Steven Breaks Even

When we left Kansas last year, an FBI investigation was underway into possibly illegal action involving house poker games. The biggest name in that case was thought to be a Wichita business owner who's won money in serious tournaments such as the World Series.

The long investigation apparently ended this week, with Brandon Steven making a deal with federal prosecutors. He pleaded guilty to hiding records of illegal poker games, and could have gone to prison for it. Instead, Steven received three years of probation, a lot of community service time - and he must give more than a million dollars, either in poker winnings or hush money.

The four-year FBI investigation may have led to police shutting down open poker rooms across Wichita. We played at several of them during this decade. These days, we only play in legal tournaments at casinos or charities. We try to live by a simple Bible verse:

Avoid every kind of evil. - I Thessalonians 5:22

Sounds simple, doesn't it? Except the King James Version puts it this way: "Abstain from all appearance of evil." A lot of things may appear evil to others, but they're really above-board. The list of items fitting that description can change almost daily, based on the news cycle and social media posts. We have to be careful in all the decisions we make about what we do.

As for Steven, you'd think he would have known better. Secrets come out, sooner or later. If they're not exposed by the FBI, they will at an even higher level of justice....

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. - Psalm 90:8

The time is coming when Jesus will judge all humans, on behalf of God the Father.

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.... The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. - Revelation 20:12

We don't see much evidence in the Bible that "plea bargains" will be allowed then....

...Those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. - John 5:29

Defense lawyers say Brandon Steven is a solid citizen, who supports youth sports among other things. But this case revealed he has a "dark side." If we're honest with ourselves, we all do. Will you learn from Steven's example, and come "out of darkness" into God's "wonderful light" (I Peter 2:9)?

Creatures of Habit

It's one thing to play poker for fun. It's another thing to play it professionally. But when your love of poker leads to law-breaking, that's another matter.

A Navy lieutenant was sentenced to prison this past week in Virginia, due to what prosecutors call a "high-stakes poker" habit. A defense attorney admitted Randolph Prince had "a terrible gambling addiction," which led to wire fraud and false tax statements resulting from sham companies getting government contracts.

There's a fine line between playing poker frequently and becoming addicted to the game. Here's one big question to ask yourself, in finding the balance: Do I feel I have to play today?

If you're playing poker to get out of debt, please realize the risk you're taking. You might wind up even deeper in debt. As one famous book puts it:

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. - I Timothy 6:10 (NLT)

The famous phrase embedded in this verse does not say, "Money is the root of all evil." No, the love of it is - the "craving" for it. That puts the blame not on greenbacks or big poker chips, but on you and me. It's about what we desire.

For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. - I John 2:16 (NLT)

Put another way: Do you have a poker date - or does the game of poker have you? Has the game become a "constant craving," to borrow from an old song? If so, it could be time to replace it with something better - something that's "from the Father."

So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.... - I Corinthians 12:31 (NLT)

God wants to fill you with "gifts of the Spirit." Read the entire chapter and Ephesians 4 for an idea of what those gifts are. They're primarily for helping other people, not filling your life with luxury homes and sports cars. And isn't helping people a good habit to start?

Flops of All Sorts?

Could big-money flops in online poker increase, because of people gambling on basketball players taking flops on the court?

Some people are seeing a potential connection, in the wake of last week's U.S. Supreme Court ruling on sports betting. The court essentially called gambling on sports a state-by-state matter, with Congress barred from passing laws limiting it to Nevada.

The reasoning for the connection is understandable: sports betting in casinos will bleed into sports betting online, and that will encourage the development of other kinds of online betting. But are some people forgetting a major lesson of "Black Friday" years ago - that online gambling sites can shut down without notice, leaving the financial accounts of players in limbo?

We tend to be on the side of caution at poker tables, and we'd advise the same approach here....

...For you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. - Ecclesiastes 11:6

Yet our NIV Study Bible has this comment on verse 1: "Be adventurous, like this who accept the risks and reap the benefits of seaborne trade. Do not always play it safe...."

So how can this be - an "adventurous" approach, yet with caution? We think it means not going overboard when you take chances, if you can help it. That's true during a poker tournament, as well as with investing in a poker website. Put another way....

A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. - Proverbs 14:15

We suspect several new online gambling sites (poker and otherwise) are on the way because of the court's ruling. But we're reminded of what Jesus Christ told His disciples about launching out on their own:

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. - Matthew 10:16

No Skills Required?

It's a classic debate in the world of poker. Does success in the game require skill? Or is it all "dumb luck"?

It's a debate that's gone to courts more than once. Now the latest ruling has come - and skill is a big loser.

A court in India ruled Friday that the head of Spartan Poker was guilty of violating gambling laws by holding an apartment game in 2016. Nasir Patel argued the skill involved in successfully playing poker made him exempt from those laws. But the court ruled:

“How can poker be a game of skill? You simply get the cards and open it, and if chance be, you will win.”.

We've played poker long enough to know that's only true to a certain extent. If you're dealt pocket Aces, you're admittedly far more likely to win a pot than if you're dealt 2-3 offsuit. But the hands in between are where the "skill" comes in. Players set traps, make big bluffs or try various other stunts to claim as many chips as they can.

Other walks of life require a great deal of skill. For instance, if we need brain surgery, we'd rather have a surgeon who knows what he or she is doing. That takes years of study and training. But when it comes to the things of God, you might be surprised....

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers - the moon and stars you set in place - what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? - Psalm 8:3-4 (NLT)

The more we learn about our solar system, the more we see how predictable and orderly it is. Astronomers knew when the sun would rise this morning, and when the full moon would occur this weekend. They can calculate to the minute when the next eclipse will happen. If there's macro-evolution, shouldn't these things all come as a surprise?

It took a genius God to arrange all that - with no chance or luck involved at all. Yet you don't have to be a genius to accept these things, and have a relationship with God:

Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. - I Corinthians 1:27-28 (NLT)

If you believe in God and Jesus Christ, many "smart" people will scoff at you. Yet the late Stephen Hawking, who was considered a genius of our time and called an atheist by some, is being buried on church grounds - and near Sir Isaac Newton, who not only was expert in science but wrote a Bible commentary.

And does it take skill to start a relationship with God and Jesus Christ? Not really....

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. - Romans 10:9 (NLT)

As someone once put it: Are you just dumb enough to believe God, and do what He says? Even if that means admitting God has more skills than you'll ever have?

Bends, Pokes and Other Things

The talk at the table turned to one of the biggest poker events of the year in our area.  One woman was troubled by something she saw after the tournament was over.

As the decks of cards were collected, she said several Aces had bent corners - especially the Ace of spades.  The woman was especially irked because it was a charity poker tournament. The prize pool was big, but the focus was supposed to be on giving to a non-profit organization.

Then another player mentioned visiting a poker room where he saw needles on the ground outside.  He indicated the needles may have been used to poke tiny holes in the cards, so people could know what was dealt where. (We're keeping the name of the room anonymous, because we have not proven or disproven that claim.)

Like it or not, some people try to win at poker "by hook or by crook."  If they can gain a sneaky advantage through cheating, they will.  But of course, that doesn't mean they should.

Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers. - I Corinthians 6:8

These words from the Bible were written to a Christian church -- yes, to a church with cheaters! Members were taking each other to court over disputed matters or wrongs. The apostle Paul was especially annoyed because church members were taking their issues before judges who might not believe in God at all (verse 6).

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither.... thieves nor the greedy... nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. - I Corinthians 6:9-10

Paul mentions a lot of other offenses in these verses; we're only highlighting the sins which relate to our topic.  His main point is that people who are cheating to "get ahead" need to stop it. Otherwise, God will stop them from entering His Kingdom.

Paul was tough when it came to punishment -- writing wicked people should be expelled from a church group (5:13).  But he also had a message for people who think they've been the victim of cheating.

...Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? - I Corinthians 6:7b

In other words, follow the example given by Jesus....

But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. - Matthew 5:39-40

Sometimes you can set a better example in poker by taking a loss gracefully, than by winning a huge pot or tournament.  This approach admittedly is not easy; our society promotes "getting even" a lot.  But if you do it the right way (perhaps by eliminating the cheating player with a big hand), you'll honor God more.

So feel free to spill to us here - what's the worst case of poker cheating you've ever seen, and how did it happen?

All the Wrong Reasons

One reason why some people condemn poker is because other people do strange things when they play.  In fact, they sometimes do illegal and disgusting things.

One case currently in a British court is a sad example of this. A couple is accused of persuading schoolchildren to play "strip poker" after getting them drunk.  The charges grow worse from there.

We've never played strip poker, and don't really want to do it. (That's OK - you don't need to e-mail us the rules.) It takes a good card game and turns it into a perversion.  So we can understand why there's a law in Britain against enticing children to play it.  And an old "law book" tells us....

We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious.... for adulterers and perverts.... - I Timothy 1:9-10

The accused couple is innocent until proven guilty in court.  But it's easy to point fingers at them for what they might have done -- until we stop and think a second.  Who has not broken the law at some point?  Especially the holy law of God?

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

The author of I Timothy realized that in his own life:

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. - I Timothy 1:15

So is Paul the author a lost cause?  Not at all.  Jesus staged a dramatic intervention in his life (Acts 9), and Paul became a preacher and teacher of the ways of God.

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. - I Timothy 1:16

Do you feel like the worst sinner ever -- perhaps of something you've done at a poker night?  Jesus helped Paul, and He can help you.  Turn to God, begin walking in law-abiding ways based on what His "law book" (the Bible) shows you, and amazing things can happen.

Czech or Bet

It's one of the classic poker questions. Is it a game of skill? Or simple luck? Or a combination of both?

This question has gone to courts of law more often than you might think. The latest ruling comes from a court in the Czech Republic. It ruled even poker tournaments (as opposed to cash games) are gambling, so organizers have to obtain state licenses:

The court argued that chance was a crucial factor in poker, making it gambling rather than a game.

We really can't deny that point -- and we don't think most experienced poker players would, either.  When tournaments get late, blinds are high and players are scarce, the cards you're dealt matter a lot.

But we'd add life is full of chances and big decisions. The biggest risk you'll ever make does not involve the choice of a spouse, or even whether to go all-in with pocket Kings.  It's this....

Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out -- those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. - John 5:28-29

Jesus is talking about an upcoming time of judgment. How will He determine good from evil?  He answered that....

I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me will not be condemned.... the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. -- John 5:24-25

You can "hear" the words the Jesus said, by studying the Bible - especially the first four books of the New Testament, including John. Then believe them by putting them into practice.

We believe Jesus advised doing good things, not bad things. We have an article which attempts to sort them out. Which bet in life will you make?

By Any Means Necessary?

One of professional poker's biggest stars is defending his actions in a British courtroom right now.  Phil Ivey is being denied more than 12 million U.S. dollars by a casino, which claims he played a form of baccarat unfairly.

Ivey, as you might guess, denies he is a cheater.  Instead, he is an "advantage player" -- looking for anything that might give him an advantage over the house.  To quote a statement he made in court: "As a professional gambler, my job is to seek to lawfully reverse or reduce the perceived house edge...."

Isn't playing poker a bit like that -- especially when you're in a bad situation?  You might miss a straight or flush draw.  But you can still win a hand through "lawfully reversing" the situation -- perhaps with a big bluff bet, after everyone else checks.

We also think life is a good bit like that.  Whether you realize it or not, the "house" of this world tries to get an edge on all of us.

In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God., should shine unto them. - II Corinthians 4:4 (KJV)

Who is "the god of this world"?  This verse indicates it is not God the Father or Jesus Christ.  It must be someone or something else.  Note what Jesus said it is:

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire.  He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him.  When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. - John 8:44

Those are tough words -- but they're the words of our Lord.  He came to "lawfully reverse" that edge, by keeping the Law of God perfectly and giving His life for our sins.

.Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.... He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. - Galatians 3:13-14

To borrow from a radio sermon we once heard, God turned the tables.  You get an advantage over Satan by claiming Jesus as your Savior -- especially at the ultimate showdown, which we call death:

"Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?'.... But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - I Corinthians 15:55, 57

Try as you might, you can't defeat Satan and the devil's tactics on your own.  You need Jesus to claim the greatest win of all -- eternal life.  Will you put your faith in Him, to get the win?

The Great Debate

It's an issue probably as old as the game itself.  Is poker a game of simple luck - or is there skill involved?

The U.S. Supreme Court recently had a chance to settle that issue, at least in the eyes of the law.  But it did not.  The court turned down a case where a New York man had been convicted of running a "game of chance" in his business by hosting Texas Hold 'em games.  A federal judge sided with the business owner; an appeals court did not, saying state gambling laws include poker.

After playing poker for years, online and in person, we've concluded the answer to our question is not a simple either/or.  There's a bit of luck, in terms of right cards falling at the right times -- but there's also a measure of skill, in knowing how to play hands and when to make certain key moves.

If you think about it, that also can describe our lives in general.  For instance, a big tree could fall on top of your car while you're driving toward the poker room.  But if you see the tree moving out of the corner of your eye, you might be able to skillfully drive around its fall and escape damage.

In the same way, some people say God doesn't really control anything -- that our lives are simply the result of our own decisions and unexpected events.  They might actually quote a Bible verse to support that view:

I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all. - Ecclesiastes 9:11

We emphasized the last part of that verse, because that happens in poker on occasion.  Poker rooms  have "bad beat jackpots" for a reason.  It's possible for two players to hit "quads" (four of a kind) in the same hand.  Even the best-looking hands played in the best possible way sometimes can run into something better.

Yet the Bible says God "rules in the kingdoms of men" (Daniel 4:17, KJV).  Perhaps He is the one intervening in certain situations -- perhaps to bless people, or possibly to punish them:

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. - Proverbs 16:33

So what's a believer (or even a poker player) to do?  We think the answer lies in doing the best you can with what you have, based on what you know.

...The wise heart will know the proper time and procedure. For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man's misery weighs heavily upon him. - Ecclesiastes 8:5-6

The "wise" way may not always be the winning way.  But the Bible shows in the long run, it's the way that's best -- especially when that wisdom is based on the ways of God:

For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright.... - Proverbs 2:6-7

Paid Off At Last

Almost three years after the poker world's "Black Friday," some people who lost money when online sites were seized by the U.S. government finally are getting repaid.

The first distribution ordered by a judge involves more than 27,000 "customers" (interesting wording) of Full Tilt Poker.  We did the math, and found the average payout to them is about $2,764.  But apparently others who had money in Full Tilt's till still have not received refunds.

This struck us from the beginning as a questionable arrangement, in terms of legality.  The 2011 crackdown came when we were almost tempted to invest some money in it.  But it's always better to remember Biblical advice....

Abstain from all appearance of evil. - I Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV)

This is why we avoid cash games for real money, outside casinos.  We think most law enforcement agencies would consider them illegal -- and given a choice, we'd rather not go to jail.

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.  Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. - Matthew 10:16

Jesus went on to warn His disciples some people would plot to punish them, or even have them arrested (verses 17-22).  Arrests happened more than once after Jesus went to heaven -- but not for sinful conduct.

The disciples were punished essentially for preaching Jesus was the Christ (Acts 5:42).  May that be the only blemish on your record.

Payday Someday?

National League of Poker has a "Wild Wednesday" tournament every Wednesday night.  We won $35 there last Wednesday night.

Well, at least we thought we did.

Our InBox had a notice late today that the company behind NLOP filed for bankruptcy protection two weeks ago.  The only article we can find online on this matter warns people who won money recently "are unlikely to be paid unless an investment knight in shining armor can be found."

But there's potential good news -- a notice we received today which was filed with Bankruptcy Court says, "The debtors intend to pay your claim in full."  A hearing on this plan is scheduled for March 20.

That's a potentially long wait for a little money.  And we need that money right now, because of our personal economic situation.  Please join us in praying all winners get the money they should have coming.

Skill Sets

We've been meaning to discuss an interesting court ruling about poker in New York.  It was mentioned Wednesday night on the public radio business-news program Marketplace -- where a federal judge recently ruled poker is a game of skill, more than luck or chance.

To quote from the ruling: "Expert poker players draw on an array of talents, including facility with numbers, knowledge of human psychology, and powers of observation and deception.... Players can use these skills to win, even if chance has not dealt them the better hand."

We didn't realize there's actually research to back up this judicial opinion.  Players considered "highly skilled" tend to make more money at the World Series of Poker than off-the-street amateurs.  Without paying for the research paper, we think this happens in part because skilled poker players know the mathematical odds for success with certain hands.

But what about those other two talents the judge mentioned?  A book ignored by many people has helpful advice about those.  For instance....

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

This Old Testament verse suggests to us it's good to be wary of what your opponents at a poker table might have.  In fact, you might learn a trick or two from how they handle a hand.

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

Jesus might put it this way today: Be smart in what you do -- but not so smart that you hurt others in the process.  Enjoy playing poker, but be sensitive enough toward opponents that you don't cause damage to them in some way (for example, with needless trash-talking).

Some poker players hope this federal ruling will open a door for some kind of federal law to legalize full-fledged online tournaments -- the games sites such as Full Tilt Poker ran before last year's Justice Department crackdown.  We personally think any change will depend on which party controls Congress after the November election.

Whatever happens in government, and wherever you happen to play poker, remember this: God someday will have a "payoff" based on the skills you have.  Read Matthew 25 for the details, told in parable form.  And if you have skills which help you at the table, use them well -- but use them honorably.

A Panel of Judges

We've mentioned our last live poker tournament had an interesting discussion of religious topics during a break. We don't recall now exactly how it happened, but the conversation at one point turned to judgment.


"Jesus will judge everyone someday," we pointed out.

A woman across the table didn't quite hear what we said -- but she heard enough. "I'm hearing you talk about judgment, and I'm not comfortable with that."

"We shouldn't judge," a woman to our right added.

Welllll -- hold on a second. Isn't that what top poker players do? All the time? The game is loaded with personal "judgment calls." For instance: should you fold pocket threes before the flop? Is your opponent bluffing by going all-in with three diamonds on the table, or does he really have a flush? How much should you bet,to keep an opponent in a hand you've already clinched and maximize your gains? You get the idea.

Consider what Jesus said about this concept....

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. - Matthew 7:1

Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment. - John 7:24

Many people have heard the first verse, and perhaps have memorized. But Jesus also said the second verse -- which tells us there's a time and place to make judgments, but also a time and place NOT to do so.

This was a big issue in our area tonight, as a convicted murderer faced the death penalty (it's still unsettled as we post this). Some people say the evidence was compelling that he killed a police officer; others say the evidence was flimsy and someone else committed the crime.

Under the U.S. system of government, someone indeed has to judge whether the suspect did it or not. Otherwise, criminals of all kinds would roam the streets freely and no one would be safe. And under God's way of doing things, Jesus will have the ultimate say in the future about whether we're ALL guilty -- guilty of sin, whether large or small.

It is appointed to all men once to die, and after this the judgment. - Hebrews 9:27, KJV

This judgment will truly be "all-in" -- into God's Kingdom, or away to face a "second death" described in Revelation 20. The good news is that (to borrow from blackjack) you can have "insurance." You can put your sins under the blood of Christ, by repenting of them and asking God for forgiveness in His name.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. - I John 1:9

So judge the relatively small matters of poker carefully. And remember the final Judge is coming - to determine whether you used sound judgment in everything else you did.

I'd Rather Be Good Than Lucky

In a long-anticipated ruling (ha!), a South Carolina judge has ruled Texas Hold 'em poker is a game of skill. It's not luck after all.

Agree?