False Alarms, True Sense

Our last post mentioned the moment of fear we had driving to a poker night. A tire warning light started flashing as we crossed a high bridge. The last thing we wanted was a flat tire there - especially on a cold winter evening.

Thankfully, a tire store was still open on the other side of the bridge. There we learned a flashing light really means a "sensor battery" to monitor the tire had failed - not the tire itself. So we could drive on to the poker room with that knowledge.

Have you ever faced something liked that, when playing poker? You sense trouble in the middle of a hand - perhaps by how an opponent is betting or a "tell" you're perceiving. It could be right. Or you may discover it was all a bluff, to scare you out of a big win.

Some people say you should run at the first sign of danger. Others say you should "curse the torpedoes - full speed ahead." We consulted a famous book filled with wisdom for the best approach you should take....

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have.... pierced themselves with many sorrows.... man of God, so run from all these evil things.... - I Timothy 6:10-11 (NLT)

This is interesting - if your "spidey sense" (to borrow from an old cartoon) indicates trouble, you should check yourself. Why would you plow on? Because you're greedy for a big pot, or want to get even with someone for an earlier pot? If that's the motive, the Bible recommends running the other way.

Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts... - II Timothy 2:22 (NLT)

(For some people, this could mean not playing poker at all - but that's not really our topic here.)

But you may be convinced that moving forward is the right thing to do. (For instance, it's easy when you have a nut flush.) If so, move ahead:

And the Lord said to Moses, "Why do you cry to me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward...." - Exodus 14:15 (NKJV)

At this point, God was intervening to pull a nation out of Egypt - even splitting the Red Sea in two to do it (verses 21-30). He can back your wise decisions as well. He can even come to your rescue when a decision appears wrong; we've seen this happen in tournaments more than once.

In the case of our warning light, we stopped for advice from an expert. Obviously, that's not allowed in the middle of a poker hand - but we've seen blackjack dealers offer some from time to time. And after a hand or tournament, it's worth pursuing....

The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. - Psalm 37:30 (NLT)

So feel free to comment - what was the biggest moment you've ever had in poker where your sense of trouble was right, and you had a "great lay-down"? Or even a bad one?

The Big Folder

We've been studying through one of the more complex books of the Bible lately. If you read carefully, you might come across a few apparent references to poker. For instance:

The fool folds his hands and ruins himself. - Ecclesiastes 4:5

A poker player looking for some "inspiration" might stumble across that verse, and resolve to play every hand during his next trip to the table. But we've seen plenty of players wind up in ruins taking that approach, too.

Verses like this are why we believe you should read the Bible carefully. This is not about poker at all - at least not directly. Consider the verses around it....

And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless.... Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. - Ecclesiastes 4:4, 6

The context here involves the work we do. Some people make a living playing poker, of course. Whether you do that or not, what is your motive behind the work you do? Verse 4 indicates some people act based on jealous envy of the success of others. That's a dangerous approach to take....

For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts.... greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy.... All these evils come from inside and make a man "unclean." - Mark 7:21-23

Jesus Christ said those words - declaring greed and envy "evil." But our main verse is in contrast to that. Someone who "folds his hands" and doesn't work at all will wind up in ruin.

Verse 6 shows the more balanced why of thinking. Earn a modest living peacefully, instead of overworking with a greedy intent. To borrow an old Rush Limbaugh phrase, going for it all can lead to a loss - in this case, loss of relationships and sound-minded priorities.

Hmmm - come to think of it, maybe there are poker lessons here. Play hands and games with a tranquil, peaceful state of mind, instead of a "get-even" philosophy. And don't overdo things, as you strive for success. After all, we've played long enough to know that sometimes a "fold" can be the best play of all.

Naming Names

People around our poker tables are speaking well of the new poker-themed movie Molly's Game. It's based on a true story - the sort of story federal prosecutors in Kansas still are writing.

Courtesy KWCH.com

An FBI investigation we first mentioned 11 months ago now has led to indictments in our area. A former state trooper is accused of lying about his involvement in an illegal "home game". Two former police officers are charged with obstructing law enforcement. One man already has pleaded guilty to "operating an illegal gambling business."

The scene of the alleged crimes is described as a place with video surveillance equipment (to spot cheaters, or thieves?), hired poker dealers and a server who provided massages.

While all the suspects are innocent until proven guilty, you'd think the three law officers would have known better. Simply playing such a game was "cheating the system." And the Bible warns against such things....

"Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king," says the Lord Almighty, "and my name is to be feared among the nations." - Malachi 1:14

OK, animal sacrifices have nothing to do with our story. But take that part out, and these words remain:

"Cursed is the cheat... For I am a great king," says the Lord Almighty, "and my name is to be feared among the nations."

If you break the laws of man, you risk being broken by them. If you break God's law, you should be fearful - because you risk His judgment as well.

Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers. Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?.... - I Corinthians 6:8-9

A lengthy, potentially controversial list of "wicked" traits follows - including "thieves" and "the greedy" (verse 10). We get the feeling from the indictment that this home game was for much more than pennies or M&M's.

We've said it before and we'll say it again: if you're going to play poker, do it legally. There are many ways to do it - online or in freeroll events, if you want to avoid casinos.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. - I Thessalonians 5:21-22 (KJV)

You might not win as much money, but it still will be every bit as fun and exciting (see our most recent post for an example of that). Hopefully you'll leave not only with a clean conscience, but a clean record before God.

The Folks at the Rail

In a recent post we brought up a thought-provoking list of "dont's." If you think the rules in a casino are stiff, consider these....

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. - I Corinthians 6:9-10

Some of the items on this list may seem outdated and offensive, but they're still in the Bible. And you might encounter some of them the next time you enter a poker room. In fact, you might even see them in the mirror before you go in.

For instance, if you're fixated on getting rich playing poker, you could be an idolater:

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. - I Timothy 6:10

Stay too long in a cash game, and you could lose every penny you have. Stick around too long after making a nice game, and you could qualify for the "greedy" part of that list. Lie about how you're playing, and you could be swindling people out of pots as well -- not to mention disqualifying yourself from God's future Kingdom.

Yet if this describes you, the news is not completely bleak. You don't have to head to the rail and watch the rest of your life as a loser. Go back to that list in the Bible, and read one verse beyond it....

And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. - I Corinthians 6:11

The apostle Paul wrote these words to a church group which had come out of wickedness. The members did it by turning to Jesus:

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

Repentance means turning around from one way of life to another. Pray for God's help in doing it, and He'll not only forgive you - He'll start a process which leads to the Holy Spirit helping you walk in the opposite direction. It might mean giving up poker as you know it. But knowing God and Jesus Christ - potentially for eternity in God's Kingdom - is a lot better.

Funeral for a Poker Friend, Part 2

We return to the funeral we attended this past week for fellow poker player "Bobby."  He died in a car crash 13 November.

The short message by a church deacon (we think Bobby's grandson) included these words to the grieving family: "Robert knows a lot more about giving and taking -- and hoarding! - now than he did last Friday morning."

Was this a reference to Bobby's poker habit?  We didn't ask afterward, so we don't know. But let's face it - the object of the game in poker is to hoard. The tournament is won by the player who takes everyone else's chips. But there are other games that work that way; Monopoly and checkers come to mind.

Hopefully Bobby was able to detach that poker objective from the rest of his life. It's something we all should do:

People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell. - Proverbs 11:26

If you're rounding up items for a time of trouble that you know is coming, that seems wise. But will you be willing to share those items when the trouble comes? That shows what kind of a loving heart you have - as Joseph showed when he knew seven years of plenty would be followed by a famine (Genesis 41).

But wait a minute - the deacon claimed Robert knows a lot more about these things now.  We realize this may step on some religious toes, but that's not what the Bible says.

For the living know that they shall died, but the dead know nothing.... for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. - Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10

These words were written by King Solomon, one of the wisest men of his time. These are words of the Bible, the "word of truth" (John 17:17).  He said dead people "know nothing."

But the deacon also claimed we're on a transition "from life to life" - where death perhaps is only instantaneous, and we pass into the next life immediately.  That's also not what the Bible says.

For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said, "The Lord said to my Lord: 'Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.'" - Acts 2:34-35 (NLT)

King David talked of Jesus's resurrection (verse 32) - not his own. That's coming someday, but hasn't happened yet.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, and the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. - I Thessalonians 4:16

David will go up when Jesus Christ comes down - and not until. If Bobby was judged to be among "the dead in Christ," he'll go up then as well.

In the meantime, we all should walk in a way so that we'll be considered "the dead in Christ." Learn Jesus's ways now, and practice them daily. You may indeed understand them a lot more after you die - but that will be the start of living with Jesus in God's Kingdom forever.

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?

The Lonely Old Man at the End of the Bar

The first two parts of our road trip had gone well.  We attended a memorial concert for a college music instructor, then took spring cleaning to one of the very few places in our area which accepts styrofoam for recycling.  But then....

Hollywood Casino was only a few exits up the highway from the recycling point.  So we dreamed of making quick money playing poker there, even on a Wednesday morning.  The casino was a largely-empty place, with only one full-looking table active in the poker room.

So we sat down at the slot-style Texas Hold 'em machine where we'd won money several weeks before.  But alas, not many good cards showed up for us -- and only in one hand did we hit a successful-looking flop.  In this heads-up format, our $50 investment evaporated to nothing in only a few minutes.

As we drank a free consolation soda before leaving, we pondered why we'd done this.  Money to pay for the trip would have been nice.  But there was no engagement with anyone, no moment of interaction about the gospel or the things of Christ.  We'd simply drained our wallet quietly, then walked out as quietly as we walked in.

This isn't really why we started playing poker several years ago.  Instead of using it as a tool for evangelizing, we'd become simply another small-scale gambling junkie.  We only visited casinos on occasion and with a set limit on losses, but we still were not being the sort of light Jesus wants believers to be.

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

We've visited casinos more in the last 12 months than we ever have before.  There have been moments of success - but more often times of loss and defeat.  The lesson for us is clear: resist the urge to stop and play, unless we don't mind throwing money away.

It is true that anyone who desires to be a church official wants to be something worthwhile.  That's why officials must have a good reputation.... They must be self-controlled, sensible, well-behaved.... they must be kind and gentle and not love money. - I Timothy 3:1-3 (CEV)

We do not hold an official title in the church group we attend.  Yet a similar standard should apply to us.  We shouldn't be "greedy of filthy lucre," as the King James puts verse 3. We should realize the chances of losing money in casino games, instead of drifting toward expensive habits.

Our apologies for making this post a confessional.  But as we mark one year in our new home this week, we think it's important to share some of the lessons we've learned from playing poker more often for real stakes.

Not everything has been bad (an upcoming post will get into that).  But as the annual "Lord's Supper" service approaches for us, we see a need to shake ourselves away from the trend we've been on with poker.  What about you?  What is your experience - past or present?

Big Bucks and the Big House

There are all sorts of ways to play poker these days -- online in tournaments, in person at local club nights or cash games in casinos.  All sorts of legal ways, we should say.

Yet sadly, the poker news this weekend is dominated by a couple of illegal games.  Guilty pleas in New York City and a police bust in Virginia indicate the legal version may not be enough for some people.

What drives people to that sort of activity -- to think they have to play high-stakes cash games for bigger bucks?  The Bible offers one possible answer:

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.  Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. - I Timothy 6:10

.Human nature tends to be a selfish, greedy thing.  People who win a little hope to win a lot.  People who win a lot dream of pressing their luck to win a lot more.  It's hard to do what some beer ads advise -- and "know when to say when."  And sometimes as a result....

A greedy man brings trouble to his family.... - Proverbs 15:27a

What we need to learn instead is the opposite of greediness.  Is that doing without, or going bankrupt?  Not at all.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. - Philippians 4:12

Did you catch the key word?  It's being content - which dictionaries define as being satisfied with what you have.

If you risk bringing ruin on your household to get a fancier sports car or vacation house, is that really a good tradeoff?  Isn't it better to "count your blessings," as an old song says, and thank God for what He's provided you?  It's certainly better than risking a free trip to jail.

What (or Who) Counts Most

We started this poker ministry blog in 2008 with big dreams, but admittedly small expectations.  Little did we know there are other Christians with similar ideas, seemingly accomplishing much more.

 

We learned this weekend about a documentary called Holy Rollers, featuring a team of "card-counting Christians."  The group of young men includes at least one church pastor, and their mission appears to be entering casinos and winning massive sums of money at blackjack tables (they succeed often because they can count the cards in the shoe).

 

All we've seen of this film is the trailer -- and just as you can't judge a book by its cover, we realize you can't judge a movie by a three-minute promotional clip.  But based on the trailer and a couple of online reviews, we'll take a stab at "judging righteous judgment" (John 7:24) and making a few tentative conclusions.

 

1.  One review says the "Church Team" tithes on its casino winnings.  That's a proper Biblical thing to do.

 

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.  Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." - Malachi 3:10

 

The concept of tithing goes all the way back to Abram in Genesis 14 -- giving a tenth of your "spoil" or winnings to God.  If it's considered income, we count it.

 

2. The Church Team gets giddy at times about the massive amounts of money it "liberates" from casinos.  But is that the team's top priority -- and should it be?

Paul warned ministers should have their priorities in order:

 

It is true that anyone who desires to be a church official wants to be something worthwhile.  That's why officials must have a good reputation.... They must be self-controlled, sensible, well-behaved.... kind and gentle and not love money. - I Timothy 3:1-3, CEV

 

We might make hundreds of dollars in a poker room -- but when the game is over, we personally feel guilty if we haven't done the "ministry" part.  And connected to that....

 

3. The documentary shows a baptism (of whom we're not sure) -- but is this "Church Team" doing any witnessing to people inside the casinos?

It's one thing to take thousands of dollars out the door.  But it's another to leave something behind -- at least some kind of gospel message for the casino staff or players to consider.

 

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead.... I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage -- with great patience and careful instruction. - II Timothy 4:1-2

 

Perhaps the Church Team does this when it's confronted by casino security workers.  But talking too much about Jesus at a blackjack table probably would "blow their cover," and perhaps distract them from the card count.

 

What thoughts come to your mind, when it comes to this topic and this documentary?  Leave them in our comments section, and we may address them in upcoming posts.

Sunday Rewind: Know It, Show It

We helped a woman at the Thursday night poker tournament with a Bible verse about rich men. Then she admitted how she'd already spent the "riches" she earned from finishing first -- on alcohol.

The Bible passage quoted Jesus as saying it's hard for a rich man to enter God's Kingdom. But we intentionally stopped before giving the rest of the story....

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." -- Matthew 19:25-26

How can a wealthy person enter God's Kingdom? For that matter, how can you? Jesus offers the answer moments before, while talking with a man commonly called a "rich young ruler."

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. -- 19:21-22

The young ruler told Jesus he was keeping the commandments (verses 17-20), but the Lord called for more. He called on the ruler to give to others -- a way based on love instead of hoarding, or give instead of get.

Some wealthy people in our society attempt to practice this; the Gates Foundation comes to mind. Even some professional poker players do that, by playing in tournaments for charity.

But here's the thing which might baffle some people. The woman was complaining about an opponent being greedy with the prize money -- when the object of a poker tournament is to "greedily" collect everyone else's chips!

We think the key is in drawing boundary lines -- knowing when the game ends and the reality of living begins. Professional athletes have to draw that line, yet we sometimes hear of players blurring the lines and getting in trouble with the law. Even poker players need to be careful.

But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. -- James 1:14-15

There's one more aspect of the woman's story we have yet to address. It also involves boundary lines. Stay tuned for another post about that.

Poker Night 204: Minor 49'er

Our poker day began with a very nice result -- eighth place out of 604 players in an online tournament. (If only the payouts hadn't stopped at fifth!) And tonight began well at Lil Kim's Cove, as we dealt ourselves A-A to start the tournament and won two early pots. Then this test came....

BLINDS: 25/50

IN THE POCKET: 4-9 of diamonds

The early gains have us overflowing with more than 13,000 chips. So for a measly 50, suited cards are worth a whirl. We join several players in the hand.

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

There's plenty of promise here -- top pair, plus a flush draw. So sitting in early position, we bet 350. But a man to our left doubles the bet to 700. We're not sure what he has, but we call.

ON THE TURN: 2s (unsure about suit, but not a diamond)

This doesn't change a thing for us, but now we "check to the raiser." He bets 700 again. But we have a big stack, and decide it's time to use it for a little serious warfare.

"Raise -- 2,000." The scare tactic doesn't work; he calls.

ON THE RIVER: 9h

Now we have three of a kind -- and if our opponent was betting big with the same flush draw we had, he missed. That's what we think happened, so we check in the hope of inducing a bluff we can call.

"Two-thousand again," he says. We feel confident and quickly make the call. "Three nines."

"I've got a boat," our opponent says. Huh?!?! Yes, he does -- showing 3-3. He led us in the hand from start to finish, and took us for close to 5,000 chips. (Not to mention a lot of our confidence.)

That loss cost us a lot of momentum, and only a split pot followed for us after that. We lasted into the second hour, then went for it all holding A-8 when an Ace came on the flop. But a man across from us made a full house on the river, and what started well ended meagerly in 18th place. We've now missed the final table at nine live tournaments in a row.

MINISTRY MOMENT: We defer tonight to a woman sitting at our right, who described how she finished first and won $50 at a tournament earlier in the week. She says she offered to "chop the pot" with her final opponent, but he declined.

"Then three hands in a row, I got Ace-Queen," she said. She went all-in three times -- finally persuading her opponent to call and lose. She hopes he learned a lesson about not being greedy. "If you make it that far at the final table, it's only right to chop it."

Then the champion thought of a Bible verse. "The Bible says it's harder for a rich man to...." She couldn't remember the rest, so we helped her finish the thought -- which comes from Jesus:

"I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." -- Matthew 19:23-24

But then the woman said something which topped it all. "I didn't even break even on the night, because I'd spent more than 50 dollars on alcohol...." It was the principle of fair play she had in mind.

What are your thoughts about this story? We'll share ours in an upcoming post.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 83 final tables in 204 nights (40.7%) - 15 cashes.

NATIONAL LEAGUE OF POKER TOTAL: Full tournaments -- 85 point wins in 470 games (18.1%), 36 final tables, two cashes.

POKER STARS.NET TOTAL: Pretend cash games - $22,424, up $10. The next "Million-Dollar Challenge" freeroll tournament is this coming Sunday.