2011

Lots in store this year!

Here are the major changes - as well as information on what we're keeping the same.

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Our 2nd annual World Series of Poker Satellite will be held on a Saturday at noon - April 16th. Date is subject to change if I am out of the country or similar.

A $105 entry fee for a chance to win a $1000 seat at the 2011 World Series of Poker!

If the seat winner cashes at the World Series in May/June - then everyone who played in the satellite gets a share of his/her winnings.

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For 2011 we will officially be a World Series of Poker League! This will be an entirely optional side game, in addition to our regular Bounty side game.

Click here for details on the World Series of Poker Side Game.

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Speaking of tournaments - this year I am really going to try very hard to have 15, instead of our normal 12. Click here for a complete schedule. Dates will be added to the schedule about one month away, with evites going out 2 weeks in advance. Also take note, though most tournaments are No Limit Hold-Em, there are a couple of variations in format.

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The Player of the Year points system remains the same - with the exception of points for cash games. I am hoping to make the cash game a bit more serious in stakes, and since I will be strict on limiting space (one table only) and not necessarily invite everyone (giving priority to long time regulars) - cash games will account for zero Player of the Year points. There will, however, be a separate Cash Game Player of the Year recognition and prize, based entirely on who has the biggest cash game profit in 2011.

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But if you are a cash game fan - fear not! I really want to make an effort to have more cash games this year than ever.

As I mentioned, I'm hoping to make the cash game more poker-centric than the tournaments, a semi-serious but still fun place to gamble it up.

Cash games will now be a $50 buy-in, with dealers choice for a full round of any casino game. Blinds for No Limit and Pot Limit - 10c/25c. Blinds for Fixed Limit - 25c/50c. 50c dealer ante, 25c bring in and 50c/$1 betting for stud games.

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As with last year in tournaments, if you are across the threshold of the garage before my computer reads 7:01pm, you will receive a 500 bonus chip.

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Summer Madness in it's old form is gone - as much as I've loved playing mixed games, I simply get too lukewarm a response to justify such a large indulgence. The league has spoken, but let not your heart be troubled, we will still have a H.O.R.S.E. tournament in September and the December tournament will be a mix of NLHE and PLO8. June and July are regular NLHE (though still double POY points) and only the second tournament in August will be double points.

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The first tournament in August will be an old-school $10 unlimited rebuy tournament with an initial $15 buy-in.

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2011 can't start fast enough for me!

I really hope you will all read the World Series of Poker League info thoroughly and understand that it promises to be a great adventure for all of us. Big time excitement for our little game, where even if we lose on the day, we can cheer each other on and perhaps eventually see a tiny investment returned in ways that we can't even imagine!

Our first tournament of 2011 is Saturday, January 8th at 7pm. Until then, have a wonderful Holiday season and the very happiest of New Years!

Chris

Tournament Report 12/4/10

It was an intimate evening of mixed game poker, the traditional H.O. H.O. H.O. - Hold-em and Omaha/8 - as a mere 8 players sat around the big blue table in a surprisingly warm (thanks to a new Costco space heater) garage on a chilly December night.

Though the crowd was small, the fun was big. Omaha/8 wrecked havoc on the brains of said players, and after nearly 2 hours of play perhaps the games biggest fan at Pepper Street, Tom L., was the first to succumb to it's madness and was the first player to hit the rail, though he did so with class and grace with only a few expletives hurled and hardly any middle fingers.

Gradually, the bust outs continued - usually in Omaha/8 which had a tremendous amount of monster-pottens and action to go with them. And by the time 11 rolled around the bubble finally burst, with long time PSP vet Barbara N. doing the honors and promptly scoffing at the pitiful remainder of DVD's left at the end of the year.

And then there were three - including yours truly, who had held the chip lead for most of the night and been lucky on more than a few occasions, including a disgusting suck out against the class act that is Allen Q. My A9 vs. his AK. Nothing like getting it in dominated and hitting a 3 outer, pure skillz.

After 3 handed play began, or rather 2 1/2 handed play, Marc F. was in a sling - the chip lead quickly changed, and changed, and changed, and changed again.

When the dust settled Marc F. was first out and took home $60.

I was next, after the blinds became so monstrous that I was open shoving blind. I collected $100.

And for a record 4th tournament victory in 2010, Mike P. grabbed $200 and yet another PSP trophy! Well done Mike!

Thanks to his staggering run and a perfect attendance bonus, Mike P. is our 2010 PSP Player of the Year! Marc F. will be presenting Mike his bracelet at our next tournament, Saturday, January 8th at 7pm.

There is lots more in store for 2011, including a brand new optional side game that will see it's winner take a seat in the 2012 World Series of Poker! Stay tuned for a lot more information. Click here if you're desperate to learn about it now.

Until January 8, everyone, I can't thank you all enough for your care, kindness and support for our little game in 2010. I know 2011 will be even more amazing. Have the very happiest of holidays and a super groovy new year.

Chris

Tournament Report 11/13/2010

After a balmy November day, almost 85 in Burbank, it looked like it was going to be a perfect night out on the patio for poker. And if it got a little chilly, we had a brand new fire pit that people could warm themselves by - but either way, it surely wasn't going to drop 15 degrees or something ridiculous like that, right?

Try almost 20 degrees colder!

It was a chilly evening that saw 18 excited players sit down, eager to hit the felt after over a month since the last game.

Joining us were two new players - the formidable Dave S. who quickly accumulated a mountain of chips, and the delightful Jeannie N. who also had game and no problem four betting yours truly off a hand early on.

Tight was right for the first almost two hours, as all players made it past the break. The first victim fell, and inexplicably it was Pepper Street Poker titan Mike P., for the second week in a row! This time he got it all in with his opponent crushed, a 96% favorite who binked a two outer on the river. Cest' le' poke'r.

Speaking of unlikely outcomes (or is it very likely?) yours truly was next to fall, over playing marginal holdings and underestimating opponents both to my left and right.

The third table broke around the second break and we were headed to a final table less than an hour later.

Clad in only short sleeves, Dave S. was finally succumbing to the cold and also succumbed to the bubble. As a man who is in possession of nearly every DVD known to man, he passed on the pitiful bubble prize selection of DVD's. But he seemed to enjoy his evening, and I really hope he'll come back soon! Sorry it was so chilly man!

With the money reached, it was only a few hands before the next players were paid - two at the same time!

Jeannie N. had slightly more chips than Tony G., so she collected $61 while Tony got a refund of $40.

As an aside, starting with this tournament, Pepper Street Poker will now pay an extra player. The chart at the bottom of the page here remains the same, but $40 will be taken from first place and awarded to an extra spot. It was great having 6 players cash last night, and I think more payouts will help more people feel enthusiastic about returning.

The lucky beneficiary of this double bust out was Dan G., who smartly worked his short stack into position, climbing the ladder for a hundred dollar third place payout!

And then there were two. And it was deja' vu'! The same two players heads-up, Jason H. and Marc F., as last month! This time, it was the same results, though much quicker. Both players ran into premium pairs and Marc's queens held up. Jason collected $170 for second while Marc took home $232 and the trophy! Must be getting crowded on that mantle Marc!

A big huge thanks to a whole gang of people who stayed a bit late and helped me clean up so I could sleep in on Sunday. Your assistance is GREATLY appreciated! I also very much appreciate people chipping in for snacks in the house fund, even just a dollar or two makes a huge difference.

Next month, December 4th @ 7pm, is our last hurrah for 2010 - the year end traditional Omaha/8 and Hold-Em mix tournament! Also known as the HO, HO, HO, tournament for all you yuletide folks.

We will be inside the garage, which should be quite a bit warmer than out in the elements - but it's still wise to bring a sweater or two or three! See you there!

Vegas Bender 2010.2

The trip was a phenomenal success in every way that mattered - except for my results.

I returned home down just over $400. I cashed in 2 out of the 9 tournaments I played, which is actually a very good percentage for these things. Unfortunately both cashes were min-cashes in minor events.

The good news, I learned a lot and had a blast. Best of all, it was just my brother and I, so we had a lot of time to just hang, chat and catch up. He even took me to the fabulous fitness center at the Orleans and showed me how to use a few weight lifting machines for the first time in my life, so now I have zero excuse for not going to the gym.

It all started on a Thursday at the Orleans. One of these days I'm going to cash at this place - the tournaments are structured superbly, the room is run well, everything about it is great - but the clientele is a bit too seasoned to make the room profitable for me.

I'm not saying I was outclassed, but probably the majority of players that sat around me each had many many many more live hours than I did. And they were also nits - meaning they rarely spewed, frequently folded unless they had the goods and were very skilled at value betting me to death.

My first tournament, the $75 nooner, was over in a couple of hours. I didn't have many cards to work with, and the occasional pocket pair I did get amounted to nothing after the flop. I finally got the chips in the middle but was dominated - my AJ ran into AK.

The good news was, I went and saw Jackass 3D at the outstanding Orleans movie theater. Good times, and a most excellent film, replete with fecal matter and genital smashing mayhem. All in eye-popping high speed camera 3D!

After a surprisingly disappointing dinner burger at Fuddruckers I signed up for the $75 7pm Omaha/8 tournament!

This was a lot of fun, and I was surprised at how deep I made it. Levels got pretty painful about 3 hours in, when I flopped a boat and a draw to the nut low. I had A532, the board read 5A5. I fired out on every street and got called down by a fellow with AJ who naturally spiked a fish hook on the river after a meaningless queen on the turn.

I wasn't busted on this hand, but crippled, and out shortly thereafter. I was lightly steamed, but happy enough to have lasted so long.

The next morning I sprang out of bed bright and early and headed down to the Monte Carlo for their $50 9am tournament.

As I mentioned in my pre-Vegas post, this place has absolutely terribly structured tournaments - super turbos - but a very friendly staff and an ultra-mellow early morning vibe that make it a fun place to practice poker.

Turned out, it was also a profitable place on this particular morning. Honestly, there wasn't one regular, or even a serious recreational player in the whole bunch of four tables.

Before I knew what had happened, I was in the money with three players. I stuck in my stack with pocket kings and the good natured Brit called me with a baby Ace. We all know the end to this story.

I cashed for $220 - up $20 total so far.

Then it was on to playing with the big boys at the Venetian $150 nooner.

This was a great day. I played for 6 hours.

Early on I had some fun, and made some pretty good reads. Towards the end, I got a bit dry on good starting cards, and the table was simply too experienced for me to get out of line much.

After the third break, my stack was hovering at around 15 big blinds. I looked down at UTG +1 at Jacks. I stuck it in.

I got two callers who both had AK!

Sounds crazy, but it's true. The flop came AKJ. The turn and river were baby cards and I had tripled up.

Now I was okay, at just under 50 big blinds. A short while later I had jacks again. I popped it from middle position.

It folded around to a short stack who shoved, then to the now crippled small blind from the other three way hand who was now the big blind. She also shoved. I had both of them covered substantially. Easy call.

The big blind had AK, the late position short stacker had a pair of tens.

The short stacker spiked a ten on the flop. I binked the case jack (as I found out from the another player who said he had J5) on the river.

Easy game.

I felt good as we approached the dinner break. 25 players - they paid 18.

At this point with another hour and big blinds and antes bleeding me a bit, my stack was around 60 big blinds, I was happy to fold to the money, which paid $350 for 18th place. With the departure of the two short stacked females, I was the lone fish left in the tank. I promised myself that I would not play any hands until I reached the moolah - with the exception of aces or kings. If I had the opportunity to get it all in pre-flop with either hand, I would unhesitatingly do so.

Careful what you wish for.

One day I will be a world class player and be able to fold my cowboys pre-flop against the eccentric codger who plays transparently with his rockets. But not this day. I stuck it in and fast rolled my kings when he called, he then actually stalled and for dramatic effect (though I confess I knew before his cards hit what he had) slow rolled me a bit with his aces.

"Classy" I thought to myself as the board rolled off harmlessly and his bullets held. This pathetic excuse for a person, not a horrible poker player by any means, pulled out a toy geiger counter and held it over the cards as they came out. He was, it turns out, "The Toy Man" and had a whole duffel bag full of props that he liked to employ at times. I'd never heard of him. "Is that really necessary?" was all I could muster. Other players shook their heads in disgust at his antics. I walked off in silence and within about 5 minutes I felt sorry for him.

Not so sorry for myself. As the famous whale Tony G. says in his unmistakable Aussie accent "You gotta haave haaaaartt!"

The only part that really hurt was getting so close to being up over $300 for the trip. I skipped on the Mirage bounty, as my brother's flight was delayed because Obama was coming to town. I had a big ass Ruben at the Carnagie deli and it was good, though impossible to finish.

The good Dr. David met up with me and we sauntered over to Treasure Island for the $50 10pm donkament.

This was probably the most fun I had all trip with poker - what a good natured blast this room is. Again, like the Monte Carlo, a shit structure - but great dealers, a truly smoke free environment and plenty of drunken fish to exploit.

No hands of note leap into my mind, though I know about midway through I managed to wake up with aces and have them hold up in a multi-way pot.

When I sat down to the final table, I was slightly below average, but not desperate even though the blinds were huge. Across from me sat the chip leader - the good Doctor.

Finally the bubble burst, and I believe I was second or third out after the money. My rags shove got called by Q6 (not a bad call) and I hit the rail booking just under $150 for 4th or 5th place.

Doctor Dave had a sizable chip lead when it went to heads up between him and another recreational player - he got unlucky and ran into a set of sevens which basically rendered him even with his opponent. They chopped first and second, for almost $700 each. Nice.

So Dave was free-rolling on his entry fees, and I was feeling great about my game so far.

I was comfortable as a short stack, comfortable with chips, comfortable among tourists and regulars at the Venetian.

Tomorrow was going to be a great day. And it was. Just not great in the conventional sense.

After my brief and slightly terrifying experiment with the Orleans fitness center, made much easier to bear by the good Doctor, we headed off to the fantabulous Aria for the excellently structured $125 1pm tournament.

I played my best poker so far.

My table was a nice mix of regulars and semi-serious recreational players. With plenty of ammo early on I could speculate, 3 bet and accumulate to my hearts content. There were a couple of crafty old nits who were gold mines - I swear this one guy on my left, all he ever played was Aces and Kings. He called me all the way to the river with his cowboys, and I knew my two pair was good for a nice visit to value town.

4 hours later, my brother busted, two hours after that I was at the final table of 9. They paid 7.

Once again, a recurring theme on this trip, I looked down at jacks in early position. As the short stack at the table, this was an easy one - in went the chips.

It folded to a codger who I found out later played in this tournament 5 days a week. He asked for a count. He looked concerned. Finally he called. A bit over dramatic, I thought, but at least we're probably racing. Hopefully he has tens and not queens.

I turned up my jacks, he turned up bullets.

I rivered a gut wrenching straight to crack his monster.

3 hands later I gave it all away.

I messed around with AQ (bad idea) and found myself bluffing off my stack on the river to a super crusty codger.

I can get mad at his marginal call. I can get mad at him making the correct decision to look me up with TP mediocre kicker. But this hand, as Jimmy Buffett says, is my own damn fault. Entirely.

Our stacks are close, but he has me covered. I stagger out. What the flim flam just happened?

For the first time in live poker, I truly imploded.

After this monstrosity of a finish, I was not in the right frame of mind for poker, though I was anxious to get back on the horse - and I unsurprisingly busted out quickly of the $80 7pm Mirage bounty tournament. It was hilarious table of home game fish though, and I know I would have made a deeper run had my brain been in the right place.

As my brother and I food courted it back at the Orleans, I began to digest what I had done, and for the first time could truly see the positives.

Every serious poker player has melted down - but up until this point, I had never done so in a live game. Plenty of bad plays, plenty of mistakes, but never one big catastrophic bluff 2 spots from the money. Now, I had basically popped my cherry.

I knew what it felt like, the gut wrenching, room spinning sickness that swept over me as I walked out into the Vegas twilight with my brother. It was good for me to go through it, because now I know what it's like. I know I'm a better poker player because of it.

And, this happened at just the right time for me. My blowup wasn't the worst line in the world, but it was wrong all the way down. I could analyze it, and see it plainly. Had I done this 4 years ago I could very easily rationalize it away - that stinking donkey, how can he call me with top pair, crap kicker? He sucks. Now that I'm almost (and as of this writing, actually am) 40, I know better.

I awoke fresh and optimistic on Sunday. Lesson learned, today would be good. And, it was.

Back to the Venetian - this time the nooner was a bit smaller than the Friday tournament. They only paid the final table. Still, the top prize was 4K. Not too shabby.

The good Doctor busted out early and said he was going back to the Orleans to do some work work on his laptop. I found out later that he bee lined it to the Aria, where he also busted out in short order. Ah well, he was still ahead for the trip.

Myself, I played some of my best poker all trip, splashing around without endangering my stack too much, and getting lucky at the right times.

Five hours later, after my table had finally broken, I was again approaching the money.

Long story short. I didn't implode this time.

For the third time this trip, just a handful of players from the money, but now I was truly short stacked. I shoved from middle position with KJ. And ran into AK. Most sick of all, the guy who called took forever - and he had 10 times the stack I did! Ah well.

If a tree bubbles in the forest - does it make a sound? Does that even make sense?

What I'm trying to ascertain is - if I'd had a single big cash early on, enough to cover my buy-ins, and then thereafter simply gotten unlucky early on in all the remaining events, busting early, biding my time all afternoon window shopping in Vegas instead of playing nearly 27 hours of live poker -would that hypothetical trip have been more "successful"? Methinks not.

This was a hugely successful venture for me and my game - results not withstanding. Like I said, if I'd pocketed 1 or 2K in that first big tournament - my kings had avoided or cracked aces - I'd be over the moon; surely my confidence would have been boosted. But would I have even approached the level of learning and sheer number of hours at the tables if I'd gone that route? Who knows. But what I do know, is my agony and my frustration paled in the face of the real. The hard. The greatness that is poker and that I got to indulge in on this weekend.

Speaking of hard and good, my brother and I wrapped things up with H.O.R.S.E. at the Orleans on Sunday night.

It was a blast, I played well, my jacks ran into kings in Hold-em about 4 hours in with the betting levels at astronomical levels.

As I mentioned prior to this post, I consider myself dead money in such an event - and this took a lot of pressure off. I had a blast.

I was on life support for a long time, about 3 big bets remained, and managed to get into a multi-way pot and win it, so I was back up to 10 big bets. Then the aforementioned jacks - kings collision occurred and I made the long walk back up to my dark room. Falling asleep to visions of paper suits and numbers, passing in front of my closed eyes.

Good trip. No. Great trip. Thanks to my brother, my pain and the journey. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything, and I can't wait to go again.

Tournament Report 10/09/2010

15 players found their way past the spooky decorations out front to the back yard patio for a perfectly pleasant (and not chilly at all) evening of No Limit Hold-em tournament poker.

Mike P., who has been crushing Pepper Street this year, was the first out in a rapid record that is going to be tough to beat. In the first round! First with his TPTK running into a set, and then being beat with set over set over a straight! Oye! Having dominated the games this year, both tournament and cash, Mike took it in stride and headed out with a gracious smile and only flipped over one table on his way out.

Aggression turned out to be the theme of the night, even with 15 players this was our shortest tournament all year - and it wasn't long after the second break that we reached our bubble - the ever classy Jeff M., passing on our featured Halloween special DVD "The Grudge 2" and instead taking home a Disney "Race to Witch Mountain" DVD for his kids.

Dog was the first to cash, scooping up $54 for fifth place.

Long time PSP regular Barbara N. was happy to cash and take down $66 for fourth.

Fresh from surgery earlier in the previous week, Marc F. returned to form and pocketed $90 in third place.

It looked to be an intense but brief heads up battle for the trophy and it was, but not in the way that was expected. Jason H. in a rare PSP appearance this year, had accumulated a substantial stack and a sizable lead over David M. but it all came crashing down as the latter with A10 hit runner runner for trip tens after the former had flopped two pair with QJ.

Down but not out, Jason fought valiantly - but in the end he succumbed to the mighty power of Ace Ten, which David M. used again to win the final hand. Jason took home $150, David $240 and the trophy.

A big thanks to Marc F. who stayed late and handled the unglamorous duty of shuffling the heads up portion of the evening.

Also a special thanks to everyone who contributed to the house fund, especially those who cashed and especially especially to those who didn't - it is greatly appreciated and helps insure that we always have goodies to munch on.

Also a special shout out and welcome to new player Andy S. - he seemed to have fun and I hope he'll be back soon.

Our November tournament is looking to be on Saturday the 13th at 7pm. Stay tuned for the evite!

Poker at 1 picture every 15 seconds for 8 hours.

Big thanks to Sean T. for making this possible.

Tournament Report 9/25/2010

It was a balmy night outdoors, as 20 (count-em) 20 players settled in to three tables under the new patio cover at Pepper Street.

Tight was right (or at least prevalent) for a long time, as no one busted before the break, and the first to fall - Dave G., finally succumbed after almost 2 hours of play.

Then it was a trickle, then it was a gush. Yours truly stacked off at the midway point - finishing in 10th, when my blind became too big to relinquish and I stuck the rest in blind.

Our bubble boy (or should I say man, because he took it so well) was Tom L., always a class act - and very good taste in movies as he selected "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid" for his DVD.

Always near or in the money, Dog D, pocketed $72 for fifth place.

Fourth place, and $88, went to the always classy Robert A.

Marc F., 2009's Player of the Year, took down third place for a delectable $120.

After a brief but intense heads up battle, Noah P. walked away with second place and $200 for his efforts.

Taking down his third tournament this year, Mike P. scooped up $320 and the trophy, and propelled himself to a sizable POY points lead. Holy crap! Well done Mike!

A big thanks to everyone who attended, including PSP virgin Sean T., who also, at my request - brought along his SLR camera to shoot what is sure to be a super groovy timelapse of the evening.

Also a special shout out to all the peeps, and there were quite a few of you, who stuck around to help with the larger than usual clean up (moving all the stuff in and out of the garage is quite a bit more of an effort) it was GREATLY appreciated.

Our next one is coming up fast! October 9th looks to be the only workable date for me next month, hope you can make it on such a short notice! There likely won't be a cash game until November.

Word up!

Going to Vegas Baby!

The good Dr. David (my brother) and myself are off to Sin City, from Thursday, October 21st through Sunday, October 24th.

It also looks like long time Pepper St. regular Marc F. will be coming along.

I'm hoping that some, maybe even many, of you all will read what the long weekend holds in store below - and perhaps decide to join us!

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Vegas to me is all about tournament poker. I won't be dabbling in any cash game activity, but wherever I go there will doubtless always be plenty of live game action available. It's just my preference - I like having a stop loss on how much I can lose for the day - and I find tournaments inherently a lot more exciting as well as a less desperate and degenerate venue.

In a tournament, everyone has paid their entry fee - a regular tournament in Vegas is typically around a hundred bucks - so everyone is on equal footing and no one is going to lose their mortgage in a single event. In a No Limit cash game, even at 1/2, a player can reload over and over and potentially lose everything. The result of this is a very noticeably different vibe and clientele at the table. There are always literally sharks at a cash game in Vegas, regulars who could care less if they are taking food off your plate. Sure, these guys play in the tournaments too - but the most money they are going to get off of me there is what I've already plunked down, money that is in my mind simply for entertainment.

As I said, it's just my preference - but where ever I play there will for sure be cash games, and I will concede that in most rooms in Vegas they are very soft. So if cash games are your thing, don't let me dissuade you from joining us. We'll have lots of time to hang and eat.


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This will be the fourth time in under two years I have journeyed out to the poker mecca of the world - I have exhaustively researched where the best tournaments are. Now what makes a tournament good you might ask? I have a bit different criteria than others, because I am not looking first and foremost to make money.

Yes, that was the needle getting ripped off the record. You heard me.

I'm not in this game for the cash. I'm in it for the fun.

As a live player, and online as well, I have pretty good results - I know because I've been pretty meticulous about documenting my bankroll over the last five years. But I don't play often enough, or at high enough levels to seriously supplement my income.

And I wouldn't want to. Poker in large doses can be a real grind and not very fun. I play solely because I am passionate about the game. It is a great challenge, and in moderation and with the right mindset it is a hell of a lot of fun.

If poker weren't big fun for me, I wouldn't bother.


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So with fun as the primary goal, what makes a great poker tournament for me?


- #1 is starting chips and blind structure.

I can't have fun if I can't play poker. Without a decent amount of ammo to start with, and without a reasonable length of time to splash around, a poker tournament can be simply a series of coin flips. Give me chippies and give me reasonable blindies.

I will be playing at some of the best structured dailies that Vegas has to offer, read on below to get the scoop.


- #2 is the entry fee.

Believe it or not, I don't like the super cheap tournaments, for two reasons. One, is that if a tournament is super low priced it inevitably means that it is an epic fail in reason number one above. 2000 starting chips and blinds doubling every 15 minutes seems hardly worth it to try and win the second and most important reason that a cheapo tournament is no good - a tiny prize pool. I have to have something worth playing for. Chopping 5 ways for $80 is better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick, but not by much.

On the other side of the chip, I'm not going to seek out the top end weekly tournaments - the $330 at the Venetian or the $540 at the Bellagio. I simply don't have that kind of coin lying around, and I certainly don't crush the game well enough to justify digging it up. The tournaments I'm looking at average around $100 - the least expensive being $75 and the most topping off at $150.


- #3 is the room.

I love, love, love playing in a kick ass poker room. Nice atmosphere, good dealers, attentive cocktail servers and most importantly friendly management. As I said, I've done a lot of research - including in the field, and every room I'm playing in on this trip meets this criteria.


- #4 is the clientele.

Is it a room loaded with locals? Swarthy degenerates? Or is it boisterous tourists? The rooms I keep coming back too are the ones that have more people like me - enthusiastic and friendly recreational players. Calling station drunks can be pretty tiresome, both on my head and my wallet. Every day semi-pros I don't need, there are enough of them at Hollywood Park. I'm looking for nice people looking to have fun, who also know how to fold middle pair. No room is ideal for this, but there are some that are better than others. In any case, there is probably no place better in the world for beatable games than in Vegas.


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With all these things in mind- I've drawn up a hypothetical schedule containing what I consider to be the very best regular tournaments in Las Vegas.

Nothing is set in stone, I like to stay pretty flexible, but these are the rooms I'm hoping to hit. I plan to play 2 major tournaments a day, plus at least 2 or 3 minor events in the late evening and/or early morning.

The great thing about this kind of trip though, and I've done this 3 other times with a group of friends, is that everyone is free to set their own schedules, and yet we will still have lots of time to hang out over meals and on the rail.

Hopefully this will entice some of you to come along!


-Thursday, October 21-

My super cheap flight arrives at 945am.

Pickup my super cheap rental car at 10am.

I know, I know, why rent a car in Vegas? Simple, do the math - a cab ride to the strip, if you're lucky and they don't take the tunnel is $20 minimum. That's $40 roundtrip. More than likely it will be $50, or even $60. I've booked a car that comes to just over twice that last amount for four days. So I get complete freedom to go when and where I want - without relying on the time consuming, and potentially smelly hassle of cabs or shuttles. If I get the urge to play in Binion's downtown, it's a snap. If I'm at the Venetian and need to get to the MGM quickly, it's a done deal. I can still take long walks on the strip, in fact I plan to, but after the sun goes down there's no reason to risk life and limb anywhere off the strip - or for that matter risk getting puked on or punched out anywhere on the strip.

Arrive at the somewhat super cheap Orleans and sign up for the $75 NLHE nooner with time to spare.

The Orleans is my dump of choice - slightly nicer than the Imperial Palace or Tropicana, but still easy on the wallet.

The poker room itself is run really well and has fantastic tournaments, probably the best structured for a low entry in all of Vegas.

The room's downfall is it's clientele - a grumpy mix of idiot blingers and crusty old codgers that have been around as long as the increasingly worn out furniture. I'm not saying this gang isn't beatable - but in the half dozen or so tournaments I've played at the Orleans, I've never cashed once. Still, because this trip is not about making money first and foremost - it's about having fun, I am happy to take the trade off and get my feet wet in this outstanding event.

After I stack off with bottom set in the third hour, my room will likely be ready. I'll grab a bite and take a nap before heading back downstairs to register for the Omaha/8 tournament. That's right, an Omaha/8 tournament!

This is the main reason I picked the Orleans - nowhere else in town spreads fixed limit tournaments. Again, as with the NLHE crowd here, I'm basically dead money. But it is a thrill to splash around in Omaha-land! Plus I can take it easy and not worry about going outside the hotel on my first night - the food at the Orleans is pretty decent and not too painfully expensive as I recall.

I should get about 4 hours of play (if my last Omaha tournament here was any indication) and probably not be anywhere near the money when I get blinded off - but I'll just keep telling myself it's a real privilege to play in an Omaha tournament, plus I'll likely grab some ice cream afterwards, hopefully nothing too calorically disastrous, before heading off to bed.



-Friday, October 22-

The next morning - it's off campus - to the Friday Nooner at Venetian!

$150 brings me the best structured regular tournament in all of Vegas.

The trade off here is - the competition is a bit stiffer, lots of locals (though not as incestuous as the Orleans) but the room is first rate. Here is my first real chance to cash - tight ABC will actually do the job (or at least get me close to the bubble) barring any massive coolers - if I get lucky and get hit with the deck I need to hunker down and play for first place; bet, raise, re-raise!

Hopefully I won't get felted early on - but if I do I must stay disciplined and refrain from rushing off to register for another tournament right away. I need to take a walk, maybe grab a bite, enjoy myself and not beat myself up too bad if I misplayed a hand or two, or six or seven.

Need to stay strong and hold out until 7pm, when I'll stroll on over to the Mirage for some boisterous bounty action! At $150, the Friday night tournament is quite a bit steeper than their usual $80 donk fest, but it is sooooo much fun! Plus as a bounty event, you only need to bust 1 player to get back $50. It makes for a lot of action and is an absolute blast to play.

The Mirage is by far the softest poker room I have ever played in. It is typically full of tourists. It is the site of the one tournament where I was a truly dominating table captain. I will always love playing at the Mirage.

Hopefully I'll be tired and exhilarated from chopping final table money - so I can head back to bed. More than likely though, on a Friday night in Vegas - I'll be ready to stroll on over to Treasure Island and sign up for their spectacularly bad structured $50 turbo tournament at 10pm.

This room is a real hoot to play in. Truly smoke free, fantastic dealers and even the locals (which are outnumbered at least 4 to 1 by tourists) are about as fishy as they come. Believe it or not, I've won two tournaments here (chopped for first with the chip lead) - though I really believe the structure makes this virtually a "no skill required" event. The main reason I keep coming back, is because this is probably the most fun room in Vegas.




-Saturday, October 23-

Saturday morning - I will awake to either the comforting thought that I've cashed at least once, or the slightly melancholy realization that I've dropped my entry fees with no return on my investment.

Either way - I will do the same on this trip that I have on the others - REFUSE to let my results, which are over a teeny tiny sample of hands, color my trip enjoyment level beyond a very small amount. People run hot, people run cold - when I'm only playing 10 tournaments in 4 days, I can't get hung up on the showdown. I need to relax and enjoy 3rd and 4th street - because that's where the major fun is. Besides, I always play better and win more when I try my best not to worry about results.

Having said that - my Saturday schedule is actually a bit dependent on my results.

First things first, no matter if I am up or down, I will start with the $50 9am tournament at the fabulous Monte Carlo.

Again, it seems I am breaking my criteria severely. The tournament here is another $50 donkament - with an even worse structure than T.I. But I absolutely love the ultra-mellow vibe and old school atmosphere of this room at 9am. The house fee may make this tournament unbeatable, but the room is populated on any given morning by 80 to 100 percent tourists. The dealers are slow, but super friendly, they explain the rules thoroughly before we start as there are truly people sitting around the table who have literally never played poker before - this is my kind of place. The structure is terrible - but this has to be even softer than the Mirage.


Afterwards, if I am up at all (even a few dollars) I'll head on down to the 2pm $225 big weekend event at Caesar's.

I really, really, really want to play in this one. 15,000 chips, 30 minute levels - very nice. My poker compatriots have long told me that this room is soft - in the few times I've played here, I found that to be anything but true. Still, I look forward to stumbling across that miracle table someday. Even if I don't, it would be a great privilege to play in the third best weekly in Vegas (the better two being the Venetian and Bellagio, which at $330 and $540 apiece respectively, are a bit much for me even if I've happened to cash).

If I haven't made any profit - meaning I haven't cashed, or have cashed and not booked more than my buy-ins so far - then I'll wander on down to the 1pm tournament at Aria.

For only $125, this is a fantastically structured event with 30 minute levels. Plus, unlike Venetian or Orleans, the room is typically loaded with tourists - and these are the best kind of tourists! Moderate to serious recreational players like me, who have been known to think through a hand and are actually capable of folding fairly strong cards once in awhile. There are some locals to watch out for of the maniac (or is it manic) kind - but easily detectable and avoidable.

For the 7pm tournament - it's a toss up. Depending on how soft the Mirage was on Friday night, I'll either head there again (for their $80 version of a bounty tournament) or head on over to the $125 Venetian for it's superb structure and starting stack.

If I started the day at Aria I'm unlikely to remain there for the 7pm tournament, only because I'm going to need a change of scenery. However, if I played at Caesar's at 2pm - then I'll make a bee-line for the Aria.

Finally, if I'm winning a lot - I'll likely crash into T.I. for the 10pm push and pray. Or, if I'm 0 for 7 at this point - I'll... likely crash into T.I. for the 10pm push and pray. Only if I've made some money, and am exhausted, will I pass on the late night merriment and head back to the ranch.



-Sunday, October 24-

Sunday - will be the 11am $80 bounty at Mirage. Gotta love these tourist-aments.

After, I may hit an afternoon turbo at Planet Hollywood or T.I. if I have time or inclination.

At 7pm I will be back home at Orleans, for what is sure to be a highlight - a $75 H.O.R.S.E. tournament. Dead money. Good times. I love mixed games so much - though I haven't devoted my time enough to them to be as proficient as I am with NLHE (along with everyone else in the world).

Because I'll already be back in my hotel, I will have already gassed up the rental and can go straight to bed so I can be up and out for an early morning departure. Very nice.


*********


By the way, let me repeat - this entire schedule is subject to change - it is potentially very hypothetical, but as of now it's where I'm inclined to play. Like I alluded to, I might get the impulse to go downtown - I've never played at Binion's or the Nugget, so that has always been in the back of my mind.

In any event, as if you couldn't tell - I am SUPER excited about this trip.


*********


-Objective-

My main goal, believe it or not - is not to make money.

My main goal is to push myself poker-wise. To really focus and play my hardest, expanding my game and losing my fear of the dollars attached to the chips. In my mind, the money is already spent - I'm not counting on it coming back. I don't care about the cash. I care about bringing my A-game and leaving my anxiety at the door. The biggest component this equation will be having fun.

I plan to not talk strategy at the table - but at the same time, I'll be eager to socialize about any other subject. I'm here to get loaded on diet cokes, and maybe enjoy a massage or two. I plan to show a busted bluff - and get paid later. I hit quads last trip - and checked to the better, who checked behind with a full house! This time if I get quads and it's 5th street - I'm a shovin'.

I do want very much to talk poker strategy though, away from the tables and with all of my traveling companions.

I normally stay silent on strategy at Pepper Street, at least for the tournaments - but all bets are off in Vegas. I'm eager to chat it up about hands and how to not butcher them too badly - I always learn something when discussing poker with you all and I hope you'll partake if you come along.

I am also very much looking forward to some good ass meals. I don't need to stuff myself till I'm sick - but I definitely want to savor some culinary goodness. Long walks through City Center should help alleviate some of this indulgence.

Hope you can make it! Until then, I'll be biding my time, pre-visualizing my chip splashing and river hitting.

Can't.

Wait.

Cash Game Bedlam

Just a quick note to report, our little cash game last Friday night was a hell of a lot of fun!

8 of us total - playing mixed games, mostly fixed limit, with more than a dash of pot limit Hold-em and both varieties of Omaha.

There was lots of table talk, as usual the worst offender was probably yours truly - but all of it was in good fun. A few spectacular bluffs here and there, a few suck-outs on the river - all in all a very enjoyable nights work.

Our next cash game probably won't be 'till November - but it will be $25 NLHE, PLO and PLO8.

Tournament 9 is coming up in two weeks, September 25th at 7pm. Hope to see you there!

Rule Clarification

In tournaments, when there is an all-in and a call, players must turn up their cards.

There is no option to muck.

The player who was called technically has to show first, but since both have to show anyway - just turn up the damn cards please.

If there is still action to come for a side-pot, then obviously cards should remain down - but when it is time to show, everyone must show, no mucking allowed.

The reason for this rule in a casino is to prevent collusion, specifically chip dumping.

The reason I enforce this rule in my tournaments is to avoid potentially aggravating situations. Examples of this might include inadvertent slow rolling or a needless delay.

In cash games it's a bit different. Whether there is an all-in or not, at showdown the player who is called must show first.

Etiquette dictates that if the called player has absolute garbage and doesn't want to show then he should muck his/her cards immediately and concede the pot.

Of course, I personally would never do this, I don't mind showing garbage as it may help me later (not to mention that it may be the best hand after all) - but it is very bad etiquette to get called and then refuse to show, only to show after all when the other guy shows a weaker hand.

Tournament Report 8/22/2010

A great time was had by all 13 players, along with a couple of wives, a fiance' and a handful of kids, at the first ever annual PSP Sunday Doublestack BBQ and Poker Tournament.

A recently installed patio cover and pavers, as well as a newly purchased grill, were put into service and much meat was consumed prior to playing. A huge thanks must go out to Allen Q. the grill master who cooked burgers and brauts to perfection as well as a beautiful piece of ribeye brought by Michael K. Others brought goodies as well, and it was all very much appreciated by your humble host.

The food and the company were so good, that we almost forgot about playing poker. Almost. Despite the tournament being a freeze-out, no one busted before the first break. Stephen B. got the honors when play resumed, coolered by turning a set and being outkicked at showdown.

Bustouts were intermittent until after nearly three hours of play when the blinds finally got nasty. Allen Q. was the official bubble boy, busting out in a multi-way pot. He snagged the Paul Newman classic "The Hustler" as a fine consolation.

Though we were only paying three, in the spirit of a festive BBQ the host took $30 off the top prize to give fourth place finisher Jeff M. his buy-in back.

Yours truly finished third and cashed with $83.

Marc F. and Amy L. battled heads up for awhile before Amy emerged victorious. Marc. F. collected $117 for first place and Amy L. walked away with $163 plus her first PSP trophy - a unique for the year golden version of the standard PSP silver trophy.

A big thanks to those who stayed to help out, especially Jeff M. who did the lions share of the shuffling.

Over all, another great tournament - I hope we can do it again next year (probably a bit later in the afternoon, by 5 o'clock the weather was just perfect, not too hot with a delightful breeze.)

Get ready for evites - our next PSP game is a cash game on a Friday night, September 10th at 7pm. The next tournament it turns out will be on Saturday night, September the 25th at 7pm.

Hope to see you there!

Tournament Report 7/10/2010

16 feisty players sat down to wrap their little poker minds around the once a year brain buster and reprieve from Texas Hold-Em known as Omaha Eight or Better.

The evening was highly enjoyable, despite my early exit. I didn't bust out first, that distinction went to Dave G., but I followed shortly after we lost brand spanking new player Mike M. A big thanks to Jeff M. for bringing in new blood! I hope Mike wasn't too put off by the sadistic spectacle that is Omaha/8, and I hope he'll come back soon.

The bust outs were slow and far and few between until just after 10pm. Then, as is the case with all fixed limit tournaments, even those in the World Series of Poker, we lost players and rapid fashion and were quickly at the final table.

Noah P. played impressively and without fear of the bubble to try and accumulate chips, but unfortunately managed to bubble anyway when his full house lost to the bigger boat of Jeff M. Noah collected a Cohen Brothers movie, "Burn After Reading" for his efforts.

This allowed Dan G. to squeak into the money of a fourth place finish with barely a nub of chips - less than 1 1/2 big bets. Dan collected $56 for hanging on in expert fashion.

Third place and $86 went to our other brand new player of the evening, the delightful Selina, who is the better half of Pepper Street vet Mike P. A huge thanks to Mike for bringing in Selina, and here's hoping she (along with Mike M.) doesn't think we play Omaha all the time and will come back.

Second place and $120 went to Dan I. who, like all poker players from time to time, was on a long drought of no cashes and was happy to break the streak. He was unable to over come the mountain of chips from power poker player extraordinaire Jeff M. - who had a commanding chip lead basically from the start of the final table onward. Jeff took home $216 and the unique Omaha/8 trophy!

He was also vaulted up into second place in the POY standings, behind only Mike P. As you can see, the double points greatly affect the standings, with most of the top finishers from last night propelling themselves upwards, even in some cases (Dan G.) bringing them up from middle of the pack to top five!

You'll have one more chance to boost your standings, on August 22nd, which is a SUNDAY at 12 NOON! This will be a $30 double stack No Limit Hold-Em freeze out and hopefully we'll also grill some meat products. I'm sending the evite out right away, and hopefully we'll get a good response so we can make one day time tournament in the year an annual tradition.

Also, in short order, I'm going to send out an evite for next Friday, July 16th - a $25 cash game featuring No Limit Hold-Em and both varieties of Pot Limit Omaha. Stay tuned!

WSOP 2010

I recently found myself in Las Vegas, and by happy coincidence, I was there at the same time as two of my horses who were due to play in the World Series of Poker!

Marc F. was the lucky soul from our little home game who won his seat in our $100 entry satellite. I had dinner with him the night before at the Rio, along with his lovely wife Heather, Allen Q. and Dog D. - the latter two also being players from the garage. Unfortunately, I was unable to rail Marc at all the next day - as I was in town for work, and that day happened to be the busiest. Even more unfortunately, he busted out after a mere 4 hours. Still, Marc said he had a fantastic time. The WSOP truly is spectacular.



The sight of nearly 3000 poker players in the massive pavilion room is overwhelming enough to take one's breath away. And the sound! Unreal! Like the ever present vuvuzela's in the World Cup of soccer, but much more soothing - the cicada-like clattering of thousands upon thousands of chips. Ah-mazing.

My next horse/pony/runner was up the following day, Jake R. was the winner of my online WSOP satellite and was entered in a $1500 bracelet event. Even though I'm still a bit bitter that his queens cracked my kings on a crucial hand (and basically sent him to Vegas instead of me, while I finished a distant fourth in our group, that hand was a turning point) I was still excited for him and happily was able to sweat him for a little bit.

His table was far in from the rail, but I could make out the back of his head. Then I talked to Noah S. on the phone and he informed me that Jake had tweeted that Tom Dwan was at Jakes table!

Holy crap!

I'm not too star struck around poker pros (okay, maybe just a tad) but this Dwan fella, also better known as "durrrr" impresses the hell out of me. He really is the future of the game, a 23 year old high stakes multi-millionaire who has crushed online and is now seeking to bolster his name with bracelets and the absurd amount of money in side bets that come with them.

Sure enough, after lunch, Jake's table was moved from the smaller Amazon room to the cavernous pavilion and this time he was a lot closer to the rail.



I don't know if it's possible to overstate just how amazing it was that Jake got to play at the same table as Dwan. Jake even informed me that he played a hand with him, and won! After Dwan fired a bet on the flop, Jake called and then it was checked down to the river and Jake's hand held up. (Hmmm, that sounds familiar...)

Jake's event had close to 2000 runners, and there was Dwan, sitting right across from him. It should also be mentioned, that the WSOP Tournament of Champions was also going that day. Two tables full of poker all-stars were playing in the television section of the Amazon room.



Off of the top of my head I can recall seeing seated - Erik Seidel, Daniel Negraneau, Huck Seed, Scotty Nguyen, Barry Greenstein, Phil Hellmuth, Mike Matusow, Jennifer Harman, Allen Cunningham, Howard Lederer, T.J. Cloutier, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, Antonio Esfandiari, Annie Duke, Joe Hachem and Dan Harrington. Phil Ivey and Doyle Brunson had just busted out before I arrived. Yes, basically all of the known poker players from television were ensconced into two tables, except for durrrr. He just happened to be at Jake's table. Crazy.

The ESPN area was very cool with all the cameras running and the bleachers full of poker nerds like me. I happened to know the Technical Director for the production and was given a back stage tour of the set up on Saturday.




Pepper Street regulars might recognize my partner in crime Dan G., one of the producers on the Emmys (the real reason I was in Vegas). Don't worry, we were on on our lunch break. A two hour lunch break. Okay, three hours. Alright, we didn't even show up at the Emmys that day.





The fellow pointing is Mark M., who is just about the nicest guy I've ever met in the production business. He was very gracious and welcoming to a poker geek such as myself. I even got to come back for another visit on Monday and hang out while filming was going on for the TOC.

Maybe the coolest thing of all that I got to see was the "hole cards" room. It was inactive while we were there, but you get the idea.




Mark informed us that armed guards stood at the entrance while the room was "hot". Too cool.

As if all this wasn't enough, my good buddy Allen Q., who was also "working" on the Emmy shoot, joined me late one night to watch Gavin Smith, a well known and highly respected pro (especially among his peers) finally win his very first bracelet! Good times.



All in all, an incredible weekend and and an experience I'll never forget. And all I did was walk around! (I did sneak off one night to play in a $50 turbo tournament at T.I. - mini-brag: I was the chip leader when we chopped three ways!) I think I'm going to start saving up now, just in case I don't win a satellite, I don't see how I can not play in the next WSOP!

Tournament Report 6/12/2010

A great time was had by 16 players in the annual PSP H.O.R.S.E. tournament, the first of three double Player of the Year point events.

A big thank you is in order to all who participated, for taking the time to become familiar with how fixed limit mixed games work, and allowing me to concentrate primarily on my playing! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I got lucky and woke up with Kings in Hold-em and crippled Jason H. who eventually was first to hit the rail. (Though we don't really have a rail.) He was gracious as always and only flipped over one table.

Play continued for awhile thereafter, and as with all limit tournaments eliminations started very slowly and then all of the sudden (for us at around the third hour) rapidly accelerated.

It was just before 11 when the bubble burst, and believe it or not, it wasn't me this time! Amy L. broke my dubious streak, and as a newish player to Pepper Street, was pleasantly surprised that there was actually a legitimate bubble prize. (Even though this was her third tournament, she's only ever seen me as bubble boy.) She took home the film "The Motorcycle Diaries" which I have not seen, but as it's about Che' Guevera, I'm sure it's a real knee slapper.

Fourth place and $60 went to long time PSP player and Omaha enthusiast Tom L.

Third place went to none other than me - I was unable to overcome the monstrous stacks of David M. and Nick B., but was more than happy with the $87 I got.

In the end, the tournament finished just before 11:30 (I've said it before and I'll say it again, I have the most perfect limit tournament structure in the universe, if only my NL structure was as good) with the good doctor David M. relinquishing his remaining chips to Nick B. after a short but intense battle.

David M. pocketed $120 and Nick B. took home $220 and the beautiful and unique for the year golden H.O.R.S.E. trophy - which was literally in the shape of a horse.

A big thanks to all who stayed late to help out - especially Marc F. who did a stellar job at shuffling and dealing. Don't forget, he is World Series bound and you can follow him on twitter. Be sure to e-mail me in a week or so to get his twitter address.

Our next Summer Madness tournament, for double POY points, will be exclusively fixed limit and exclusively the legendary game of Omaha Eight or Better!

This will be a $30 freeze-out with no re-buys or add-ons and no bounty game.

Saturday, July 10 at 7pm! See you there!

H.O.R.S.E. Primer

I loved mixed games. I don't love hosting a mixed game tournament.

"Is this high-low?"

"Which card brings it in?"

"What are we playing now?"

I don't believe I've ever cashed in a tournament at Pepper Street that wasn't No Limit Hold-Em, if for no other reason that I am always bombarded with rudimentary questions throughout the event.

No, these are not hard questions - but they are so numerous. And repetitive.

Here is a little guide to help you exercise restraint from bothering me with inquiries on common knowledge whilst I focus on finishing somewhere else besides the bubble (hopefully higher) for the first time in three months.


All games in H.O.R.S.E. are fixed limit. Yes, in the early days of Pepper Street, we did try a few wacky permutations, throwing in NLHE and PLO8, and even one time early on playing all five games No Limit - for the past couple of years we are back to traditional, and correct, H.O.R.S.E. play.

Fixed limit betting is just that - every bet amount or raise is a pre-set limit. All you have to do as a player is say one of six words, and you can never go wrong.

Fold.

Check.

Call.

Bet.

Raise.

Re-raise.

That's it. No amounts, no controlling the size of the pot.

Even if you're unsure of the bet amount - simply state call, bet, raise or re-raise. Someone at the table can then tell you how much to put in.

In every single incarnation of fixed limit betting in a tournament there is a FOUR BET CAP. Meaning a three raise maximum. (In cash games there is often no betting cap between players that are heads-up).



HOLD-EM

Exactly the same as the game we all know and love, except for bet sizing.

Remember: In Fixed Limit Hold-Em, the Small Blind and Big Blind are the same as in NLHE - but for pre-flop and the flop, the only amount you can call, bet, raise or re-raise is the exact amount of the Big Blind. On the turn and river, the only amount you can call, bet, raise or re-raise is EXACTLY 2 times the amount of the Big Blind.

In all fixed limit games -

The Big Blind or Completed Bet is often referred to as the Small Bet, and 2 times the Big Blind is known as the Big Bet.

In community card games, Pre-Flop and Flop you can only bet the Small Bet.

In stud games, on the first and second round of betting you can only bet the Small Bet.

In community card games, Turn and River you can only bet the Big Bet.

In stud games, on the third betting round and beyond you can only bet the Big Bet.



OMAHA 8 OR BETTER

Similar to Hold-Em, but players receive FOUR hole cards instead of two.

The other big difference - in Hold-Em you can use any combination of your cards and the board. In Omaha you MUST only use two cards from your hand and three cards on board. There are no other options. Read this paragraph over and over until it sinks in.

Finally, the 8 or Better version of the game throws in a high-low aspect of the game.

Let's take a moment to review how a low hand is determined.



A LOW HAND

Is the five lowest cards you can make.

If there is a pair in these five cards, it's a lousy low hand. Pairs count AGAINST a low hand.

Straights and flushes do NOT count against a low hand.

Therefore, the LOWEST POSSIBLE HAND YOU CAN HAVE - THE ABSOLUTE LOW NUTS - is A, 2, 3, 4, 5. - even if the hand is a straight flush.

The strength of a low hand is determined by it's highest card(s).

In determining a low hand, Aces are ALWAYS low.


EXAMPLE ONE:

Which hand is lower?

Hand 1 - A, 2, 3, 4, K

or

Hand 2 - 7, 9, 10, J, Q

Do you get why the Hand 1 is higher? Start with the two highest cards. Hand 1 is called a "King-Four" Hand 2 is called a "Queen-Jack" A king is higher than a queen.


EXAMPLE TWO:

Which hand is lower?

Hand 1 - 2, 3, 5, 5, 6

or

Hand 2 - K, Q, J, 9, 10


Do you understand that Hand 1 is automatically higher because it has a pair? Remember, pairs can render a low hand almost worthless.



EXAMPLE THREE:

Which hand is lower?


Hand 1 - A, 4, 5, 7, 8

or

Hand 2 - 2, 3, 5, 7, 8


Do you know why Hand 2 is lower? Remember, start with the highest cards and work your way down. Both hands are identical for the first three cards 8, 7, 5 - but then, the next card determines the low hand. Hand 1 has a 4, Hand 2 has a 3. The remaining cards don't matter - even though Hand 1 then has an Ace and Hand 2 has a 2 - a 4 is always higher than a 3. Hand 1 is called a "4 - Ace" Hand 2 is called a "3-2", 3 is lower than 4.



Back to OMAHA 8 OR BETTER


In Omaha 8 or Better, half the pot goes to the high hand and half the pot goes to the low hand.

BUT, and this is a big but, for a low hand to claim half the pot it must qualify.

A low hand only qualifies if it contains five unpaired cards, all of which are 8 or lower.

A, 2, 3, 4, 9 does NOT qualify for a low hand and thus would not be entitled to half the pot.

There are many hands (about 40%) in O8 where there is only a high hand winner, who takes the entire pot - this is called "scooping".

As I mentioned, though it bears repeating - all hands, high and low, must be determined by two cards in a players hand and three on the board. This is the ONLY option for determining a hand.

But a player may use two cards in his hand and three on board for determining his high hand and then one or two different cards in his hand and different cards on board as well to determine his low.


Cards always speak in Omaha. Just turn up your cards at showdown if you are unsure - it may take a moment, or two, or even three, to determine who has the best and worst hand - but we will always take our time to insure the correct winner. Even professional dealers sometimes encounter difficulties figuring out who has what, we shouldn't sweat if the wrong player is initially awarded the pot as long as the correct decision is eventually reached.




RAZZ

Seven card stud - low hand wins.

All stud games feature an ANTE. An ante is a small payment from every player before the cards are dealt.

In H.O.R.S.E. there is often a "button ante" for the first few rounds or so. A button ante is a single payment from the player on the button, instead of a group payment, before the cards are dealt.

Players are dealt two cards down and one card up.

The highest card showing, must "bring-in" the first bet. That is, he is forced to put in a specific amount that is known by all. Usually this amount is half or less of the Small Bet amount.

For purposes of the bring-in, Aces are always low. A king would be the highest rank. In the event of a tie in rank, suits are used to determine who brings it in. In order, the lowest to highest in suits are Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, Spades.

A king of spades would always be the bring-in in Razz.

The bring-in is the only instance in all of poker where suits are pitted against each other. Identically ranked hands always tie and chop the pot, a winning hand is NEVER determined by a difference in suits, only in ranks.

The player posting the bring-in bet has the option before putting out the bet to "complete" his bring-in to the full Small Bet amount.

If the player chooses not to complete (very common in Razz, as a face card showing makes the hand unplayable in most situations) then the betting proceeds, with following players having only two options. They can either "call" or "complete". Once the bet is complete, players can "raise" as normal.

On all subsequent rounds of betting, the low hand showing begins the betting, and of course the player may check if he wishes.

If two hands or more hands are identical in rank on a round of betting after the first round, it is the first hand nearest to the dealer's left that starts the betting - suits are not used to determine action.

A players worst five cards at showdown determine the winner - in Razz there IS NO QUALIFIER for a low hand.

Yes, I have seen a pair of deuces lose to a pair of aces. Remember, in Razz, ACES are ALWAYS LOW.



SEVEN STUD HIGH

Antes, dealing and betting is the same as Razz, but it is the high hand that determines the winner at showdown.

Determining the bring-in and who bets first is reversed.

LOW card showing must bring-in. In determining this, Aces are always high. The two of clubs would be the lowest card and would always bring in the first bet. Remember, if ranks are identical, use the suit to determine bring in.

On all subsequent streets of betting, HIGH hand goes first.




EIGHT OR BETTER SEVEN STUD

Antes, dealing, bring-in and betting are identical to Seven Stud High.

The only difference in this game is that if a player has the best qualifying low hand, he wins half the pot.

Remember: for a low hand to qualify (unlike in Razz, where there is no qualifying requirement) a player must have 5 unpaired cards, all 8 or lower in rank.

If there is no eligible low hand at show down, the high hand scoops the pot.



So there it is - probably more detail than most of you needed. But I hope it will save some effort and brain power on my part on the night of the tournament! If there is anything I've left out, be sure to let me know!

Tournament Report 5/22/10

A slightly smaller game than usual, only 14 players, but still as enjoyable as ever.

Hugh B. made his long awaited return to Pepper St., only to bust out first and go off on a profanity laced tirade that culminated in flipping over several tables and defecating in the Chex mix.

Just kidding. Hugh was gracious and friendly as always and seemed to have a really good time despite his early exit. He, as well as several other players, has to drive quite a ways to make it out to Burbank - and it is very much appreciated.

Tight play followed for the rest of the evening, as has been the theme this year, and it was approaching 11pm before the bubble finally burst - with yours truly for the THIRD MONTH IN A ROW landing in the bubble spot. Seriously, those DVD's are really starting to accumulate.

Our final four consisted of Amy L., Jeff M., Marc F. and Mike P. '

Amy L. was the first to fall, to the rapidly growing stack of Mike P. She pocketed $67 for fourth place.

Jeff M. busted out next, with $100 for third.

It looked like it might be a long battle between Marc and Mike, but in the end it was more of a mini-epic as Marc succumbed after about 2 dozen hands, collecting $140 for second place.

Mike P. took down his second tournament of the year, taking $250 and firmly establishing himself at the top of the Player of the Year leaderboard standings.

Speaking of Player of the Year, our next three tournaments are Summer Madness Events, meaning they are worth DOUBLE the POY points! A great chance to catch up if you find yourself behind in the race.

The first of the three is in three weeks, Saturday, June 12th at 7pm. It is NOT our usual No Limit Hold-em event - it is H.O.R.S.E.:

Hold-em
Omaha/8
Razz
Seven Stud
Eight or Better Seven Stud

Each round is 15 minutes, and each round is a different FIXED-LIMIT game.

Can't wait!



PS

As always, a big thanks to those who stuck around to help shuffle and lend support - Jeff M. and Tony G. you guys rock!

Congratulations, Marc F.!

Our 2009 player of the year took down our first ever Pepper Street Poker WSOP Satellite!

It was an exciting afternoon, with a little bit more tension than usual - because of what was at stake; a seat in a World Series of Poker bracelet event. Still, there was plenty of silliness, in between the intensely fought big pots and gut wrenching show downs.

After nearly 5 hours of play, involving ten of Pepper Street's very best poker playas, it was down to an epic heads up battle between Marc and Stephen B. Stephen had powered his way back from a nub of a stack early on, with a deadly combination of good cards and expertly timed aggression, to build a mountain of chips.

After Tony G., who has won a WSOP seat before at another home game, finished in third place, Marc had his work cut out for him - and thanks to a bit of luck, more than a bit of skill, and very fortunate timing - the chip lead, and the title, swung back to him in the end.

Marc only has to let us know which event of 6 available he is going to participate in, then we'll all sign a staking agreement, I'll hand over the cash and he'll be off to Vegas! If by some grace of God he happens to make the money, everyone who played in the satellite will get a share! Regardless if Marc cashes or not, it is sure to be a great experience - if there is any possible way I would love to make it out as well to heckle him from the rail. I'd encourage other PSP peeps to make it out as well - I hear the WSOP is something else to see, even if you're not playing in it!

Our normal tournaments continue next Saturday, May 22nd at 7pm. It's the last regular No Limit Hold-Em tournament before Summer Madness begins in June with a fixed-limit H.O.R.S.E. tournament. Remember, all three SM tournaments (H.O.R.S.E. in June, Omaha/8 in July and a Double Stack NLHE in August) are worth DOUBLE Player of the Year points, so they are a great chance to get back in the running.

See you all next week!

Some "new" rules.

Based on a few incidents recently - I've added the following for clarification. I've actually always had these policies in place, but never had them in official black and white.

A HAND CANNOT BE KILLED ONCE THERE HAS BEEN ACTION
There are hardly any exceptions to this - if a player calls or bets, the hand is live. If someone else then looks down and realizes they have 3 cards, or only 1 card, (and he's not on the button) it is only HIS hand that is dead. Once action (a call or a bet) has been made, killing the hand entire and refunding everyone is only done in the most extreme of circumstances - a duplicate card in the deck (not a card from the other deck) or a psychotic break by a player who irreparably fouls the deck or other players hands, are the only two examples I can quickly come up with that would kill a hand altogether.

ALL IN AND A CALL - PLAYERS MUST TURN UP THEIR CARDS
No waiting until the river. Obviously if there is still a side pot being contested and action to come, all players should keep their cards hidden and protected - but when it's time to show, everyone must.

CAN'T MAKE IT AFTER ALL? YOU MUST CONTACT ME
Life happens. But you must let me know if you have to cancel. Short of bleeding out on the street or a catastrophic family crisis, I expect a phone call. Even if you call me 1 minute before the tournament is scheduled to start and cancel - you will stay in my good graces. An e-mail is also acceptable, though a bit less courteous. I do check them on my computer before we start.

If you totally space out and forget to call - that's a bit of a bigger deal, but a heartfelt phone call and some sort of remorse will probably do just fine.

If you don't call at all, even afterwards, it is PSP policy to remove you from the evite. You can always call or e-mail later with an explanation, but until I hear from you, I have no incentive to bring a player back who doesn't have the courtesy to fill me in on why they bailed and left me with an empty seat and dead stack to manage.

Tournament Report 5/1/10

A great time was had by all 18 players that showed up for the April tournament, in May!

First out was Allen Q. who traveled all the way from Palmdale to have his TPTK coolered by a set of sevens from our newest player Amy. Allen took it in stride and proceeded to rail the remaining players mercilessly with cutting observations and sly witticisms.

It was a good hour before the next round of bust-outs, and even then people played unusually tight for Pepper Street, so tight that we didn't reach a final table until almost 11pm!

Tight play continuted and the blinds reached record heights, with yours truly finally busting out as bubble boy (AGAIN).

Jeff M. had the chip lead, but ran into a huge pot against Amy and had to settle for fifth place for $70.

MIke K. was next to fall, earning $80 for fourth.

Ardelle P. battled valiantly, showing excellent decision making skills on more than one occasion, but eventually succumbed to the monster stack of Amy and collected $115 for third place.

And then there were two. A monster amount of chips swung in both directions, more than once - in the end Tony G. emerged the victor. As the blinds had reached gargantuan proportions, it truly was, in the end, up to the cards to determine our winner.

Amy seemed pleased as punch to collect $190 for second place as well as $20 in bounty chips.

Tony G. took home the trophy and $280 in first prize money plus $25 in bounties. He actually got shorted $20 because the host had entered the wrong number of players into the computer. While this was all my fault, it is a reminder for all of us how important an accurate RSVP list is.

I understand life intervenes, and emergencies come up - but really, unless you are bleeding out on the street, I do always appreciate a phone call, even at the last minute.

A very special thanks to Noah P. for staying late to help shuffle, and to Marc F. for bringing the super friendly new player Amy.

Our next tournament will be on Saturday, May 22 at 7pm. We will also be running our first annual World Series of Poker Satellite the previous SUNDAY, May 16 at 12 noon. If you're looking for more information on this prestigious event, read on.

Let's try it again!

Finally, I think we have enough interest for a...

World Series of Poker Satellite tournament in the friendly confines of the PSP Garage!



$100 entry fee.

Winner takes all the cash - at least $1000, hopefully more.

Winner MUST use his/her winnings to buy a 1K bracelet event seat in the 2010 WSOP .

Any remaining money the winner can use for travel/food/lodging expenses.

There are seven 1K Bracelet events to choose from.

Click here to see the WSOP schedule.

If the winner of our satellite happens to cash in the WSOP then he/she keeps 60% of all the money won while the remaining 40% is divided evenly among the remaining satellite participants.

All participants must agree to the above and sign a standard staking agreement, a sample of which can be found here.

The tournament will be on SUNDAY, May 16 at 12 NOON. Check in on time please; cards in the air at 12:15pm.

We will be playing the EXACT same structure and round times as the 1K bracelet events of the 2010 WSOP. This could make for a long day, and possibly last into the evening as well.

We should have enough players within our group (at least 10) to make this happen - please talk to me first before inviting anyone who hasn't played at Pepper St. before.

I will try my best to get a dealer from our group, someone who doesn't want to participate but knows enough and is enthusiastic enough to hang out with us and give us a hand on the big day.

If I do acquire a dealer, I will collect an ENTIRELY optional donation of $10 from each player sometime before the day of the event. This donation must remain optional to keep the game legal - but I hope everyone involved will chip in to help compensate our volunteer for his/her time.

Don't hesitate to call me if you have any questions or concerns.

Let's do it!

Tournament Report 3/27/09

After a flurry of last minute additions and cancellations, the final number was 21 players, three tables of seven, sitting down for another super fun evening of Texas No-Limit Hold-em.

Our 2009 player of the year Marc F. was the first out, exemplifying the slogan "go big or go home" by blasting through his buy-in and re-buy before the first break!

It was after the break that the next bodies fell, slowly at first and then rapidly as the final table approached.

Noah P. nursed a painfully short stack in, up and over more chip heavy players in masterful fashion before finally succumbing to the bubble. His choice for DVD prize, the movie that everyone knows should have been best picture instead of "Shakespeare in Love" - the stirring and unforgettable "Saving Private Ryan."

Dog D. played very well all night long and had a good amount of ammo, but in the end took a couple bad beats and claimed a fifth place cash of $75 plus an extra $25 or so in bounties.

Palmdale resident Allen Q., having just returned from an exhausting weeklong shoot in Colorado, proved that tight was right and maneuvered his bad ass rock like self to fourth place and $100.

Legendary poker savant Mike P. continued with his wacky strategy of sensible play for 2010, locking up third place and just over $150.

It looked like it was going to be an epic battle between Jeff M. and Gabor V. heads-up, as the two had fairly equal monster stacks, especially after Jeff M. put on a clinic of power poker and won a half a dozen pots or so in a row by pulling the trigger without fear.

But the clash was cut short when Jeff was crippled by a gut shot straight hitting the river after all the chips were in. With Jeff down to a fraction of a nub, the players agreed to call it a night - Jeff was a class act and seemed please to collect his $200+ prize along with bounties. Gabor V. pocketed over $300 and took home the trophy!

Actually, he didn't take it home. He forgot it. But it's in the garage waiting for him when he comes back next time.

Speaking of next time, I know the sign said the 17th, but it turns out I have to schedule our next tournament for the 24th instead. Hope you can make it. If not, there will likely be a cash game on an earlier Friday in the month.

Huge thanks once again to Marc F. for staying to help deal and shuffle, and to fellow class-act Dan I. for doing the same. Thank you also to my brother Dr. Dave for helping with the clean up so I could sleep in.

All in all a great night - can't wait for the next one!


PS.

Two rule notes. Based on situations last night.

1. Remember, when players are heads up, you are allowed to expose your hand to get a read.

You are not allowed to intentionally expose your hand in a multi-way pot.

However, it's good to remember that under no circumstance, even in a multi-way pot, does an intentional hand exposure kill a hand. There will be a penalty in the case of a multi-way pot, likely the offender will have to sit out one hand or even a full orbit depending on the severity of the act and the outcome, but his hand is live.

Only when cards are clearly thrown towards the muck is the hand dead.

We had an unfortunate collision of circumstance last night where one player thought the other had mucked, when all he had done was expose for a reaction. I had to make a final ruling, which was not pleasant because both players had acted honorably and both felt bad, but it was correct.


2.

A lot of people were asking about table consolidation. Here are the guidelines I go by.


17 Players or less - 2 tables. We redraw for the final table at 9 players.

18 players or more - 3 tables. We break the green table and go to 2 tables at 14, we redraw for the final table at 9 players.

Tables will always be balanced with no more than a difference of 1 player between each.

Tournament Report 2/13/10

It's been a long time coming - but here's the tournament report, a mini-report of sorts, as best as I can remember it!

Valentine's day weekend apparently is still a big deal for a lot of people, so for the first time in a long time we had only 11 players squeezed around a single table.

While the group was small, the fun was big. And after a few gut wrenching coolers, newish PSP player, the formidable Stephen B. was the first out.

It was almost another hour after the first break before the next player fell, but once he did, the pace of bust outs quickened.

I made the mistake of speculating out loud who the bubble boy would be - of course guaranteeing that I would be the one to get the honor. The good news was that I didn't take a DVD from the pile (seeing as I own pretty much all of them already) so there's plenty left over for the next lucky bubbler.

Class act Tom L. managed his first cash of the year, hanging on to bust yours truly and collecting a not too small amount of third place money.

Second place went to the irreplaceable (or is it irascible?) Allen Q. who played valiantly in a mini-epic heads up session with tournament winner and poker player extraordinaire Mike P.!

Mike has quietly taken down more than a few of these over the past couple of years, and also recently crushed the January cash game as the big winner - he is currently second in POY points, by only one point in fact - just behind PSP regular Marc F.

Speaking of Marc F., a huge thanks once again for hanging out and shuffling as well as helping me clean up! Now that's a first, and makes all of the rest of you look really bad! I think it was mainly because it was an early night (we finished just after 11) but really, I should probably just give Marc the POY bracelet now. (Hee hee.)

If you're interested in seeing how the race is actually shaping up, click here.

Originally it looked like there would be no PSP in March, as I was scheduled to be on vacation and out of country for work - but recent developments have delayed the latter part of that equation, so while there will still not be any cash game play this month...

...there WILL be a tournament on Saturday, March 27 at 7pm! Very much looking forward to it! See you there!

Cash Game Report 2/6/10

A great time was had by all 10 players squeezed in around the big blue table last night on a very wet night in a dry but cold garage.

Stephen B. was the big winner in our little experiment, the first ever No Limit Hold-Em cash game at Pepper Street, pocketing $186 - over seven $25 buy-ins. (Blinds were 10c/25c and we also played alternating rounds of PLO8). Though the usual buy-in was cut in half, Stephen set a record for Pepper St. cash game winnings.

With so much chippage sliding over to Stephen, there were only a handful of other winners, and I was not one of them.

But it was still a very good time.

*****

Poker on the horizon looks to be taking a break - as of this writing it looks very unlikely that a tournament or cash game will take place in the month of March. I will be going to Phoenix for spring training, on vacation with my family in Key West and out of country for work! Bummer!

The good news is, that poker returns this very next upcoming weekend - Saturday, 2/13 @ 7pm. We've got a smaller response than usual so far (could it really be that people still celebrate Valentine's day?) so be sure to respond, and bring a friend or two!

Until then... Seacrest out!