Dennis the Menace?

Our current home area of Cincinnati is starved for sports winners. The baseball Reds haven't won a World Series in almost 30 years. The football Bengals have never won a Super Bowl. University of Cincinnati men's basketball hasn't won a single NCAA tournament game in years.

Courtesy WPT/Poker News

So you'd think a million-dollar poker win by a Cincinnati native would get big local publicity. It didn't, until this weekend. Dennis Blieden wore Bengals garb when he won the Los Angeles Poker Classic last year. The next orange he wears might be a prison jumpsuit - because he's now under indictment on embezzlement charges.

We learned from WCPO-TV about a 14-count federal indictment in California, accusing Blieden of funneling away $22 million while working as a Vice President at his regular job. He reportedly used some of that money for poker tournament buy-ins, and may have tried to hide what he did by using crypto-currency along the lines of Bitcoins.

Blieden was terminated from his day job in February. Perhaps the employer suspected something wrong was going on. We don't know if he's guilty or not. But it raises a question many poker players might have to address....

...You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?.... You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? - Romans 2:21-23

"Stealing a pot" with a bluff bet in a poker room is one thing. That's part of the strategy of the game. Stealing money from your job to fund a gambling habit is wrong. In fact, Blieden could face 200 years in federal prison if he's convicted on every count.

But there are levels of stealing, you know. Do you steal time at work, by playing poker apps on your computer or smart-phone? In the eyes of God, that breaks the stealing "law" (as in commandment)  every bit as much - and despite what Jesus did for us, that law remains.

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. - Ephesians 4:28

Did you notice that last part? Turning from a "stealing mind" to a "working mind" should turn your thinking away from you, and toward sharing with other people.

Believe it or not, in Old Testament days people were not put in prison for stealing. Instead....

...When he thus sins and becomes guilty, he must return what he has stolen or taken by extortion.... He must make restitution in full, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the owner on the day he presents his guilt offering. - Leviticus 6:4-5

Stealing was against God's law then. Isn't still against the law now - both God's law and the state's. Don't let a stolen win in a tournament expand into something you'll regret.

Team Work

He lasted for awhile - but not long enough to make the money. "Jeopardy James" Holzhauer finished 451st in a World Series of Poker tournament this week. There were more than 1,800 entries, so that's not bad. But he needed to place 281st or better to get paid.

Holzhauer also apparently fell short in a second WSOP event, one that's unlike any we've seen before. He partnered with Mike Sexton in a "Tag-Team No-Limit Hold 'em" tournament. The rules state teams of two to four players can tag in or out when they're out of a hand. The tournament is still underway as we post this, but the tag-team event made a little money for one-time baseball star Jose Canseco.

What do you think of this format? It's different from some "poker leagues", where teams compete all day as individuals and then add up their scores like a bowling team. One player represents the team, and we suppose could swap notes on the opposition with teammates while they're out. There's something to be said for that....

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. - Ecclesiastes 4:12

In most cases, poker is an individual event. Unless someone sponsors your buy-in at an event like the WSOP, you're on your own from start to finish. If your life is like that, it doesn't have to be - and we don't think it should be.

God sets the lonely in families.... - Psalm 68:6

How does God do that? For almost 2,000 years, He's invited people to be part of His family, or His "body"....

And God placed all things under his [Jesus's] feet and appointed him to be the head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. - Ephesians 1:22-23

A well-functioning church has many members working together to do God's work on Earth....

But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.... so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. - I Corinthians 12:18, 25

Read this entire chapter, and you'll see this is not really "tag-team" action. Various members of the team have different roles, as the human body does - all functioning at the same time.

The concept of a church can be scary to some people. But we encourage you to find one that's true to the Word of God, and offer to join in their mission. If you need help with finding one, leave a comment; we'll be happy to help you get on the team.

Mercy-Me

The man to our left bet big on the flop. Then he bet bigger on the turn. We called the flop with A-K, but decided the turn bet was too much because our cards had not paired.

"I'll be merciful toward you," we said as we folded.

"Actually, if you were merciful, you would have bet," our opponent responded.

He then disclosed he had K-Q, and his Queen had paired on the flop. And you know.... he had a point there about mercy.

"So I had mercy on me," we admitted with a sense of humor. After all, a call could have set us up for a bigger loss.

Is that how mercy works with you? Are you merciful toward yourself, and not the people around you - in a poker room or otherwise? That's not really how it's supposed to work....

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.... We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.... if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. - Romans 12:1, 6, 8

To borrow from a radio talk show host, God has treated us much better than we deserve. That's because....

….For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.... - Romans 3:23

We deserve nothing but death for our sins (Romans 6:23). But God had mercy on us, before any of us were born....

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions -- it is by grace you have been saved. - Ephesians 2:4-5

We become "alive with Christ" by repenting of our sins, being baptized and receiving Jesus in us through the Holy Spirit.

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. - I John 4:15

If you haven't accepted God's mercy, there's no better time than now - by accepting Jesus as your Savior and Redeemer for your sins. If you have accepted that mercy, pass it on to others in a cheerful spirit. There's no better time to be a godly example.

Our Real Story: 2018 in Review

With two days left in 2018, we're "putting the cue in the rack" as they say in Australia. We'll declare our poker-playing finished for the year, and review how we did.

All in all, we did very well! It was a year of transition, as we moved from a location with one nearby poker room (others closed by police) to another area with two competing casinos - one only ten minutes from home. So our live play increased, and that may be why our success rate did:

KANSAS STAR CASINO - One final table in nine games, one cash
FIVE-STAR BILLIARDS - Two final tables in two games, no prizes (the Wichita billiard hall closed in mid-January)
JACK CASINO CINCINNATI - 10 final tables in 16 games, four cashes (two of them "bubble boy" consolation money)
HOLLYWOOD CASINO INDIANA - 10 final tables in 13 games, one cash
DAYTON FORESTERS - One final table in one game, no cashes

TOTAL: 24 final tables in 41 tournaments (58.5%) - six cashes for $942!

After the move to metro Cincinnati, we made a stunning 70 percent of our final tables!

Admittedly, five of those 30 tournaments had only enough players for one table. And not many were large tournaments with more than two tables - at least eight, by our records. But in most cases, we had to play our way to the final group. And by God's grace and guidance, we did....

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. - Ephesians 4:7 (NASB)

NATIONAL LEAGUE OF POKER: No final tables in one tournament; 80 tokens lost in two cash games. Grand total: 290 point wins (top 10%) in 1,452 games, 93 final tables, 10 wins, 13 cashes.

NLOP's notorious connection problems seemed to be gone when we tried a tournament this past week. But overall, the cash prizes here don't thrill us now - especially when casinos are close. At least NLOP has added a cash game option for building tokens, even though we failed there.

POKERSTARS.net: Cash games - Up 93,476 play money chips. Welcome bonuses: 95,000. Total: 1,126,682 (yet for some odd reason, the website shows us with 6.1 million).

We sat down at "cash game" tables nine times in 2018, and had gains at eight of them!

This past year also will be remembered for our increased blackjack play, spurred by a Kansas Star Casino tournament in which we finished in the top ten. We gained $68.50 there, after being in the "minus column" a good part of the year.

What will 2019 bring? We can only guess. We had no idea when 2018 began that we'd be in Kentucky now, working at a different job and playing live poker nearly every week. But we ought to step up to one of the big-money weekend tournaments, to see how we'd do.

Whatever happens, we'll keep looking to God for wisdom and discernment - in how we play, as well as how we present Him and ourselves wherever we go. May you do the same.

About That Name....

We realize people are at all levels, when it comes to poker. A woman asked via email the other day:

What’s the meaning of “on the flop” anyway?

If you're new to Texas Hold 'em, "the flop" is a key part of many hands. After you're dealt two cards and bid on them, three cards are spread face-up on the table. Then players bid again.

In a perfect world, your pocket Aces are greeted on the flop by two more Aces so you have quads. Or Ace-King of spades are met by Qs-Js-10s, giving you an unbeatable royal flush.

But of course, poker is far from a perfect world. Your hand probably will be something less - perhaps no pair at all. Then it's a real "flop" for you, under a different definition: "a failure."

And that brings us to the name of this blog. You see, it has a double meaning - not only about poker hands, but the person who's writing about them. We can be a "flop", too....

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. - Romans 3:23 (NLT)

Jesus Christ told believers they are to be perfect, even as God in heaven is (Matthew 5:48). But if when we sin, we're not perfect anymore. Come to think of it, doesn't that make us all "flops" in life?

But the good news is that we don't have to live forever in the "flop house"....

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. - I John 1:9 (NLT)

God wants to forgive your sins and clean your records. But you need to "'fess up," as they say in the U.S. South. That means admitting God exists, then asking Him to have mercy for the sins you admit doing. After that....

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbor the truth.... If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work.... Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful.... - Ephesians 4:25-29 (NLT)

Yes, we know what some of you are saying: "That's easier said than done! I'll go right back to being a flop again!"

But there's more good news. God wants to help you become perfect. We'll explain how He does that in a future post.

An In-Tents Battle

Our last post mentioned a Bible verse that's probably obscure to many people....

From Judah will come the cornerstone, the tent peg, the bow for battle, and all the rulers. - Zechariah 10:4 (NLT)

That last post showed how Jesus Christ should be the "chief cornerstone" for believers in God (Ephesians 2:20). But what about these other things?

Unless you own a modern multi-piece plastic tent with weights to hold poles, you know what a "tent peg" does. It's hammered or pushed into the ground, so ropes and canvas can be secure. A different part of Zechariah helps explain the reference....

The Lord also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah. - Zechariah 12:7 (KJV)

The Lord will keep Judah's "tents" secure against destruction. That Lord (which we believe refers to Jesus) wants to save Jews, as well as "gentiles" outside the tribe. And that's not the most amazing part….

For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents.... No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God.... It is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. - Romans 2:28-29 (NLT)

Some self-proclaimed Christians who point fingers at Judaism may not realize this. They are supposed to be "Jews" themselves - by letting the Holy Spirit change their hearts to be as loving as God is.

That brings us to "the bow for battle" - and if you've been waiting for a poker reference, thank you for waiting; here it is. With Jesus on your side, you can enter the "battle" of poker tournaments with confidence. You don't have to be afraid of other players, or what they might say.

They will be like mighty warriors in battle, trampling their enemies in the mud under their feet. Since the Lord is with them as they fight, they will overthrow even the enemy's horsemen. - Zechariah 10:5 (NLT)

Does that mean you'll win every pot and clean up at every cash game? No. We're proof of that. This verse is ultimately referring to the second coming of Jesus to conquer the world and set up God's Kingdom (14:4-9). But you can ask God in prayer for a proper attitude in the decisions you make - and then, amazing things could happen.

So the next time you play poker, or face any challenge in your life, seek God's help through His Holy Spirit. Take a firm belief in Him - then wait for the right moment when He might give you victory.

Poker Night 561: Little Becomes Much

"Maybe they're trying to tell me I shouldn't play poker tonight," we said to people behind us in line at the JACK Casino cashier's windows.

The line was long tonight, then the first woman available said she could not take poker entries. The second woman available put up a "next window, please" sign when we approached her. But we finally found one window that would accept our $80 buy-in, so we could enter the Sunday night tournament.

BLINDS: 50/100

IN THE POCKET: 7 of spades-10 of spades

We've been biding our time, waiting for good cards to play. After almost one lap around with the button, we have yet to enter a hand. But sitting first with suited mid-range cards, we decide to give something a try. We're in for the minimum, along with about three others at a table of eight.

ON THE FLOP: 9-5-3

As we remember this, only the 9 is a spade. So there's an outside shot at a flush. A man to our right bets the minimum 100.

"I can do 100," we say with a who-cares tone. After all, we started with 15,000.

"Anybody can do 100," our opponent says. Well, no they can't. The other players fold, putting us heads-up.

ON THE TURN: 10c

A small risk gets a potentially big card. Now we have top pair. Our opponent checks.

"If you can do 100, surely you can do 250," we say. He thinks it over, then calls our bet.

ON THE RIVER: 6

It's still top pair for us. Our opponent checks again. We reach for 350.

"And if you could do 100," we say, "and you can do 250, then...."

Thud. He folds his cards before our chips hit the table.

"Well, maybe not," we conclude with a bit of comedic timing. A fun little hand leads to a little gain of 550.

We'd love to say things got better than there. But they didn't. We never won another pot, and started going downhill when we misread an opponent who had a full house. That cost us 5,000.

After about 90 minutes, we were down to 1,675 and went all-in. Our K-5 of hearts caught a 5 on the flop, but a man with an 8 also caught a pair. We left stunned by a lack of good cards, and were third out at our table. We didn't read the delays at the cashier's window right, either.

MINISTRY MOMENT: "I don't think I've ever seen a candle here before," the man to our right said when he saw tonight's card protector. Indeed, we brought a small candle for the first time in two years.

"It's the first night of Hanukkah," we explained. "And I brought it to remind me that Jesus Christ is the light of the world."

"There you go," the man replied. And then, wouldn't you know it - his smart phone rang. He answered it, and the potential discussion was over.

Yet we put Hanukkah and Jesus together. If you think Christ only belongs "in Christmas," you may have missed this section of Scripture....

It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication. - John 10:22 (NLT)

Why would the Lord be there? Because even though He came from heaven to Earth, He entered through the line of a Biblical tribe....

From Judah will come the cornerstone, the tent peg, the bow for battle, and all the rulers. - Zechariah 10:4 (NLT)

A lot could be unpacked from that verse, but we'll save much of it for another post. Let's focus on the first item. Who or what is "the cornerstone" of Judah? Let's let the Bible answer that:

Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. - Ephesians 2:20 (NLT)

God started building a church after Jesus was resurrected. He's still doing that - but Jesus has to be the "cornerstone" of any "holy temple" for God (verse 21).

As Jews mark the "festival of lights" this week, we hope you consider the true "light" who once paid a visit to that festival....

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." - John 8:12 (NLT)

As for keeping Christmas, we'll ask you this. Where in the Bible does it say anyone kept Christmas - or is required to do so? Leave a comment with your answer. We'll wait for it before responding.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 210 final tables in 561 games (37.4%) - 44 cashes.

Poker Night 560: Brave-Hearted

Over the river (Ohio) and through the woods (we think; it was dark)…. to poker night we did go. With no time after work to make a long drive to see relatives, we went to Hollywood Casino Indiana for a Thanksgiving Eve tournament.

You may not realize Thanksgiving Eve is a party night for some people. In fact, the tournament in Lawrenceburg attracted the biggest Wednesday night crowd we've seen. This time, we'd have to earn our way to a final table.

BLINDS: 25/50

IN THE POCKET: Ace-King of hearts

The first round of blinds is about to end, and it's been a nightmare for us. A-Q lost to a club flush. Then A-K lost. Then A-Q failed again. Our starting stack of 12,000 chips is already down to about 8,000.

So sitting in leadoff position at a full table of ten, we limp in. A man across from us raises to 425. Others fold, but we clearly don't. We're quickly heads-up.

ON THE FLOP: 5h-7c-7h

No big cards, but a big flush draw for us. We check to the aggressor. He tosses out 800. We feel we must go for this, so we call.

ON THE TURN: 3d

Swing and a miss. So we check again. Our opponent adds to the temptation, with a bet of 1,600. We're slightly tempted to respond by going all-in, but we don't. Yet we're committed to this, come what may. We call again.

ON THE FLOP: Jh

Thank you, Lord! We hit the monster flush! But since our opponent is being the aggressor, we check again.

"I'm all-in," he says. We don't even think twice - even though he might have a longshot full house.

"I'll call." For our last 5,200 or so.

"You win. Congratulations on hitting your heart," he answers. He mucks his cards without a show. We have to show ours to claim the prize, and we gladly do. That opponent is still in the game, but we're really in the game with a double-up to more than 17,500!

That was one of only two hands we won in the first hour, as we reached the break with 16,775. Hour Two brought ups and downs, as our misreads cost us hands. Yet we doubled up again by winning a race of A-J versus A-10, to soar above 20,000. We reached the second break at 18,800.

But then a crippling loss came when our A-Q lost to a woman with pocket 6's, followed by a lot of bad cards. With the field dwindling, we finally saw A-J of clubs and pushed with them. But a caller with pocket Queens topped us. A hard fight ended with us finishing 15th out of 39 players.

MINISTRY MOMENT: "It's the eve of Thanksgiving," our first dealer declared at the start of the evening.

"Can I go ahead and be thankful now?" we asked jokingly.

The dealer allowed that - and then we asked a couple of players next to us what they're thankful for this year.

"Five-six of hearts," one man told us. "Then 2-3-4 on the flop."

Funny, yes. But we meant to be serious. "I'm thankful that I know Jesus Christ as my Savior," we said.

"There you go," that man said.

"Do you know Jesus? Is He your Savior?"

"It's hard to know," he answered.

Well..... is it, really? To some people, the Christian faith is indeed a mystery....

In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ.... - Ephesians 3:4

Full-length books have been written about the "mystery of God". Yet somehow, some of them don't mention these words where the apostle Paul clarifies things....

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise of Christ Jesus. - Ephesians 3:6

If you don't have Jewish lineage, you qualify as one of "the Gentiles." You can share in the promise of Jesus. And knowing that promise, as well as Him, is to some extent up to you:

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. - II Peter 3:18

We think that growth comes from reading the Bible carefully, then following what it says. And if you do....

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection of the dead. - Philippians 3:10-11

A resurrection to eternal life is promised to those who accept Jesus as their Savior, then endure with Him to the end (Matthew 24:13). Whenever you keep a day of thanksgiving (national holiday or not), be sure to thank God for that promise - and the love He showed in providing Jesus for us.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 210 final tables in 560 games (37.5%) - 44 cashes. We've missed back-to-back final tables for the first time since July.

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.

Remember As You Play....

...Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. - Ephesians 4:22 (New Living Translation)

Poker players like to joke during tournaments about how "truthful" they are. The real truth is that sometimes, players resort to deceptive moves to win pots. We did something like that, with an all-in moment in our last tournament. A man did it several times to Phil Hellmuth at this year's World Series of Poker Main Event, leading to one of Hellmuth's most famous rants in years.

Does the verse we quoted mean poker players should end all that? Not necessarily. The New International Version translates the last part by saying, "Your old self.... is being corrupted by its deceitful desires." The desire is deceitful, more than the person or his actions - although the two certainly can combine:

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? - Jeremiah 17:9

What does your heart desire, when you play poker? If it's simply a good time with friends or an entertaining evening, that's one thing. But if you're hungry for money or fame, be careful....

Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. - Ecclesiastes 5:10

Some things really are worth desiring - and they're things which require no deception at all. In fact, they depend on you being truthful.

Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. - Hebrews 13:18

That desirable life can lead to eternal life in God's kingdom - but it depends on having a "clear conscience." Have you checked yours lately? Are you really living a life that God would accept - in the poker room, as well as outside it?

Poker Night 546: From Ace-Rags to Riches

"Has John Cynn ever played here?" we asked our first dealer in tonight's tournament at Hollywood Casino Indiana.

"I don't know," he answered. Cynn, a native of Indianapolis, won the World Series of Poker Main Event this week. He was not in Lawrenceburg for our tournament, so our chances for success jumped dramatically....

BLINDS: 100/200

IN THE POCKET: Ace-6 of hearts

We've won one pot with hidden pocket Aces, and split another with a Jack. Now this "turbo tourney" is near the end of its first hour, and we have about 10,800 chips from a starting 12,000.

A man at our table of eight raises to 500. We take the approach that any Ace is a potential top pair, and we call. Five players are in the hunt.

ON THE FLOP: A-4-3 (no hearts, as we recall)

There's the top pair - but are others thinking the way we're thinking? The only way to find out is to bet. After the lead player checks, we offer 500. Three other players call. They can't all have Aces.

ON THE TURN: 4

Now we have two pair - and we really doubt anyone else has a 4. Our bet on the flop would have run off those chasers. So we choose to keep the pressure on, with another bet of 500. That scares away one more players, but two others call again. Is our "rags" kicker good enough for this?

ON THE RIVER: 5

Ugh - that opens the door for trouble. Anyone on a straight draw just made it. The first man in line checks. We pull out chips, as if we're about to bet again - but then think better of it and check. The third player ponders for a few seconds. If he bets, he probably runs us off. But he checks.

"I have an Ace," we say as we show. The other players.... don't even show! They apparently missed their draws or had smaller pairs! We win a big pot of more than 4,000 chips, and reach the first break at a high of 16,125.

The trouble is, we never made it any higher. Good cards such as K-Q didn't convert into pairs for us in the second hour. Then when we saw pocket Jacks, we took on an aggressive woman across the table. She bet 2,200 on a meager-looking flop. We went all-in for 8,400, and she called.... with Q-Q! Her Queens held on to top our Jacks, and we missed the final table. We finished 13th out of 19 players.

MINISTRY MOMENT: A man two seats to our left won the first three hands of the night. That started jokes about whether he could win every hand and score a perfect game. One man suggested a sidebet on it.

"I would bet against me making it," the winner admitted.

"C'mon now," said the man between the winner and us. "You've got to have faith."

That was our opening. "I'd rather have faith in God, than have faith in him winning every hand."

The men smiled at that thought. But it reminded us of a line a well-known radio preacher said years ago: "Everyone has faith.... in something. The question is, what is your faith in?"

If you put all your faith in yourself or in other people, you're likely to be disappointed....

But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Selah. - Psalm 49:12-13

Sad but true - our bodies eventually wear down and die. But God promises to resurrect us, at least to a moment of judgment (Revelation 20:11-12). And if you put your faith in God and Jesus Christ now, that moment will be better than you might think:

For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. - Ephesians 2:8 (KJV)

Faith in God can lead to salvation and eternal life. And did you notice the amazing thing about it? It's not really our faith that does it. It's His faith, which God gives to believers through His Holy Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.... - Galatians 5:22

It starts by asking God for something the first disciples of Jesus requested when He was on Earth: "Increase our faith!" (Luke 17:5) If you'd like help in doing that, please leave a comment; we'll be happy to help you.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 201 final tables in 546 games (36.8%) - 41 cashes.

Poker Night 543: Bunker Mentality

In our first-ever ten live poker tournaments in 2007 in Georgia, we made three final tables. In our first ten in southern Kansas, we made seven and cashed three times. Wednesday night marked tourney #10 in our new home area. Could we keep succeeding at Hollywood Casino Indiana?

BLINDS: 200/400

IN THE POCKET: J-J

It's another small, late-arriving Wednesday night crowd. The tournament started with six players, but now has a full table of ten. We took a loss betting A-Q early, and still are a bit below the starting 12,000 chips.

This nice high pair in late position inspires us to raise to 1,000. Only two players call.

ON THE FLOP: 4-J-J

Well, what do you know - quads! We're last in line to bet, and are ready to wait for our opponents to take a dare. Only they check this flop. So do we, of course.

ON THE TURN: 2

Now do we have any takers? Sadly for us, no. The two opponents check. We do the same.

ON THE RIVER: 8

Now who wants to be daring? The first man checks once more. But a man down the table from us takes a stab at the pot, betting 1,100. Can we entice more?

"How about.... 2,500?!" we say as we raise.

Player #1 gives it up. The man who bet quickly does the same. He probably concludes he was trapped. But we don't tell him so; in fact, this blog is first to reveal that we had quads at all.

On a night with 14 total players, we had no big breakthrough pots - and no huge losses, either. A-Q in our pocket eliminated one player, and we strolled to the final table with about 13,000 chips. Then we won more modest pots, to stay alive while the field dwindled.

An all-in bet with two hearts was rewarded with a flush on the river, and we were in the final five.... then four! But as blinds went up, we had to push with anything hopeful. Our last stand was with K-10, but they lost to pocket 3's.

Final result: Some remarkable deja vu. We finished fourth in Lawrenceburg for the third tournament in a row - and fourth in six nights there! And because the turnout was small, we missed the money again; only the top two were paid.

MINISTRY MOMENT: As the final table dwindled, a woman across the table received a "walk" in the Big Blind - meaning no one at the table called. The very next hand found her in the Small Blind, while we were in the Big Blind. No one else called - but she did.

"You see, he gave you a walk," we said tongue-in-cheek. "You can do the same. It's called paying it forward."

Then we mentioned a radio station in our area which actually encourages the "pay it forward" approach at restaurant drive-through lanes. It's a way for people to show the love of God to others - even to complete strangers:

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. - Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)

It's one of many traits Christians are expected to have, to be a light to others around them....

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. - Colossians 3:12 (NLT)

This may seem like a hard thing to do at first. After all, poker is a game built on taking (or more politely, "winning") chips away from other players. But if you try it, you might find it's a hidden specialty you've had all along:

If your gift is serving others, serve them well.... If it is giving, give generously.... And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. - Romans 12:7-8 (NLT)

The late Glen Campbell put it well in a song, which is still sung in some churches: "You've got to try a little kindness." There are creative ways to do it, even to fellow poker players. What suggestions would you make? Write a comment if you have some.
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UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 200 final tables in 543 games (36.8%) - 41 cashes. After ten tournaments in the Ohio Valley, we have eight finals and one "bubble boy" payoff.

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.

More Than a Dog

They're famous, funny and arguably tacky works of art - paintings showing dogs around a table, playing poker.

You may have laughed at them. Some people have spent serious money to purchase originals of them. But did you ever stop to think seriously about them? In other words, why don't dogs play poker? Why is it that only humans do?

We heard a speaker today remind us that there's one main difference between humans and dogs - and it's not how dogs use their "hands" as front feet. The difference is in their brains. Or, better put, what has been added to them....

For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him?.... - I Corinthians 2:11

Some kind of "spirit" in human beings allows us to think, in ways dogs and other animals cannot. For instance, it allows you to figure out whether or not to play two poker cards. And God wants you to use that spirit in other ways....

The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being. - Proverbs 20:27

Believe it or not, God is probing your mind. He wants to know if you're thinking on His wavelength, or some other one....

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. - Ephesians 2:1-2

We think that other "ruler" is Satan, or the devil. We all need to tune that ruler out, and stay close to God. Perhaps this blog can help you with that - so you act more like God than a dog, when you're at a poker table.

Who's Afraid of the Big Banned Bluff?

It's one thing for towns, states or countries to ban poker games. It's another for a specific ad promoting poker to be banned.... and not because it's X-rated.

Courtesy Casino.org

Yet that's happened in Britain to a TV commercial for PokerStars (where we've played for years for free). It shows a man going all-in and winning a pot with 8-3. Britain has a government branch which monitors advertising, and it ruled the ad "could lead to financial harm."

The Advertising Authority explained some viewers (apparently poker newbies) might conclude all you have to do to win in poker is outbluff everybody else. A statement from PokerStars contended bluffing is a regular part of poker, and "not a reckless act in itself."

After thinking it over, we've concluded an absurd example (this ad) is being taken to an absurd extreme (this ban). What should PokerStars show instead? Pocket Aces? They get cracked online on a regular basis. A big winner wheeling around town in a Ferrari? That's equally as unlikely to happen as an 8-3 push.

 Of course, people should use wisdom when they play poker - especially if they dare to risk losing money in it. That's true away from the poker table as well....

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. - Matthew 10:16 (NKJV)

The people at a poker table may seem as friendly as can be. But in a cash game, make no mistake - they're hungry wolves seeking a profit. And in a tournament, it's safe to assume most of them are playing to win. So whether you bet, bluff or fold, careful play matters. And away from the table....

So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. - Ephesians 5:15 (NLT)

That means not taking absurd poker commercials too literally. But it also can mean not being played as a fool by others who might go bluffing all-in themselves, hoping to scare you out of a good hand. Learning the balance takes time and experience - in poker and in life.

Let's open this up for your comments. If this PokerStars ad is out of bounds, have you seen other poker commercials that were even more misleading?

The Biggest All-In Ever

A poker tournament can be filled with dramatic moments. The only way to win, after all, is to accumulate everyone else's chips. So players have to go "all in" and risk everything they have, to get everything they want.

But nearly 2,000 years ago, the biggest all-in moment in recorded history occurred. The drama involved far more than poker chips. It involved your life - and the lives of all people, whether they realize it or not.

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. - Romans 5:8 (NLT)

God the Father sent Jesus Christ the Son. They had been together in heaven for as long as anyone can envision. But Jesus came down to Earth and lived a perfect, sinless life to save us from eternal death.

This is real love - not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. - I John 4:10 (NLT)

Jesus went all the way to a hill called Calvary or Golgotha, sacrificing Himself. He had faith God would restore Him to life - and three days later, that resurrection happened. The "all in" bet worked.

The blood of Jesus can cover your sins, and bring you close to God where you might now be far away (Ephesians 2:13). Many believers in Jesus will recall that blood Thursday night, at a special worship service.

And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, "Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many." - Matthew 26:27-28

Jesus also shared bread with His disciples, in a ceremony that's come to have many names. Some call it communion. Some say "Lord's supper." Others recall the Old Testament, and describe it as a "Christian Passover."

Whatever the name, it should be a meaningful event. To read much more about it, click here. If you'd rather play poker than keep a Passover, please read it with care and an open mind. You might find there's more to this life than a series of all-in bets.

Time Marches On

The man sitting next to the dealer had a big decision to make with his cards. But he barely had time to go into the cliché "tank" to think about it.

"Clock!" a woman two seats away said the other day at Kansas Star Casino.

"Floor!" the dealer said in response. The Tournament Director was called over, and the situation was explained.

Two things struck the other players about this moment. First, the man with the decision had been mulling things over for no longer than one minute. Second, the woman who called for a clock already had folded her cards.

"Anyone can call for a clock," the dealer told us - even if you're out of the hand.

Clocks can be a funny thing in poker. Sometimes we wish the blinds would slow down, to prevent  more of our chip stack from being put at risk. But there are times when we wish the clock would move faster, so we can get to a break and regroup.

Life around poker can be like that as well. We had to hurry through a morning schedule filled with hold-ups simply to get to the poker room that day. Yet if you're in a multi-day tournament, the wait for play to resume can seem like days instead of hours.

But consider the bigger picture. On one hand, our lives can seem long and filled with possibilities....

The length of our days is 70 years - or 80, if we have the strength.... - Psalm 90:10

For the teenager and young adult, that's a marathon. But many players who gather for midday poker tournaments already have experienced most of that. So the verse continues:

...Yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. - Psalm 90:10b

And from the perspective of an eternal God, those years truly are short:

For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. - Psalm 90:4

That's why it's a good idea to make the most of every day, whether it means playing poker or not:

Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. - Ephesians 5:15-16

The King James Version says "redeeming the time" - and our longtime Pastor in Georgia often noted "evil" can mean in Greek "hurtful in its effect upon you."

There's no guarantee how much time we have left on this earth. But Jesus made a sobering promise about what happens when that time is up....

But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. - Matthew 12:36-37

If you haven't cleaned up your words, we don't think you need to wait for "spring cleaning" to do it. Start it now - than expand that concept to cleaning up dirty, sinful areas of your life. After all, someone may find a way (perhaps without even realizing it) to have God call "clock" on you.

Poker Night 512: Brave Hearts

Some poker hands are considered better than others before the flop. But any two cards have a chance of succeeding, once the flop comes. If only some hands ended there. You'll see what we mean, in this review of tonight's freeroll tournament at Five Star Billiards.

BLINDS: 100/200

IN THE POCKET: 6-3 of hearts

It's the very first hand of the night, at a table of six players. We're in the Small Blind, and no one has raised. Of course we'll play suited cards. About four players are in.

ON THE FLOP: 2h-Jh-8h

A perfect flop for us! But then the humility moment strikes. Our hearts to make the flush are small. Someone might be sitting on bigger ones. So in lead position, we bet 500 to take the temperature of the table. Several players fold, but the dealer does not. He calls.

ON THE TURN: Kh

A fourth heart makes our cards suddenly look a whole lot smaller. Is this what the dealer was waiting for? We check to see.

"I'll bet 1,000," he says. Yup, that's what we feared.

"I liked these cards for awhile," we respond - but we fold, expecting the worst. Sure enough, the dealer shows us the Ace of hearts. He had a draw for the "nut flush," and received it.

That loss was relatively small, but we won a few pots which were modestly big. From a starting 10,000, we reached 11,200 at the first break. We won a few more in the second hour, helped at one point by pocket Aces. Despite a  big loss with A-J at the end, we reached the final table at the two-hour break with 12,000.

A couple of wins and splits there lifted us to a high of 25,000 - but at that point, the blinds had reached 5,000/10,000. A desperation push with A-9 led to a 9 on the board, but a man to our left had Q-Q to eliminate us. We wound up matching Friday's tournament in Tulsa, with a sixth-place finish out of about 25 players.

MINISTRY MOMENT: "I'm a generic Christian," a man across the table told us before the night began. No, we didn't bring up religion; a talkative older man next to him did.

But what did he mean by generic? "I go by what Jesus did, not by what some religion says." That may sound strange, but it actually follows the Bible's advice....

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. - I Corinthians 11:1

The apostle Paul wrote this to a church group that was showing signs of division:

What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ". - I Corinthians 1:12

The Christian movement has had a lot of splits over the years. Protestants marked a major one a couple of weeks ago, with the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther's action sparking the Reformation. Yet what did the apostle say long ago about this?

Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? - I Corinthians 1:13

His point in this letter and others was that every believer ultimately should follow Jesus Christ.

For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. - Ephesians 5:23

So the man across the table was perceptive. But we had a question for him. "Didn't Jesus say He came to build a church?" Indeed He did....

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. - Matthew 16:18

The man admitted he'd only attended a church service a few times in recent months. Yet as divided as Christianity is, we're expected to attend one as we're able. We'll go deeper into that in an upcoming post.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 187 final tables in 512 games (36.5%) - 36 cashes. Since crossing the 500-game mark, we've made four final tables in 12 tries.

The Game of Love

We've said it before in various ways: humans cannot live on poker alone. You know a poker channel has learned that lesson when it presents.... a dating show.

Chasing Hearts premieres online this week on PokerGO - six weeks of couples on blind dates, with a poker coach analyzing their "action" for possible "tells." We invite you to watch, then tell us how much of a stretch this is.

We're actually going to try to tie this in with poker, by saying we've seen couples play poker together. It's their idea of a "fun evening out", much like others go bowling or visit museums. We've even seen hints of romance develop at poker nights - but those moments happened in bars, so alcohol might have been a factor.

But is this any way to find real love? We can't speak fully from experience here, as we've never been married. But there's a great guidebook on love that many people tend to overlook....

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. - Ephesians 5:1-2

Love should be more than a romantic mood. It should be a life - or perhaps better put, a way of life. It's a way shown by Jesus Christ when He walked on Earth. And believe it or not, Jesus never said the words, "I love you," to anyone.

...Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. - John 13:1b

Jesus showed His love in many ways. In this chapter, He washed the feet of His disciples - apparently including the one who was about to betray Him (verses 26-27). Then Jesus said this:

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. - John 13:34-35

These words were spoken primarily to men - but there's no evidence Jesus meant this in a homosexual way. His point was to show compassion toward other people in general. And in addition...

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. - John 15:10

The entire chapter says much more about what Jesus considered real love. We'll leave that for you not only to read, but apply to your own life.

If your idea of "love" is built upon game-playing, we think that's rather shallow. A deep love comes from compassion toward others and obedience toward God - and to borrow from an old song, is there really a greater love than that?

Mom-Sense

The World Series of Poker normally starts a couple of weeks after Mother's Day in the U.S. But this year, one man played with his mom on his mind.

John Racener won the "Dealer's Choice Championship" early this morning, while wearing a "Unibomber" style black hoodie. After he won, he took off the hoodie and showed a "FOR MOM" t-shirt. Racener's mother died from cancer four years ago, and broke the news of her diagnosis to him only after he played in the Main Event final table in 2010.

We can't fault Racener for this tribute at all. He's doing what a classic guidebook recommends....

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. - Exodus 20:12

Honor for parents should begin in our youth:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. - Ephesians 6:1

Of course, we realize some parents do things which are less than honorable. But when their commands fall within the rules of God's instruction, children should follow them:

My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. - Proverbs 6:20

Racener also seems to realize the "honor" for parents can go far beyond this life. We personally wondered for years how to honor a mother who died when we were a young adult. We've tried to do it through respectful words about her - and in recent years by annual graveside trips, as we've lived closer to her grave.

But we respectfully disagree with Racener's comment that his mother is now his "biggest fan.... from up above." That's a view of the afterlife which the Bible does not teach....

No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven - the Son of Man. - John 3:13

Jesus said these words. As the Son of God, we think He would know about such things.

But we congratulate Racener not only on his success at the table, but the statement he made in victory. May he enjoy the winnings, the WSOP bracelet - and the hope that he and his parents will be together someday in a resurrection.