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Archive for the ‘prayer’ Category

prayers for suckouts

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008

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On Sunday night I was watching the 2007 World Series of Poker on ESPN when I came across this amazing exchange.

At the final table of the Main Event, chip leader Jerry Yang bets 1 million with unsuited A-9. Poker Pro Lee Watkinson then raises All In (9 million) with an unsuited A-7.

If Jerry calls Lee’s bet and wins, Lee is out of the tournament. The camera cuts to Lee’s fiancee among the spectators, and that’s when we pick up the action:

Lee’s fiancee: “If he calls, he will double Lee up. No weapon formed against him shall prosper.”

Jerry Yang: “I Call!”

*crowd stands to their feet in anticipation*

Lee’s fiancee: “C’mon Father! In Jesus’ Name, no weapon formed against you shall prosper!”

Jerry Yang: “C’mon Lord. You know Your purpose for me.

*the flop comes 2-6-4 and the turn is a King. Neither player’s hand improves and Yang is still ahead*

Jerry Yang: “C’mon Lord. Have a purpose for me today.”

Lee’s fiancee: “C’mon, make him a believer. Make Lee a believer, Father.”

Narrator Norman Chad: “I’m not sure who the Lord is listening to, but Watkinson needs a 7 or he’s done.”

Jerry Yang: “Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, c’mon, let me win this one.”

*River card is a jack, and Yang wins the hand. Lee Watkinson is eliminated*

(you can watch the clip here, between the 0:45 and 2:20 mark of the video)

It’s crazy enough to see one person praying for a poker hand, but two? That’s as rare as a royal flush.

Jerry Yang, father of five and former part-time missionary, went on to win the Main Event, and a $8.25 Million dollar purse. He said he would give 10% of his winnings to 3 charities (Ronald McDonald House, Make a Wish Foundation, and Feed the Children).

In his post-win interview he said “(The day i left the refugee camp in Thailand) was the happiest day of my life. But my win today also means a lot to me, because I know that i can use this money to do a lot of good for other people out there.”

No word yet as to whether Lee became a believer or not.

If you got a chance to watch that exchange, what did you think of it?

*by the way, a “suckout” is a poker term that means “a strong poker hand that is beat by another player’s hand because they hit their draw”

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