We've just come from a Yahoo poker table, where a player threw a 17-minute hissyfit. He refused to play and apparently kept clicking the "thinking" button, because he felt another player was too slow. That other player refused to accommodate him, by leaving the table.
The table's host was away "feeding dogs," as he wrote on his return. And he couldn't boot Mr. Freeze, because a countdown clock wasn't running.
We sat waiting pre-flop with pocket 10's. So after plugging this blog via chat, we decided to make Mr. Freeze think a bit. Here's what we wrote:
"Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud or rude. Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do."
"And where did you get that fragging trash?" Mr. Freeze replied.
"I Corinthians 13, of the Bible," we answered. (verses 4-5, CEV)
"Oh." The man whom some might consider rude and selfish paused for a moment.
"Can I be saved?"
"Yes," we answered.
He didn't ask how. And a few minutes later, when the object of his freeze left, he quit the table as well.
Our pocket 10's won a pretend nine-dollar pot, but perhaps we accomplished much more. And oh yes, you can be saved as well. We'll be glad to tell you how; simply e-mail us for information.
Showing posts with label Corinthians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Corinthians. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Read 'em and Weep
We asked how some players at the Heads-Up Poker Championship seem to know other players' hands so well. They seem to have a gift we're admittedly still learning in live tournaments -- the skill to read an opponent.
Some new players are like that old character on The Electric Company: "Easy Reader." Their words or actions can give away what sort of hand they have. But veterans can be masters of disguise, hiding their strategy behind everything from sunglasses to hooded sweatshirts.
There's a Biblical term that can apply to the art of reading someone: discernment. Take Proverbs 28:11 for an example. "A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him." In poker, we might say you see through the big-stacked players who try to bully their way to pots with big bets.
I Corinthians 2:14 says the things of God are "spiritually discerned." People without the Holy Spirit probably don't grasp them, and certainly do not accept them. People with the Holy Spirit do.
So what about you? Are you a good reader of poker players? When all is said and done, that won't matter. Reading the mind and heart of God does matter. If you're struggling with that, ask God for help.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." - James 1:5.
Some new players are like that old character on The Electric Company: "Easy Reader." Their words or actions can give away what sort of hand they have. But veterans can be masters of disguise, hiding their strategy behind everything from sunglasses to hooded sweatshirts.
There's a Biblical term that can apply to the art of reading someone: discernment. Take Proverbs 28:11 for an example. "A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him." In poker, we might say you see through the big-stacked players who try to bully their way to pots with big bets.
I Corinthians 2:14 says the things of God are "spiritually discerned." People without the Holy Spirit probably don't grasp them, and certainly do not accept them. People with the Holy Spirit do.
So what about you? Are you a good reader of poker players? When all is said and done, that won't matter. Reading the mind and heart of God does matter. If you're struggling with that, ask God for help.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." - James 1:5.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Heads-Up Week 1: When Moses Met Jesus
"He's known as Jesus. I'm Moses." So comedian Gabe Kaplan declared Sunday, on the opening week of NBC National Heads-Up Poker action.
And in what some might call an upset, Moses prevailed -- eliminating defending champion Chris "Jesus" Ferguson. And of all the days for NBC to show this: the middle of "Passover season" for Jews, and resurrection Sunday for many Christians.
Both names are Biblical figures, of course. But did you realize Moses isn't listed in the genealogy of Jesus?
Moses came from the tribe of Levi, according to Exodus 2. But Jesus came from a different tribe of Israel -- the tribe of Judah (Mt. 1:2-16).
Some religious groups have debated for centuries which line is better. But if Moses was alive today, we think he'd tell you Jesus is superior.
I Corinthians 10:2 says the Israelites "were all baptized into Moses" as they came out of Egypt. But they had a "spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ" (verse 4).
Moses won at the table today, but ultimately he can't save you. Jesus can. Which one is YOUR rock?
And in what some might call an upset, Moses prevailed -- eliminating defending champion Chris "Jesus" Ferguson. And of all the days for NBC to show this: the middle of "Passover season" for Jews, and resurrection Sunday for many Christians.
Both names are Biblical figures, of course. But did you realize Moses isn't listed in the genealogy of Jesus?
Moses came from the tribe of Levi, according to Exodus 2. But Jesus came from a different tribe of Israel -- the tribe of Judah (Mt. 1:2-16).
Some religious groups have debated for centuries which line is better. But if Moses was alive today, we think he'd tell you Jesus is superior.
I Corinthians 10:2 says the Israelites "were all baptized into Moses" as they came out of Egypt. But they had a "spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ" (verse 4).
Moses won at the table today, but ultimately he can't save you. Jesus can. Which one is YOUR rock?
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Remember as you play....
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." (I Cor. 13:4)
There's good advice for temperament at a poker table in the verses that follow, but we'll focus on this one.
If the person blowing cigarette smoke in your face across the table has a big chip stack and a mouth to match, take him/her on the right way. Be patient, wait for a good hand -- then try to make the most of it.
Shut up a boastful player by politely taking a big pot, and you might find other players at the table thanking you.
There's good advice for temperament at a poker table in the verses that follow, but we'll focus on this one.
If the person blowing cigarette smoke in your face across the table has a big chip stack and a mouth to match, take him/her on the right way. Be patient, wait for a good hand -- then try to make the most of it.
Shut up a boastful player by politely taking a big pot, and you might find other players at the table thanking you.
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