Before the tournament madness could commence, there was first a day long extravaganza of live poker action and much grilling of various meat products.
My burgers were popular enough, but especially outstanding were the rib eye brought by Mike K. and an other worldly creation called "Cheddar-wurst" (sausage stuffed with cheese) brought along by the always food-fantastic Dog.
While we stuffed ourselves, we also grinded the cash game. I was stuck almost $60 for a while, before recovering a bit in a big scoop in Omaha/8, my nut low improved to a set of threes as well, and I finished down only $15.
The big winners in the five and six handed play seemed to be Marc F. and Dog, but no one finished down too significantly. It was a mellow afternoon of beef and chip splashing.
But soon the sun faded, and I had work to do to set up. I was helped out with the chips by Marc and my brother and Mike K. both jumped on to the grill as well.
Incredibly, with all the food, family and friends - Josh F. brought along his lovely wife as did Mike K. PLUS his kids, to the great delight of my daughter - we started the tournament on time.
23 fine folks squeezed into the garage, including out of town visitor Renee, a resident of Scottsdale Arizona and a friend of Ardelle and Noah P.
It was shaping up to be a bumpy night as shortly after our first bust out, Tom S., the second bust out Amy L. departed in spectacular fashion. Her pocket kings tripped up on the flop, as did the pocket tens of Noah P. After all the chips were in, Noah was dead to one card in the deck, which unbelievably hit on the river as a tremendous chorus of incredulity erupted around the table.
One outers happen frequently (it seems) online, but there is something about a 1 out of 52 shot hitting in a live environment that makes the atmosphere absolutely electric.
Believe it or not, once the garage was charged with that energy after Amy's cooler, it didn't subside for a good while.
The second eyebrow raising hand came a little while after - Dog, was poised to drag a large pot and make another deep run, his two pair filled up. Unfortunately for him, the next cards brought Julie A. a STRAIGHT FLUSH - sending Dog to the rail in head-shaking fashion. (He wasn't shaking his head, but everyone watching the hand unfold no doubt did.)
I myself had a bit of a suckout - with 12 big blinds I was first in with KJ and looked up by mongo stack Josh F.'s pocket jacks.
He was a 68% favorite pre flop, but the flop brought me an open ender and the lower end hit on the turn for a sick double-up.
The final table formed just after 10:30 and less than an hour later we were in the money.
Dan G. was our DVD bubble, falling just shy of the monies but scooping up the two Kill Bill movies as a consolation.
Getting his money back, plus a bounty - making him exactly even for the night was longtime PSP vet, Robert A.
Relatively new player Matthew S., who has now cashed in all of the three tournaments he's played at Pepper St., busted out next - scooping up $80 for fifth place.
Next to fall was Julie A., she of the straight flush earlier in the evening. She took home $110 of fourth place money.
I was happy to snap call Noah P.'s shove when I had Q7 suited - with only 8 big blinds behind there wasn't much else I could do. The good news, I was live, the bad news - the board blanked and knocked me out. I gathered up $150 from the cash box and sat back down to watch the heads up duel between Noah and Josh.
Josh, it must be said, put on a poker clinic last night, accumulating early and using his stack like a cudgel with perfectly timed selective aggression at all the right targets at the right times.
At the final table he was behind a mountain of chips that carried him to the final two.
The pendulum swung a few times in heads up action - but both players, Josh and Noah P., were truly at the mercy of the deck, thanks to the mega-turbo (get out by midnight or else) structure at Pepper Street.
When the dust settled, Noah P. got the bad end of the coin flip, but he seemed happy enough to take home $210 in second place money, plus $30 in bounty chips.
It was 12:17 am, a record length tourney for this year at PSP, when Josh hoisted the trophy above his head and let out a primal scream of victory. Well, okay, when he smiled and graciously shook Noah's hand. Josh collected over $300 as well, reaping the reward of a 23 player prize pool where everyone either re-bought or added on.
It's my understanding that he only took up the game recently, but last night Josh demonstrated great poise and an outstanding feel for position and the range of his opponents holdings. Well done Josh! You're a fast learner!
Once again, thanks so much to all who helped out during the day, and thanks to each and every one of you for being so friendly and fun and making our little home game such a success in the way that matters most.
Our next Tournament will be on Saturday night, 7pm, September 10th.
Hopefully there will be another tournament towards the end of September, the first NLHE event of the year - H.O.R.S.E.! Yes, it's been long enough, hopefully we can get two tables, but I'll be happy with one.
We are also long overdue for a cash game - hopefully we can squeeze one in on a Friday night sometime soon.
