Back to School

An old cliché says you can't teach old dogs new tricks. But perhaps that depends on the dog.

Not that we're calling Daniel Negreanu a "dog" - but "Kid Poker" made a surprising move in the last year or so. He underwent three months of lessons on "game theory," after feeling he was "a step behind" young German players. Negreanu says he learned "new concepts" about poker. And we'd say they've worked; his winnings in the last 12 months are above $4 million.

We're not sure exactly what new concepts he learned. But can you learn something from what Negreanu did?

First of all, Negreanu humbled himself. We've long said that poker is a game that can keep you humble. But in this case, a six-time WSOP bracelet winner realized he needed to improve. Instead of trash talking the rising stars, he seemed to follow this advice....

The Lord mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble. - Proverbs 3:34 (NLT)

Some poker players have become legendary for their insults and put-downs at the table. Negreanu's approach was to step back and analyze his own play. And so should we - even beyond poker:

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves.... - II Corinthians 13:5 (NLT)

Read the rest of that Bible verse, to see an important question about your faith - not in yourself, but in Someone bigger.

But back to Negreanu: he then was willing to learn. At age 43, he sought advice in learning how to be a better poker player. All of us could use that sort of attitude...,

Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen, - II Peter 3:18 (NLT)

You say you know poker? Become a student of the game, watching others carefully for new twists and approaches. And do you say you know God and Jesus? Don't be too sure of that, either. All of us need to grow in our knowledge of the ultimate family. That can come from watching others, too....

Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. - Proverbs 13:10 (NLT)

Negreanu apparently took that advice - and his bank account is better for it. Might that work for you? In poker, and in life?

An Apology from "Jesus"

The online poker crackdown happened seven years ago. An explanation about it from a poker legend took less than 45 seconds - and may raise more questions than it answers.

Chris "Jesus" Ferguson posted a very short video this week about the "Black Friday" federal intervention. Ferguson reportedly was Chairman of the Board of Full Tilt Poker when it happened. He may have paid millions to the government to settle a civil case while repaying people with frozen bankrolls.

The transcript of Ferguson's video, posted by CardPlayer.com, includes this:

I deeply regret not being able to prevent Black Friday from happening. After Black Friday, I worked relentlessly to ensure that all players got paid back. And, I sincerely apologize that it took as long as it did.

That's not enough for some poker players, including Daniel Negreanu who mockingly called it "so heartfelt." Others are left wondering why Ferguson brought out the apology now - whether it has anything to do with the renewed hopes for state-run poker websites.

We're not going to judge Ferguson's motives. Instead, we're thinking about the real Jesus - the One who was sinless, and never had to apologize to anyone for anything....

So watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. - Luke 17:3

There are three parts to Jesus's instruction in this verse. We need to watch ourselves and our conduct, especially as events move toward Jesus's return:

Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man. - Luke 21:36

Second: rebuke a "brother" who sins. We were challenged by a preacher last weekend to dare to say the word "sin" again, as many think it's improper now. But we should start with close friends (in church or outside) who may be wandering from a godly way:

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. - Galatians 6:1

Third: forgive the brother who repents - even if you have to do it over and over:

If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, "I repent," forgive him. - Luke 17:4

We'd note Ferguson did not use the word "repent" - a word that implies admitting doing something wrong, and turning in the opposite direction from it. Time will tell if he actually does that; he'd probably have to return to poker site management to have that opportunity.

Follow the poker "Jesus," and you may run into some regrets. Follow the Jesus of the Bible, and you never will.

The Mouth, the Kid and the Finger

Let's say it upfront: We are not taking sides in the U.S. Presidential election. We'll explain why in a moment.

But of course, many other people are taking sides. And this week, there's been a curious combining of poker and politics.

A lawyer and "free speech activist" asked on Twitter if Hillary Clinton was giving signals to the moderator during this week's first debate, by pointing her finger toward her face. He specifically asked for comments from "poker pros like The Mouth Matusow." Mike Matusow has been tweeting against Ms. Clinton a lot, so he was happy to respond:

Wow ive watched the debates 3 times & never noticed!! I felt the whole time she had the questions but after watching that i she def signals

(We'll open the floor for your comments right here: Do you agree with Matusow? Why or why not?)

Considering moderator Lester Holt was found to be a registered Republican and Donald Trump's campaign manager called him "brilliant" before the debate began, we're not sure why he would have suddenly switched sides. But anyway....

We move on to Daniel Negreanu - who declared on Twitter Ms. Clinton won the first debate, while admitting he's biased in her favor. Considering Negreanu is Canadian and can't vote in the U.S. election, his endorsement may hurt in U.S. voting as much as it helps.

Then there's Phil Hellmuth, who's apparently become a political analyst in his spare time. He gave both Ms. Clinton and Mr. Trump "A" grades for this week's debate - and in other commentaries has compared Mr. Trump to a "loose aggressive" poker player.

So the poker world is watching the election closely - and they're certainly free to comment about it. So why are we not taking sides? Because several months ago, we handed over our vote to a higher authority....

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. - Romans 13:1

These words were written when the Roman Empire was in charge, and voting for leaders was unheard of. The apostle Paul accepted the fact that, like them or not, God had put the Roman authorities in charge - or at least allowed them to be there.

Some people wanted Jesus Christ to overthrow the government during His time on Earth, and become "King of Kings" on the spot. But instead....

"Do you refuse to speak to me," Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given you from above...." - John 19:10-11

The Lord could have called down angels and begun to "fight the powers that be" right then. But He didn't. Jesus came to Earth for a different purpose about 2,000 years ago. But someday soon....

"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." - Acts 1:11

Jesus will come back to Earth in a powerful way, to establish the Kingdom of God upon this planet:

On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords. - Revelation 19:16

That's the leader we're waiting to see - and Jesus is the One who has our ultimate vote. Can you think of anyone who would do a better job?

The Book on Daniel

How do you know when you've made the poker "big time?" These days, you might not have to win the WSOP Main Event. One modern sign of greatness is having your life story turned into a documentary.

Daniel Negreanu was the subject of a 90-minute film on Canada's TSN a couple of weeks ago, followed by his own Twitter chat. While we haven't seen the movie, KidPoker reportedly is about how Negreanu went from Las Vegas rookie to consistent winner and media star.

In one interview, Negreanu offered some of his advice for poker success:

“It’s trial and error to an extent -- not crying about what happens but getting on with it. So what if I got a pair of aces and lost? It happens. Keep going.”

When some poker players endure a big loss, they go "on tilt."  They bet wildly with an "I don't care" attitude (and sometimes they really don't) - which can be dangerous for everyone else, especially if that approach turns into a comeback.

Yet Negreanu's words speak of a more disciplined approach. We think it's also more Biblically-grounded.

Do not lie in wait like an outlaw against a righteous man's house, do not raid his dwelling place; for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity. - Proverbs 24:15-16

For years we've taken verse 16 as advice for someone who "falls" into sin - and we think the advice is valid. We need to climb out of our sinful hole and return to a righteous walk:

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. - I John 1:8-9

Yet after looking at verses 15 and 16 together, we think there's a different point to that part of Proverbs: sinful people shouldn't spend their time trying to ruin the lives of righteous people. If they continue in a righteous walk, God can restore their losses and bless them even more. Consider Job, who was allowed by God to face extreme hardship from the devil:

After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before... The Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. - Job 42:10, 12

Compare verse 12 with Job 1:2, and you'll find his livestock "chip stack" doubled.

So the lesson of Daniel (as in Negreanu) as the same as that of Proverbs and Job. Don't get so down in the dumps from a big loss that you surrender everything that matters. "Keep going," Negreanu says - and we'd add: go in a right godly direction.

Star Search

This year's "November Nine" was set early today in Las Vegas - the final table for the World Series of Poker Main Event.  And it came tantalizingly close to including one of poker's most famous names.

Daniel Negreanu was walking a tightrope toward the final table, sitting low on the leaderboard.  Then his pair of Aces on the flop crashed out against a straight.  Negreanu finished in 11th place, and apparently in a bit of anguish.

Negreanu wins more than $500,000 - but was the game of poker a loser?  After all, "Kid Poker" has one of the most familiar faces in promotions.  And he wrote on Twitter during the Main Event it's "good for poker" when Phil Hellmuth makes a deep run - even though Negreanu eliminated him.

Ultimately, we think poker is bigger than that. At least, it should be.  Just as spiritual matters should be.

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

The apostle Paul wrote these words - not because he was trying to win a church popularity contest, but to point a church group toward the right choice. Which of these four options would you choose?

What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe - as the Lord has assigned to each his task. - I Corinthians 3:5

His title may have been "apostle," yet Paul took a humble approach to himself.

So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future - all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God. - I Corinthians 3:21-23

For him, it all boiled down to God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son.

You might have a favorite poker player or TV preacher - but don't make them the focal point of everything you do and believe, When it comes to walking with God, put the focus on the Father and Jesus His Son. And when it comes to poker, develop your own tactics and strategy. After all, Negreanu admits he folded A-K pre-flop during this tournament. Could you do that?

Characters Wanted?

Huh?  We thought poker was a more popular game than ever.  But none other than Daniel Negreanu declared recently it's in "big trouble.... heading in the wrong direction."

Why?  Apparently not because of the U.S. Justice Department crackdown.  Negreanu told an interviewer the problem is that too many online poker stars are.... well, dull.  They're so focused on Internet play that they come across as wonky, lacking in personality.  (And if anyone should know about being a "poker personality," it's Negreanu.)

There are two ways to look at these comments.  For one thing, there's nothing wrong with working hard at what you do -- whether you're a poker pro or a laborer on the construction site:

Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. - Proverbs 10:4

Negreanu even admitted in the interview he may have lost a bit of his game by becoming a "media face" of poker, as opposed to the "poker non-stop" approach of Phil Ivey.

But then again, working non-stop can burn you out and run you down.  An occasional break is good for you, in ways far beyond your physical health.  That's part of the reason why the Bible recommends....

But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.  On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. - Exodus 20:10

In fact, it's not simply a recommendation -- it's one of God's Ten Commandments.  We also think gathering and fellowshipping with believers from other walks of life on the Sabbath can help build personality skills, while widening your perspective on things.

Live poker tournaments in our area can include plenty of interesting characters; we share their stories here from time to time.  Online players don't really expose such traits, outside of their avatars and chat comments.

So what do you think of Negreanu's comments?  Is poker (especially on TV) better with guys wearing "chicken suits"?  Or is it all about the game?

Remember As You Play....

I hate double-minded men, but I love your law. -- Psalm 119:113

Some chess masters put on exhibitions where they play 20 games at a time -- going to a board and making a move, then shuffling to the next board to make a move, and on around a room.

Could you imagine poker players doing that sort of thing? Believe it or not, Daniel Negreanu's schedule at the World Series of Poker was arranged that way earlier this week. From his Twitter feed....

Playing 3 events today: 1500 PLO noon, Day 2 10k Stud, 3pm, 2500 8 Game 5pm, then noon tmr is 5k NLH shootout. Hectic schedule coming.

The WSOP website indicates Negreanu made all three games -- by going bust early in two of them. His apparent strategy: build a big stack in a hurry to gain a chip lead worthy of cashing, or crash in a hurry and move on to the next event.

Negreanu has the star power to pull a stunt like that. But we think most players would do better to do what athletes often say -- take things one game at a time. Distractions can cost you focus, cost you hands and even cost you a winning tournament.

So if you need headphones to concentrate at the table, go ahead. If you need to throw them away because the music shakes you up, go ahead. Keep your mind on poker. But oh yes -- don't forget the second part of that verse in Psalms. Love God's law, and reflect it in godly words and actions.

National Heads-Up Week 1: In Several Languages

A new season of the National Heads-Up Poker Championship began on NBC Sunday. (No, we didn't forget -- we simply were very busy.) We noticed several of the usual poker site advertisers were missing. Hmmm -- we wonder why?!

But admittedly, we were surprised by one moment when confessed Christian Daniel Negreanu was surprised by a hand he lost to Phil Laak. "What the h**l?" Negreanu asked aloud.

We're old enough to remember when the "H-word" was considered profanity. Times have changed so much that it's considered nothing now -- and we even hear church pastors toss the word around loosely during sermons. But a believer still has to watch his words, whether at the poker table or a worship service.

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

When Harry Truman was U.S. President, he said he simply told the truth -- and others considered it, uh, not very heavenly. Such was the Laak-Negreanu hand, as Laak disguised three of a kind very well. (He went on to win the match.)

This moment actually ties together with a recent comment a player made at one of our local tournaments, about words and symbols. The symbol of Christ's crucifixion which we brought (a long nail) can have an impact. But unless we use words to explain the nail's purpose, the meaning can be missed. Which reminds us....

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. -- John 1:1, 14

Jesus is described in the New Testament in many symbolic ways. We'll let you think about those ways, and make a list of them -- but one of them simply is "The Word." The Lord spoke the words of His Father, and so should we.

Many words are being said about Jesus by ministers this week. May they be words of truth about "the Word" who called Himself "the truth" (John 14:6).

Return of the Challenge

We apparently missed the first episode of this season's "Million-Dollar Challenge" on Fox -- the poker show where Daniel Negreanu is star, coach and funnyman.

After watching this afternoon's program, we'll say this: losing heads-up to Vanessa Rousso is one thing. But losing to a Playboy Playmate -- wow, that has to sting a little.

Which leads us to ask: what's the most embarrassing poker loss you've ever had? (Take that question in any direction you wish.)

Heads-Up Week 1: Read Me Wrong

Again this year, we're offering thoughts on the National Heads-Up Poker Championship telecast (except for the final round, which we'll have to miss). One of today's moments of drama came when Daniel Negreanu had 5-5, while Jason Mercier had Q-Q. With a pair showing on the board, Negreanu dared to go all-in -- but Mercier called and had him dominated.

The NBC announcers called it a "rare mis-read" by someone famed for reading opponents. Perhaps it was a case where the looks wound up being deceiving.

Jesus warned a crowd of people long ago about doing that. "Do not judge according to appearance," He said in John 7:24 (NASB), "but judge with righteous judgment."

Someone could make an impressive-looking bet -- and even look impressively confident doing it. But it could all be "Hollywooding" (to borrow some poker slang) to scare you away. On the other hand, someone could make a weak-looking bet while holding pocket Aces.

The warning here is against "reading" too much into what you see. There's a thinking element to poker, every bit as much as there is an aspect of luck. Think carefully before you act.

"A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge," Proverbs 22:3 reminds us, "but the simple keep going and suffer for it." Sadly, the Bible evidence shows King Solomon didn't always follow this good advice. How about you?

Million-Dollar Mike and a $20K Dream

In case you missed it: A New York firefighter named Mike hit the jackpot today on the Fox "Million Dollar Challenge." An 8 on the river gave him a gutshot straight, to defeat Daniel Negreanu in the heads-up "Million Dollar Match."

(Come to think of it, has Negreanu ever reached the finals of NBC Heads-Up? We don't think so.)

Connected with that was another freeroll tournament for $20,000 tonight at PokerStars.Net. The play went incredibly quickly -- and it had to be that way, with 36,664 players registered. Here's how we did:

:00 IN: We start with 10-7 of diamonds. A 10 comes on the flop, and we bet with it. But another player has pocket Queens, and beats us.

We played the first three hands, in fact. K-J didn't pair, and lost. 8-8 was met with an Ace on the flop, and a player with an Ace beat us. We were deflated, until....

:05 IN: K-10 brings K-8-3 on the flop. Our top pair earns $550.

:09 IN: We have Q-7 of clubs. Two clubs come on the flop, and a third lands on the river. We hit a flush! Trouble is, another player hits a full house. We're deflated again.

:12 IN: A-Q brings an Ace on the river. We bet, players fold, and we gain $375.

:20 IN: Q-Q is met with A-A on the flop. Our two pair are good enough, for a pot of more than $1,100.

:31 IN: Q-Q comes again. This time Q-9-3 lands on the flop. After a modest bet is called, a 7 on the turn leads us to go all-in. A caller errs, and suddenly our stack jumps to $4,580.

:37 IN: A-10 is met with an Ace on the flop. That pair leads to $1,700.

:40 IN: We have A-10 of clubs, with $3,155. But a player ahead of us goes all-in. Blinds are 200/400 with antes of 50. What would you do?

We dare to call -- and see our opponent has A-K. The flop is K-J-7. That's followed by a 9 and a 5, and our dream is sunk.

Final score: we take seven pots in 40 minutes. But several other plays with promising hands blow up in our face. We finish number 17,961 -- which out of 36,664 at least gets us in the top half.

Poker on Fox

Tuned in to the "PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge" on Fox, after a football game today.

Playboy playmates -- playing an "ordinary person" with a coach?

Daniel Negreanu -- in an isolation booth??

Two words: game show. (And that's not a compliment.)

No wonder Doyle Brunson isn't thrilled by it. It didn't thrill us, either.

(Well, except for that "dome of silence" Chris Moneymaker ordered. Sometimes with Negreanu, that would be a good thing.)

What did you think?

Break it to me gently

We asked about "bullying" tactics at the poker table. For some players, this comes naturally. We finished second yesterday at an NBC Sports five-player game to a man who raised on almost every hand.

"Do you make a bet, ever?" he asked.

"When the time's right," we said.

We think some players overdo the bullying. It didn't work for that Italian wunderkind at the NBC Heads-Up Tournament, as Daniel Negreanu slowed him down and beat him. Maybe that's the key to success -- to take a reasoned approach. We found another word for it.

"Let your gentleness be evident to all," Paul advises in Phil. 4:5. Why? "The Lord is near." We think he meant the return of Jesus, which Paul seemed to expect in his lifetime. But if you're a believer, the Holy Spirit is so near He's inside you.

"Be completely humble and gentle...." Paul adds in Eph. 4:2, "bearing with one another in love." May this reflect your attitude as you play -- and think about trying that approach as you play.

Poker Night #67: Long Live the King

Either things were going to be really good at Lil Kim's Cove Thursday night -- or really bad. That's because in only two Yahoo online hands earlier in the day, we made QUAD 10's (on the turn!) and three J's to win a $200-plus pot. (Then we folded a poor hand before the flop, and went back to work.)

The answer: we did well, all in all. We gained several pots, and held on to tie for sixth. In one hand, our high hopes became reality....

BLINDS: 200/400

IN THE POCKET: Q-J offsuit

We're early in line to bet, and the cards seem high enough to call. Several players join in.

ON THE FLOP: 10-9-3 (rainbow; our memory admittedly is fuzzy about the 3)

It's an open-ended straight draw. A man ahead of us bets 600, which seems reasonable. A third player who's the runaway chip leader calls as well.

ON THE TURN: 4 (fuzzy again)

"Six," the man ahead of us says again. We decide to show some courage after a miss, so we call another 600. So does the third man.

ON THE RIVER: K

The straight is made! The first man bets 600 again -- and from where we're sitting, he appears to be all-in. So we turn to the big stack, and raise 2,000 directly toward him. He folds. But the first man actually is NOT all-in. He thinks it over, calls -- and his two pair get burned.

A player sitting between the two of us sees a teachable moment here. "That's why you bet big early," he tells the loser. "You don't let him hang around to have a chance at the pot."

As we so often seem to do, we walked a tightrope at the final table. We doubled up twice in a row, once when K-K held up against other short-stack players. But our escape routes ran out when a player made three 10's to top our J-9.

MINISTRY MOMENT: It didn't happen until the final table, when we were almost eliminated. We went to poker night directly from work, and didn't take a "prop" with us. But then a woman to our left rallied from one gold 5,000 chip to about ten.

"Amen," she said. "Thank you, God. I know you don't like this, but thank you, anyway."

"I don't think God doesn't like it," we answer. "There are some Christian poker players, you know." We bring up Daniel Negranu, and repeat our note atop this blog that playing free games isn't gambling.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 27 final tables in 67 nights (40.3%) -- 7 cashes.

YAHOO POKER TOTAL: $12,279 -- up $199, only $13 below our record high.

Poker Quiz Answer

The big-time poker star who's a committed Christian is Canadian Daniel Negreanu. He apparently admitted it two years ago.

I'm not sure I would trust Negreanu as a Bible scholar. (What about the guards who supposedly gambled over Jesus's robe?) But his comments are worth thinking about.