Saturday, January 23rd saw a spectacular kickoff to PSP Tournaments in 2010!
The evening began with an announcement, the 2009 Player of the Year Bracelet was awarded to Marc F. It was a reward that was well deserved, and it turned out to be prophetic.
The first out was Marissa C., though she played well past the break. Tight play for the first two hours was the norm, but after the good doctor's departure (that would be Marissa) the bust outs followed fast and furious.
Yours truly played badly and donated to Marc F. (bad idea, I know), busting out shortly thereafter, the sixth player to fall.
As 10:30 approached the bust outs exploded at an alarming rate - sometimes 2 or even 3 players at a time. I happen to believe that the new blind structure, which is identical to the WSOP (save for the removal of the 300/600 level, and a rapid acceleration of blinds after level 12) is probably the best yet. It provided plenty of play for nearly 3 hours, and then rewarded those who had accumulated and swiftly eliminated those who hadn't, ensuring a 4 to 5 hour tournament while still giving a surprising amount of quality play for the players who made the money.
Stephen B. was the unlucky bubble boy, or was he lucky after all? He had a choice of nearly 20 brand new or like new DVD's! I forgot to see which one he chose. I'll have to ask the next time I see him.
The prize pool was $800 and we paid 5. David M. collected $72 for fifth place. Ardelle P. pocketed $96 for fourth. Robert A. looked like he might win the tournament entire during 3 handed play, but suffered a couple of big hits and finally relented with a $128 payout for third.
The indefatigable home poker icon Tom S. stunned and amazed by powering his way to a huge second place payout of $184, even managing to get all his money in very good pre-flop on the final hand with KQ vs. KJ.
The KJ flopped a flush draw and a gutshot, with the latter hitting on the turn and shipping the chips and the title of January Champion to none other than the 2009 Player of the Year Marc F.
The win was well deserved, as the class act that is Marc quietly took another one down.
A big thanks to everyone who stayed late to watch and help out, especially Noah P. who graciously tackled the most un-fun job of all, shuffle machine.
Our next tournament is Saturday, February 13th at 7pm. I know this will be hard on people with new boy or girlfriends, but the rest of us married and single folk should have no problem making it! (I hope!) I know, it's not the best weekend, but it's the only one I have open. Look for the evite very soon, probably right after I post this.
There will also likely be a cash game on Friday, February 5th at 7pm. This cash game will be a different format than usual. Instead of a dealer's choice of mixed games, it wil be alternating rotations of two games only. No Limit Hold-Em and Pot Limit Omaha 8 Hi-low. This evite will go out 1 week prior to the game.
Thanks to all of you for making the first big night of the year such a success! Congratulations Marc, way to make a statement that 2009 was no fluke!
