1. The Thrill of the Game (Doing Poker for Fun)
Hero’s Journey Stages: The Call to Adventure & Crossing the Threshold
2. The Hustler’s Edge (Doing Poker for Money)
Hero’s Journey Stages: Trials & Approach to the Inmost Cave
3. Matters of the Heart (Doing Poker for Love)
Hero’s Journey Stages: The Meeting with the Goddess & The Return
4. The Psychology of Play (The Interplay Between Fun, Money, and Love)
Hero’s Journey Stages: The Ordeal & Transformation
5. Mastering the Seduction of Poker (The Allure and Mystique of the Game)
Hero’s Journey Stages: The Reward & The Road Back
1. The Thrill of the Game (Doing Poker for Fun)
"The world you see is what you gave it, nothing more."
In poker, the thrill comes from the illusion of control and the excitement of unpredictability. The perception of control is a reflection of our desire to give meaning to events. ACIM reminds us that the way we interpret these experiences is a choice. The thrill of the game is not in the outcome but in how we choose to view it, whether as a moment of fun or a test of fate.
"What you see reflects your thinking, and your thinking but reflects your choice of what you want to see."
In poker, a bold bluff or an unexpected win might seem like destiny or luck, but it's the way players choose to see these moments that makes them memorable. By reframing poker as an opportunity for joy rather than just competition, players can create lasting, thrilling experiences.
2. The Hustler’s Edge (Doing Poker for Money)
"I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me."
The hustle of poker often leads to a focus on self-worth tied to success or failure at the table. ACIM teaches that our true value is not determined by external circumstances, including monetary success. For poker players, aligning with self-trust, intuition, and patience, rather than the external results of the game, reflects the deeper understanding of one’s inherent worth.
"Seek not outside yourself."
Poker players often look to others for cues, whether through their opponents’ tells or through strategies. ACIM encourages players to trust their inner wisdom, knowing that the answers lie within, guiding them toward the right decisions rather than relying on external forces or luck.
3. Matters of the Heart (Doing Poker for Love)
"Love is the way I walk in gratitude."
Poker can transform into a passionate pursuit when approached with love and appreciation, not just for winning, but for the game itself and the relationships built. When poker is approached with gratitude and love, it becomes a means of connection, allowing players to appreciate the emotional journey of every hand, win or lose.
"In love, there is no fear."
In poker, fear often emerges in the form of loss aversion or fear of making a mistake. Approaching poker with love means letting go of this fear, enjoying the play itself, and trusting the process. A player can fall in love with the game by embracing both the joys and challenges with an open heart.
4. The Psychology of Play (The Interplay Between Fun, Money, and Love)
"You are not a body, you are free. You are still as God created you."
Poker often tests a player’s emotions, but ACIM reminds us that who we are is not determined by the results of a game. Recognizing the fleeting nature of the game allows players to navigate it with grace and perspective, understanding that their true value remains unchanged, regardless of wins or losses.
"Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists."
In the emotional turbulence of poker, the highs and lows can feel very real, but ACIM reminds us that only love, joy, and inner peace are real. When players play with emotional awareness, they can detach from the unreal fluctuations of winning and losing and focus on the real experiences of growth, connection, and fun.
5. Mastering the Seduction of Poker (The Allure and Mystique of the Game)
"You have no need to judge the world, for it is not real."
The mystique of poker is often built on myths, trends, and the allure of high stakes. ACIM suggests that these external appearances are illusory. Understanding the game’s seductive pull comes from not taking the surface reality too seriously but recognizing it as part of the play of life, designed for growth and learning, rather than something to be feared or revered.
"I am responsible for what I see. I choose the feelings I experience, and I decide upon the goal I would achieve."
Poker’s allure often tempts players to become fixated on the game’s surface-level prestige or drama. However, by choosing to see poker as an opportunity for self-mastery, growth, and connection, players can transcend the illusion and master the deeper seduction of the game, realizing they are in control of their own experience.