Yes it was that time of year again, time for poker alfresco! This year has been pretty special because the game has just taken off like a rocket. I decided to try the game un-capped and at one point I had 43 players signed up. When the cards were actually in the air I only had 35, just one player shy of the record 36 players I had around 2011 or 2012 I believe.
In addition to our usual amaze-balls collectable chip...
Made very affordably by the same company that makes the collectable chips - I love so much about this set! I love that the colors are incredibly bright and I love the snarky Pepper Street Poker expressions. I also love that because these chips were so cheap that I now have a set large enough for up to 50 players!
Unfortunately the one bad thing about this set, and it is a bit of a doozy, is that they are slippery. VERY slippery. So much so that when you get more than 10 chips or so in a stack they tend to slide and fall over in every direction. By the end of the evening most players (especially the chip leaders) were playing out of racks. Very understandable.
Still, this is my largest set, and we will definitely use it any time we go over 3 tables, which is potentially several times a year.
In addition to groovy chips, we also had bizarre Oreos.
Action got underway right after 5. Nestor brought new player Bryan and Frank brought new players Joshua and David. It was great having all of them - hope they had fun. Nestor I have Bryan's email, Frank send me Joshua and David's info if they are interested in coming back!
Ian also contributed to the photo fun! Thanks so much Ian! Remember, the rest of you can do this too! :)
The structure seemed to be just perfect - we had zero bust outs (though 2 re-entries) before the break.
Pizza was on hand and people chowed down - I hope there was enough!
During break I took a moment to take a selfie in front of an incredibly cool and thoughtful gift - a Pepper Street Poker Step-&-Repeat! This amazing addition to PSP came courtesy of my Main Event satellite companions who went a little crazy in getting the poker dude who has everything, something very cool that he didn't have! Thank you guys all so so much, especially Jeff G. who I understand was the instigator in this incredibly generous gifty!
I plan to have this amazing bit of Hollywood style pimp-ness up at the next tournament, so y'all don't be shy about snapping and sharing pics of your bad ass degenerate gambling selves!
After pizza and paparazzi the sun quickly set and shit got real.
Bryan JC was the first to bust, but many more quickly followed, including yours truly. I'm always sad to bust, but for a tournament this size there is definitely an upside when it comes to keeping things running smoothly.
We played the whole tournament 8-Max until final table time which happened about a quarter after 10, perfect structure I must say.
I did notice that a bunch of folks hung out to rail - even some folks who weren't stuck there because they came with a partner. A request for a side cash game was floated, if I had been thinking I would've set up some chips! Next time around I will be better prepared for you all!
We were paying 8 spots, but per Main Event tradition (in that other Main in Nevada at least) we awarded a seat to next years Main Event to the bubble - and that bubbler was Sheyna! She also has the option of cashing in her seat at the next two tournaments she plays so she doesn't have to wait a year.
Busting in 8th place for his buy in back in cash was the always friendly Jacob. He and his better half Julie have a little one on the way in just a few months - glad to see you guys are getting in that poker in while you can!
Finishing in 7th for double his buy-in, or rather, just his money back because he re-entered, was the always shy and unassuming Jeff S. Attaboy Jeffy!
Busting in 6th for $200 was cashing machine Colin, who yet again pocketed some cheddar at Pepper Street.
Running into a nasty cooler, turning 2 pair which also gave his opponent a gut-shot straight, Art had to settle for 5th place and $260.
Making a $100 pay jump to $360 because of Art's misfortune was Jason who scooped up the 4th place prize that is typically more in line with Pepper Street 1st place monies.
Finishing in third was another cashing machine - the almighty Randall pocketed $480. A $400 profit, not to shabby for third place!
And then there were two...
George and Ken battled for a bit, but by 11:30 the dust had settled and we had our champ!
George took down 2nd for $620 and Ken with his pocket Kings took home the bracelet and an $800 payday. Well done and well deserved Ken!
I'd like to say a huge thanks to each and every one of you who came out and made it such a fun afternoon and evening. I am truly truly blessed to have such a great group of guys and gals who always keep perspective and the priority focused squarely on fun.
I was also especially happy to be playing alongside my wife's favorite cousin's husband Allen - it was great splashing around chips with you my man!
Also also a shout out to my grade school homie and life long friend Daniel SR for popping in unexpectedly during the final table, it was great seeing you and glad we had a chance to connect and so great you got to catch up with Bev and the cousins and it's a crazy small world right?
Our next tournament is another marquee event - on Saturday August 25 at 7pm we will be having our 10 Year Anniversary tournament! Originally my plan was to do it old school style, $20 for 1500 in chips with unlimited $10 rebuys. But then I came to my senses - it will be a regular $40 tournament, but there will be some fun surprises relating to the anniversary as well. Stay tuned for the Evite, hope to see you there!
Until then, peace and we out!
Players also may have noticed that once again - there was an entire new SET of chips!
Yes, I know, I have a problem.
Yes, I know, I have a problem.
Made very affordably by the same company that makes the collectable chips - I love so much about this set! I love that the colors are incredibly bright and I love the snarky Pepper Street Poker expressions. I also love that because these chips were so cheap that I now have a set large enough for up to 50 players!
Unfortunately the one bad thing about this set, and it is a bit of a doozy, is that they are slippery. VERY slippery. So much so that when you get more than 10 chips or so in a stack they tend to slide and fall over in every direction. By the end of the evening most players (especially the chip leaders) were playing out of racks. Very understandable.
Still, this is my largest set, and we will definitely use it any time we go over 3 tables, which is potentially several times a year.
In addition to groovy chips, we also had bizarre Oreos.
Action got underway right after 5. Nestor brought new player Bryan and Frank brought new players Joshua and David. It was great having all of them - hope they had fun. Nestor I have Bryan's email, Frank send me Joshua and David's info if they are interested in coming back!
Ian also contributed to the photo fun! Thanks so much Ian! Remember, the rest of you can do this too! :)
The structure seemed to be just perfect - we had zero bust outs (though 2 re-entries) before the break.
Pizza was on hand and people chowed down - I hope there was enough!
During break I took a moment to take a selfie in front of an incredibly cool and thoughtful gift - a Pepper Street Poker Step-&-Repeat! This amazing addition to PSP came courtesy of my Main Event satellite companions who went a little crazy in getting the poker dude who has everything, something very cool that he didn't have! Thank you guys all so so much, especially Jeff G. who I understand was the instigator in this incredibly generous gifty!
I plan to have this amazing bit of Hollywood style pimp-ness up at the next tournament, so y'all don't be shy about snapping and sharing pics of your bad ass degenerate gambling selves!
After pizza and paparazzi the sun quickly set and shit got real.
Bryan JC was the first to bust, but many more quickly followed, including yours truly. I'm always sad to bust, but for a tournament this size there is definitely an upside when it comes to keeping things running smoothly.
We played the whole tournament 8-Max until final table time which happened about a quarter after 10, perfect structure I must say.
I did notice that a bunch of folks hung out to rail - even some folks who weren't stuck there because they came with a partner. A request for a side cash game was floated, if I had been thinking I would've set up some chips! Next time around I will be better prepared for you all!
We were paying 8 spots, but per Main Event tradition (in that other Main in Nevada at least) we awarded a seat to next years Main Event to the bubble - and that bubbler was Sheyna! She also has the option of cashing in her seat at the next two tournaments she plays so she doesn't have to wait a year.
Busting in 8th place for his buy in back in cash was the always friendly Jacob. He and his better half Julie have a little one on the way in just a few months - glad to see you guys are getting in that poker in while you can!
Finishing in 7th for double his buy-in, or rather, just his money back because he re-entered, was the always shy and unassuming Jeff S. Attaboy Jeffy!
Busting in 6th for $200 was cashing machine Colin, who yet again pocketed some cheddar at Pepper Street.
Running into a nasty cooler, turning 2 pair which also gave his opponent a gut-shot straight, Art had to settle for 5th place and $260.
Making a $100 pay jump to $360 because of Art's misfortune was Jason who scooped up the 4th place prize that is typically more in line with Pepper Street 1st place monies.
Finishing in third was another cashing machine - the almighty Randall pocketed $480. A $400 profit, not to shabby for third place!
And then there were two...
George and Ken battled for a bit, but by 11:30 the dust had settled and we had our champ!
George took down 2nd for $620 and Ken with his pocket Kings took home the bracelet and an $800 payday. Well done and well deserved Ken!
I'd like to say a huge thanks to each and every one of you who came out and made it such a fun afternoon and evening. I am truly truly blessed to have such a great group of guys and gals who always keep perspective and the priority focused squarely on fun.
I was also especially happy to be playing alongside my wife's favorite cousin's husband Allen - it was great splashing around chips with you my man!
Also also a shout out to my grade school homie and life long friend Daniel SR for popping in unexpectedly during the final table, it was great seeing you and glad we had a chance to connect and so great you got to catch up with Bev and the cousins and it's a crazy small world right?
Our next tournament is another marquee event - on Saturday August 25 at 7pm we will be having our 10 Year Anniversary tournament! Originally my plan was to do it old school style, $20 for 1500 in chips with unlimited $10 rebuys. But then I came to my senses - it will be a regular $40 tournament, but there will be some fun surprises relating to the anniversary as well. Stay tuned for the Evite, hope to see you there!
Until then, peace and we out!
