Chip and a Chair

I love playing poker. I play weekly with a group of buddies and we have been doing it for years. It is a relaxing way to spend an evening with good friends and have some fun and maybe, make some cash in the process. One thing that I like about poker is that although it is technically "gambling' it feels like more of a battle of minds than pure luck. You are trying to read your opponent and trying to send him the wrong signals about what you hold.

So one story that always resonated with me was that of Jack Straus and the 1982 World Series of Poker. Jack was playing his heart out but ended up losing all but ONE $25 chip. He famously fought his way back to the top and ended up winning the whole thing, resulting in $520,000 in winnings and an exclusive champions bracelet.

I always liked this story because it showed the value of never giving up. An old Japanese proverb says "Fall down seven times, stand up eight." The trouble is most people don't stand up that eighth time and instead stay knocked down never knowing that their success was right there waiting for them. I have been knocked down so many times in my life. Whether it is emotionally, physically, financially, I have been at the top and the bottom. There were times when I thought I would just stay down. That it was too HARD to get back up. But after every knock down I have always came up stronger, smarter, and more full of fire for life and success.

Do you think that Jack Straus was thinking he could win the entire 1982 World Series of Poker when he was down to literally 1 chip and a chair. That did not stop him from fighting back though. It wasn't too long before he was able to see the possibility of winning the entire tournament and succeed. Apply this lesson to your life. Wherever you are in life, you may not be able to see the big picture or what lies waiting for you around the next corner. You will never discover the greatness that is in you though if you stay knocked down. So if you are laying on your back right now wondering how you got there and if it is worth it to get back up. Think of Jack Straus and realize that it is time to stand up. It is time to go on that amazing journey called life and discover the great potential you hold inside. It is time for you to take your chip and a chair and go WIN.