Before we even sat down I knew it was going to be a fun night - my good friend Allen Q. brought me a special gift.
This little beauty, written in 1959, is filled with dozens of gems which I know will help bring my game to the next level. Of course, it doesn't cover No Limit Hold-Em at all, but I'm sure the advice on Five Card Draw and Stud will be invaluable nonetheless.
Most delightful are the "Ten Commandments of Poker" the book gives.
Commandment One - "If you don't have a fighting hand, drop it and wait for another." A surefire way to succeed in NLHE tournaments.
Another winner - Commandment Seven - "Don't play poker with women." That's it. No qualifier, no explanation - just don't play with females, period. Good times.
Fortunately our little game follows neither of these commandments; but the book is still pretty ridiculous fun.
Speaking of ridiculous fun, I eliminated my good poker confidante and friend Jason H. for the first bust-out of the evening when my pocket 8's held against his over cards. With both middle fingers extended, Jason bid a fond farewell and very soon other eliminations followed.
By just after 10 we were down to two tables, and the final table was reached a mere 45 minutes after that.
DVD boy was Allen R., who found himself a bit surprised by his opponents aces after they were turned up in a less than speedy fashion - but he exited gracefully, only flipping a single table and refraining from more than a moderate number of F bombs.
Josh F., last month's first place finisher, cashed for the second month in a row - this time finishing in 6th and reclaiming his $40 entry.
The next player out, was actually two players. Allen Q., short stacked as most of the 5 remaining were, was first to push with a small pocket pair - and he got looked up by two players that had him covered!
Both Eric T. and Noah P. had overcards, but neither of them hit, and Allen Q.'s mighty mighty pocket 4's dragged a huge pot.
Eric T. had a slight chip lead over Noah P., so he collected the $100 fourth place prize while Noah P. had to settle for the fifth place amount of $80.
Three players remained, but not for long - Marc F., a cashing juggernaut this year, extended his lead greatly in the POY race by finishing third and pocketing $130.
And then there were two - the heads up battle was brief but intense, and after only one big swing, Allen Q. was unable to overcome his chip and a chair standing but was happy to take home $180 for second place.
In the end Daniel I. was the sole survivor and champion of September, playing good and running good enough to take it down along with $280 in first place monies.
A big thanks to all who came, especially Marc F. who brought yet another new player - Greg H. - into the game. Marc, you do so totally rule and you are a big part of this game's continuing success. Greg, we loved having you and I hope you'll come back soon.
It also was great to see my old co-worker Christie and her husband Jeff coming to player poker together in our little garage - I know it's tough with kids guys, and I appreciate you making the effort to come and play with us.
Thanks also to Noah P. who stuck around to the end to do a heck of a lot of shuffling. Whether it's your time, or a dollar or two in the funds jar, I greatly appreciate everyone who goes above and beyond to make our game successful.
Can't wait for the next one! Looks like there won't be time on my schedule for another tourney in September - but we might squeeze in a cash game. Also, the next tournament that we do have will be No Limit Hold-Em, but I'm thinking that at some point before the end of the year to have at least one either PLO8 (Pot Limit Omaha 8) by itself or a PLO/PLO8 mix or maybe even a H.O.R.S.E. tournament. Of course if we don't get at least 1 table, then I may reconsider for NLHE anyway.
