Fortunate One?

You could win a fortune in the biggest poker tournaments. But some say you need fortunate breaks along the way to do it.

Did you know a famous book includes a reference to good fortune? We were reminded of that this weekend....

Leah's servant Zilpah bore Jacob a son. Then Leah said, "What good fortune!" So she named him Gad. - Genesis 30:10-11

We quote from the New International Version here - but other Bible translations explain this very differently. The King James Version has Leah saying, "A troop is coming!" Perhaps that's because the birth of this child was not really "fortune" or luck at all....

When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. - Genesis 29:31

God seemed to play games with the loves of Jacob's life, and even their servants (see 30:17, 19, 22). It was all God's plan, building a family with 12 famous tribes. Gad was one of them. But that does not mean you should claim membership in Gad to have success in poker.

But as for you who forsake the Lord and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you for the sword, and you will all bend down for the slaughter.... - Isaiah 65:11-12

"Fortune" is the same Hebrew word as in Genesis 30.

Put simply: trust God, not Gad. The true God blesses. False gods don't - and only get you in trouble with the true One.

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?

He Works Hard for the Money

It's a classic debate in the poker world, and even in government buildings: is poker a game of luck, skill - or both?

A recent book by a successful player and coach seems to have a surprising answer: both. While we have not read The Myth of Poker Talent by Alex Fitzgerald, the review we read today indicates he accepts the "luck" notion more than a lot of people.

But Fitzgerald goes on to argue that "talent" in poker is a myth because success is due to hard work and practice. Our response to that would be: is that a false choice? Can't practice and hard work on your game make someone talented?

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

We're reminded of the story of Kobe Bryant, who would take hundreds of extra basketball shots after practice. No doubt he had the basic skills. But he kept working on them diligently, to become one of the best athletes of his era.

Extra diligence in poker can teach things to apply in a tournament. That diligence can be as simple as watching weekly telecasts or playing pretend cash games online. But keep something else in mind....

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. - Psalm 127:1

Why would that work be "in vain?" We think it's because God has the final say over everything people do. You might think you have the greatest poker idea ever - but if God says no, He can stop it whether you like it or not.

Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. - II Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

Study what others are doing, in poker or other aspects of life - but make sure God approves of your conclusions. Away from the table, that can mean studying the Bible to make sure your will matches God's.

We welcome your comments and thoughts on this. How much of poker success is work? How much is simple and plain lucky cards? Whatever your view, may you take time to study what matter most - a proper walk with God, both in and out of poker rooms.

King-Queen Winners?

Can someone play poker and have a happy marriage at the same time? Some of the stories that make the news can make you wonder.

Courtesy FTVLive.com

The latest comes from New York, where poker pro Beth Shak has filed for divorce. She's been married to cable TV news reporter Rick Leventhal only ten months. But an attorney says "irreconcilable differences" have developed.

We're struck by what Shak said about meeting Leventhal:

"I’ve never been lucky in love, but meeting in him proved that my luck has changed...."

Disclaimer: We've never been married, so we won't pretend to be experts at this. But we'll go to a great guidebook on the topic, and ask: is love a matter of "luck" - or something more?

He who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord. - Proverbs 18:22 (NLT)

Both Shak and Leventhal will be ending their second marriages. Assuming "she who finds a husband" also receives favor from God, both of them found it twice. But we think finding it is one thing, while maintaining it is something else....

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.... - Ephesians 5:25

We don't know what sort of "differences" Leventhal and Shak have. But this verse says love is about giving - in this case, a husband going "all in" for his wife. How far did God and Jesus Christ go with that?

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

It's about going all in, even if the other party is sinning and doesn't deserve a thing. At a human level, that can take a lot of work and resolve - but that's what God's love is, and that's the example we're supposed to follow.

(In a few days, some Christians will recall that giving sacrifice by taking part in "Lord's Supper" services. Some call them Passover or communion services. This article may help you understand that better.)

Giving isn't something players at a poker table are supposed to do. Tournaments are won by collecting the most chips. But to show love in a marriage, somebody's got to give. It's even better if both do. May all married couples learn to do that - even to have a "love Shak."

Luck or Something Like It III

We've been going over an article our church pastor wrote several years ago about whether you should really give "luck" any credit for things going well or badly - in poker or anywhere else.

In our first post on this topic, we noted God provides "blessings" as opposed to luck. Now for a third time, we point to this part of the pastor's article:

When blessings come upon an individual, they typically are linked to physical and/or spiritual obedience and good works. God plainly tells us that blessings are a result of our actions.

But here's a problem with that statement. God not only provides blessings to whomever He pleases - He expects you to provide blessings, too. Here's proof:

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. - Romans 12:14

How often do you see that in a poker room? Especially in some tense cash game?

It's easy to trash-talk your opponent when he hits a two-out river card to win a big pot or stay alive in a tournament. Yet the proper approach in God's sight is the approach that isn't natural. It means biting your tongue, if that's what it takes.

But I tell you, Do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool.... - Matthew 5:34-35

Swearing and foul language can happen often at a poker table. God wants your response to borrow from a recent hit country song - be "humble and kind." (Which strangely comes from an album with an old-school "four-letter word" in its title.)

You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.... - Matthew 5:43-44

Jesus Christ offered this advice. Then He lived it....

When they hurled their threats at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. - I Peter 2:23

Can you do that - not only keeping quiet and calm during a poker tournament, but even offering blessings to opponents along the way? It might not be easy. But with the help of God's Holy Spirit, it can be done.

So we close by borrowing from a late preacher whose voice is still heard on radio. Instead of counting on something lucky to happen, "walk with the King today.... and be a blessing."

Luck, or Something Like It II

We're considering whether your success (or lack of it) in a poker room is the result of "luck." Recalling this segment from a article our Pastor wrote for a national religious publication five years ago....

When blessings come upon an individual, they typically are linked to physical and/or spiritual obedience and good works. God plainly tells us that blessings are a result of our actions.

Clearly smart and careful play can be "actions" which lead to a big stack of chips. But let's face it - there are times when other players simply give their chips away. They go "on tilt," go all in pre-flop and walk right into your pocket Aces.

Our point is that gifts are blessings, too - and God gives even better gifts:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9

We mentioned in our last post God sometimes gives blessings to everyone in an area. Salvation is a gift God wants to provide. The question is whether you'll accept it - or think something's fishy about it, and fold.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 6:23

Never dying? Now that's quite a gift! Yet the Bible also shows God doesn't really hand out that blessing to everyone right now....

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

Here's another "gift" - but in this case, as the Pastor wrote, it's "a result of our actions." And in this case, folding can be a good thing. We need to....

....Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. - Ezekiel 18:30b

Turn to God, to live a life free of offenses and sins. That action can indeed lead to blessings from Him - and luck truly will have nothing to do with them. We'll have one more thought from this article in a future post.

Luck, or Something Like it?

It's Friday, which will mean another poker tournament at the casino south of our town. We wonder if the crowd will be larger than usual, because of what day of the year it is.

Long before there was a band named "Green Day," there was St. Patrick's Day - when people (if you believe the stereotypes) are expected to wear green, drink green beer, eat corned beef and dance jigs. Some people have even associated the day with "good luck."

We found an article online five years ago that challenged that thinking - and went farther, to challenge the whole idea of "luck." We revisited that article this week at the suggestion of the author. That author now happens to be our church Pastor. Based on his reasoning....

Even giving credit to luck casually in our speech is a slight to God, who is the true source of all blessings.

This is why when others say, "Good luck, all in" during a poker tournament, we don't. And the reasoning about blessings goes back a long way....

The Lord had said to Abram.... "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing." - Genesis 12:1-2

God was (and is) the original blesser. But there's a problem here, because our Pastor's article also says:

When blessings come upon an individual, they typically are linked to physical and/or spiritual obedience and good works. God plainly tells us that blessings are a result of our actions.

We can say Abram (eventually renamed Abraham) was blessed for doing what God told him to do (Genesis 12:1, 4). But what did Abram do to be selected by God in the first place? Even that was a blessing from God - but the Bible doesn't provide any explanation.

Perhaps that moment was a-typical. But there's also this reminder:

....He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteousness. - Matthew 5:45

Whether you want a sunny day or need rain to end a drought, God sometimes blesses everybody - whether you're a believer or not. So if an atheist hits the poker jackpot, Christians really don't need to scratch their heads and wonder why. It could be that God has a bigger lesson to teach them.

We'll get back to this in a future post. But for now, we plan to skip the Friday casino tournament this week - not because of what the world calls the day, but because we're too busy to play right now. We hope you're not too busy to go over that article from 2012, and offer comments with your thoughts about it.

Poker Day 470: Royalty to the Rescue

We didn't recall seeing it there a week earlier, but Kansas Star Casino now has a "family bathroom." It's between a men's room and a women's room on the casino floor -- a casino floor you cannot enter unless you can prove you're 21.

We saw a "woman" come out of that restroom during a break in Friday's poker tournament, without a child. You're welcome to comment on that if you wish - but we went primarily for the poker:

BLINDS: 75/150

IN THE POCKET: K-Q offsuit

We've had ups and downs during the first hour of the tournament: we won a couple of pots, including one with pocket Aces we never showed, but we were burned in others. With the first break approaching, we're down to about 2,000 chips. (We misplaced our little note pad, so some of this is a guess.) We think someone raised to 300, so we call it.

ON THE FLOP: J-10-7

There's a lot of promise here, with an open-ended straight draw. I man across the table tries a bet of 500 (as best we remember). A man to his left calls - and we decide to take a stand. We call as well.

ON THE TURN: 9

Talk about an action card!  A man across the table bets 1,000. A man next to him goes all-in, for a bit more than we have.

"I'm all-in for 1,200," we announce.  The worst we can do at the moment is split the pot - but somehow we think that other man made his straight with an 8. The first player thinks it over, then calls.  He has two pair, so he's outgunned.

"I have an 8," the first player to push says.

We pause for a moment of study/drama.  "I'm higher than that," we then say as we turn over our cards - holding the best possible straight.

ON THE RIVER: 10

The board pairing changes nothing. We gain a near triple-up, returning to near the starting point in chips at 3,350.

We gained even more shortly after the break, when 5-8 in the Big Blind turned into two pair on the flop. Our high chip count was about 6,500. But then attempts for more big gains with A-8 and A-7 fell short against bold bettors. Those are cards we probably should have folded, playing tighter.

Finally we were down to 1,200 chips again - and seeing A-10, we pushed again. But another player called with pocket Kings, and no Aces came for us. On a day of improvement, we finished 24th out of 62 players.

MINISTRY MOMENT: There were improvements here as well. For instance, at one point the top prize in the tournament was $666.

"The devil's game," someone said.

"And in what book of the Bible will you find 6-6-6?" we asked a man to our right, turning it into a trivia question.

After a moment, he took a guess. "I think it's in Revelation..." Yes, he was correct:

This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666. - Revelation 13:18

"Do you read the Bible?" we asked the man. He indicated he did. We didn't ask what he's read lately. Perhaps we should have. And if we really wanted to press the issue, we could have mentioned this....

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. - James  1:22

It's amazing how many people apply this to "unlucky numbers," avoiding 666 -- but they don't often do that for other things in the Bible.

For instance, we challenge you to examine a list in I Corinthians 6:9-10 - a list of traits which will prevent people from inheriting the Kingdom of God. Might any of those apply to you?  We'll look at that list closely in an upcoming post.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 176 final tables in 470 games (37.4%) - 33 cashes. A busy schedule will keep us from playing at Yvie's Monday night. .

Right or Wrong? Part 5

We're concluding our meditations from a radio ministry's sermon on gambling.

6. Gambling transgresses the principle of work. The minister based this point on a couple of familiar Bible verses....

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. - Ephesians  4:28

It's tempting to joke poker players use "hands" all the time - from the first hand of the tournament on.

But seriously: if you've spent hours in a cash game or lasted deep into a tournament, have you felt a bit drained when it was over? Grinding things out hand-over-hand admittedly has felt like work to us at times. It's a different kind of work compared to road construction, of course. But the stress can be there -- along with the pressure to constantly make alert and proper decisions.

We'd again make a distinction between poker games and other forms of gambling, such as slot machines and dice tables. Poker normally takes more thought and care in making decisions.

7. Gambling transgresses the principle of providence. We turned this point from the preacher into a separate recent study on the Hebrew word "Gad," which means "fortune."  But we're led to ask: cannot one person's "providence" be another person's "luck"?

...Be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. - Matthew 5:45

To the believer, God can provide blessings (or great cards) at the right time and in the right way. To the non-believer, back-to-back pocket Aces are simply a case of a poker player defying long odds. It all boils down to your perspective - or as some politicians and ministers like to say, your "world view."

The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it. - Proverbs 10:22

If you're blessed with success at a poker tournament, look on it as the "blessing" it is - and give God thanks for it. But keep in mind....

A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. - Proverbs 28:20

8. Gambling places are surrounded by immorality - such as anger, drunkenness and crime.

We can see the preacher's point here. But sadly, the world is filled with immoral conduct - even in places which have no casinos or poker rooms at all.

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. - II Timothy 3:12-13

As we write this, the U.S. is reeling from violent crimes in place where people never expected it would happen - a women's clinic in Colorado Springs and a services center in San Bernardino, California. Let's be honest: sinful and immoral acts can happen anywhere. Some places simply hide it better than others.

Yet the early church flourished in immoral places. The apostle Paul oversaw a group in Corinth - a place known for wickedness and sin. Instead of casting it aside, God planted believers and allowed them to grow. We're just silly (or faith-filled enough) to think God can do that in a poker community as well.

We conclude our review of Adrian Rogers's message there. But your comments are welcome, if you'd like to keep the conversation going.

Gad or God? Part 2

Our last post focused on a three-letter Hebrew word: gad.  It looks like "God," but it's very different. It refers to luck or fortune - and the book of Isaiah shows if you put all your hope in those things, in a poker room or elsewhere, you're going to be disappointed.

So where should we put our hope? God challenges you to believe the Bible - and put it in Him.

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. - Psalm 62:5

But how do we do that?  Simply by saying a prayer?  Well, that's a good way to start....

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. - Romans 12:12

God needs to fill us with a proper hope:

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. - I Timothy 6:17

God can provide you with many blessings if you put your hope in Him. But again.... how?

Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. - I John 3:3

God wants the people who believe in Him to be pure. That means getting the sin out of our lives.

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. - II Corinthians 7:1

The goal is to be holy, and that's done by holy living....

So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. - Romans  7:12

Is this how you're living?  Have you gone all-in for God, instead of "gad?"  If not, go back to that first step. Admit to God in prayer you've gone in the wrong way, and ask for His help in turning toward holiness. Then examine your life, put out the things which are impure -- and have hope God will help you with the rest.
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Gad or God?

There probably aren't many poker players who watch or listen to religious programs. That's one reason why we do what we do.

It's almost inevitable that those programs sooner or later bring up the topic of gambling. We heard one recently on radio from a deceased Southern Baptist pastor, that admittedly made us do some serious thinking. We've linked to it for you to hear and consider, and we may analyze it here in a future post.

But here's one point from that message that was eye-opening for us:

But as for you who forsake the Lord and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny.... - Isaiah 65:11

Some people go to the poker table or casino hoping for the perfect cards to make a big gain. They hope to have "good fortune."  Or as the Contemporary English Version translates verse 11, they offer food and wine "to the gods you call 'Good Luck' and 'Fate'".

The Hebrew word for "fortune" in that verse is gad.  Veteran Bible students know that's also the name of one of Israel's 12 tribes....

Leah's servant Zilpah bore Jacob a son. Then Leah said, "What good fortune!" So she named him Gad. - Genesis 30:10-11

The problem with this child was that Jacob should have been receiving children from his wife.  (In fact, Leah was one of his two wives, but that's not our issue here.)  What Leah considered "really lucky" (CEV) actually was outside the will of God (Genesis 2:24).

So if you're putting your hopes simply on having good luck in a poker room, you're leaning on "gad" -- when you really should put your hope in God.  Because God says this of "gad"....

Your luck will end! I will see to it that you are slaughtered with swords. You refused to answer when I called out; you paid no attention to my instructions. Instead, you did what I hated, knowing it was wrong. - Isaiah 65:12 (CEV)

Does this verse describe you? Are you hoping for a lucky streak to turn around your life? God warns from the Bible that's the wrong approach - and he can punish it severely. It's better to lean on God. We'll explain how to do that in our next post.

Slots or Not

Not all "casinos" are created equal.  We learned this on our vacation, when we stopped at a small one along a U.S. highway in western Oklahoma.

The casino consisted of several rows of slot machines -- and little more.  We looked around, walked right back to the car and drove away.

But the next day, we cashed in a "birthday bonus" at a casino near our home.  We were awarded five dollars in free slot play.  We picked a machine somewhat at random -- and in only a couple of minutes, our five-dollar gift went away with winnings of only 95 cents.  That was enough for us.

Maybe we're wrong, but slot machines strike us as pure gambling.  It's all luck, with no skill or thinking involved.  We agree with the preachers who openly mourn the older people who drop dollar after dollar in this way.

Table games such as poker have a degree of luck, to be sure.  But many times, you have to think a little and consider your chances.  Exercising a bit of skill moves slightly toward fulfilling a proverb:

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished, but he that gathers by labor shall increase. - Proverbs 13:11 (KJV)

A different Bible translation puts the last part of the verse this way: "Money earned little by little will grow and grow."

That actually happened to us after our slot machine test.  We sat down at an Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em table, won three hands in a row and gained $35.  Then this happened:

BLINDS: $5/$5

IN THE POCKET: 4-6 offsuit

That doesn't look promising.  But as some poker players like to say, any two cards can win.  There's no penalty in checking, so we do.

ON THE FLOP: A-A-5

Not too thrilling for us.  Maybe a longshot straight or full house will come.  But we know better than to bet two times our blind on that.  We check again.

ON THE TURN/RIVER: A-3

A man to our right suddenly is excited.  Three Aces are on the table.  If we had plunked down five more dollars on the "trips" option, that would have earned us $15 -- enough to break even.  But we don't normally play trips at live tables (only online with pretend money), so we miss out.  We fold.

When that man's turn comes to show his cards, he displays a fourth Ace!  "Quads," the dealer announces to the pit boss.

That man truly has a reason to be excited.  Quads pays 30 to 1 on the "trips" button, and 10 to 1 on the blind.  He wins something in the neighborhood of $500.  We sat one seat away from a jackpot.

At that point, we have to leave to go home and run errands.  "Be sure to tithe on all that money," we tell the big winner.  He nods a bit as he smiles -- leaving us to wonder if he knows what that word means.

You people are robbing me, your God.  And, here you are, asking, "How are we robbing you?"  You are robbing me of the offerings and of the ten percent that belongs to me. - Malachi 3:8 (CEV)

A "tithe" is ten percent.  God has required that of believers since the days of ancient Israel.

I am the Lord All-Powerful, and I challenge you to put me to the test.  Bring the entire ten percent into the storehouse, so there will be food in my house.  Then I will open the windows of heaven and flood you with blessing after blessing. - Malachi 3:10 (CEV)

The "ice bucket challenge" is a fad of the moment.  God dares you to take the "ten percent challenge."  We give God a tenth of our poker winnings, through the church we attend.  Will you do the same, and claim His promise of abundant blessings?

The Humbling Game

Forbes magazine has posted a thought-provoking interview with pro poker legend Annie Duke.  There are lessons from it for business leaders, as well as poker players.  But there's also this interesting section:

I asked Duke if great poker players were humble. “Yes and no,” she replied. “They’re very humble in the face of the game. They know poker is an unsolvable game that they can never master. But they’re not humble in the face of their opponents.”

We've said for years poker is a game that keeps people humble - and Duke verifies that here.  You can have the nicest-looking pocket Aces in the world, yet someone with 3-2 of hearts can make a straight or a flush on the flop and beat you.  It's a reminder of these wise words:

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

Duke goes on to quote Phil Hellmuth: "If it weren’t for luck, I’d win every time.”  But luck can happen in poker - both for and against you.

The same thing can happen in life; we saw a news story this week of a driver who lost a tire on his car on the freeway - and it bounced over a center wall, hitting another driver and injuring him.

We've heard some ministers say a right relationship with Jesus can eliminate the "time and chance" part.  And perhaps that's where the other side of Duke's words about being humble kick in.  God actually wants us to be humble, even when opposition is staring across the table at us.

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

For some people, June is a "Pride Month."  We could cite verses about the sinful nature of homosexual lifestyles - but God opposes pride of any sort.

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. - James 4:6b

So when you face a challenge before the flop, how should you treat it?  Humbly.  Respectfully.  As you should when you're before God -- which, if you think about it, really is all the time.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. - James 4:10

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

Whose Luck Is It, Anyway?

Today is a day when many people think about Ireland.  Poker rooms could have green far beyond the felt on the tables -- and players might talk about having the "luck of the Irish."

But if you think about it, how lucky are the Irish?  Consider some examples:

• The Notre Dame "Fighting Irish" men's basketball team lost in the Big East Conference semifinals Friday night.  The football team went undefeated last season, but was trampled in the title tilt.
• Basketball's Boston Celtics (with the little man and the shamrock on their logo) won a lot of titles years ago - but only one since 1986.
• The country of Ireland had devastating and deadly famines during the 18th and 19th centuries.

We don't cite all this to demean Ireland or people of Irish ancestry.  Our point is that "luck" really has nothing to do with where you live, or who your ancestors were.

An article we found online analyzes the idea of luck, as it relates to Saint Patrick's Day.  It's a concept we've mentioned here several times, in considering the factors involved in winning at poker.  But that article includes a Bible passage we hadn't noticed before:

What will I, the Lord, do if any of you reject me and my holy mountain?  What will happen to you for offering food and wine to the gods you call "Good Luck" and "Fate"? - Isaiah 65:11 (CEV)

Luck isn't simply a Western concept, you know.  Perhaps you've eaten at restaurants with names such as "Lucky Buddha" -- as Chinese culture includes a god of luck.  But what does the Bible say will happen, if you present offerings to such things?

Your luck will end!  I will see to it that you are slaughtered with swords.... you did what I hated, knowing it was wrong. - Isaiah 65:12 (CEV)

God wants the people He created to look to Him for their needs, not false gods.

I, the Lord God, will give food and drink to my servants, and they will celebrate.... My servants will laugh and sing, but you will be sad and cry out in pain. - Isaiah 65:13-14 (CEV)

The last part of this chapter indicates these words will be fulfilled when Jesus comes back, to create "new heavens and a new earth" (verse 17).  Put your trust in the real God and follow the Bible's instructions, and you'll be there.  The alternative sounds more blood red than "emerald isle" green.

Poker Night 373: Welcome Wagon

"I've never seen you play before," the man with the big stack said to an opponent across the table.  That opponent had made a big bet in the second hour of action at Lil Kim's Cove.  But it wasn't his first one of the night.  There's a story to tell about that one....

BLINDS: 25/50

IN THE POCKET: Ace-Jack of diamonds

We sit in the Big Blind with a relatively big stack of chips -- as an "on-time bonus" plus a soda ballooned our starting total to 13,000.  We've made only a couple of small entries, and lost those to drop to 12,275.  Now no one at our full table has raised (a bit unusual for this group tonight), so we're tempted to do it.  But our instinct says check, and we do.

ON THE FLOP: 6d-8d-5c (not exactly sure about last card's suit)

We have a nice flush draw, so we check.  But the man we were talking about sits two seats to our left, and he's not waiting.  He bets 2,000.  Several players call.  And since we have a lot of chips at our disposal, we call as well.

ON THE TURN: Jh

This gives us top pair, but we're still a bit wary.  We check again -- and the man at our left increases the bet to 3,000.  That runs a few players away.  But strange as it may sound, we're growing in confidence about this.  And with a big stack for support, we dare to call again.  A woman sitting between us calls as well.

ON THE RIVER: 5d

This pairs the board, and admittedly opens the door for a full house.  But we think this flush card is the perfect fit -- and perfect for a trap play.  We check once more.  The woman checks.  And indeed, the big bettor offers 5,000.

"I'm all-in," we say as we pick up our chips and count them.  It's a raise to 7,225.

The woman at our immediate left now thinks out loud.  "You might have two pair.  You might have a flush."

We agree.  "I might have a lot of things."

The woman ponders it so long that other players have to provoke her to make a decision.  She folds.  She wasn't our target, anyway.

"I know he's got me beat," the big bettor mutters.  He's all set to limit his losses and fold.  But finally he decides, "I've got to see it."  He calls, and our punch line is ready.

"You can call me Planters, because I've got the nuts."

That draws a laugh from several players.  Our opponent turns over 8-6.  He had two pair on the flop, so it's no wonder he bet so much.  But a little stubbornness on our part paid off, and we claim a huge early pot in the 40,000-chip range.  With a smaller stack, it admittedly would have been a tougher decision.

We rode that big win for a long time, while quality cards became rare for us.  Deep in the second hour of play, only ten players remained -- and then it happened.  We had Q-J in the Big Blind.  No one raised pre-flop.  The flop showed Queen high -- and we went for it, going all-in with 16,000.  A man with an enormous stack called with J-10.  And (of course), 9-8 came to give him a winning straight on the river.

For the second live tournament in a row, we missed the final table by one skinny hand.  It's another tenth-place finish.

MINISTRY MOMENT: "A rusty nail is bad luck," a man said as he joined our table and noticed our card protector.

"It is?" we asked.  That was a new one to us.  (Curiously, an online check found a list suggesting exactly the opposite.)  But that's not why we brought it.

"A lot of people are talking about Jesus at this time of year," we explained.  "But this is why He came."  The man agreed with that, and affirmed his belief in Jesus.

We personally don't keep Christmas, and we've heard some people in our congregation claim religious "Christmas stories" usually leave Jesus in a manger without going farther.  That seems like an exaggeration.  But we need to remember at all times of year why Jesus was born....

Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.... Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say?  'Father, save me from this hour'?  No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour." - John 12:23, 27

The Lord is talking here about His upcoming death, which followed God the Father's master plan for saving humanity.

"I know that his command leads to eternal life.  So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say." - John 12:50

A few "songs of the season" actually address the purpose for Christ's coming.  This one with a contemporary beat actually makes the message seems timeless.  Consider the words -- and the full story about God coming to Earth.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 129 final tables in 373 nights (34.6%) - 20 cashes.  Turn this week's "tenths" into "ninths," and the percentage would be back above 35.

NATIONAL LEAGUE OF POKER TOTAL: Full tournaments - 275 point wins in 1,281 games (21.5%), 86 final tables, 10 wins, 11 cashes.  No-River Hold 'em - 21 point wins in 79 games (26.6%), 16 final tables, 1 cash/win.

We're counting our "in-the-money" finish in Sunday's weekly championship as a point win, even though no NLOP points were awarded.

POKER STARS.NET TOTAL: Pretend cash games - $92,378, up $2,620.  We topped $90,000 to stay (hopefully) Tuesday night, and currently sit at a record high!

The Old Numbers Game

Do you have a favorite poker hand?  We vaguely recall a tournament on TV where poker pros were polled -- and the most common answer was A-A.  That's no surprise; having two top cards before the flop makes you more likely to win hands and control the bidding.

Read through the Bible, and you might conclude God has some "favorites" as well.  For instance, consider today's date.  It's 12/12/12 -- and that number comes up often in Scripture:

• The patriarch Jacob (also called Israel) blessed 12 sons - which became "the 12 tribes of Israel" (Genesis 49).
• Jesus had 12 main apostles (Matthew 10:1) - a tradition continued after His resurrection (Acts 1:26).
• The "New Jerusalem" which is promised to come down from heaven to earth will have 12 gates, with 12 angels at the gates (Revelation 21:2, 12).
• Even the traditional Biblical calendar has 12 months more often than not (I Chronicles 27:1-15).

Some ministers search for deep meaning in frequently-mentioned Biblical numbers, and even prophetic signs.  For instance, they might describe 7 as "the number of completeness" or 40 as a number of "testing."  But does that make them "lucky numbers" which you should play to win?

Well, not so fast.  First of all, "12" isn't likely to help you in a poker room today.  Unless you interpret the Queen as a "12" - two steps above a 10 - or intentionally make a bet of 1,200 chips, that number probably won't come up at the table.  (Or are there variations of poker, using an Uno deck?)

In addition, we should note the calendar declaring today 12/12/12 is not based on God's schedule from the Old Testament.  It was created by a Pope in the 16th century.  And a proper relationship with God should be based on other things....

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator -- who is forever praised.  Amen. - Romans 1:25

God can make things work out, however the numbers come up.  (Come to think of it, how many hands have we won with a "demonic" 6-6-6?)  Instead, try this approach....

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)

Let Jesus Christ rule your life.  Anything else, even if it's Bible-based, can be superstition -- and can be about as successful as using your favorite golf ball as a card protector.

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.

What's Luck Got to Do With It?

Some online poker players attempt what we call "sumo poker."  They push all-in on the first hand.  And the next, if they win.  And the next.

They could have big cards.  They could have nothing, and are pulling a drop-dead bluff to scare everyone else away.  We don't recall seeing anyone ever win a tournament this way, but it's what some players do.

There's a strategy to this, we suppose -- but it doesn't strike us as much of one.  These players seem to put all their trust in the "luck of the draw," as the cards come out after the flop.

Some believers in God don't consider that a good or wise way to live.  The word "daredevil" has two parts, you know -- daring the devil to do you in.

Besides, the idea of "luck" may be a misnomer anyway.  We found this article online contending success in life is the result of many other factors.  Look it over and tell us: is "luck" simply an excuse word?

Poker Night 277: That Was Then

"It's hard to beat... lucky."  An ellipse was added to that sentence to replace a couple of expletives -- expletives uttered by a frustrated player tonight at Lil Kim's Cove.  One man at our table was hotter than Death Valley in July, turning all kinds of pocket cards into winning hands.  But as that man said at one point, "Any two cards are good before the flop."  The key is in waiting for the right cards to come....

BLINDS: 500/1,000

IN THE POCKET: 10-10

We've played patiently for more than an hour, and have absolutely no pots to show for it.  The chip stack has dropped slowly, and now we're dealing at a table of five with 3,500 chips left.  Mr. Small Blind already is all-in for his last 500.  So when players call to us, our decision is easy.

"I'm going all-in," we announce.  After all, remember all the pocket pairs which worked for us Monday night?  (But then again, 5-5 brought no help earlier at this table.)  Two of the remaining three players call -- a husband and wife, as it happens.  So we have three pots: a main one (1,500 for the small blind), Side Pot 1 (ours, worth 9,000 as best we figure) and Side Pot 2 between the couple.

ON THE FLOP: 2-2-Q

The wife checks.  "I'll check.  I have this pot won," the husband says.  Such big talk -- but he's the man who's been rolling.

ON THE TURN: 3

What happens when a married couple plays poker? Joint checking! (Tee hee.)

ON THE RIVER: 6

The couple checks again.

"I've got a boat," the big-talking husband says -- as he turns over Q-2!  He plays a marginal hand and hits the jackpot again.  He tops our tens to take us out.  And Mr. Small Blind never even bothers to show his cards -- then makes that quote about luck we mentioned above.

Final result: a tie for 17th place -- and a reminder that for all the talk by poker pros about the skill of the game, luck plays a big factor as well.

 MINISTRY MOMENT: "What's the battery for?" a man asked as we set an old nine-volt on the table to mark our spot before the game began tonight.  "Is it for good luck?!"

Nope.  "It's my card protector, and -- lucky battery!" we said with a laugh, knowing how silly that sounds; "It's a reminder to me that I receive power when the Holy Spirit comes."

We think this did as we should have expected -- throwing the questioner a real curve.  "Do you believe the Holy Spirit exists?" we asked to follow up.

"Yeah, I do," he said -- and then he explained the Holy Spirit connection to another man across the table.  He said he believed in that Spirit, too.  We'll have more to say about this moment in a future post.

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 102 final tables in 277 nights (36.8%) - 16 cashes.

NATIONAL LEAGUE OF POKER TOTAL: Full tournaments - 172 point wins in 758 games (22.7%), 59 final tables, 7 cashes.  UFC 3-card knockout - 3 point wins in 16 games, 2 final tables, 1 win.

We reached the final table in a 611-player "turbo tournament" earlier in the day.  There was an amazing ending to that game; look for it here Friday.

POKER STARS.NET TOTAL: Pretend cash games - $61,657, down $1,595.