Honor Among Thieves?

On Week 1, the winner was paid $150 -- and we're told the business was packed. One Week 2, the promise was $150 -- but the winner only received $50. Last Thursday night was Week 3 -- and the business hosting a poker tournament did well to fill only three tables with players.

The business hosting the event reportedly explained the payout was reduced because of a lack of bar sales. But at least one player last week told us if an owner promises one thing but does another, it's a sure way to lose customers.

As we heard this, several thoughts went through our mind -- especially the irony of it all. Poker players apparently were revolting against a business owner who didn't keep his word. Yet many of those same players bluff during games to win pots. And some of them probably have told lies about their hands, to throw opponents off the track!

This is a classic case of poker players telling a business owner: "Do as I say, not as I do." But the Bible shows ethical conduct should be displayed, not simply discussed....

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. -- Proverbs 14:8

"But it's part of the game!" some people may respond. Yes, bluffing is a part of poker -- such as a big bet to run opponents off pots. But strange as it may sound, there's a godly and ungodly way to bluff. If you're lying with your words in the process, we don't consider that godly.

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

Every careless word? Yes, that's what Jesus said. That's a high bar -- whether you're at the poker table, or offering a set prize to the tournament champion.

Yes, we think businesses which promise a certain amount to the winner should be true to their word and pay it. But people who point fingers at the businesses which don't do that should look in the mirror first. What sort of ethical example are you setting?

Poker Night 196: The Unhappy Hookah

For three years, it's been our Thursday night to walk across the street from our home to Lil Kim's Cove for poker. But that changed tonight -- as we visited another Columbus location offering an even larger poker prize.

Hookahmeup is a downtown "hookah" lounge (please note the spelling), which awards $150 to the tournament winner. In only its second week of action, enough players showed up tonight to fill five tables. Perhaps as a result, not enough quality cards were passed our way. And when they came.... well....

BLINDS: 100/200

IN THE POCKET: Q of clubs - J of spades (those suits might be reversed)

It's been a grim evening for us, beginning with a saddening phone call shortly before we left for the tournament. Very few hands have been worth our trouble. But these cards are high, so things could be different. We join several players in calling.

ON THE FLOP: Jh-10h-3d

Aha -- top pair! We're first in line to bet, so lead for 400. Several players fold, but a woman across from us does not.

ON THE TURN: 7h

Three hearts are now showing, but we decide to keep up the aggression. We bet 500, but the woman calls again.

ON THE RIVER: 8h

Uh-oh -- a fourth heart. Now we have to check. The woman does as we feared, and bets 500.

"I don't have a heart," we admit as we fold. Sure enough, the woman does. In fact, she shows the nine of hearts for a straight flush!

We split a pot later in the evening, but nothing else worked out for us. We wound up pushing with K-Q of hearts, only to lose to a 3-7 straight and finish in 22nd place.

MINISTRY MOMENT: "Have you served in the military?" a man to our left asked during the game.

"No," we answered -- then realized a moment had come. "This is who I'm a soldier for," we said as we handed over a "Jesus as your Savior" coin. It made the man smile -- but when we asked if he agreed with the message, his response was noncommittal. Maybe he'll think about it; we'll certainly pray about it.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 83 final tables in 196 nights (42.3%) - 15 cashes.

NATIONAL LEAGUE OF POKER TOTAL: Full tournaments - 77 point wins in 421 games (18.3%), 32 final tables, 2 cashes.

Wednesday night was a very late night for us - as we played in a tournament with 842 players, and made it to the final table! After more than three hours, we were eliminated in fifth place. That would have earned money in an afternoon game, but only the top four were paid in the late-night game.

POKER STARS.NET TOTAL: Pretend cash games - $16,299, up $40.