2012.07

Once a year the old garage at Pepper Street is shut down and the poker tables are moved under the patio in the middle of the day so we can all enjoy hot meat products while we play! This year 20 hearty and hungry souls gathered in the shade, just out of reach of the relentless 90 degree sun, to gamble it up and chow down.

First out was yours truly, who had a less than graceful exit (yes, I was a tool) when his AJ was cracked by A9, all in pre-flop.  But it turned out this was a good thing - the grill stayed open longer and the tournament ran a lot smoother with my full attention.

My exit was well after the break, as a revamped structure and starting stack gave everyone lots of deep play early on.  20K in chips and no antes made for a very enjoyable afternoon.  15 minute levels would insure that it was over after 5 hours.

My next evite will have a poll - which structure do you prefer?  This new Sunday structure or the regular one?  I likely will not change it this year, but I am open to feedback and have to confess I did love that there was no antes.  Don't get me wrong - I think any serious tournament HAS to have antes.  It is a fundamental part of what makes NLHE tournaments great, and separates the hobbyist from the serious enthusiast.  But in our case, for $45 and a simple evening of entertainment, because both structures are definitely turbos at the end of the night - I think there is a strong case to be made for an ante-less structure.  Mostly that antes are a pain to remember and keep track of when there is no full time dealer.

I will also likely have another poll  - do you like the "Show 'em" chips or not?  Last Sunday, I randomly gave 2 blue "Show 'em" chips (they had the words "Show 'em" on them) to 2 players at each table.  SE chip holders were allowed to play these chips once, and could use them to see a winning players hand if we was allowed to muck and chose to muck after winning a pot.

Again, I likely won't institute them this year, but if I get enough positive response, I'll probably do it next year.  I think the game is pretty fun, and not too harmful to a players game or a players ego as long as they are used before the first break.

The final table formed after 3 hours and less than a half hour later we had our DVD bubble - Josh F. who took home "The Incredibles" for the kiddos to enjoy.

Getting his money back for his time was the always affable, and slightly tipsy thanks to NB Bill's beer (thanks a ton Bill) Jason H.  He of the Vegas cash-a-thon below.

Cashing for $70 in fifth place was the good Dr. David (my brutha from the same muthah).  His first cash after taking it down two months ago.

In fourth place for $90 was Dog D. who it seems has returned to his cashing ways after a mild early year slump.

In third for a c-note for his third cash of the year was the man, the myth the sound editing legend Dan I.

An then there were two, two monster stackens.  It looked like the battle would be long and hard, but it wasn't.  Within a couple of hands all the chips went in pre-flop with A10 vs. KQ.  A queen came on the flop and held, giving Ark S. his first first place trophy and $300!  Bill K. cashed for the second time this year and this time scooped up $200 for second place.  Well done - both y'all!

I wanna give a special shout out and thanks to John S. who stayed and helped shuffle, and also to Dan I. who remained to cheer on the heads up battle and deal as well.

Also, a big thanks to Marc F. and Ark S. for bringing in new players  Although he was second out (after me) I hope Marc's friend Bob had fun and will come back soon.  Ark's friend Sean I know must have had fun, he stuck around for our 5pm H.O.R.S.E. tournament.

Yes, that's right, there was another tournament!  That fabulous folly of fixed limit fun, H.O.R.S.E.  A big shout out to all the O.G. poker homies who hung out for more meat and more pokerz - even if it was complicated and fixed limit.

A big congrats to Jeff S. who dragged his second trophy in three months at PSP, and took home top prize of $120.  Not bad for a single table tournament!    All players who participated do get points, so those who bailed missed out!  Yes, I know there were a couple of final table cashers who wanted in after we filled an 8 handed table, but they have monies and many more points so :P.

A hearty handshake and a laurel (along with $40) also goes out to Pepper Street regular and World Series of Poker veteran Barbara for finishing second in this late afternoon indulgence.

Thanks to each and every one of you for making the afternoon (and early evening) a great success.  I can't wait for next year to do it again, but in the mean time I can't wait for next month's tournament which will be our usual 7pm Saturday night shin-dig - this time on August 18th.

Stay tuned for the evite and I'll see you there!