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.

More Daily Doubles?

He made bets over and over. Time and time again. Minute by minute. Day after day. And practically all of them succeeded, making him a lot of money. Yet somehow, he's a bit reluctant to play poker.

Courtesy Las Vegas Review-Journal

We're talking about James Holzhauer, whose wins on the TV quiz show Jeopardy! this year have gained far more attention than any poker tournament. He heads to the World Series of Poker Monday, to compete in a (deep breath) No-Limit Hold 'em Super Turbo Bounty tournament.

"Jeopardy James" won more than $2.45 million on TV in recent weeks. Yet Holzhauer told a Las Vegas newspaper he's entering two WSOP events only because World Poker Tour host Mike Sexton offered to sponsor his buy-ins - and they total only $2,500. The former online player explained, "I'm sure I wouldn't be good enough at it to justify forgoing other opportunities". For him, that means betting on sports.

Holzhauer didn't help poker's reputation when he added, "My main goal is to get lucky." Poker advocates have faced an uphill fight convincing courts and governments that the game includes some skill.

Hand it to Holzhauer for having humility here. Even though he won more than 30 consecutive games on TV, he's not expecting to whip the world at the WSOP. We think plenty of players could learn from that example. A classic book puts it this way....

Good and upright is the Lord.... He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. - Psalm 25:8-9

Sometimes a humble walk before God can have fringe benefits, even at a poker table:

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. - Proverbs 11:2

"But wait," you may be saying. "Didn't we leave out the part of that psalm that applies to James Holzhauer? After all, he's a sports gambler!" Oh - yes, we did. Let's address that....

...Therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. - Psalm 25:8b

Indeed, many consider sports gambling a sin. (For some reason, we've never heard anyone call the risks of winnings on Jeopardy! a sin.) But we'd ask in return: are you sinning in some other way? Perhaps in a way you don't even see?

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

Deep down, we're all not good enough for God. His standard is perfect (Psalm 18:30), and human beings are not. We need to be humble enough to ask for His help. Thankfully, He provided some.

...And are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. - Romans 3:24

You can be redeemed from sin through the sacrifice of the sinless Savior. Jesus Christ came from the throne of God in heaven to do that. But you need to humbly repent of your sin and accept Jesus as your Lord.

In a poker tournament, "daily doubles" can be hidden in any hand - opportunities to go all-in and double your chip count (or even triple it). Perhaps "Jeopardy James" will hit a few of those at the WSOP. We don't know if he believes in God for such things. If you do, maybe it's time you did - before the "final jeopardy" of death comes.