Being a Christian Poker Player

By now most of you should know that I am a Christian. I always thank God for everything, I give 10% of my profits to charity or people in need, I do not join in the after poker excursions during live events (except the one organised by the tournament organiser), most already know not to invite me to drinks, girly bars, etc as they know I always say no. But for a long time I struggled about revealing my beliefs because in my culture, many still associate poker with gambling, or it carries a negative connotation. 

Poker in Prague

There is indeed gambling in poker. Sometimes there are spots that you have to take that are just barely +EV. But isn't there gamble in everything? A quarterback throws a hail Mary pass, a basketball player takes a 3 pointer instead of a closer bucket, taking the COVID vaccine or not, going out during the pandemic, driving, walking up the stairs, allowing ourselves to fall in love.... there's an element of risk in any decision we make. The best thing we can do is to weigh the risks and rewards and make the best decision we can. 

Being a Christian poker player doesn't mean God will help me win. I remember when I was little, there was a boxing match between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. During their pre fight interviews, Tyson said, God will help me win. Holyfield also said God will help me win. I remember thinking, who is God going to help? Did the winner win because God loved him more? Or because he prayed more? A farmer prays for rain, a fisherman prays for sunshine, who does God listen to? If he sides with one does it mean he doesn't love the other guy?

Being a Christian poker player means that I can share my "work" with God. I tell Him my struggles, my stresses, and to be honest I almost never pray to win. I pray to play the best I can and have fun in the process. I know some of you are going to ask, then why do you still give thanks when you do win? 

I have not had a boss since 2018. I have flexible hours. I can choose where I want to work, for how long, and when I want to stop. My "job" is to play a game and talk to other players. I have a great partner who not only understands what I do, but supports me even when I am losing. I have so many things to be thankful for. Even when I lose, I still have the best job of my life. Just a bad day at the office. 

I know there are many other players who are Christians. They may not be as obvious as I am, but I hope this blog can encourage them. If we feel ashamed to tell people we are Christian poker players, then maybe we shouldn't play poker anymore. But I believe, whatever we do, we do the best we can, we do it with integrity, with respect, with honour, with class, and we can still make God proud of us. We can inspire others, help others, be kind to others, care for others within our industry. 

Merry Christmas guys

Whatever it is, I feel that I am usually the happiest guy among my peers. You always see me smiling and making jokes. Knowing that it is a blessing that I have this life, win or lose becomes secondary because I appreciate how fortunate I am compared to many other people. 

So far in my poker "career" I have had some mediocre results at best. I can still turn a decent profit from cash games, but I haven't had any significant scores in tournaments. But that's okay. When it is my time, it will be my time. But in the meantime, I hope people sense a difference in me, I am not like other people, I can mingle with poker players but yet be God fearing. My "job" is to take as much money from other players as I can, but I can still be generous in helping others and giving back. I take bad beats like a champ, I never throw a tantrum on the table, nor yell at other players or dealers, always leave the table gracefully and wishing everyone the best. Maybe one day God will allow my career to shine. But even if He doesn't, I am thankful I can be a Christian and a poker player at the same time.