It was a balmy night and the garage door was open, as 15 poker fanatics gathered round for some good old fashioned No Limit Texas Hold-Em tournament action.
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| The blast door is open. |
But this tournament was no ordinary happening. This was our annual satellite for a seat in the World Series of Poker! Only two players out of the 15 would win a seat, with third place getting their money back - so it proved to be an exciting (and at times slightly more intense than usual) evening.
First out, I'm sorry to say, was yours truly, who couldn't find a fold with QQ to Allen Q.'s 60 big blind 3 bet shove. Yes, he had aces. Seems obvious now doesn't it?
With half hour levels and a very flat structure, the same structure in fact as the WSOP, it was a different vibe and level of competition.
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| Sexy red table action. |
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| Big green table excitement. |
It was well over 4 hours when the bust outs finally started to pick up. I have to say, I was a bit surprised that several players kept getting their money in good, but hadn't read the new warning sign I had recently posted.
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| Seems obvious now, right? |
The final table came at just after 1030pm and we had been playing since 5:30!
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| Seconds after this was taken two cars ran over and killed all the players. |
No one had a commanding chip lead, but Tom L. was for sure the chip leader.
And slowly but surely his stack grew and he busted several players, having the ammo to look people up and get his money in live on more than one occasion.
And then we were four handed - a bubble time of sorts. Third place would at least get their money back. Fourth place would get what the birds ate.
In the end it was Marc F. who succumbed and went home empty handed, save for the special kind of memories that only the white hot pain of poker can deliver.
And then there were three. At this point Jeff G. had assumed the title of big chief monster-stacken, apparently from a hand involving 92 that I wasn't in the garage to see. It's probably for the best.
Jeff G. found himself up against Tom L. and PSP satellite champion of 2011 Eric T.
In the end, it was a spectacular three way hand that would decide the fate of these three poker warriors.
Eric had the fewest chips and got all his money in pre-flop with the pair on the left, AQ. Jeff and Tom both called with Q10 and Q3 suited. The flop came 5Q9. Jeff and Tom actually put some chips in on the flop before slowing down on the turn and checking it to showdown.
As you can see, Eric ignored the warning sign completely and paid the price by getting his money in dominating not just one but two callers - and of course Jeff G. binked two pair on the river and busted him.
Despite taking a big hit, Tom L. still had chips behind after the dust settled - and so it was. Jeff G. and Tom L. are Vegas bound!
I must say, this win could not happen to two better dudes. They both embody the very best of what this little game has become. They both have very busy lives and aren't able to play every month, but they love the game and the group so much that they do make it as often as they can. And when they do come they make the evening that much better for every one involved. I am so excited for both of them! Savor the experience fellas! The WSOP is like no other poker experience on the planet and I'm sure you'll both do us proud! Congrats!
I had more than a few people express interest to me in doing one more of these before the WSOP starts. I honestly can't say if it will be possible or not, because May for me is SUPER booked with stuff. If there's any way I can make it happen though, I will.
A huge thanks are in order for Jeff S. who stayed super late (1:30am) to help shuffle and deal, as well as everyone else who came out for this special event - I very much appreciate y'all putting up the extra bucks for a shot at the dream, and I hope you all remember that even though you busted in the satellite, you're still very much in it, as we have two strong horses who are going to give it their best shot. I would HIGHLY encourage all of you to make the journey yourselves to Vegas and throw your support behind these guys and while you're there have some poker fun too! If you've never been, the WSOP is like nothing you've ever seen before and is worth the trip even if you don't play in a bracelet event.
Until then, I'm looking forward to our regular monthly event, in less than two weeks! See you there!
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| Rockin' the stack. |
And slowly but surely his stack grew and he busted several players, having the ammo to look people up and get his money in live on more than one occasion.
And then we were four handed - a bubble time of sorts. Third place would at least get their money back. Fourth place would get what the birds ate.
In the end it was Marc F. who succumbed and went home empty handed, save for the special kind of memories that only the white hot pain of poker can deliver.
And then there were three. At this point Jeff G. had assumed the title of big chief monster-stacken, apparently from a hand involving 92 that I wasn't in the garage to see. It's probably for the best.
Jeff G. found himself up against Tom L. and PSP satellite champion of 2011 Eric T.
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| All of your chips belong to us. |
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| Hey cool! I have the third best hand! |
Eric had the fewest chips and got all his money in pre-flop with the pair on the left, AQ. Jeff and Tom both called with Q10 and Q3 suited. The flop came 5Q9. Jeff and Tom actually put some chips in on the flop before slowing down on the turn and checking it to showdown.
As you can see, Eric ignored the warning sign completely and paid the price by getting his money in dominating not just one but two callers - and of course Jeff G. binked two pair on the river and busted him.
Despite taking a big hit, Tom L. still had chips behind after the dust settled - and so it was. Jeff G. and Tom L. are Vegas bound!
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| Nine deuce. Creepin' while ya sleepin' beeatches. |
I had more than a few people express interest to me in doing one more of these before the WSOP starts. I honestly can't say if it will be possible or not, because May for me is SUPER booked with stuff. If there's any way I can make it happen though, I will.
A huge thanks are in order for Jeff S. who stayed super late (1:30am) to help shuffle and deal, as well as everyone else who came out for this special event - I very much appreciate y'all putting up the extra bucks for a shot at the dream, and I hope you all remember that even though you busted in the satellite, you're still very much in it, as we have two strong horses who are going to give it their best shot. I would HIGHLY encourage all of you to make the journey yourselves to Vegas and throw your support behind these guys and while you're there have some poker fun too! If you've never been, the WSOP is like nothing you've ever seen before and is worth the trip even if you don't play in a bracelet event.
Until then, I'm looking forward to our regular monthly event, in less than two weeks! See you there!
