Cards: to play or not to play

[Jesusdiedforme]

Until recently I would not play any games involving playing cards due to their connections with drinking gambling etc.
How do you feel about cards, backgammon, darts, dominoes etc.

[tango]

I guess it depends why you're playing.

If you're playing for fun I don't see a problem.

If you're gambling with pocket change you can afford to lose, some would say that's a problem although I'd say that's between you and your conscience.

If you're gambling with money you can't afford to lose, then it's a problem. If your family is hungry because you gambled the food budget and lost it, that's a problem.

From your post it looks like you're concerned about playing card games at all, and where something like that goes I'd say that if you can play with a clear conscience then go ahead and play. Some folks might have a personal objection to it, but others might not.

[HisLeast]

Until recently I would not play any games involving playing cards due to their connections with drinking gambling etc.
How do you feel about cards, backgammon, darts, dominoes etc.

I think they're all excellent games to play. Each are games of skill and strategy in their own rights even before money is involved.

I understand the whole "appearance of evil" argument, but find it to be a double standard most of the time. In Vegas you can find odds makers and betting on ANYTHING, from the incredible to the banal. If we can't involve ourselves in any activity that has involved gambling, we wouldn't have much to do.

[one_lost_coin]

I would think that you know yourself better than we know you and the situation you will be in playing these games and your suceptablity towards certain temptations. Even though playing cards or any of the other games you mention are in and of themselves sinful you did mention that it fostered an environment that it seems you are not comfortable in.

To know to stay away from a situation that may lead us to sin is the virtue of prudence and is a very good virtue to foster. And even though many people can play cards with no problem maybe you are like me and have to never under any circumstances play for money as I need to keep that strick rule to protect myself. but I do like the challenge of poker from time to time and play it when i have oppurtunity when nothing but chips are on the line.

If it ever becomes a temptation to sin we are right to stay as far away from it as we can. Nothing is worth hurting our Lord and Saviour even if our friends tease us about it.

[WonderWoman4Jesus]

I really think it depends on the type of game you're playing. Games like go fish to me seem pretty harmless and solitare, however, I would avoid games like poker which have roots in gambling and blackjack. I just feel they're associated too much with gambling to really be played.

[Luke34]

The problem with gambling isn't that people gain or lose some money because really, who cares. The problem, as with everything else, is proportionality Losing/gaining $20 in a game with your friends isn't a problem. Losing a million dollars that you don't have is.

And, of course, you don't have to risk money to play. Very many, even most, people don't. I mean, except for the $2 you'll spend on plastic poker chips.

[cnw]

I don't drink and I play cribbage which involves cards. do you eat at restaraunts that serve alcohol? You have to be careful but even Paul says eat the meat.

[WonderWoman4Jesus]

Yes, well I think some card games are better than others, like poker and blackjack just have an association with gambling and drinking, but that is me.

[mcnumps]

I personally don't play them for money, but I do like to play cards just for fun. I play a lot online at pogo.com, just a mindless way to unwind.

[xSTEADFASTx]

dont throw teh baby out w/ the bath water

[Tonton]

I agree that it is OK to play games such as card games, as long as your motives are good, and you do not serve deamons (witchery, mammon) with it.

Gambling is OUT, and all forms of soothsaying or "witchy stuff" is OUT.

But an honest game of cards is good entertainment.

I have also heared arguments about you giving access to your home by merely having playing cards, and many other horror stories, but my faith is in the Holy Spirit to caution me when something is wrong, and on the Bible to guide me in what is right.

And neither indicates that an honest card game is not OK.

Anton

[moonglow]

I guess I am ignorant because I wouldn't know which cards games were linked with gambling or drinking....why let what others do affect how you play cards? That would be like saying you can't drive a car because some people drink and drive...doesn't mean you have too!

God bless

[CoffeeCat]

I grew up playing crazy eights, war, go fish, and euchre. Even now, a good game of cards is very welcome when it's played in fun with friends or family members and there isn't any or even a lot of money at stake -- the idea of cards should be entertainment without foolish risk. Card games are probably a 'conscience' thing -- if it weighs on your conscience to NOT play, then don't. Others may, however, like to play.

[NotMyOwn]

As with anything else, it's your intent that matters. You can play cards without gambling, just like you can go to a bar and grill without drinking.

[HisLeast]

I grew up playing crazy eights, war, go fish, and euchre.

I'm still convinced that euchre is a grand conspiratorial joke against me. Every time I sit to learn the game an entirely new set of rules is hauled out, and then the flow of play seems to have NOTHING to do with what the rules were about.