Steven Breaks Even

When we left Kansas last year, an FBI investigation was underway into possibly illegal action involving house poker games. The biggest name in that case was thought to be a Wichita business owner who's won money in serious tournaments such as the World Series.

The long investigation apparently ended this week, with Brandon Steven making a deal with federal prosecutors. He pleaded guilty to hiding records of illegal poker games, and could have gone to prison for it. Instead, Steven received three years of probation, a lot of community service time - and he must give more than a million dollars, either in poker winnings or hush money.

The four-year FBI investigation may have led to police shutting down open poker rooms across Wichita. We played at several of them during this decade. These days, we only play in legal tournaments at casinos or charities. We try to live by a simple Bible verse:

Avoid every kind of evil. - I Thessalonians 5:22

Sounds simple, doesn't it? Except the King James Version puts it this way: "Abstain from all appearance of evil." A lot of things may appear evil to others, but they're really above-board. The list of items fitting that description can change almost daily, based on the news cycle and social media posts. We have to be careful in all the decisions we make about what we do.

As for Steven, you'd think he would have known better. Secrets come out, sooner or later. If they're not exposed by the FBI, they will at an even higher level of justice....

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. - Psalm 90:8

The time is coming when Jesus will judge all humans, on behalf of God the Father.

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened.... The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. - Revelation 20:12

We don't see much evidence in the Bible that "plea bargains" will be allowed then....

...Those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. - John 5:29

Defense lawyers say Brandon Steven is a solid citizen, who supports youth sports among other things. But this case revealed he has a "dark side." If we're honest with ourselves, we all do. Will you learn from Steven's example, and come "out of darkness" into God's "wonderful light" (I Peter 2:9)?

The Green Monster

Our last post examined a variation of Pai Gow poker, where you can put chips on a "Fortune" button. If someone at the table makes four of a kind, everyone with chips on that button earns an "envy bonus."

Sounds strange, doesn't it - a bonus for envy?! Many times, it works the other way around. Poker players envy the success of others, try to copy them.... and wind up crashing out of tournaments or going bust at a cash game. Others envy someone else's possessions so much that they steal the items for themselves.

We'll let you do your own color research into why people become "green with envy" (as opposed to red or blue). But it's not the sort of emotion God wants us to have....

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy.... I Corinthians 13:4

Since the Bible tells us that "God is love" (I John 4:16), this shows envy is not one of His traits. In fact....

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery.... factions and envy.... those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. - Galatians 5:19-21

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. - James 3:16

If envy is a personal problem for you, we recommend repenting before God - then starting a new habit. Be happy when others are successful:

Honor one another above yourselves.... Rejoice with those who rejoice.... - Romans 12:10, 15

We realize at some poker tables, you might look weird doing this. But it's far better than letting envy eat away at your peace of mind - and maybe even your bank account.

We heard a message the other day that went deep into the topic of envy. It may reveal other areas of your life where you're "going green" in a bad way, and need to make some changes.

Fair Dealing

If you think temptation is a problem during poker hands, consider the people who deal the cards.

A dealer at Las Vegas casinos recently was fired after being accused of stealing chips from a cash game and sneaking them into his tip box. The man left one casino under a cloud, but went to a different casino and continued dealing cards for several months.

The Nevada Gaming Commission reportedly doesn't hold hearings like this very often. Dealers are normally under a strict code of conduct; some of them can't play table games where they work on their off hours. But let's face it: dealers handle a lot of money - even if it's in the form of chips, and other people are trying to win it.

If you play poker, can you be as disciplined as the dealers have to be? Can you abide by a simple command....

You shall not steal.- Exodus 20:15

Sounds easy enough, you might say. But can you go even beyond that?

Abstain from all appearance of evil. - I Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV)

Is playing poker evil? Some ministers say so - but regular readers of this blog know we consider that matter more complex. We're talking here about playing ethically - not taking shortcuts or peeking at other players' cards.

Dealers should know better than to cheat. Where we played near Wichita, overhead cameras could track every table. Think about what God can do when you play:

The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. - Proverbs 15:3

May your eyes and words and thinking be above reproach - as God might be looking in.

The Folks at the Rail

In a recent post we brought up a thought-provoking list of "dont's." If you think the rules in a casino are stiff, consider these....

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. - I Corinthians 6:9-10

Some of the items on this list may seem outdated and offensive, but they're still in the Bible. And you might encounter some of them the next time you enter a poker room. In fact, you might even see them in the mirror before you go in.

For instance, if you're fixated on getting rich playing poker, you could be an idolater:

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. - I Timothy 6:10

Stay too long in a cash game, and you could lose every penny you have. Stick around too long after making a nice game, and you could qualify for the "greedy" part of that list. Lie about how you're playing, and you could be swindling people out of pots as well -- not to mention disqualifying yourself from God's future Kingdom.

Yet if this describes you, the news is not completely bleak. You don't have to head to the rail and watch the rest of your life as a loser. Go back to that list in the Bible, and read one verse beyond it....

And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. - I Corinthians 6:11

The apostle Paul wrote these words to a church group which had come out of wickedness. The members did it by turning to Jesus:

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

Repentance means turning around from one way of life to another. Pray for God's help in doing it, and He'll not only forgive you - He'll start a process which leads to the Holy Spirit helping you walk in the opposite direction. It might mean giving up poker as you know it. But knowing God and Jesus Christ - potentially for eternity in God's Kingdom - is a lot better.

As the Cards Turn

Before the last "river" card comes in a traditional poker hand, there's the "turn" card.

We're not sure how that card received its name. After all, can't every card in a poker hand turn things around - either for or against you?

But in spiritual terms, the creators of poker had things in the right order....

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.... - Acts 3:19

We looked online through 14 different Bible translations - and the word "flop" is nowhere to be found. But if we're honest with ourselves, we're all "flops." We've all fallen short of living perfect lives.

...For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:23

The Bible shows we need to repent of the sins that make us flops. Then "turn to God." What does that mean?

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. - Psalm 34:14

People who aren't close to God may not like reading this, but their ways tend to be evil. In poker, that can mean looking for short cuts and cheating ways to win pots - or perhaps lying in someone else's face about what sort of hand you have. So they need to turn to doing good ways.

Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. - Isaiah 55:7

We think the best way to know how to turn to God is to read the Bible on a regular basis. Ask God in prayer to help you understand it, and how its words apply to you. Then begin living what you understand. Then, to borrow from a classic song with Biblical lyrics, you'll make the "turn, turn, turn" in your life.

Aces Cracked?

Our background is not in poker, statistics or even theology. It's journalism - so when we see an interesting poker story, we can't help breaking the news. That's what we're doing here today.

It stems from Saturday night. We went to Nikki's Poker Room for our third tournament there, walked to the door - and declared, "It's locked."

"We know," one of three people standing outside said.

"Why?"

"We don't know." The "OPEN" light was on, but no one was home - well past the posted opening time of 6:30 p.m.

Since the night was cool, we went to our car and waited to see if someone would open the door for the other men. But no one did. Minutes later, one of them came to our car with stunning news: "They decided to shut down. Friday was their last day."

Wow - what led up to this?  That man learned the information from Facebook. So when we returned home, we checked Nikki's page:

The city of Wichita has begun shutting down all known gambling establishments. With heavy hearts we are sad to announce that Friday, January 15th, will be our final night of business.... With hope, we look forward to opening our doors again in the future....

In response to some comments, Nikki's added this:

...seems the city feels we hurt the casino.

Posts by Nikki's on Thursday and Friday seemed to reveal where the issue really is:

IT DOES NOT COST TO PLAY POKER . THIS IS A CHAIR RENTAL FEE. 

We wondered about this wording when we moved back to Kansas three years ago. It's how poker rooms justify how they operate and make a profit. But is it legal?

Another Wichita poker room has posted "legal links" on its website. One of them includes this noteworthy statement:

It is illegal to require any person to make a donation or contribution in order to gain admittance to "casino night" to play the games.

A poker tournament isn't really a "casino night" fundraiser. But let's face it: if you don't pay the "chair rental" at poker room, you don't get any chips or cards.

(The Kansas State Poker Championship was challenged on this a couple of years ago. It's a "Cards for the Cure" event with an entry fee, but organizers insisted they gained proper permission from the District Attorney's office.)

If other local poker rooms are receiving a "crackdown" by Wichita police, they have not said so publicly. But this blog can reveal a Wichita police officer sat at our table (plain-clothes) during our December 24 tournament; he told us so as he was eliminated. Whether or not he was checking the legality of Nikki's actions, we don't know.

There's a broad lesson in all of this - for poker tournament organizers, poker players and people in general. Looking for loopholes in the law can get you in trouble with the law.

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

Things that look a little strange or suspicious are bound to get investigated sooner or later. Ask any of this year's presidential candidates about that. It's far better to stay close to the law, and to the God who is the "lawgiver."

The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. - Proverbs 13:14 (KJV)

In the meantime, we can say we went two-for-two in tournaments at Nikki's Poker Room - both making final tables and winning money. We thank God for a nice touch on the poker resume.

Light on the Subject

Our last poker tournament had a full table of players.  But only after we were eliminated did someone notice something missing.

Electric lights were on throughout the room. But a special group had not been turned on over our table - lights to make sure players see the cards properly.

To be honest, we never noticed a difference.  But for some, good lighting matters.  And we think that should be true away from the poker room as well....

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. - John 3:19

Have you ever played cards in a dimly-lit room?  The lighting may have been that way to prevent being noticed - by law officers, sleeping relatives or whomever.  In many places, the Bible equates darkness with evil acts.

Everyone who does evil hares the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. - John 3:20

But verse 19 suggests "light" can refer to more than an electrical bulb made possible by Thomas Edison. Indeed, the One who said those words also declared....

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." - John 8:12

It's a "light of life," as opposed to the darkness of death which awaits those who reject Jesus:

These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. - II Peter 2:17

Accepting the "light of life" can lead to eternal life, in the Kingdom of God which Jesus someday will bring.

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.... there will be no night there. - Revelation 21:23, 25

If a few extra lights over a poker table can help people play better, why can't the light of Jesus Christ help you live better - and even live forever?  Isn't it (and He) worth a try?

Push Or Be Pushed?

Some poker players can come across as bullies.  They'll raise early.  They'll bet often.  They'll try to force opponents into tough decisions which test their backbones.  When you come across that sort of player, how should you respond?

We found an article from California on one of the 2013 World Series of Poker tournaments.  Chad Holloway responded to an all-in bet by calling, scored a big win and went on to capture a bracelet.

Holloway offers this noteworthy advice:

Amateur poker players have a tendency to put opponents on stronger hands than they actually have, but it's important not to be a pushover.... don't back down in the face of adversity.

Start talking about the things of God at a poker table, and other players might conclude you are a pushover.  They might conclude that based on some verse they might vaguely recall Jesus once saying....

But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. - Matthew 5:39

Our NIV Study Bible notes indicate this "strike" is "more of an insult than an act of violence."  But it's easy to overlook something else Jesus said in this same chapter....

You have heard that it was said, "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." - Matthew 5:38

This quote recalls a principle established by God way back in the Old Testament:

If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth.  As he has injured the other, so he is to be injured. - Leviticus 24:19-20

This is "fair and balanced" justice. It's leveling the amount of damage.  If someone "pushes" you in a poker hand, you can push back in kind -- as long as you don't go overboard and take vengeance.

Sometimes in poker, that "second cheek" might be a trap you set to get your chips back -- even with interest.  That's the nature of the game.  But away from the table, it shouldn't be that way.

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. - Micah 6:8

 Play humbly, for that matter -- but be ready when the moment is right to show you have a "strong hand" at your disposal:

The Lord gives strength to his people.... - Psalm 29:11

Poker Day 427: When Good Is Bad

Our text for today's poker tournament comes from the prophet Isaiah....

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. - Isaiah 5:20

We don't want a woe pronounced upon us -- but sometimes good starting cards in poker can turn out to be bad ones.  We learned this during today's big monthly tournament at Arrowhead Poker, not once but several times....

BLINDS: 200/400

IN THE POCKET: J-J

We've won a couple of modest pots.  But we've lost a good bit, as we pursued marginal hands with a starting stack of 50,000 chips and relatively small blinds.  Our stack has tumbled to the 40,000 range, and a high pocket pair like this gives us hope for a rally.  So we raise to 1,000.

"I'd better call," says a man across the table from us.  "He might be bluffing."  We'll see; about half the table of eight is in.

ON THE FLOP: A-4-3

One of those cards was not what we wanted to see.  But we decide to "man up" and make a continuation bet of 1,000.

"Now I know you're bluffing," says that man across the table.  He calls; the other players fold.  But the way he's talking has us wondering -- is he bluffing?

ON THE TURN: Q

Ugh.  The board goes from potentially bad to worse.  Now we check.  So does our opponent.

ON THE RIVER: 2

Unless our opponent was chasing a wild-guess straight, that card seems harmless.  But the higher cards compel us to check again.  Now he bets 3,500, and we realize the worst.

"Too many ways to beat me," we say -- and we fold.  He's polite enough to turn over A-2, proving we were right.

To borrow from a former TV news anchor in Canada, that's the kind of day it was for us.  Pocket 10's brought a big raise against us with an Ace showing, forcing us to fold.  We took pocket Queens all the way to showdown, but lost to a man with K-J who gained two pair.  We even had pocket Aces and tried to slow-play them into something big, but made only a modest gain when we had to throw a "block bet" on the flop with two spades showing.

Finally we had A-K -- and when an Ace came on the flop, we check-raised all-in for our last 20,000.  A man called, showing A-7.  But of course, the turn card was a 7!  The 6 on the river didn't save us, and we had a relatively early collapse -- finishing 21st on a three-table day.

MINISTRY MOMENT: The players were so focused and scattered at our table that we couldn't do much in the poker room.  But on the way home, we saw a familiar sight - a man standing on an island in the middle of an intersection two blocks from our house.  We've come to call it the "Beggar's Corner," because someone seems to be there every weekend with a cardboard sign.

"FOOD" is all this man's sign said.  We're ready for these moments, as we parked the car and pulled a "Beggar's Bag" out of the trunk with a can of Vienna sausage and a juice pouch.  We added a small tract we found at a religious bookstore, walked to the intersection and gave it to him.

"I'm Les," he said.  "God bless you," he said shaking our hand -- not once but twice.

We admitted to him how sad it is to see beggars constantly at that corner.  In fact, we're now up to 29 beggars we've encountered this year -- most of them at that very corner.  It's easy to get frustrated and weary of this constant demand for help.  But then, we realized, we must remember the example of Jesus:

Who is he that condemns?  Christ Jesus, who died -- more than that, who was raised to life -- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. - Romans 8:34

Jesus comes to the aid of all who call on Him, before the throne of the Father.  And on a typical day, thousands (if not millions) are asking for His help.

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. - Hebrews 7:25

The demands (as in prayers) reaching heaven are constant.  God doesn't always answer them the way we might like.  But Jesus is serving as an intercessor on our behalf, at any hour of the day or night.  If you're a believer in Jesus, are you ready to serve in the same way?

UPDATED POKER SCOREBOARD: 151 final tables in 427 games (35.4%) - 25 cashes.

The Lonely Old Man at the End of the Bar

The first two parts of our road trip had gone well.  We attended a memorial concert for a college music instructor, then took spring cleaning to one of the very few places in our area which accepts styrofoam for recycling.  But then....

Hollywood Casino was only a few exits up the highway from the recycling point.  So we dreamed of making quick money playing poker there, even on a Wednesday morning.  The casino was a largely-empty place, with only one full-looking table active in the poker room.

So we sat down at the slot-style Texas Hold 'em machine where we'd won money several weeks before.  But alas, not many good cards showed up for us -- and only in one hand did we hit a successful-looking flop.  In this heads-up format, our $50 investment evaporated to nothing in only a few minutes.

As we drank a free consolation soda before leaving, we pondered why we'd done this.  Money to pay for the trip would have been nice.  But there was no engagement with anyone, no moment of interaction about the gospel or the things of Christ.  We'd simply drained our wallet quietly, then walked out as quietly as we walked in.

This isn't really why we started playing poker several years ago.  Instead of using it as a tool for evangelizing, we'd become simply another small-scale gambling junkie.  We only visited casinos on occasion and with a set limit on losses, but we still were not being the sort of light Jesus wants believers to be.

Abstain from all appearance of evil. - I Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV)

We've visited casinos more in the last 12 months than we ever have before.  There have been moments of success - but more often times of loss and defeat.  The lesson for us is clear: resist the urge to stop and play, unless we don't mind throwing money away.

It is true that anyone who desires to be a church official wants to be something worthwhile.  That's why officials must have a good reputation.... They must be self-controlled, sensible, well-behaved.... they must be kind and gentle and not love money. - I Timothy 3:1-3 (CEV)

We do not hold an official title in the church group we attend.  Yet a similar standard should apply to us.  We shouldn't be "greedy of filthy lucre," as the King James puts verse 3. We should realize the chances of losing money in casino games, instead of drifting toward expensive habits.

Our apologies for making this post a confessional.  But as we mark one year in our new home this week, we think it's important to share some of the lessons we've learned from playing poker more often for real stakes.

Not everything has been bad (an upcoming post will get into that).  But as the annual "Lord's Supper" service approaches for us, we see a need to shake ourselves away from the trend we've been on with poker.  What about you?  What is your experience - past or present?

Ask Before You Act

Maybe you're not ready to head to a casino or a poker room, to play for the "big bucks."  So you invite your friends to your house for a fun night of penny-ante Texas Hold 'em.  That's OK -- isn't it?

Well, maybe not everywhere.  In the state of Maryland, it's against the law.  There's a bill in the legislature to make it legal.  But one lawmaker says the rules are so strict, even a "Parcheesi game" (younger readers might want to ask their parents what that is) played for prize money in your basement could get you arrested.

There's a case similar to this making news in our state this week.  A member of Congress offered to give away NCAA basketball playoff tickets, in exchange for donations to his campaign.  He had to change the rules after a District Attorney (who we don't think is in his district) declared that giveaway a raffle -- and illegal under state law.

An old phrase comes to mind when we think about these cases: look before you leap.  Things and actions which may seem right to you may not be right at all.  A Bible verse puts it this way:

Abstain from all appearance of evil. - I Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV)

The problem with that approach in our day is that calling something "evil" sometimes is considered, well, evil.  The moral code in the U.S. is much looser than it was even at the start of this century.  Yet laws are in place about things such as poker and gambling -- and where they are in place, the best course is to follow them.

Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. - I Peter 2:13-14

You might see a great opportunity to make money playing poker.  But if it would violate man's law, you need to turn away from it "for the Lord's sake."  The apostle Peter goes on to show the importance of that....

Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. - I Peter 2:17

Note the order -- with honoring the king coming after fearing God.  If the king (or other leader in government) wants you to violate God's ultimate law, that's a different matter.

Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!" - Acts 5:29

Their issue in this case was teaching about Jesus -- something clearly far more important than poker games.  But the principle should be obvious and lasting.

We've never played the fantasy game Dungeons and Dragons -- but we've been around enough players to know when you go into someplace new, you always "check for traps."  That's a good idea in every aspect of our lives.  The traps could be a hidden full house on the flop, or a local law which prevents you from playing poker at all.  Double-checking now can prevent embarrassment later.

Called and Those-n

We mention below our success Sunday night in the National League of Poker Weekly Championship.  It began with a generic simple greeting we usually write in the chat box at the start of play: "Happy Sunday to all."  It led down this road....


Rembones:  not if live in Newtown !
Me:  Indeed. Praying for Newtown.
Dealer:  roadglide wins Main Pot ($2,960)
Rembones:  That won't help***

We sensed a resistance right away to anything related to God.  But in light of the bloodbath at a Newtown, Connecticut grade school, we realize some people want to talk through the issues involved.  So we continued:

Me:  What do you recommend?

Rembones:  Try our best to identify people like that BEFORE it's to late, and have mental health facilities ava

Rembones:  ilable for the mentally sick***

We have no objection to that.  And as an aside, we realize some readers of this poker blog might have a different kind of "sickness" without realizing it.  If you're addicted to gambling to the point where it's affecting your relationships and life, help is available.  But back to the table....

Me:  Sound ideas.

Me:  But in the meantime,

Me:  praying for God's comfort

Me:  on survivors can't hurt.

Rembones:  You also need to accept the FACT that you can never design the laws around the extreme exceptions in

Rembones:   society !

Me:  True. Cain killed Abel.

Me:  Long before there were guns

Me:  and bombs.

Our last post offered the thought that Satan affected Cain's thinking in Genesis 4....

But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. - James 1:14-15

So Rembones's ideas seem to have a proper direction.  Until....

Rembones:  hey will ALL be ***ll of dog *** !

Dealer:  roadglide wins Main Pot ($17,920) with Flush, ace high

Me:  Part of that was

Me:  censored.

Me:  But judgment is coming

Me:  for all of us.

Rembones:  Oh boy, we have one of THOSE people at the table !

Yes, a believer's words can give himself away.  But come to think of it, that will be part of the basis for God's ultimate judgment:

But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.  For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. - Matthew 12:36-37

Jesus said these words, which should make us all think about ours.  What are you saying?  What are you writing online, for that matter?  Are they words of good, or of evil (verse 35)?

Clearly Rembones didn't think too "good" (pardon our English) of us, or "those people"....

Me:  Those? :-)

Rembones:  The goof***ball bible beaters !!  What a goof !!

Me:  I don't beat it.

Me:  I simply believe it.

Rembones:  Like I said***........ GOOF !...

Admittedly, some fired-up preachers do pound on the Bible to make their points.  For best results, we recommend opening the Bible.  Read what it says.  Then live by what it tells you to do.

Then I will answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in your word.... Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. - Psalm 119:42, 105

We were facing a bit of taunting at this moment for our beliefs.  But instead of responding with more name-calling, we wrote this....

Me:  So what is your hope

Me:  beyond this life?

Rembones:  We DON'T need any of the goofy superstitions, just common sense !

That didn't really answer our question.  Here's the answer we find in Scripture:

....A faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.... - Titus 1:2

Me:  What's your common sense

Me:  explanation of what's

Me:  beyond this life?

After asking the question again, Rembones may have had enough of us.  He went all-in with K-A, as mentioned in the earlier post.  We had pocket Queens, and eliminated him from the tournament.

Dealer:  flopblogger wins Main Pot ($18,740) with One pair, queens

Me:  Do think it over, friend.

We encourage you to do the same thing.  If God's promise of eternal life is "superstition" or somehow not good enough for you, what's your alternative?  Is it really better?

Rembones left the table with no further comment.  But another player observing all this brought the discussion to a close:

petebiz:  I guess we will never know

Me:  Maybe not in this life. :-/

Put Up or Shut Up?

We're reassessing our Monday night trips to The Red Barn, after what happened away from the poker tables this week.  We mentioned an argument developed, which ended with the Tournament Director reportedly leaving a customer with a bloody nose.

We've noted in the past this Tournament Director claims to be a Christian -- all the way down to putting a Christian message on his body, in the form of a tattoo.  Yet it seems to us his actions Monday night didn't match his words.  Nor did they match the words of Jesus:

But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person.  If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. - Matthew 5:39

This is what the Bible calls a "hard saying" for a lot of people -- including Christian believers.  We've been in church groups where even ministers tried to explain away this seemingly simple, straightforward statement.  Yet it's not only what Jesus said -- it's how He lived, and even died.

When they hurled their insults 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

We face insults from time to time while playing poker, especially online.  If we respond to them at all, we try to answer in a polite way.  We think it's always better to let your cards and chip stacks do the "talking," when it comes to which player is better.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay." - Romans 12:18-19

There's much more we could write about this.  And we realize you might have many questions about this approach - especially if you were brought up in a "get-even" environment.  We found an online booklet offering an in-depth Bible-based examination of the broader issues involved in fighting.  There's only one battle the New Testament seems to recommend....

Fight the good fight of the faith.  Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.... - I Timothy 6:12

The Turn (without a card)

A tournament director said earlier this week we'd be more likely to "turn the other cheek" than fight back against him.

In poker lingo, players "fire barrels" at each other all the time -- in the form of big bets and raises. That's part of the game. But away from that, the quote from the tournament director has some significance. Consider the One who said it first....

But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. -- Matthew 5:39

Sadly, we've heard Christians in church groups try to explain away these words of Jesus. They might say you really ought to run away. Or they'll justify their carrying of weapons for "self-defense." But did Jesus live what He preached?

When they hurled their insults 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

That's why we tend to avoid "trash talk" at poker tables -- and even fold frequently when someone acts as a "betting bully." Let the cards, and your example, do the talking. Attackers admittedly probably won't get the message right away -- but with time and careful thought, they will.

Deliver Us From Evil

Some online poker players bring curious names to the table. We faced one today at National League of Poker....

Dealer: DrEvil85 wins Main Pot ($555) with One pair, kings

But on the very next hand, Dr. Evil met his demise by losing an all-in bet. And that led to this chat....

Dealer: KEYZ wins Main Pot ($1310) with Straight, nine to king
Me: That's how you overcome evil.
KEYZ: WHO IS JESUS

Surprised? It threw us for a moment, too. But we were willing to jump right in....

Me: Good question! Son of God and Son of Man.
KEYZ: jeopardyAlex
Me: Aha....
Me: Still a good question :-)
We didn't realize for a moment a TV game show moment had broken out. But we certainly liked the way this player was thinking -- especially when he added:

KEYZ: My Lord and Savior
Me: Mine, too. Hope that's true for everyone here!
KEYZ: Indeed.
Keyz seemed surprised when we mentioned this poker ministry. But perhaps you're surprised at the "question" he put on our original answer. Consider these words from the apostle John....

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. -- I John 5:18

Who's who here? Other Bible translations indicate "the one who was born of God" refers to Jesus; the Contemporary English Version uses the phrase "God's own Son." The "evil one" isn't that online poker player -- but Satan the devil, based on Jesus's famous prayer....

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. -- Matthew 6:13

How can you be delivered from Satan and evil? By staying close to Jesus, God's "one and only Son" (as John 3:16 describes Him). The Christian's "Big Brother" has overcome sin, and He can help you do it as well.