The Karma Theory
I played another great tournament in the third FTOPS event, a $216 pot limit hold em. I was a big stack most of the way without playing a big pot after the first break, but got involved in an unlucky tangle and lost a 40 percenter then got kings cracked in a 4-way pot with a desperate stack that couldn't protect the hand and finished a disappointing 109th place for a 2x buyin payout.
I think the only step left for me in tournament poker is to improve my karma. I do believe my strategy right now is approaching the level of the very best players. It's not quite there yet but it's definitely close. I'm a huge believer in the karma theory of poker: players do better when they have positive karma working for them. Every major score I've ever made in poker tournaments came from a positive karmic foundation. Conversely, I've seen some great players with bad karma struggle mightily.
So I will be donating $5,000 to charity on Monday, giving 10% of my tournament profit to charity through the end of September, and donating blood. I'm not sure which charity or charities I will give to, and would appreciate suggestions in the comments section of this blog.
posted by GnightMoon @ 11:35 PM
12 Comments:
How about a $5k freeroll for the readers of your blog?
Environmental Defense or Natural Resources Defense Council.
I always prefer giving to local charities. It seems more personal then, and you can usually see first hand what you are supporting. Find something local that sparks some emotional feeling for you.
Nothing But Nets--they buy malaria nets for Africa and every donation is met dollar for dollar with a donation from the Gates Foundation.
I like your thought process and I'm no Budhist but I've always thought that Karma, gifts, etc. should come from the heart, not from the desire to win at poker.
Chinook Clubhouse, a day place to hang and get supportive services, is part of the Boulder Mental Health Center. Chinook is a great resource for those with major mental illnesses. Vicki Lemmon is on the advisory board there.
Tom – the Rotary River Rally Foundation (www.RotaryRiverRally.com) a non-profit here in Tempe, Arizona sponsors the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta every year on Tempe Town Lake. Our local children’s charity has been the Tempe Pappas School for homeless children. Here is our information:
RRR Foundation
Incorporated July 1, 2004 as a nonprofit corporation in Arizona
Federal I.D. Number: 73-1712486
% Joe V. Palmer
One West Elliot Road
Suite 101
Tempe, AZ 85284
May 31, 2006 letter from IRS
DLN: 17053118024036
Public Charity Status: 170 (b) (1) (A) (vi)
RRR Foundation is exempt from Federal income tax under section 501 ( c ) ( 3 )
Contributions to the RRR Foundation are deductible under section 170 of the code.
RRR Foundation is also qualified to receive tax-deductible bequests, devices, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106, or 2522 of the code.
RRR Foundation Directors / Officers:
President:
James J. Lemmon
454 East Susan Lane
Tempe, AZ 85281
I like your thought process and I'm a Budhist but I've always thought that Karma, gifts, etc. should come from the heart, not from the desire to win at poker.
O holy of holy men mr dalai lama sir,
Just thought it might go a long way if you knew how to spell BUDDHIST.
Are you sure doing good for the sake of being rewarded counts as good karma? Also, make sure you hold onto those receipts -- although donations to 501(c)3 organizations are tax-deductible, amounts over $250 require proof of donation if (more like when for a poker pro) you get audited.
Donate your time, it will have more influence than money. Pick any local organization and give them 10 hours a month and $250. Karma involves continual action, not just a good deed or a nice moment. That said, I commend you for going down this path.
Tom, this post saddened me. I understand what you are trying to do, but it doesn't work like that bud. I know that you like doing good for doing good's sake, but you came off as a complete self centered prick in this post. Like a few of the other comments mentioned, you shouldn't feel like you are obligated to get lucky because you donate winnings to those in need. Not only that, but publicizing your "good deeds" almost negates their impact. The true feeling of happiness you get from giving to charity is letting those in need know that there are people out there that genuinely care about them. When people announce they are giving to charity they are wanting others to know how "compassionate" they are, which is in my opinion negative karma (with the exception being that if they are trying to recruit others to join in their cause).
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