We patted our pockets, then gave a surprising answer. "I don't know."
The problem was that our wallet was not in either pocket. Had we forgotten it somehow?
We quickly retraced our steps, starting in the poker room - and that's where our short search ended.
"I thought you might be looking for that," a man said as we spotted our wallet on top of our chip stack, during the first tournament break. Apparently it dropped out of our pocket at some point.
We thanked the man for his good dead - then added: "It's nice to see there's some honesty in poker."
Poker, of course, is a game known for bluffing. We've done it a few times to "steal" pots from other players. But after almost nine years of playing live poker, in six U.S. states, one Canadian province and aboard one cruise ship, we've learned something which might surprise you: the vast majority of poker players are ethical people. The "stealing" starts and stops at the table.
For the Lord your God detests.... anyone who deals dishonestly. - Deuteronomy 25:16
The context of this verse involves weights and measures. But we think this verse is more than a warning to business owners and farmers' markets. God wants us to be honest in all that we do.
A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies. - Proverbs 12:17
Yes, we think that means speaking true words at the poker table. If an opponent asks probing questions about your hand, you can always keep your mouth shut or dodge the issue.
He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless. - Proverbs 2:7
We don't think this verse is a guarantee of wins in poker tournaments. We do think it's a promise of ultimate victory - advancing to eternal life with Jesus when He comes back to Earth. That will be a life you can't lose. And you might not need wallets to hold cash anymore, either.
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