Take a Bow

Before play began at a live tournament the other night, a man to our left did something unusual.  He lowered his head toward us a couple of times, palms down toward the table.

Some people might have soaked in that moment of attention, and begged for more.  We didn't.  Instead we responded by saying, "I am not worthy, I am not worthy" -- the sort of phrase you'd expect the other man to say as he bowed.

Why did we say that?  Because we have nothing to deserve people bowing at our feet -- poker players or otherwise.  Besides, we remembered a similar case at the end of the Bible.

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things.  And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me.  But he said to me, "Do not do it!  I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book.  Worship God!" - Revelation 22:8-9

John had amazing visions in Revelation -- including the judgment throne of God and the lowering of the "new Jerusalem" from heaven to earth.  He was awe-struck, as probably anyone would be.

But this actually marked the second time in Revelation that John was corrected on his worshipful response toward an angel....

At this I fell at his feet to worship him.  But he said to me, "Do not do it!  I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus.  Worship God!  For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. - Revelation 19:10

If we're not supposed to worship angels, why should anyone even think to worship humans?  Yet it happens throughout our world.  The World Series of Poker which began this past week is likely to provide new champions and "stars" that other players will want to emulate.  But there's only One who's truly worthy of our worship.

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. - Psalms 95:6-7

Christians are simply ordinary people who have come to see their need for an extraordinary God and Savior -- and who live their lives praising and worshiping Him.

King Pius Won

It took about six hours of heads-up play lasting until after midnight in Las Vegas, but Pius Heinz of Germany won the World Series of Poker Main Event early today.

 

That name inspired a little poker humor for us -- about the other players trying to play "Heinz catch-up."  But it also inspired a surprising article on a poker website, reviewing the history of the champion's first name.  "Pius" has been the name of 12 Roman Catholic popes, and it comes from a Latin word meaning "dutiful to gods, state and family."

 

This leads us to a few thoughts and questions.  The first one happened to come up the other day, as we chatted during a Poker Stars.Net cash game....

 

craigdonna: poker gods suck

Dealer: Game #70206673923: cdm125 wins pot (775) with two pair, Eights and Fives

flopblogger: There's only one True God.

Dealer: flopblogger, it's your turn. You have 8 seconds to act

craigdonna: chill

Dealer: Game #70206690526: flopblogger wins pot (640)

craigdonna: get that

Dealer: cdm125, it's your turn. You have 8 seconds to act

Dealer: Regular time for player cdm125 has expired, TIME BANK has been activated

flopblogger: Well, that's why the others.... well, as you said....

craigdonna: ?

 

The Bible leaves no doubt on this topic:

 

Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods.  Rather, worship the Lord your God; it is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies. - II Kings 17:38-39

 

The God of the Bible says He's the only real one.  If you have proof of others (especially poker gods), we'd be interested in seeing it.

 

So how can we be "dutiful to" God?  What should our duty be?  The Bible helps answer that as well....

 

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. - Ecclesiastes 12:13

 

If you don't know what those commandments are, read the list in Deuteronomy 5.

You only have to change one letter in Pius Heinz's first name to get a word often used to describe believers in God.  They're described as "pious."  You won't find that word in many leading Bible translations -- but when we found in one modern version is quite revealing:

 

Jesus also taught: "Beware of these teachers of religious law!.... they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public.  Because of this, they will be more severely punished." - Mark 12:38, 40, New Living Translation

 

Jesus didn't think much of religious bluffing -- as in charades and "shows" (as the NIV puts it).  If that's your approach to matters of God, it may be time to deepen your commitment -- and look more deeply at your life:

 

Examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.  Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you -- unless, of course, you fail the test? - II Corinthians 13:5

 

Don't be "Pius" in name only.  Do your proper duty to God -- and you can win eternal life in the end.

Good Sign? Bad Sign?

As the November Nine drama unfolds, we learned tonight from the World Series of Poker website that DearFoams is the "official footwear provider" of WSOP.

Huh?!?!

Really now - when was the last time you walked into a poker room and noticed people's shoes?  (Unless perhaps someone flings a bet off the table, and chips land on the floor.)  Aren't you far more likely to notice a player's hat?  Or a shirt?

Open question: is this sponsorship a sign of growing popularity for poker?  Or is it a sign of desperation, in terms of looking for endorsement deals?

It's November....

There are nine.

So it's time to virtually place your bets.  Who do you think will win the final table at the WSOP Main Event?  And why?  Go.

Watch the Lamb

World Series of Poker, indeed -- as players from seven different countries will gather around the ultimate final table in November. The Main Event finalists were settled early today in Las Vegas. And one U.S. player has a lot of attention.

Ben Lamb of Oklahoma has won one WSOP event this year. Counting the Main Event, he's reached four final tables out of 58 total games. For that level of competition (not to mention the number of entries), that's an impressive record.

But there's one "Lamb" who impresses us even more. Who might that be, you ask?

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" - John 1:29 (NASB)

These words were spoken by "John the Baptizer." But why would Jesus be called a lamb?

"He was led as a sheep to slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He does not open His mouth...." - Acts 8:32 (NASB)

This is actually a quote from Isaiah 53 -- a prophecy about the Messiah who became a "sacrificial lamb." Jesus was "unblemished and spotless" (I Peter 1:19), led He gave His life and shed His blood to redeem us from our sins.

If this idea puzzles you, this rather graphic music video may help explain it. (We can help if it doesn't; leave a comment.) Have you accepted the "all-in" offer of this even more perfect Lamb?

From Hero to Zero

The Main Event of the World Series of Poker is in a two-part "Day Two" -- due to more than 6,000 entries. We're struck by how many former champions already are at the rail.

Doyle Brunson. Chris Moneymaker. Greg Raymer. Jerry Yang. All have won poker's biggest prize, yet all of them were eliminated on their first day of play in 2011.

It only shows how fleeting fame can be. As a wise king once put it:

There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow. - Ecclesiastes 1:11

A couple of WSOP events this year actually did honor bracelet winners of old, with a "parade of champions." But some Main Event winners from decades ago don't even have pictures on the WSOP website. So can humans do anything which will have long-term value -- long after we're "dead and gone?"

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. -- Matthew 6:20

Open question: what do you think Jesus meant by that verse? Leave a comment with your thoughts; we'll offer ours in a future post.

Ace of Heart

When was the last time a poker story put an emotional lump in your throat? A story from this week's World Series of Poker action did for us -- and we think it deserves attention far outside Las Vegas.

A veteran of the conflict in Iraq and a rank-amateur poker player bought a $1,000 seat at a WSOP tournament. Then Ken Griffin proceeded to win it all, taking home more than $450,000.

If that's not enough, Griffin plans to use at least some of the prize money to help his aging mother pay for chemotherapy.

But don't stop there. The tournament update shows Griffin won the final hand in a dream-come-true way -- when his opponent pushed all-in pre-flop, before he looked at pocket Aces.

If Disney Productions ever wanted to write a poker movie script, they've found it. It's a touching tale all around. And may God bless Ken Griffin, along with his mom.

Remember As You Play....

I hate double-minded men, but I love your law. -- Psalm 119:113

Some chess masters put on exhibitions where they play 20 games at a time -- going to a board and making a move, then shuffling to the next board to make a move, and on around a room.

Could you imagine poker players doing that sort of thing? Believe it or not, Daniel Negreanu's schedule at the World Series of Poker was arranged that way earlier this week. From his Twitter feed....

Playing 3 events today: 1500 PLO noon, Day 2 10k Stud, 3pm, 2500 8 Game 5pm, then noon tmr is 5k NLH shootout. Hectic schedule coming.

The WSOP website indicates Negreanu made all three games -- by going bust early in two of them. His apparent strategy: build a big stack in a hurry to gain a chip lead worthy of cashing, or crash in a hurry and move on to the next event.

Negreanu has the star power to pull a stunt like that. But we think most players would do better to do what athletes often say -- take things one game at a time. Distractions can cost you focus, cost you hands and even cost you a winning tournament.

So if you need headphones to concentrate at the table, go ahead. If you need to throw them away because the music shakes you up, go ahead. Keep your mind on poker. But oh yes -- don't forget the second part of that verse in Psalms. Love God's law, and reflect it in godly words and actions.

The Holy and the Ivey

We've let the dust settle for a few days from Phil Ivey's announcement that he's boycotting the World Series of Poker. Some professional poker players have supported his stand (such as Daniel Negreanu), while others have not (such as Andrew Robl).

Ivey's ire is aimed at Full Tilt Poker, claiming it's failed to repay many players who lost their accounts in the April federal crackdown on online poker. Without getting into the legal details and fine points, we'd ask a couple of different questions.

1. Why boycott the World Series of Poker over this? As far as we know, it's not run by any online poker business.

2. What is Ivey doing personally to help players who have their accounts frozen, and fear they'll lose a lot of money?

That second question admittedly cuts deeper. Ivey has made millions of dollars playing poker. Is he "sharing the wealth" with other players in need? Consider the advice Jesus once gave to a rich young ruler....

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. - Matthew 19:21-22

Giving to "poor" poker players goes contrary to the rules of a game, of course. But Ivey's stand should go far beyond strategy -- it should come down to a matter of how to show practical help and compassion to fellow Full Tilters.

If Ivey really cares about others facing big poker losses, he shouldn't simply walk away from a spotlight event. He should take steps to assist them. After all, Ivey is skilled enough to walk into a high-stakes cash game and win more money if he needs it.

A Hole to Phil

When a poker player is a top trending topic on Yahoo, that gets our attention. And Phil Ivey hit the top ten this morning, because he's boycotting the World Series of Poker.

Ivey's ire doesn't really seem directed at WSOP -- it's aimed at his biggest endorser. He's suing Full Tilt Poker, in the wake of the recent federal crackdown on online poker sites.

What do you think of this stand Ivey is taking? We'll share our thoughts in coming days.

Do the Hustle? 2

In an earlier post, we talked about playing in a qualifying tournament to win a seat at the World Series of Poker Main Event - a seat sponsored by Larry Flynt's Hustler Casino. As we kept playing, a thought came to our mind....

Me: If we win the seat, do we have to wear his casino logo?
Taek1: as long as hes giving away free money hes good in my books
ChipSmugler: right I think you will
Dealer: Taek1 wins Main Pot ($11220) with Two pair, jacks and sevens
ChipSmugler: family be real proud winning the Main Event with Hustler all over yalol
Me: Yeah I know.

Professional poker players wear website sponsored all over their shirts and hats. The thought of promoting something involving Larry Flynt isn't very appealing to us -- even though the Bible says:

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." - I Samuel 16:7b

Not everyone you see walking into a bar is an alcoholic. We could be walking inside to win money at poker, and do some ministry in the process. But there's another argument from Scripture which could be made here....

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. - I Thessalonians 5:21-22 (KJV)

We've understood this for decades to mean you shouldn't do anything which might give the impression to others that you're sinning. But after checking other translations and the Greek meaning of "appearance" as we write this, we're coming to a different conclusion. It's our eyes being discussed in this verse -- we shouldn't be looking on evil, as it might tempt us.

When we reached the final tables at Soho Bar and Grill the other night, we happened to sit with our back to a computer screen where people were looking at "soft porn" photos. We thank God for sitting where we did! This leads to one more comment from the chat....

Taek1: gambling is just as bad as pornso who cares

When it comes to sin, that player has a good point.

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. - James 2:10

As some "church folks" like to put it: sin is sin is sin. You're equally guilty before God if you're a mass murderer or a neighborhood gossip.

We wound up 23rd in this tournament out of 243 players; the top ten qualified for the final tournament to win a Main Event seat. Yet as we consider all this, we're admittedly not comfortable trying to win this seat if it means being connected with Larry Flynt. Other contests may have less "baggage"; then again, they might actually have more.

Do the Hustle?

It's an awfully tempting offer at National League of Poker -- the opportunity to play for a seat at the World Series of Poker Main Event in July, plus $750 travel expenses. So we entered a qualifying tournament this week and found these words highlighted when we clicked: "Sponsored by Hustler Casino."

Once we entered, we learned from ads that it's Larry Flynt's Hustler Casino in southern California. That admittedly made us a bit uncomfortable. So we couldn't resist bringing him up at the table....

Dealer: flopblogger wins Main Pot ($930) with Straight, ace to five
Me: :-)
ChipSmugler: gh
Me: (whew) Thanks
Me: PTL
ChipSmugler: lol
Me: (Larry Flynt notwithstanding)

Larry Flynt historically hasn't thought very highly of religion. That's really no surprise, since his career has been built on selling pornographic magazines. So a "Praise the Lord" might offend Flynt, but we're exercising our first amendment freedom to say it.

....The whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen.... "I tell you," [Jesus] replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." - Luke 19:37, 40

Moral of the story: don't be afraid to praise God in any situation. That chat continues....

ChipSmugler: you know I met his last summer hes a real nice guy
Me: Maybe so - but I can't agree with what he does....
ChipSmugler: Hes very smart and made a Casino more for fun and now it makes him over 20 mill a year
Me: he might need the $$ with online p*rn eclipsing magazines.
ChipSmugler: Doesnt mean I agree with his m***s but he is what he is He wasnt what I thought he would bevery much a gentleman paralyzed and keeps a great attitude....

Being nice and having a good attitude amid adversity are worthy virtues. In fact, in the right context they're Christian virtues. But we should watch people (including ourselves) carefully....

A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. - Matthew 7:18-20

We can all be a "fruit cocktail" at times, if we're not staying close to the "fruit tree." A relationship with God through the Holy Spirit should produce consistently good fruit. Check Galatians 5:22-23 for a list of ingredients.

More on this topic in a future post....

The Next Shoe Drops

First came the shutdown of several online poker sites. Now ESPN executives are talking like they might stop showing poker on its networks, after this year's World Series main event.

Of course, the poker sites are big advertisers. But don't people eat enough beef jerky to justify keeping those games on cable?

Representing.... Something

A big poker title can change your life. Jonathan Duhamel has discovered that in the last month. Since winning the World Series of Poker Main Event, he's made countless media appearances from Las Vegas to New York.

We found one cable TV interview in which Duhamel admitted he'll be playing more tournaments in person, after years mostly spent playing online. It's part of being a Main Event champion -- becoming an unofficial "ambassador" of poker.

Are you an ambassador? Whether you work in government or simply play poker as a pastime during your retirement, you can be an ambassador. The invitation comes from the apostle Paul:

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.... -- II Corinthians 5:20

Some bluffing poker players make big bets with hardly anything; it's known as "representing" a hand. Believers in Jesus can represent Him and His way of life everywhere they go, just as a political ambassador represents a country overseas -- only they aren't bluffing, in the eyes of those who have faith.

And Christ's ambassadors have an "appeal" to make, even if people around them don't want to hear it. It's in other words of Paul....

We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.... God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. -- II Corinthians 5:20b, 19

It's your opportunity for a "re-buy" in life, which can lead to eternal life. Are you interested in it -- to become part of an ambassador corps?

From Nine to Two

While you may have been busy with college football games or clock-changing this weekend, the "November Nine" sat down to conclude the World Series of Poker Main Event. (We admittedly thought this wasn't occurring until Monday or Tuesday.)

After 13 hours of action, two finalists remain. Top marquee name Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi left in fifth place. Quebec's Jonathan Duhamel holds a six-to-one chip lead, heading to heads-up action against Florida's John Racener.

You can review Saturday's action at the WSOP Twitter feed (or wait for Tuesday night on ESPN). But now: do you think Racener can rally? Are you surprised about how things have gone?

Wearing It on Your Sleeve

In the World Series of Poker, the competition is about more than money. Win a tournament, and you receive a prized WSOP bracelet to wear on your wrist.

Wristbands can advertise or promote all sorts of things these days. In a post earlier this week, we mentioned a woman who wore a "Philippians 4:13" wristband in honor of a boy battling cancer.

Some trace the trend back to this -- a "W.W.J.D.?" band developed in the last 15 years or so. It asks the simple question: What would Jesus do?

We've worn this wristband to poker nights for several months, partly to help start a conversation about the things of God. But we were surprised at a recent church convention to hear a top leader of one association call WWJD bands "rather trite and rather meaningless, because they [evangelicals] have this on their arms, and it's certainly not something that we should do" (about 41:00 into the video).

The leader agreed with the principle behins WWJD. But the statement against the bands struck us as strange -- especially since we've attended Messianic conventions where worshipers wear added blue tassels on their clothes, and sometimes suggest you need to do the same....

Make tassels on the four corners of the cloak you wear. -- Deuteronomy 22:12

Jesus made a statement about such things, which can spark debate among believers:

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.... But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.... Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long.... -- Matthew 23:2-5

Supporters of tassel displays claim Jesus condemned the lengthening, not the tassels themselves. Critics say Jesus opposed any display of tassels -- and in this day and age, believers don't need outward reminders of their faith because the Holy Spirit dwells in them (II Corinthians 1:22).

We took off our WWJD wristband at the church convention, after we saw the video complaint about it. (We made sure people sitting on either side of it were witnesses.) But for now, we're still wearing it to poker nights.

Why -- to show we're "goody-goody holy rollers," while others around us are not?  No. We wear it as a witness to the non-Christians around us. The WWJD wristband has brought a comment on one poker night so far -- and we're ready to talk about it, should others bring it up.

Let's be honest here: if some poker players at bars can wear T-shirts and hats promoting cigarettes and beer, why can't a believer in Christ wear something promoting that personal Favorite?

Or are we totally wrong about this?

Up, Up, Up

Two weeks after it began, the World Series of Poker Main Event was reduced to a final table of nine today. Of all the places to learn this, we saw a story about it at SRN News -- which offers "breaking news for Christians."

Perhaps the poker tournament qualified because of what happened when Italy's Filippio Candio won a big pot....

he scurried around tableside press and kneeled and pointed upward in celebration.

Somehow we do not think that was aimed at a security office upstairs from the poker room. We'll give Candio the benefit of the doubt, and presume this was his spontaneous way of thanking God.

There actually are two representations of God "up there." Hebrews 1:3 explains:

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sis, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Blessings can come from both God the Father and Jesus the Son. Perhaps sometimes, those blessings can include running cards that bail you out.

So what about the November Nine? Who do you like?

Playing on the Edge

You never know what you'll see or hear at a poker table. But at the World Series of Poker Main Event, you'd think things would be cut-and-dried. Focused. Serious.

Not so. "A guy just sat down at my table he has a lot of chips and a naked barbie doll," was a Twitter message over the weekend by one of the Main Event players. She didn't say if the man used that doll as a card protector, or something else. But apparently the WSOP didn't think too much of it:

"The floorman just came over and made the french guy remove his barbie from the table," the woman tweeted three hours later.

There's a fine line between distracting opponents and, well, being tacky. The book of Proverbs offers some guidelines about this:

A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. (Proverbs 17:27-28)

Many people in the world consider Christians a "peculiar people" (Titus 2:14, KJV) because of the God they choose to follow or the lives they live. Why display any behavior that's strange or bizarre, to make matters worse? That would only harm your potential witness to players around you.

We say it's best to stay level-headed as you play, and let the Christian example come out naturally. In fact, you might stay in the tournament longer that way.

Main Event day 1

The biggest event in poker began this afternoon -- the World Series of Poker Main Event. Follow the Twitter feed, and you'll see one big-name former champion already has been shown the door.

So which "poker star" do you think will go the farthest this year -- perhaps making it to the final table, as Phil Ivey did last year?

(We're only guessing, but we think Daniel Negreanu is due.)

How high the Moon?

It's one thing to be a poker blogger -- but Darvin Moon is even more old-school than that. He's a poker-playing logger.

Moon survived this morning to reach the WSOP Main Event final heads-up showdown on Monday night. We have to admit: we'll be rooting for Moon to comeback and KO Joe Cada.