Anyone else bothered by people praying at the poker table?

Question

I was just watching a replay of the final table at this year's main event, and they got to a hand with Jerry Yang heads up against Lee Watkinson. Yang had Ace-9 against Ace-7. Yang started with his "I know you have a purpose for me lord. In Jesus name, let me win" rap while in the crowd, one of Watkinson's relatives (sister?) was calling out "make Lee a believer Lord". First of all, I am pretty sure that most religions, and certainly christianity, take a dim view of gambling, and secondly, I've never believed that god (if he even exists- I'm agnostic) takes much interest in sporting events and gambling and the like. I mean, what if both players are devout? Then god REALLY has to pick a side.

I understand that Yang is a very compassionate man who plans to using his winnings to help people, so I am not questioning his faith, I just think it's silly to pray at the table.

Answer 1

I'm not really bothered by it, but it is fairly hypocritical.

It's one thing to pray for strength before a sporting event, or even to pray for wisdom before a poker tournament, but to pray for LUCK, after you've already made all the decisions you can make, is a little sacriligous in my eyes.

And in addition to some of the observations above, Christians are also instructed to AVOID public displays of prayer.  Prayer is to be in private, or in community with others (church, for example) but NOT as a public display.

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Not that it's stopped me from praying for a 3-outer on more than one occasion .....

Answer 2

Doesn't bother me.  I don't think God works that way ;)

Answer 3

I think it's offensive and the ultimate sign of being self absorbed.

By the time you read the answer to this question a few dozen children will have died thanks to a lack of food, water, or medicine.

There are people suffering in agony all over the world from medical conditions that we have the technology to cure, but they happen to live in a part of the world where such treatment is unavailable.

With such suffering and death in the world, it is offensive that some idiot would be praying to God to bring him good cards at a poker table.

I'm not even religious, but it clearly is offensive to anyone that sees it.  If there were a God, to be sitting there with a full belly and good health, asking Him to give you better luck that other players at the table, when there are so many real problems in the world, is just absurd and selfish.

The Bible clearly is very anti-rich.  "Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."  - Jesus in Mathew 19:23-24

Also it says, "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you." - James 5:1.

So if you are a Christian who has read the Bible, I have no idea why you would pray to God for good fortune at a poker table so you can become rich.  It makes no sense.

Answer 4

At least he is not cussing at the table like most people do. Whatever you think is going to help you, then i'm all for it.

Answer 5

I haven't run into this yet, and I don't hope I don't start laughing when I do.  Praying for a hand is silly. I doubt God cares, assuming God exists.

Personally, I think that in age in which we are so diversified it is simply rude to pray aloud in public unless you are in a religious setting. Grace before a meal, in a restaurant is okay, but it should be subtle, not in your face.

I find that people who make a big deal about praying in public, or about their religion in general, generally are self-absorbed and feeling a bit too holier than thou to really be close to God in any way.

To me that is not only just paying lip service to their religion, but it is also a way for them to feel superior in front of all those who need to be "saved." Truly, I don't think God would approve of the energy behind this kind of thoughtless prayer. (Again assuming God exists). To me it reeks of heresy. Such a prayer is not in tribute to God or life in general, but rather a selfish plea from a egotistical being.

I don't know that I would bother to be offended by it, I would simply add it to my list of notes on that particular player just in case it can someday be used in a play against him.

Goddess Bless : )

Answer 6

Why would you, unless you were a militant atheist who hates everything to do with religion (ironically, most of them rip people who "try to force their beliefs on others" when they do the same thing) or a fundamentalist who thinks it's sacrilege to ask God to help you win a bet?

Answer 7

People do all kind of things at the poker table, if what they do gets under  your skin, you probably shouldn't be at that table.  There is nothing wrong with people praying, begging for cards, etc... at the table. I play at tables with obnoxious drunks, foul mouthed college kids, know it all pokerholics, in other words, every type of person imaginable.  Truely the only person I have a problem with at the table is someone who is unsanitary and they smell to high heavens, I will usually ask for a transfer (in a ring game) in a tournament, I literally stand up when I am not in a hand to get above the odor, so to speak.

I see where people claim it is rude to pray at a table (for some ode to Political Correctness I guess). If we are being politically correct, then how is it not rude to take money from a family by winning the hand?  What if he is compulsive? What if groceries aren't going to be purchased for two little kids by winning a big pot?  I hear people cursing at tables all the time, what about the folks who find that offensive?  I know I do.  I am by no means a religious person, but, I certainly don't begrudge others their religion.  One other thing I truely don't like... a language other than english being spoke at a table, how does that play towards our diversity, thankfully most card rooms do no allow that (a good way to cheat).  Making comments on other's play, that is rude, and it is stupid quiet frankly, why stop someone from being a donk?  When you have 7 to sometimes 10 strangers at a table, I am sure someone is going to do something offensive to others, we are people and all have different attitudes about a multitude of things.  Live with it, and if it really bugs you, ask for a transfer.  

As for whether God cares who wins...who is to say. A good bit  of Yang's winnings went to charity, he put his money where his prayers were, and I find that admirable.