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