2017.03

It was a loverly evening after an unseasonably hot day in Burbank - and the decision was made to have poker al fresco - a full three months ahead of schedule.

Marc showed up early to help. set up - always a good idea and very much appreciated.

23 players sat down to throw down right on time - a delightful breeze made it cool and pleasant but action was hot and heavy from the get go.

The sun went down and the action cranked up - our third table finally broke after nearly 2 hours of play and we were down to two full tables of 10.

An hour and a half later - it was final table time.

As midnight approached, a couple of players busted and we were two from they money - and then this happened.

Yes you are seeing that correctly -  quad kings!  And best of all (for some of us anyways) it was a three way hand all in, and the lucky recipient of the poker gift, Art, busted out two players and we were in the money!

All in the money, including the balding guy on the right.

The first to depart was Allen R. who got his monies back.  Then I busted when I called off a flop shove with a flush draw and what I thought might be an over that was good.  It wasn't and the flush didn't hit.  The good news though is that I busted to my dear friend Noah from up north who had flown down from Berkeley just to play at Pepper Street!  Right on bro-ham, you win the prize for greatest distance traveled this year.  Sheyna still has you beat overall, she flew out from Chicago for the T.O.C.

And then there were four, and then three...

Contrary to the pictures above, it was actually my home boy Noah bowed out in 4th place for $100 and some bounties.  With Marc, Michael and Art remaining - they took my suggestion to chop the remaining cash evenly for $206 apiece and play for the seat.  As there was under 30 big blinds on the table total as 1am approached, this was a good decision no doubt.

Art lost the first flip and busted in third, and then it went heads up for a little bit.

It was exciting to see Michael in contention as this was his first heads up in the monthly, but Marc and the cards were too much to overcome in the end.  Next time Mike!

So Marc locks up another TOC seat, well done my man!  Marc hasn't missed a TOC yet since the format was initiated four years ago.  Bravo sir!

Not sure when the next monthly will be - at the moment a May tournament is looking unlikely.  I will of course have a smattering of single table tournaments, as always senior players get the invite first.  The earliest I can see a monthly $40 tournament right now is actually in July - I hope you can hold out that long!

Until then, peace and we out!