Strange...I never thought of God showing his power via a suckout lol

[llleisure]

That must be the hole in my game - I don't think I've ever made promises to God during a poker hand and it seems to be rocking for Mr. Yang.

Show people your power to make the best hand lose oh Lord!

[VarlosZ]

I'm almost glad there's an annoyingly religious guy in the lead. Gives me a rooting interest (against him, naturally).

[sketchy1]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm almost glad there's an annoyingly religious guy in the lead. Gives me a rooting interest (against him, naturally).

[/ QUOTE ]

cosigned

[pknight212]

i'm waiting for rainkhan to suckout against him a few times, then do some cartwheels and shout "JESUS LOVES ME MORE!!!"

[ericicecream]

He's so annoying.

God wanted him to go play a poker tournament so that he can give 10% to charity? B.S.

[bottomset]

[ QUOTE ]
i'm waiting for rainkhan to suckout against him a few times, then do some cartwheels and shout "JESUS LOVES ME MORE!!!"

[/ QUOTE ]

I hope this happens

[roaaahhh]

yea im sure thats the hole in your game.

[cwsiggy]

crap - my landlady has a block on pay per view - I either have to wait till she gets home or bag it - the good news - there's one gigantic stack so I'm not sure this is worth ordering at this stage.... oh well....

[Dookus]

I wish the dealer would tell him "Excuse me, sir... only one player to a hand."

[ericicecream]

Obviously, God does not like the other players.

[trying2learn]

i haven't laughed as hard in a month as i did when he screamed,

"in the name of Jesus Christ Lord - please let me win this hand."

absolutely [censored] priceless.

[Pokerpun]

[ QUOTE ]
i haven't laughed as hard in a month as i did when he screamed,

"in the name of Jesus Christ Lord - please let me win this hand."

absolutely [censored] priceless.

[/ QUOTE ]

did he really say that?

[EWS87]

my new favorite player in poker history, will be whoever knocks him out of this tourney..if he wins it ill probably give up poker

[idrinkcoors]

Christians representin'

Go Jerry.

[Vince.]

[ QUOTE ]
Obviously, God does not like the other players.

[/ QUOTE ]

lol

[trying2learn]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
i haven't laughed as hard in a month as i did when he screamed,

"in the name of Jesus Christ Lord - please let me win this hand."

absolutely [censored] priceless.

[/ QUOTE ]

did he really say that?

[/ QUOTE ]

yes, it's a straight quote. he followed it with, "if you let me win this lord - i'll spend the money glorify-ing your name..."

it was pure insanity.

[zasterguava]

I wish there was a Hell for him to go to.

[GaryTheGoat]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
i haven't laughed as hard in a month as i did when he screamed,

"in the name of Jesus Christ Lord - please let me win this hand."

absolutely [censored] priceless.

[/ QUOTE ]

did he really say that?

[/ QUOTE ]

yes, it's a straight quote. he followed it with, "if you let me win this lord - i'll spend the money glorify-ing your name..."

it was pure insanity.

[/ QUOTE ]

Poker will do that to ya'. "There are no atheists in a foxhole." lol

IIRC, Barryg commentating during a wcoop event a few years ago said something like "I remember being curled up in a fetal position, praying to a god that I don't believe in, that I would do something good with the money if he would allow me to win."

[ericicecream]

I think God has been waiting all these centuries for someone like this to come along to glorify his name.

[Max Raker]

And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my bad beats upon you.

[Bonified]

[ QUOTE ]
And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my bad beats upon you.

[/ QUOTE ]

Even though this is such an easy target, LOL for that one.

[Ace-Ex]

Yeah I'm willing to bet a lot of us suffer from the prayer leak. A little churchin' might help your game.

[silvermark]

Just let him be? No?

[llleisure]

Unless Satan shows up and murders Yang, I think he's going to win.

Yes he has made several DIRECT promises to God. He asked specificaly to win a hand, he asked God to "show them your power" or something like that and he said he'd glorify God somehow or other. Not sure where in Vegas you can take $8.2million to do that but I'm sure his casino host can hooketh him up.

Edit: While I was posting this, God smote Yang's A-9o with Lam's 3d4d when they got it all in PF. (Lam flopped a 4 and it held up.)

[llleisure]

It's done. God was like get that AQ crap AND that Canadian flag out my face! I giveth yee a straight draw on the turneth. When that card hit I was like, well if God wants this lil fealla to win I guess the river is a 6 - which is one of Satans numbers (666) you know. In your [censored] eye Satan, eat a 6 bitch.

I'm joining a chursh ASAP.

[Austiger]

David sucked out against Goliath.

[BingoChimp]

[ QUOTE ]
i haven't laughed as hard in a month as i did when he screamed,

"in the name of Jesus Christ Lord - please let me win this hand."

absolutely [censored] priceless.

[/ QUOTE ]

This left a nasty taste in my mouth...oh..its vomit!

[That Foreign Guy]

[ QUOTE ]
Goliath sucked out against David

[/ QUOTE ]

[dersl]

[ QUOTE ]
Obviously, God does not like the other players.

[/ QUOTE ]

lol /images/graemlins/laugh.gif a+

[kickabuck]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Obviously, God does not like the other players.

[/ QUOTE ]

lol /images/graemlins/laugh.gif a+

[/ QUOTE ]

lol at the guys in this thread and the others back slapping one another in recognition of their incredible wit. Sure, it's very easy to mock the guy for many of the atheists and know-it-all-children on this board(only dipsh*ts have faith, right?), but realize he friggin escaped the Communists in Laos and made it to America. Pretty damn good reason to have faith in God. Maybe you can forgive him his over exuberance, and appreciate his pleasant and apparently charitable nature.

[epdaws]

[ QUOTE ]
lol at the guys in this thread and the others back slapping one another in recognition of their incredible wit.

[/ QUOTE ]

Have you ever read a 2p2 thread? Get used to it.

[ QUOTE ]
only dipsh*ts have faith, right?

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry, but believing that only dip$h!ts have faith is a much more defensible position than believing in a fictitious creation. I'm not even an atheist -- a spiritual existentialist, to be specific -- but I'd suggest you not try to flex any intellectual debate into this thread. Religions get crushed by reason.

[ QUOTE ]
but realize he friggin escaped the Communists in Laos and made it to America. Pretty damn good reason to have faith in God.

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess there are myriad reasons to believe in God, then, but that doesn't make it right to ask Jesus to river the life out of your opponents.

[ QUOTE ]
Maybe you can forgive him his over exuberance, and appreciate his pleasant and apparently charitable nature.

[/ QUOTE ]

His boast of giving away 10% is hardly worth noting, imo. I think most people would give away 10% to various worthy causes if they won.

Also, consider the possibility that he tried to make a deal with God that was based more on the moment than on his intentions. I'm not saying he didn't mean what he was saying. I'm saying that many, many people have felt the pressure of the moment and turned to God.

[QTrips]

LOL @ y'all!! /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I'm fairly sure that no matter what your faith...or lack thereof... God frowns upon gambling.. big time! LOL But if the man believed somewhere deep down that this helped him.. so be it. He won. End of tale.

To whomever referred to Jesus as Jerusalem Slim.... LMAO!! NOW you're gonna get it.... LOL

[NickyC]

I see myself as a religious person, but it's stuff like this that really makes me mad and why I'm embarrassed half the time to tell people I'm a Catholic.

You DO NOT call God's name out while GAMBLING of all things. You DO NOT call God's name out while competing against OTHER people. What so you win and start praising God, how do you think the person who just lost feels? You just lost a million dollar pot in a tournament, the loss feels bad enough without some insane jackhole jumping up and down talking about how God is great, God loves me. How's that make the loser feel, maybe God doesn't love him?

It's just insane, and the older I get, the more I realize religion is a HUGE reason why this world is so freeking messed up. A huge majority of the conflicts in this world involve muslim extremists living in the 5th century who still believe in someone who was essentially a warlord telling them to kill all the infidels. They are blowing themselves up, killing other innocents, and devoting their entire existence to some crackpot who was no more a God than you, me, or anyone else on this planet. Quite frankly it's sickening and I'm tired of the whole mess.

Personally, I'm not even sure what I believe in. I believe there is some sort of power in this universe, some sort of God. Whether that God is Jesus Christ, Buddha, or Colonel Sanders I have no idea. All I know is you do not help yourself or your religion by praying to your God over a card table and promising that God you will spend the money in a way that would make him happy.

It's people like this that give religion a bad name and why I'm increasingly embarrassed to acknowledge my faith publicly.

[TMTTR]

[ QUOTE ]
You DO NOT call God's name out while GAMBLING of all things.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am going to ignore the rest of the rant, but this is what made Jerry so funny. You can pray to God (or the Gods, depending on your persuasion) to heal a sick child or to help you defeat temptation, etc.

But praying for god to make you a set so your pocket 4s can beat QQ? Uh. No.

Still, Jerry has a great story and he seems like a nice guy.

[That Foreign Guy]

It is more common in Asian cultures to appeal for divine intervention about things that Westerners do not view as the province of God. Appealing to Buddha (although he isn't actually divine), the spirits of your ancestors, the magic crocodile, whatever, used to be commonplace before a variety of mundane events then Christianity showed up and a lot of that attitude spilled over.

Also gambling is nowhere neat as taboo, so why wouldn't Jesus want one of his homies to win?

[DrewDevil]

[ QUOTE ]
LOL @ y'all!! /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I'm fairly sure that no matter what your faith...or lack thereof... God frowns upon gambling.. big time! LOL But if the man believed somewhere deep down that this helped him.. so be it. He won. End of tale.

To whomever referred to Jesus as Jerusalem Slim.... LMAO!! NOW you're gonna get it.... LOL

[/ QUOTE ]

Shouldn't it be Bethlehem Slim?

Or Nazareth Slim?

[Jbrochu]

[ QUOTE ]
It's done. God was like get that AQ crap AND that Canadian flag out my face! I giveth yee a straight draw on the turneth. When that card hit I was like, well if God wants this lil fealla to win I guess the river is a 6 - which is one of Satans numbers (666) you know. In your [censored] eye Satan, eat a 6 bitch.

I'm joining a chursh ASAP.

[/ QUOTE ]


I don't know if I'm over tired or what but I can't stop laughing.

[Bullrun]

what is the religious quote that is something like:

If you are embarrassed about your faith in god then god will be embarrassed you are his follower....or something like that...

not that it condones this behavior...I get sick hearing people say things like "thank god" "thank you jesus..." so on when gambling....because its just such an unholy activity...it is like the player haters ball on god in here tho...hate hate hate hate

[Jeff76]

[ QUOTE ]
its just such an unholy activity

[/ QUOTE ]Really? Why?

[RarocASP]

Today I prayed to Colonel Sanders for a delicious, greasy, original recipe flavored bucket of animal parts for lunch. Needless to say, he delivered.

[Bullrun]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
its just such an unholy activity

[/ QUOTE ]Really? Why?

[/ QUOTE ]

my opinion I guess...although I love playing cards so its not like my view of it is affecting my actions...

[PokerBob]

Well, the supreme being finally has mastered the art of helping teams win football games, so he has had more time to work on other areas. Apparently the suckout is one of them.

[Jbrochu]

[ QUOTE ]
Sure, it's very easy to mock the guy for many of the atheists and know-it-all-children on this board(only dipsh*ts have faith, right?), but realize he friggin escaped the Communists in Laos and made it to America. Pretty damn good reason to have faith in God.

[/ QUOTE ]


I don't think he's getting mocked for his faith as much as for his pathetic groveling and begging.

[graarrg]

[ QUOTE ]


lol at the guys in this thread and the others back slapping one another in recognition of their incredible wit. Sure, it's very easy to mock the guy for many of the atheists and know-it-all-children on this board(only dipsh*ts have faith, right?), but realize he friggin escaped the Communists in Laos and made it to America. Pretty damn good reason to have faith in God. Maybe you can forgive him his over exuberance, and appreciate his pleasant and apparently charitable nature.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, only [censored] have faith. Who the [censored] believes in total fantasy and makes it his entire life? Why is it that nerds who think they're Aragorn from Lord of the Rings are losers but everyone else who expects God to give them good cards is totally reasonable?

Stop trying to validate your beliefs by belittling those who don't believe in pie in the sky [censored]. Just because some atheists are idiots doesn't mean that it's suddenly more correct to have faith in nonsense.

Wow, so he escaped the communists in Laos. From one form of totalitarian mysticism to another- brilliant.

You gotta love the "you kids these days with your internet and your sarcasm thinking you're all smart with your godlessness, the good honest religious man always wins!"

[Bullrun]

thread hijacked by radical fundamentalists...

[wheelflush]

[ QUOTE ]
His boast of giving away 10% is hardly worth noting, imo. I think most people would give away 10% to various worthy causes if they won.

[/ QUOTE ]
i'm going to have to disagree with you there, on both counts.

[Ace-Ex]

[ QUOTE ]
Today I prayed to Colonel Sanders for a delicious, greasy, original recipe flavored bucket of animal parts for lunch. Needless to say, he delivered.

[/ QUOTE ]

The Lord works in mysterious ways.

[idrinkcoors]

[ QUOTE ]
thread hijacked by radical Christian-bashing atheists ...

[/ QUOTE ]

FYP

[JTrout]

As irritating as it may have been to watch, his faith in God helped him become the 2007 WSOP Champion.

[Tyler Durden]

I'm sure the big guy cares about a 60/40 all-in.

[Bullrun]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
thread hijacked by radical Christian-bashing atheists ...

[/ QUOTE ]

FYP

[/ QUOTE ]

thanks cus I wouldnt have had the stones to say it so bluntly

[Slow Play Ray]

i kind of feel bad - poor god was up there, probably trying to get some real work done all night, and this "faithful" follower of his kept chiming in with prayers for cards to fall. so he had to take time out of his busy schedule to quickly rearrange the deck over and over again. i wonder what countless poor souls suffered last night, and how, because god kept getting interrupted to rig a poker game???

[epdaws]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
His boast of giving away 10% is hardly worth noting, imo. I think most people would give away 10% to various worthy causes if they won.

[/ QUOTE ]
i'm going to have to disagree with you there, on both counts.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you think giving away 10% of your income is noteworthy, we'll just disagree.

In my second point, I'm talking about any variety of worthy causes; ill or needy family; ill or needy friends; charity; etc.

[dividius]

[ QUOTE ]
lol at the guys in this thread and the others back slapping one another in recognition of their incredible wit. Sure, it's very easy to mock the guy for many of the atheists and know-it-all-children on this board(only dipsh*ts have faith, right?), but realize he friggin escaped the Communists in Laos and made it to America. Pretty damn good reason to have faith in God. Maybe you can forgive him his over exuberance, and appreciate his pleasant and apparently charitable nature.

[/ QUOTE ]

Amen to this post. I'm not a religious person, but I am spiritual. I know that there are greater forces at work in this universe. Did they help Mr. Yang win? I can't say that, but I'm sure glad that someone who apparently has an open heart and is generous with his money won the tournament. Why is this a bad thing? So he said some ridiculous things during the final table. If it puts his mind at ease, who cares? He's not hurting anyone. I'd rather sit with a kind, charitable, religious guy than some know-it-all a$$hole, like that young, arrogant punk in last years tourney, who criticized everyone else at the table non-stop. Unfortunately (and this is why I don't post here often) more people on these boards are like the young punk than the religious guy; they just love to pat themselves on the back and mock everyone else for how stupid they are. It's quite ironic, since a lot of spiritual people do the same thing to non-believers.

I always find it fascinating how some of those w/o faith not only relish in their lack of faith, but feel the need to belittle and put down everyone that believes in anything that might crack open their fragile little egg shelled mind. I used to be one of those people, constantly mocking anyone religious, especially Christians (many are so misguided, they make such easy targets.) Looking back, I was just another example of ignorant people fearing that which they don't understand. I've seen enough strange "coincidences" in my life to know that there are definitely greater forces at work that we don't fully comprehend. Whether you want to call it God, Jesus, Allah, Buddha, Vishnu, Brahman, Jah, or Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo doesn't really matter; they're all just different names for the same thing.

For people looking for a more scientific explanation of God (aren't we all?), I would recommend "The Holographic Universe", by Michael Talbot, or "Science and the Akashic Field" , by Ervin Laszlo. They might not change your mind, but hopefully you'll gain a greater understanding and tolerance of people who realize there is more to life than this basic, physical realm. Who knows, it might even make you a better poker player.

[tpir]

[ QUOTE ]
I know that there are greater forces at work in this universe....I've seen enough strange "coincidences" in my life to know that there are definitely greater forces at work that we don't fully comprehend.

[/ QUOTE ]
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/8698/knucklecopyrs2.jpg

[Brad1970]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
lol at the guys in this thread and the others back slapping one another in recognition of their incredible wit. Sure, it's very easy to mock the guy for many of the atheists and know-it-all-children on this board(only dipsh*ts have faith, right?), but realize he friggin escaped the Communists in Laos and made it to America. Pretty damn good reason to have faith in God. Maybe you can forgive him his over exuberance, and appreciate his pleasant and apparently charitable nature.

[/ QUOTE ]

Amen to this post. I'm not a religious person, but I am spiritual. I know that there are greater forces at work in this universe. Did they help Mr. Yang win? I can't say that, but I'm sure glad that someone who apparently has an open heart and is generous with his money won the tournament. Why is this a bad thing? So he said some ridiculous things during the final table. If it puts his mind at ease, who cares? He's not hurting anyone. I'd rather sit with a kind, charitable, religious guy than some know-it-all a$$hole, like that young, arrogant punk in last years tourney, who criticized everyone else at the table non-stop. Unfortunately (and this is why I don't post here often) more people on these boards are like the young punk than the religious guy; they just love to pat themselves on the back and mock everyone else for how stupid they are. It's quite ironic, since a lot of spiritual people do the same thing to non-believers.

I always find it fascinating how some of those w/o faith not only relish in their lack of faith, but feel the need to belittle and put down everyone that believes in anything that might crack open their fragile little egg shelled mind. I used to be one of those people, constantly mocking anyone religious, especially Christians (many are so misguided, they make such easy targets.) Looking back, I was just another example of ignorant people fearing that which they don't understand. I've seen enough strange "coincidences" in my life to know that there are definitely greater forces at work that we don't fully comprehend. Whether you want to call it God, Jesus, Allah, Buddha, Vishnu, Brahman, Jah, or Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo doesn't really matter; they're all just different names for the same thing.

For people looking for a more scientific explanation of God (aren't we all?), I would recommend "The Holographic Universe", by Michael Talbot, or "Science and the Akashic Field" , by Ervin Laszlo. They might not change your mind, but hopefully you'll gain a greater understanding and tolerance of people who realize there is more to life than this basic, physical realm. Who knows, it might even make you a better poker player.

[/ QUOTE ]


FWIW, there is a HUGH difference in being spiritual and having a belief in Jesus Christ. To everyone reading this, please don't confuse the two...

[ QUOTE ]
For people looking for a more scientific explanation of God (aren't we all?)

[/ QUOTE ]

Ummm. I don't know how scientific you are looking for but this isn't possible. That's why it's called faith.

[PITTM]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I know that there are greater forces at work in this universe....I've seen enough strange "coincidences" in my life to know that there are definitely greater forces at work that we don't fully comprehend.

[/ QUOTE ]

[/ QUOTE ]

Kid, I've flown from one side of this galaxy to the other, and I've seen a lot of strange stuff. But I've never seen anything to make me believe that there's one all-powerful Force controlling everything. There's no mystical energy field that controls MY destiny.

http://img.search.com/thumb/b/b2/HanSolo5.jpg/290px-HanSolo5.jpg

[Bonified]

[ QUOTE ]
Ummm. I don't know how scientific you are looking for but this isn't possible. That's why it's called faith.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well exactly. If people say "It's my faith, I don't need to prove it to anyone", I'm cool with that. You're not supposed to be able to prove it.

Yang sounds like a nice guy, and I would think that all of what he said during the hands was spontaneous, not really thought out and just an emotional reaction to an extremely stressful situation. Some of us are just having a bit of fun with the logical extensions of it, it's not "religion bashing" or "hate" IMO, or at least I didn't mean it to be.

[Warteen]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I know that there are greater forces at work in this universe....I've seen enough strange "coincidences" in my life to know that there are definitely greater forces at work that we don't fully comprehend.

[/ QUOTE ]
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/8698/knucklecopyrs2.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

This is definitely the worst "O RLY?" I've seen.

[cowboy2579]

whatev - 10% to charity... he can write that off on his taxes, meaning that he's giving up NONE of his profit. If he ends up being a hypocrite about this, I'm pretty sure he'll go to hell.

I really hope God doesn't care about stuff like this. Then again, Jesus rode a donkey into jerusalem didn't he? At least he'll have a well-heeled one for his second coming...

[DrewDevil]

[ QUOTE ]
whatev - 10% to charity... he can write that off on his taxes, meaning that he's giving up NONE of his profit.

[/ QUOTE ]

These "tax laws," I do not think they mean what you think they mean.

[PITTM]

dear irs,

according to your calculations, i owe you $4,283 dollars. However, I donated $4,283 dollars to charity so I actually owe you nothing. Thanks!

rj

yeah. that wouldnt work...

[Pokerpun]

There must Be a JERRY YIN to go with JERRY YANG

JERRY YIN is tight passive, atheist , never seen his kids, would keep all the money and spend it on blow and hookers and got knocked out on Day 1 of the ME.

[epdaws]

[ QUOTE ]
There must Be a JERRY YIN to go with JERRY YANG

JERRY YIN is tight passive, atheist , never seen his kids, would keep all the money and spend it on blow and hookers and got knocked out on Day 1 of the ME.

[/ QUOTE ]

*crickets chirping*

[epdaws]

[ QUOTE ]
Jesus rode a donkey into jerusalem didn't he? At least he'll have a well-heeled one for his second coming...

[/ QUOTE ]

Now, THIS is funny.

[epdaws]

[ QUOTE ]
If people say "It's my faith, I don't need to prove it to anyone", I'm cool with that. You're not supposed to be able to prove it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm, this would work extremely well in Debate Club.

Okay, you don't have to prove it; should you at least base SOME of your belief in empirical evidence?

[cowboy2579]

[ QUOTE ]
dear irs,

according to your calculations, i owe you $4,283 dollars. However, I donated $4,283 dollars to charity so I actually owe you nothing. Thanks!

rj

yeah. that wouldnt work...

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm pretty sure that you can (bold is from LegalZoom.com):

You may deduct a maximum of up to 50% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) (Line 36 on IRS Form 1040) for the tax year the donation was given.

Poker earnings = part of gross income
deduction = 0.5*AGI (if you give that much, which he won't have to in order to satifsfy his agreement with Jesus).

he would've had to rend unto caesar anyway, so he loses nothing, DUCY?

[jimmytrick]

The whole purpose of prayer is to ask God to bless your efforts so what is the big deal?

[Bonified]

Screw debate club. Debate club is what helps people become lawyers, politicians, advertising execs and all the other [censored] who make a living arguing the position they're paid to argue irrespective of what they actually believe.

See, that's hate. I hate lawyers much more than Christians :-)

[jimmytrick]

Hmm, this would work extremely well in Debate Club.

Okay, you don't have to prove it; should you at least base SOME of your belief in empirical evidence?

[/ QUOTE ]

I offer as empirical evidence in proof of God's existance the number of human beings that have practiced religion throughout history.

[Temp Hutter]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
dear irs,

according to your calculations, i owe you $4,283 dollars. However, I donated $4,283 dollars to charity so I actually owe you nothing. Thanks!

rj

yeah. that wouldnt work...

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm pretty sure that you can (bold is from LegalZoom.com):

You may deduct a maximum of up to 50% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) (Line 36 on IRS Form 1040) for the tax year the donation was given.

Poker earnings = part of gross income
deduction = 0.5*AGI (if you give that much, which he won't have to in order to satifsfy his agreement with Jesus).

he would've had to rend unto caesar anyway, so he loses nothing, DUCY?

[/ QUOTE ]

There are differences between AGI, taxable income and taxes owed.

[dspholladay]

[ QUOTE ]
It's done. God was like get that AQ crap AND that Canadian flag out my face! I giveth yee a straight draw on the turneth. When that card hit I was like, well if God wants this lil fealla to win I guess the river is a 6 - which is one of Satans numbers (666) you know. In your [censored] eye Satan, eat a 6 bitch.

I'm joining a chursh ASAP.

[/ QUOTE ]

Damn it, I'll never be a good poker player. Why did my parents have to be Jewish?

Does this mean Chris Ferguson needs a new nickname?

LOL Prayeraments

[fnord_too]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
dear irs,

according to your calculations, i owe you $4,283 dollars. However, I donated $4,283 dollars to charity so I actually owe you nothing. Thanks!

rj

yeah. that wouldnt work...

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm pretty sure that you can (bold is from LegalZoom.com):

You may deduct a maximum of up to 50% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) (Line 36 on IRS Form 1040) for the tax year the donation was given.

Poker earnings = part of gross income
deduction = 0.5*AGI (if you give that much, which he won't have to in order to satifsfy his agreement with Jesus).

he would've had to rend unto caesar anyway, so he loses nothing, DUCY?

[/ QUOTE ]

Let me explain how this works: you pay taxes on your adjusted income so you still have less money in the end if you donate.

Example: You make say 10M, and say your tax rate is 20% (to make the math nice). You would pay 2M and have 8M left if you donated nothing. If you donated half, you would pay taxes on the other half, to 5M to charity, 1M to the IRS, 4M in your pocket. The donation did not cost you the 5M you donated, only 4M, but it still cost you.

Your donations cost you Ammount * (1 - TaxRate). IANAA, but I even think that donations cannot change your bracket (that is, you pay the % according to your income, but the % is applied to your adjusted income vice the % being based on your adjusted income).

[epdaws]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Hmm, this would work extremely well in Debate Club.

Okay, you don't have to prove it; should you at least base SOME of your belief in empirical evidence?

[/ QUOTE ]

I offer as empirical evidence in proof of God's existance the number of human beings that have practiced religion throughout history.

[/ QUOTE ]

LOL, I mean, this can't be a face-value comment; I'm being leveled, LOL, amirite?

[kickabuck]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
lol at the guys in this thread and the others back slapping one another in recognition of their incredible wit.

[/ QUOTE ]

Have you ever read a 2p2 thread? Get used to it.

[ QUOTE ]
only dipsh*ts have faith, right?

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry, but believing that only dip$h!ts have faith is a much more defensible position than believing in a fictitious creation. I'm not even an atheist -- a spiritual existentialist, to be specific -- but I'd suggest you not try to flex any intellectual debate into this thread. Religions get crushed by reason.

[ QUOTE ]
but realize he friggin escaped the Communists in Laos and made it to America. Pretty damn good reason to have faith in God.

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess there are myriad reasons to believe in God, then, but that doesn't make it right to ask Jesus to river the life out of your opponents.

[ QUOTE ]
Maybe you can forgive him his over exuberance, and appreciate his pleasant and apparently charitable nature.

[/ QUOTE ]

His boast of giving away 10% is hardly worth noting, imo. I think most people would give away 10% to various worthy causes if they won.

Also, consider the possibility that he tried to make a deal with God that was based more on the moment than on his intentions. I'm not saying he didn't mean what he was saying. I'm saying that many, many people have felt the pressure of the moment and turned to God.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am an agnostic and have no interest in being an advocate for those of faith--like spiritual existentialists for example--.

[fnurt]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
dear irs,

according to your calculations, i owe you $4,283 dollars. However, I donated $4,283 dollars to charity so I actually owe you nothing. Thanks!

rj

yeah. that wouldnt work...

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm pretty sure that you can (bold is from LegalZoom.com):

You may deduct a maximum of up to 50% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) (Line 36 on IRS Form 1040) for the tax year the donation was given.

Poker earnings = part of gross income
deduction = 0.5*AGI (if you give that much, which he won't have to in order to satifsfy his agreement with Jesus).

he would've had to rend unto caesar anyway, so he loses nothing, DUCY?

[/ QUOTE ]

You have it way wrong, although I think everyone else already gets this. You don't have to pay tax on money you give to charity, which is nice, but it's not like you get to take the money you were going to send to the IRS and give it to charity instead. That's not how it works.

Let's say I earn $100,000 a year. Tax is around 30%, so I end up with $70,000 for my wife to spend.

Now, let's say I earn $100,000 a year, and give $10,000 to charity. I get to deduct that amount from my INCOME (not my tax bill), so now my income is only $90,000. The 30% tax bill comes to $27,000, meaning I get to take home $63,000.

So I gave $10,000 to charity, but only $7,000 actually came out of my pocket. That's a nice benefit, but it's obviously not true that the donation cost me nothing. I'm still out $7,000.

[epdaws]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
lol at the guys in this thread and the others back slapping one another in recognition of their incredible wit.

[/ QUOTE ]

Have you ever read a 2p2 thread? Get used to it.

[ QUOTE ]
only dipsh*ts have faith, right?

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry, but believing that only dip$h!ts have faith is a much more defensible position than believing in a fictitious creation. I'm not even an atheist -- a spiritual existentialist, to be specific -- but I'd suggest you not try to flex any intellectual debate into this thread. Religions get crushed by reason.

[ QUOTE ]
but realize he friggin escaped the Communists in Laos and made it to America. Pretty damn good reason to have faith in God.

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess there are myriad reasons to believe in God, then, but that doesn't make it right to ask Jesus to river the life out of your opponents.

[ QUOTE ]
Maybe you can forgive him his over exuberance, and appreciate his pleasant and apparently charitable nature.

[/ QUOTE ]

His boast of giving away 10% is hardly worth noting, imo. I think most people would give away 10% to various worthy causes if they won.

Also, consider the possibility that he tried to make a deal with God that was based more on the moment than on his intentions. I'm not saying he didn't mean what he was saying. I'm saying that many, many people have felt the pressure of the moment and turned to God.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am an agnostic and have no interest in being an advocate for those of faith--like spiritual existentialists for example--.

[/ QUOTE ]

Your atheism beats the heck out of my spiritual existentialism when it comes to reason. No doubt. I just seem to fall back on the postulate of first cause, which is a crutch, but a helpful one to be sure!

Edited to add: But keep in mind that when people say they are "of faith," they very often mean a specific religion. I offer no firm answers and no assertions that a poorly written piece of fiction is the word of a Creator. There's a big difference.

[epdaws]

[ QUOTE ]
Let's say I earn $100,000 a year. Tax is around 30%, so I end up with $70,000 for my wife to spend.

[/ QUOTE ]

Seriously, seriously LOL. VNH

[DrewDevil]

lol legalzoomaments

[Floker]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Obviously, God does not like the other players.

[/ QUOTE ]

lol /images/graemlins/laugh.gif a+

[/ QUOTE ]

lol at the guys in this thread and the others back slapping one another in recognition of their incredible wit. Sure, it's very easy to mock the guy for many of the atheists and know-it-all-children on this board(only dipsh*ts have faith, right?), but realize he friggin escaped the Communists in Laos and made it to America. Pretty damn good reason to have faith in God. Maybe you can forgive him his over exuberance, and appreciate his pleasant and apparently charitable nature.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why defend a sinner who we all know will go to hell for gambling?! You should be more faithful, brother, and stay aways from the wicked!

[wheelflush]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
His boast of giving away 10% is hardly worth noting, imo. I think most people would give away 10% to various worthy causes if they won.

[/ QUOTE ]
i'm going to have to disagree with you there, on both counts.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you think giving away 10% of your income is noteworthy, we'll just disagree.

In my second point, I'm talking about any variety of worthy causes; ill or needy family; ill or needy friends; charity; etc.

[/ QUOTE ]giving money to ill/needy friends/family is automatic. yes, every big winner will do that. hardly worth noting.
yang's charities are going to benefit more than just his friends and family. that's sacrifice. i admire that.
pro players and athletes have to remind themselves to be charitable too. they're just like the rest of us.

[MrMore]

Look, it's YANG doing the anti-christian bit. He's insulting Christ, by, basically, suggesting that Jesus died on the cross so that 2000 years later Jerry Yang could win poker pots.

No atheiest ever so completely insulted Christianity.

And as to Yang's alleged "charitable nature," if he thought of the 10% promise it as a bribe, or a commission, to God, then in wasn't "charitable," it was self-serving.

As if God needs money. As if God cares more about Yang's charities than Lam's. As if God couldn't just make the problems charities fight go away with a genie blink anyway.

[tpir]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I know that there are greater forces at work in this universe....I've seen enough strange "coincidences" in my life to know that there are definitely greater forces at work that we don't fully comprehend.

[/ QUOTE ]
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/8698/knucklecopyrs2.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

This is definitely the worst "O RLY?" I've seen.

[/ QUOTE ]
lol, it was a pic of my cat, give him a break plz /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Is this one better? This is my fave of all-time to be honest:
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/743/orly0il.gif

[niin]

[ QUOTE ]
whatev - 10% to charity... he can write that off on his taxes, meaning that he's giving up NONE of his profit. If he ends up being a hypocrite about this, I'm pretty sure he'll go to hell.

[/ QUOTE ]

Er, no. Ever pay taxes before?

It means he won't have to pay taxes on the part that he donates. It doesn't mean that he magically gets that money back from the IRS fairy. There's also a cap (I think) on personal donations in a year. But regardless of that, if he gives $800K, he can write that off, lowering the amount he has to pay taxes on (his adjusted income). It doesn't just take that amount off your tax burdeon.

[kerr]

[ QUOTE ]
the older I get, the more I realize religion is a HUGE reason why this world is so freeking messed up.

[/ QUOTE ]
How long did it take you to realise this?

[ QUOTE ]
A huge majority of the conflicts in this world involve muslim extremists living in the 5th century who still believe in someone who was essentially a warlord telling them to kill all the infidels. They are blowing themselves up, killing other innocents, and devoting their entire existence to some crackpot who was no more a God than you, me, or anyone else on this planet. Quite frankly it's sickening and I'm tired of the whole mess.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah those pesky muslims. It's all their fault.

[Zetack]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
whatev - 10% to charity... he can write that off on his taxes, meaning that he's giving up NONE of his profit. If he ends up being a hypocrite about this, I'm pretty sure he'll go to hell.

[/ QUOTE ]

Er, no. Ever pay taxes before?

It means he won't have to pay taxes on the part that he donates. It doesn't mean that he magically gets that money back from the IRS fairy. There's also a cap (I think) on personal donations in a year. But regardless of that, if he gives $800K, he can write that off, lowering the amount he has to pay taxes on (his adjusted income). It doesn't just take that amount off your tax burdeon.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, what's the top federal rate these days, 35%? 35% of 800k is 280 thousand. So the donation costs him 800k and saves him 280k in taxes. Its still costing him in the area of $520K to make that donation.

[Zetack]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
the older I get, the more I realize religion is a HUGE reason why this world is so freeking messed up.

[/ QUOTE ]
How long did it take you to realise this?

[ QUOTE ]
A huge majority of the conflicts in this world involve muslim extremists living in the 5th century who still believe in someone who was essentially a warlord telling them to kill all the infidels. They are blowing themselves up, killing other innocents, and devoting their entire existence to some crackpot who was no more a God than you, me, or anyone else on this planet. Quite frankly it's sickening and I'm tired of the whole mess.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah those pesky muslims. It's all their fault.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have absolutely no wories about any muslims living in the 5th century...

[ibluffoldladies]

The best part of the final table was the interview at the end when Norman Chad asked Yang, "Is this the most poker God has looked over?"