Poker Night 330: Of Flush and Flesh

While one of our relatives played for millions of dollars in Las Vegas tonight (still in as we write this), we played in the poker tournament we could afford.  In fact, we saved a couple of dollars at Uptown Wings -- because another player generously paid for our soda.  So this really was free poker, and blessings seemed to keep coming....

BLINDS: 50/100

IN THE POCKET: J-10 of spades

We won a pot early in the game.  Now we have suited connectors at a table that's playing relatively on the quiet side.  We limp in, with no one raising.

ON THE FLOP: 4h-5s-8s

A flush draw looks nice to us.  The fact that everyone around the table checks is even better.  "That got all the way around?!" a surprised woman right before us in the order says.

ON THE TURN: 9s

Don't worry -- the checking wave won't get all the way around this time.  We not only make a flush, but we have an open-ended straight flush draw.  So when the checks come to us, we bet 500.  Several players fold in response, but a man across from us raises to 1,000.

The woman who was surprised says -- well, several of us thought she said "fold."  We call the raise to 1,000 and see....

ON THE RIVER: 8

But hold it -- the woman now objects.  She declares we called out of turn, and this card should not count.

"I thought you said fold," we explain.

"I said, 'Flushy flushy,'" the woman clarifies -- and she said a couple of other things as well, which we apparently never noticed.  But she still held her cards (something which happens often in local tournaments, even after folds).  Eventually she decides to call, and the 8 is placed back in the deck for a reshuffle.  That's OK, though; we have a second chance at that huge straight flush.

ON THE RIVER II: 5

Oh well -- when our turn comes, we'll bet anyway.  We offer 1,200.  A man to our left calls, while the woman folds.

"Flushy flushy," we repeat as we show our spades.

"That's good enough," the opponent says.  We wind up gaining several thousand chips -- but are reminded of how importance it is to double-check what other players say during a hand, especially when they're next to us in the order.

It was a night of big hands for us, but also big chances missed.  A lowly 2-5 in the Big Blind led to a winning straight.  A-J brought top two pair on the flop, which we converted into a gain of more than 4,000.  Yet we folded 10-10 after raising 500, when players around us decided to go all-in.  A man who did that with 7-4 was busted by a man who simply paid a pair of 3's.  And we folded K-K at the one-hour break with an Ace on the board and two players all-in -- only to find they both had pocket Queens.

We reached the second hour with 12,500 chips -- but the stack dropped from there.  The big push for us came at the semifinal table with A-Q.  It brought two pair on the flop -- but a man across from us wound up with a winning straight.  He took another player out along with us, and we finished tied for 14th place.

MINISTRY MOMENT: Uptown Wings has a full bar, but it's technically considered a restaurant.  That means no smoking is allowed under state law -- and the woman we misunderstood longed at one point for a smoke.

"It's better that way," we said.  "The air is clean."

"Who needs clean air?" she answered.  "It's just a bar."

"Wouldn't you rather have a clean bar than a dirty bar?"

"Naw -- I expect a dirty bar.  You obviously have never been to...." The woman then named a nightclub with a history of nude dancing.

"I never have been there," we admitted.  "And I never plan to."

Why do we draw this sort of boundary line?  Because the New Testament reminds us:

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. - I John 2:16 (NASB)

Why do clubs offer women (or for that matter "Chippendale" men) dancing in the nude?  In our day and age, it's not because of hot and humid summer weather.  It's designed to appeal to desires.and longings which need to be contained to a marriage relationship.

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. - II Corinthians 7:1 (NASB)

God made humans originally out of dust (Genesis 2:7).  But He wants a people which is clean in every way -- not muddied and defiled by sin.  People who spend all day sweating in the summer sun should be able to appreciate cleanliness.  Or do you really think "mud runs" are better?


UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 117 final tables in 330 nights (35.45%) - 19 cashes.