the night for us: no final table, and 17th place out of 21 contestants.

MINISTRY MOMENT: We won back some of our $70 entry fee at a blackjack table - and heard an unusual statement from the dealer when he lost a hand: "Just doing the Lord's work, buddy."

Well, what do you know! We're trying to do the same thing, and told the dealer so. Except, "The Lord's work is preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Salvation for all, through Jesus Christ!"

Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." - John 6:29

A woman at the far end of the table looked at us with what seemed to be a large amount of skepticism. She didn't comment, but clearly she wasn't expecting this when she sat down to play cards. Yet we pray that we did accomplish God's work in that moment....

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. - Ephesians 2:10

The "good works" prepared by God can take many forms. Within His church, they can be works of loving service. As Jesus put it....

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.... Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. - Matthew 25:35-36, 40

Doing it for a Christian brother is as good as doing it for Jesus Himself! Then when it comes to going outside the church....

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. - Acts 1:8

Jesus calls on His followers to "witness" for Him. We wait for the right moment to do that in poker rooms, and sometimes at other parts of casinos. But the Lord noted we need the Holy Spirit's help to do that properly.

Some church groups will celebrate the Holy Spirit's coming this weekend, with special services to mark the festival of Pentecost (called the "Feast of Weeks" in the Old Testament). This video explains the event, as well as what the Holy Spirit can do in your life. Will you allow God to do His work in you, through His Spirit?

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 195 final tables in 537 games (36.3%) - 40 cashes.

Poker Night 535: Hollywood of the East

"I've never seen that before," a man said as he processed our rewards card tonight. "Because you've played in Kansas City, it showed you as a 'distinguished guest.'"

The title came as we entered a poker tournament at Hollywood Casino - but now we need to specify which one. For years, we played on occasion at the casino next door to Kansas Speedway. But Hollywood is really a chain of casinos - and in our new home, there's one about 20 miles away in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, at the west edge of the metro Cincinnati "tri-state."

For 70 dollars, we entered the Wednesday night turbo tourney. We discovered it's one of the poker room's slowest nights of the week. Making the final table potentially would be a breeze.... or would it?

BLINDS: 25/50

IN THE POCKET: 4-3 of clubs

Wednesday is so slow that there's only one table of players in the tournament as this hand begins. (Another table is almost full, but that's a cash game.) No one is raising. It's early, so why not call with suited connectors? About six players get in.

ON THE FLOP: 4-5-6

We have bottom pair, which isn't much. But we have an open-ended straight draw - and we're betting early, so we decide to see if we can discourage others away. We bet 150. Three players call.

ON THE TURN: 9

That's not a high card, but still a slight concern. Is anyone stubborn enough to play a 9? We bet 200 to see. Only a man to our right calls.

ON THE RIVER: 10

Our opponent checks, and now we face a challenge. Do we bet bigger again, in an attempt to scare the man away and claim the pot? Or should we be more careful, to limit potential losses?

We decide to check, and show our 4. Our opponent has a 9, and claims the pot. Given what he had and the timing of the game, we don't think any bet would have run him off except for something ridiculously massive.

That's the kind of night it was for us - trying to make the most of a lot of weak cards. We never won a pot in the first hour of play, and our starting stack of 12,000 dwindled to 5,975. Then we tried pocket 9's, but folded to a flop with A-Q when another man bet big.... only to see a 9 come on the turn.

Yet on a night with 14 players, enough people bet big and failed that we reached the final table - despite never winning a hand! We made it with 3,800. Then we went for it all with K-Q, in a hand that saw four players push! But a man with A-J was rewarded with a full house. He took out three players, including us; we finished tied for seventh (officially ninth).

MINISTRY MOMENT: Because of our weak hands and other people talking about other things, that moment never happened tonight. We'll take the blame for not following the command of our Lord....

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." - Mark 16:15-16

It's a big world, filled with places where the good news about Jesus Christ can be brought up. We admittedly go to very unusual places to do it, but we do. Yet simply going is not enough....

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? - Romans 10:14

We've heard preachers say over the years than believers in God are told to be "lights, not loudspeakers." Yes, Christians are called "the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14) - but lines like that overlook the fact that Christians also are supposed to be something else....

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. - Acts 1:8

A witness gives a testimony in court or to authorities. That could be in writing, but often it means speaking up. At least we can write about our faith-sharing here, and offer it to you. May all believers have the wisdom and courage to know when to talk about God and Jesus with others.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 194 final tables in 535 games (36.3%) - 40 cashes. We're now two-for-two in final tables in our new home area!

Poker Deep After Dark

The flop was a dream come true for us - 9-Q-9. That's because we held pocket Queens.

So to borrow the lead of what other people around the table had done, we got out of our seat, stomped around a bit in celebration - then went all-in.

The "cards" were unusual, too. They were really torn-up slips, as someone apparently wrote all 52 cards in a deck on sheets of paper.

And then, before other players replied.... we woke up. That's because the dream hand was in fact a dream. It happened as we slept, at around 3:45 this morning.

Have you ever had a dream involving poker? They're rare during sleep time for us. But if you have one, how should you react to it? Is it a message from God? From the devil? Or, as some ministers have put it.... did you simply eat the wrong things at dinner last night?

There are times when God has spoken to people through dreams. They happened at dramatic Biblical moments, such as Joseph warning Egypt's Pharaoh about an upcoming famine (Genesis 41:25-27) or Daniel explaining a vision to save many lives....

Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries...." - Daniel 2:27-28

The same thing is supposed to happen in our "New Testament" age.... but not necessarily to everyone:

"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams." - Acts 2:17

In some church groups, testifying about dreams is a big deal. In others, it's downplayed as something which only happened in the early years of the church. We take Acts 2 to mean God will give significant dreams and visions to people who have His Holy Spirit - and you can receive that Spirit today.

Peter replied, "Repent, and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." - Acts 2:38

We should note Joseph and Daniel were able to interpret what they had dreamed, with God's help - and the interpretation turned out to be accurate. If you have poker-related dreams, a trusted friend (preferably someone wise in spiritual matters) can help you interpret it properly.

There's a second aspect to having a "poker dream." An upcoming post will get into that. But in the meantime, we welcome your comments. Have you had sleep-time dreams about poker? What's the most unusual one you've ever had? (Keep them clean, please.)

Remember As You Play....

Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich. - Proverbs 21:17  (NLT)

A minister on radio recently told the story of a man who lost a lot of money from gambling. Not merely millions - but TENS of millions of dollars.

The speaker concluded from this that gambling is a vice and a sin. But hold on - what about the professional poker players who make money?

Our verse warns against three things. But are those things necessarily wrong - or is the LOVE of them wrong? For instance....

You should know, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.... They will be betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. - II Timothy 3:1, 4  (NLT)

The Bible says God is love (I John 4:8) - and He wants us to love Him in return. But He wants us to make God our first love. Not poker games, or other forms of gambling where you might find "pleasure" for a short time. True love for God can lead Him to give you His Holy Spirit....

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience.... - Galatians 5:22  (NLT)

Joy should result from having the Holy Spirit in you. So how do you obtain it?

Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. - Acts  3:19 (NLT)

That can include the sin of putting other "loves" ahead of love for God. You could save millions of dollars in losses - and gain eternal life in the process.

Poker Day 527: The Perfect Storm

The old cliché says lightning never strikes twice in the same place. But is that really true? Before we answer, take a look at an amazing hand today in the tournament at Kansas Star Casino.... and yes, there will be a connection:

BLINDS: 300/600

IN THE POCKET: K-Q offsuit

We won two nice pots in the first hour, including one with pocket Aces. Then A-J paid off to eliminate a player, and move us to 7,700. But a couple of hands before this one, an amazing thing happened. We pushed with K-K, ran into a man with A-A - yet we caught a King on the river to stay alive!

So we start this hand with more than 14,000 chips. The man we beat moments earlier is sitting two seats to our right, and going all in for 2,500.

"I'll help him out," we say as we call - realizing he could be pushing with anything. But two other men at the table call. This could be huge.

ON THE FLOP: K-Q-8

We're quietly thrilled by this - top two pair! We're first in line and bet 2,000, expecting the other men in the hand to concede. Trouble is, they both call. Do they have pocket Kings or Queens?

"This could buy you right back in," a man out of the hand says to the player who went all-in.

ON THE TURN: 9

Seemingly harmless - but now we want to make sure, and we have the chip stack to back it up.

"Four-thousand," we say - emphasis on the four. A young man at the end of the table ponders it for a moment. Then he goes all in! And if that's not enough, the other man in the hunt pushes behind him! Have our worst fears become reality?

"I'll do it," we say - becoming the fourth player to go all in. After all, we've committed a lot of money to the pot and our hand is strong.

The dealer sorts out all the chips, and it turns out we have fewer than the man at the far end. So there are two sidepots. But who has what? It's time to show....

Man at far end: A-K
Man across the table: A-K
Man who pushed for 2,500 to start all this: A-Q

"I have two pair, though," we point out. No one else does, so we have a big lead!

CORRECTED: Let's take a moment to analyze this. All four Kings are showing. If a Queen comes on the river, we make a full house to beat the first pusher's three of a kind. No straight or flush is in play. The only thing that can hurt us is the lone remaining Ace. We can knock out two players out, win a massive (estimated) 40,000 chips and probably cruise to the final table - if we dodge one card.

ON THE RIVER: A

"Yes!" understandably says the man at the far end. Based on what's showing, the odds of that Ace coming are 39 to one!

The two men with A-K split all the chips. The two players knocked out include us - as we finish tied for 22nd place, out of 56 entries.

So yes, in poker lightning can strike twice at the same table. And in real life, it can happen as well. The Empire State Building gets it several times a year.

MINISTRY MOMENT: A man sitting next to us mentioned the time he walked past a slot machine modeled after TV horror movie host Elvira. "Suddenly it said, 'Come here and play with me.'" That shook the man up a bit.

"Try the voices," we advised him, "to see what sort of voices they are."

We were reminded on Christian radio this evening of a young man in the Bible who faced somewhat the same situation.

The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am!" And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me".... - I Samuel 3:3-5

But Eli explained he didn't call Samuel, and sent him back to bed. Then the call by God happened a second time, with a similar response....

Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord.... Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. - I Samuel 3:7-8

Eli was one of God's priests (I Samuel 1:3), so he was clearly sensitive to such things. He sent Samuel back to bed with different instructions (3:9).

The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." - I Samuel 3:10

That marked the official start of a long and beautiful relationship between God and Samuel. In perhaps the same way, we would ask: Is God calling you - perhaps not through dreams, but through other people or events in your life?

The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call. - Acts 2:39

If God "makes the call" on your life, "call" as in poker. Go heads-up with Him, but in a humble way. After all, He holds all the cards - but we think going all-in for God is the best decision you'll ever make.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 191 final tables in 527 games (36.2%) - 39 cashes. Experiment update: Down $75.

Poker Night 526: When Stars Stop Shining

"You've brave and courageous having poker tonight," we told the Tournament Director after stepping inside Five-Star Billiards. "Considering Wichita isn't having school tomorrow."

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.

The Proper Answer

Is there a "right way" and a "wrong way" to play poker?

Lots of people have different approaches. But we ask this in the wake of Monday night's tournament, when a man suggested we don't know how to play. We'd bet on the flop, after a man went all-in pre-flop and a sidepot developed for three other players.

We'll let you comment on whether our approach was correct. But as that man grumbled, we chose to say nothing in response. And we think that "answer" was the proper one....

But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. - Matthew 5:39

These are famous words of Jesus Christ - but it's very hard advice to follow. Some poker players love to engage in trash talk, perhaps to throw others off their game. It's only natural to join the, uh,  discussion. And to be honest, Jesus sometimes did:

..."We are not illegitimate children," they protested. "The only Father we have is God himself." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me.... You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire"... - John 8:41-44

Calling someone a child of the devil doesn't seem very nice, does it? Yet Jesus did it to "Jews who had believed him" (verse 31) - and by the time the conversation ended, that group wanted to stone Him (verse 59).

But at the end of His earthly life, Jesus practiced the advice of Matthew 5 - and in the process, fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy:

...He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. - Acts 8:32

Perhaps better put, to borrow from an old hymn, "He never said a mumblin' word."

Jesus set an amazing example of humility in His death, as he submitted to the torture of His accusers. May we all try to follow that example - in a poker room, and in all walks of life.

Fake News

For perhaps the first time, we took a lugnut for a car tire to a poker room this past Sunday. It was our "card protector" and conversation starter - and on December 24, we had an extra line ready.

"I'm just nutty enough to think Jesus was not born on December 25."

Does that surprise you? The Christmas holiday has built layer upon layer of tradition and celebration onto the presumed birth date of Jesus. But if we make the Bible our guide, we find a lot of that is what Heartland Poker Tour announcers call "running without the ball."

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keep watch over their flocks at night. - Luke 2:6-8

The key issue here is the timing of the shepherds' watch. The NIV Study Bible claims, "Flocks reserved for temple sacrifice were kept in the fields near Bethlehem throughout the year." But other ministers realize late December was the cold, rainy season in that area - so shepherds who really cared about their sheep would not be out then.

Those ministers also note the birth date of Jesus was borrowed from pagan Roman tradition. And did Jesus or His disciples tell the early church to keep that day, or command them to say "Merry Christmas?" The Bible shows no sign of it. Instead....

Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade. - John 10:22

Some Bible commentaries (and even a few translations) note this was the Hanukkah festival - an event some Jews mark to this day.

If this also surprises you, consider this: Jesus was not born a "Christian." That term developed after the church was founded (Acts 11:26). But Jesus had a Jewish heritage....

Now Jesus himself was about 30 years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli.... the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah.... - Luke 3:23, 33

It's sad to admit, but a lot of Christians have mixed what we call "fake news" with the story of Jesus Christ. It's thus no wonder that some people dismiss Christianity and the Bible completely.

But instead of doing that, we challenge you to read the Bible "without spin." See what it says about Jesus, His life and actions without the "peer pressure" of ministries and preachers. Then act on what you read. Hopefully it will be much closer to "the truth" - which is what Jesus claims to be (John 14:6).

Home and Away

Playing at home with friends and neighbors can be comfortable and enjoyable. But we've found some of our most satisfying poker results have occurred during road trips.

We think of this because we're about to start another trip, and hope to play in at least one tournament at our destination. We're not saying where we're going yet - but we'll have one overriding goal in mind:

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation".... Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanies it. - Mark 16:15, 20

These words of Jesus and other verses have inspired what's known as the Christian "missionary" movement. It could be a school in Haiti or a hospital in west Africa. Sometimes it has been the result of difficult trials....

...On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. - Acts 8:1

But we don't think you have to travel that far to fulfill Jesus's command. "Going" can be as simple as heading to the poker room in your neighborhood. We suspect people there need some "good news", too.

Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! - I Corinthians 9:16b

And so we hope to do that, in big and small ways. You're reading part of that right now. But we also try to do it when we enter poker tournaments.

We'll post the results of our road trip efforts as they happen. But in the meantime, as we mark our tenth anniversary of live poker, we plan to repost some memorable blog items from past years. If you've seen them before, please be patient - or invite someone new to see them for the first time.