With a good friend from up north in town and dying for some pokerz, it seemed like a good a time as any for some Sunday school night tournament action!
Turns out that 21 players, one of the biggest turn-outs all year, didn't need to go to work Monday morning, and showed up to throw down.
We had two new players, courtesy of Daniel SR., who you may not know but who is a long time friend of mine who lives up in Berkeley. He was recently at a wedding down in L.A., ran into his friend Nate T. and mentioned my online game. Nate got in touch with me and I mentioned that I also have a live game and wah lah. Nate also brought his friend John D. - so two friends for the price of one! Thanks DSR!
Just after the break, first out was "pedal-to-the-metal" Jeff M. who stuck it in the highest gear and floored it, intending to accumulate or get some sleep. It worked out for the latter.
It was a recurring theme through the night actually, because of the real or imagined time pressure, people were not in the mood to speculate and fold and were calling off light fairly frequently.
At the same time though, some of the early bust outs, yours truly, new player Nate and Berkeley guest Willie F., stuck around for some cash game action which lasted just as long as the tournament. Even though Willie was an early tournament casualty, he made his money back and more - over $100 by the time the game broke.
Just before the final table we lost Dog D. who went out with 10 players remaining, netting himself 11 points which is just enough to eclipse former front runner Marc F.'s Player of the Year lead by ONE POINT! This is the closest the POY race has ever been, and it should be an exciting finale in December!
The final table of the tournament was reached just before 11pm and our DVD bubble was a double bust out of Josh and Amy, the latter of which had a teeny bit more chips, one more chip actually, and is owed a DVD when she returns next time. I was too engrossed in the rockin' cash game to remember to mention it.
Our money-back "bubble" was Dan G., who actually received the usual $40 amount even though the buy-in was only $30. You're welcome Dan!
Next to fall was the indefatigable Mr. Noah P., who scooped up $60 in 5th place monies.
Finishing in fourth place for $80 was long-time-no-see Tony G. who hadn't made a PSP appearance since February! He also got to take home an extra $165 in cash as well. "Why?" You may ask. Well he didn't know why either, I had to explain to him that Eric T. had cashed in the World Series in June and that this was his share!
Busting in third, for her second cash in a row, and maintained her top five position in points, was "I never cash" Barbara N., who pocketed $100.
The heads up battle was brief but intense; Jeff G. made a bold bluff but got unlucky as Julie happened to connect with the flop. After a protracted counting of chips, the stacks were close, but Jeff was barely covered. He got $140 and second place plus $25 in bounty money.
Julie took home $20 in bounties, $210 in first place money and the trophy! Well done Jules!
The year is almost up, and as mentioned earlier, the Player of the Year race is spectacularly close. It will go down to the wire at our final tournament which will return to a Saturday night at 7pm on December 10th.
Hope to see you there!
