PSP MAIN EVENT (2015.07)

A record number of players for 2015 found themselves within the cozy confines of The Garage Around Back at four o'clock in the afternoon!  26 hearty degenerates gathered round and plunked down TWICE the usual buy in for a chance at a big ass prize pool and an even more impressive token of the day.

Lovely Hardware

As day 4 of the World Series of Poker Main Event unfolded 270 miles to the east, so too did our first ever annual marquee event.  Not only was the buy in doubled, but the chips were more plentiful - 30K to start, meaning 300 big blinds to splash around with.  And splash we did, with the tournament at three tables for well over three hours.

There was a great mix of familiar faces and several that hadn't played for a long while.  We also had a new player, Matt, brought in by Lalaine - who I hope had fun and will come back.

Everyone, even those who busted first, got lots of play.  Two tables formed as evening approached, and the action heated up even more.

What?  Who is that?  (Thanks for the pics Jeanie!)

The final table formed just before 10pm.  Stupid me, I forgot to snap a pic, but for the record it was Kramer, Lalaine, Mike P. and Dog who busted in that order just short of the money.  Jeff G. went out in 6th, collecting his buy-in back.

Once the bubble burst, it was awhile before the next exit, and along the way there were some crazy hands.

Oh my.

Screw you poker.

Jeff S. was next to succumb, getting double his buy in back in fifth place.

Four handed play was nearly an hour, as midnight came and went.  On the cusp of 1am, Andrew R. had accumulated a big stack but after a couple of coolers had to settle for fourth place, which actually turned out to be $240!  An amount that is typically between 2nd and 1st place in our normal tournaments.

And then it was after 1am.  Along the way to the final three, Julie, Tommy and myself each had taken turns being chip leader.  First it was Julie with a mountain, then Tommy and then just as Andrew busted we were all fairly even, though I had a slight lead.  At this point I suggested that we chop the substantial amount of money three ways evenly, as the blinds were big enough that there were just under 40 bigs total on the entire table.   Julie and Tommy saw this and agreed, we each pocketed $500 and continued on to play for the bracelet.

I would love to say that I then took control and played perfect poker to rock the house and take it down - but the truth is, the results here were dictated almost entirely by the cards.  I woke up with KK and Julie had AQ or similar I think and all the chips went in,  she had me slightly covered but the kings held.

Julie found herself card dead and was the first to bust out of the three of us - Tommy busted just a few hands later, getting unlucky to my runner runner flush, and once again I had shown that it was better to be extremely lucky than good.

Dorkus-Maximus in his natural habitat.

I cannot express how humbled I am to be on such a tear this year - I have seen other players go on incredible streaks, Dan G. cashing in every single tournament but one last year, Julie winning three tournaments in a year, and others, and I guess now it's my turn.  But I also realize that variance is a biznitch and eventually things will turn the other way.  Until it does, I am so grateful to have experienced the upside of luck this year.

That said, there is still almost half the year left and I very much look forward to the many poker adventures to come.  Not sure when the next one will be in August, stay tuned for the evite.

Until then, peace and we out!