After a couple of last minute drop-outs it was only 13 players that sat down for an enjoyable evening of Tournament Texas Hold-em.
With no rebuys and add-ons available, play early on was tight, with the lone exception of Tom S. who took the expression "go big or go home" to heart by busting out within 35 minutes of the opening beep with an ill-fated bluff into a made hand.
It was nearly break time when the next smattering of players fell, a full 80 minutes into play.
The earlier exiting players seemed satisfied, but this host is a tad concerned that his players might not be getting their money's worth. For the next tournament I will be bringing the cost down a little bit, and will reinstate the single optional re-buy or add-on, hopefully minimizing drastically premature finishes.
Action heated up after the break, with knock outs happening at a record pace. By 10pm it was bubble time with yours truly taking home a fabulous DVD that will likely appear next month as the bubble prize again.
Mike K. nursed his short stack to cash yet again, pocketing roughly $75 in fourth place.
Brand spanking new player Stephen came in third, snagging nearly $100.
My brother, Doctor Dave refused a chop and battled mega stack uber-player Mike P. almost taking it down, but in the end settling for the $160 or so in second place money.
Taking home the trophy was Mike P., who weathered a number of gut wrenching suck-outs (including a jaw dropping two outer on the river at one point) to hold on and still accumulate his way to first place and nearly $200 in cold cash money.
All in all, a great evening. Special thanks to Marc F. for sticking around to shuffle and deal and for bringing in new blood in the form of class act Stephen, who hopefully will be back.
November 14th at 7pm is our next tournament, again - one rebuy OR add-on is available for the same price as the entry, $20. See you there!
