There were also some fun new additions for 2018. Arriving players were given the option of participating in a brand new side game, the river jackpot. Pay a dollar, pick a card, get the card stamped and if it matches the final river card of the tournament, win all the money.
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| 2023, it will be here sooner than you think! |
The second something new for players was a surprisingly nifty collectors chip to take home, we will have one of these for every monthly tournament. January's chip encouraged players to "Get Your Freak On!" Who doesn't want to do that?
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| Collectors item! |
And finally, probably the most appreciated new thing by the players was this beauty -
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| So so sexy. |
Action got underway just after seven, and I must say with very little hyperbole, this was one of the wildest nights in terms of suck-outs that I've seen in quite a long time. We had aces cracked all in pre-flop versus kings in the first hour, and that was just the beginning. Yours truly was the victim of a five outer on the river, and that beat wasn't even that bad. I also recall a flopped a set of nines losing to a flopped two pair that turned into a higher boat, and there were plenty of other nasty turns and rivers before and after that.
Last night marked the return of legendary tournament beast Stephen B. He has been in baby land for the last couple of years, and we are glad to have him back despite him being a ferocious player, he really is the nicest guy. Speaking of nice guys we also had a new player, another poker legend, Steve S., who is a prolific player around Los Angeles and is well known in many different poker circles. I am honored to have Steve in the game, his skill as a player is matched only by his graciousness and class. Welcome Steve!
The decision was made at the start of the evening, to break tables for nine handed play instead of 10. This made for a much more comfortable evening, not to mention it let the blinds do their job more effectively. The third table broke just after the second break.
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| Guess whose stack this is! Tough one I know... |
Less than 90 minutes later it was final table time.
Our unwitting bubble was Kyle - I say unwitting because he actually busted in 7th place and we were paying 5. But almost a full hour later when the bubble hadn't burst, players agreed to do a safety and so Kyle was the official bubble boy and didn't even get to spin the wheel! Boo!
With a guaranteed pay day players loosened up quite a bit and Mike P. was the first to fall, collecting his buy in back for sixth place plus $10 in bounties.
Another addition this year are super slick payout envelopes. I must say I have out done myself!
Barb was next out, also getting her buy in back and flipping the bird and taking her scrumptous brownies back on her way out through the gate.
Busting next in fourth place for $90 was Randall. And then there were three...
Josh took home $190 in second place cash. Jerry scooped up $330 plus another $30 in bounties. He also got a custom metal coin protector trophy and locks up the first seat in the 2018 TOC. Well done Jerry and long overdue! He also now sits atop the leaderboard for Player of the Year, be sure to check out the spreadsheet by clicking here or on the word 'spreadsheet' in the upper right hand corner of this blog.
If you see something that looks incorrect, text me or email or FB message me, I missed a couple of bust outs in the middle when they happened - specifically when the second table broke. I've talked with a couple of people who busted out around that time and I'm pretty sure the sheet is correct, but if you busted around that time (14-10th place) and you know for certain that what I have is wrong, let me know so I can correct it!
But I know why you are all here, what was the river? Read on...
Yes, it was the 2 of Diamonds, and yes, someone had bought that card. Congratulations Priya, you are our first River Jackpot winner. Priya posted a pic of the card on our Pepper Street Facebook page last night, so the money is hers the next time I see her. A whopping $24!
I think the River Jackpot is pretty cool - and I think everyone enjoyed it. I will make an effort to find some paper only cards that will prevent the stamp from smearing in the future. Also, here's a pro tip that Mike P. mentioned last night - if you simply take a picture of the card and stamp on your phone, you don't need to hold on to the card itself. A picture is all I need to confirm a win.
A big thanks to everyone who came out and made it such a good time. A long time regular came up to me before the tournament started and said a simple but very much appreciated thank you for having poker night all these years. It was such a thoughtful thing to say and got me all choked up - you guys are what I am thankful for! 10 years + of great poker and great friends!
Our next monthly will be Saturday night at 7pm, February 17. Stay tuned for the evite.
Until then, peace and we out!
With a guaranteed pay day players loosened up quite a bit and Mike P. was the first to fall, collecting his buy in back for sixth place plus $10 in bounties.
Another addition this year are super slick payout envelopes. I must say I have out done myself!
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| The official 'in the money' gang. |
Busting next in fourth place for $90 was Randall. And then there were three...
It was after midnight when Art succumbed to the two monster chip stacks of Jerry and Josh. He took home $130 in third place monies. And the heads up battle began.
Less than a dozen hands later it was over - a critical flip between a baby ace and two suited face cards saw the baby ace hold, and despite two double ups after that by Josh, it wasn't enough to prevail in the end.
Less than a dozen hands later it was over - a critical flip between a baby ace and two suited face cards saw the baby ace hold, and despite two double ups after that by Josh, it wasn't enough to prevail in the end.
Josh took home $190 in second place cash. Jerry scooped up $330 plus another $30 in bounties. He also got a custom metal coin protector trophy and locks up the first seat in the 2018 TOC. Well done Jerry and long overdue! He also now sits atop the leaderboard for Player of the Year, be sure to check out the spreadsheet by clicking here or on the word 'spreadsheet' in the upper right hand corner of this blog.
If you see something that looks incorrect, text me or email or FB message me, I missed a couple of bust outs in the middle when they happened - specifically when the second table broke. I've talked with a couple of people who busted out around that time and I'm pretty sure the sheet is correct, but if you busted around that time (14-10th place) and you know for certain that what I have is wrong, let me know so I can correct it!
But I know why you are all here, what was the river? Read on...
Yes, it was the 2 of Diamonds, and yes, someone had bought that card. Congratulations Priya, you are our first River Jackpot winner. Priya posted a pic of the card on our Pepper Street Facebook page last night, so the money is hers the next time I see her. A whopping $24!
I think the River Jackpot is pretty cool - and I think everyone enjoyed it. I will make an effort to find some paper only cards that will prevent the stamp from smearing in the future. Also, here's a pro tip that Mike P. mentioned last night - if you simply take a picture of the card and stamp on your phone, you don't need to hold on to the card itself. A picture is all I need to confirm a win.
A big thanks to everyone who came out and made it such a good time. A long time regular came up to me before the tournament started and said a simple but very much appreciated thank you for having poker night all these years. It was such a thoughtful thing to say and got me all choked up - you guys are what I am thankful for! 10 years + of great poker and great friends!
Our next monthly will be Saturday night at 7pm, February 17. Stay tuned for the evite.
Until then, peace and we out!
