2015.08

It was 103 in the shade as the afternoon lazily unfolded - so I figured we should for sure avoid the sweat box that is the garage around back for the evenings poker tournament.  And so it was - for the first time this year, poker al fresco'!

As the earth finally started to exhale and the temps dropped into the lovely low 90s, 20 players found themselves gathering around the outdoor battle grounds of felt for some good old fashioned gamboolng.

In addition to good company and good gamble, we also had these...

Not as gross as you might think.

Both tables started slowly, though I can tell you there was lot's o three betting at the green table; seems like everyone knows how to play these days.

The always lovely Lalaine was first to bust this time, exiting two full levels before the first break.  Many others followed after the break of course, and thanks to a newly tweaked blind structure, the final table formed up at about quarter after 10.

The return of John S. saw him amass a massve stack, only to lose it as the money bubble burst.  I was next out and collected my buy in back and then we were five handed.

Allen R. and Colin H. went out next, each collecting double their buy in for 5th and 4th place.  Sheyna cruised into three handed play, the beneficiary of QQ an astonishing 5 times, with the first three coming in a row!  Dang!

But the sixth time she picked up QQ she could not fade the river, and exited in third for $120 plus another $25 in bounties.

Ouch that river!

Eric would've called it poker justice as he'd had Sheyna on the ropes earlier with his KK vs. her JJ all in pre-flop.  But a jack on the turn brought the stacks closer to even.  And finally, we were heads up...

A breeze that had been sorely missed finally arrived a bit too late, as an epic battle unfolded of exactly one hand.  Stacks were almost even, but in the end Jeff W., the winner of the hand, barely had Eric covered, and so there it was.

Eric pocketed $180 for second plus another $15 in bounties, Jeff got $240 plus bounties, plus the TOC seat in December.  Well done Jeff!   Jeff has been a regular for years, but typically only makes it out two or three times a year - this is his second tournament win, making his winning percentage exceptionally high.

A big thanks to all who ventured out and endured the hot and sticky  - I appreciate your friendliness and your gambling acumen very much!

Our next tournament isn't until Saturday, September 12, stay tuned for the evite!

Until then, peace and we out!