We all wish we could do the impossible. Some people approach impossible situations with no fear while others don’t even bother trying. My perspective on this matter changed completely on what originated as any ordinary, dark and hazy night at Binghamton, when I was invited to play a game of poker with some friends. I figured it would be like any other night of poker: chat it up, throw around some chips, have a laugh. Little did I know this one game of Texas hold ‘em would change my life.

After psyching myself up for the game by listening to Cascada’s “Every Time We Touch” on repeat at max volume, I left for my friend’s dorm. A wave of fear crept over me as I entered the building. I went into the lounge and sat down at the table with some familiar faces, one of which being Jared Tuchman, who I will henceforth refer to as “The Legend.” I was seated to his right, and I was enjoying some healthy conversation with him just as the game was beginning.

The first hand was dealt. A strange feeling entered my stomach. My heart skipped a beat. I hit a straight. My over-agressive behavior put me all-in against The Legend (a foolish move … never go all-in against The Legend) at which point he took me down with a full house. For the first time in my life, I had lost on the first hand of the game. While I was upset, I didn’t really care. I laughed it off and decided to enjoy the rest of the evening in some good company.

Two hours later I sat there still, with a slightly more tired visage and a hungrier tummy. As I looked up, I noticed The Legend was involved in a hand once again. This time, it was clear something special was about to happen. When the community cards were all out, everyone at the table acknowledged that anyone holding an ace of spades would wield the royal flush in spades, the deadliest hand imaginable. With a slight smirk, The Legend flipped over the cards, revealing that historical ace.

Unbelievable.

Could such a thing actually happen? Could an ordinary man elevate himself to such status with just the simple flip of a card? Was it fate? Or was it something more? To this day, I have no answer. All I know is that since the event, my life has been so much better. That royal flush, the first one I had ever seen, gave me hope. The impossible had become possible.

Eventually I calmed down. But there is still a tickle inside me as a reminder of that moment every time I so much as think about poker. I came to the conclusion that the royal flush is no more impossible than any other aspect of the world. Throughout my life, I’ve found myself in situations that could easily be deemed as impossible. The way I see it, most situations are. But if The Legend can pull the best hand imaginable on an ordinary night of poker, then I certainly can walk on water … maybe … but at least now it’s worth trying.

Lee Lefkowitz is a sophomore English and math major, and is op/ed editor.