2023.04 - Mystery Bounty

 Originally the forecast was for 91° during the day, so I was planning to do poker on the patio. But in the last couple of days the forecast changed and it was only going to be 81° in the afternoon, cooling off into the 60s in the evening. So that meant we could stay in the garage, probably for the last time until September or October. And so it was that 19 comfortable degenerate gamblers squeezed in and threw down in our very first ever mystery bounty event! 

Once again, it was Mario time with the chips! Also, we had mystery bounty chips to draw from the sack o’ mystery once we got to the final table. The prize pool was $1600 including the reentry‘s that we had before the break, I took out 100 for the TOC and that left just under $500 to go into the magic sac. This included two $100 chips plus a couple of five dollar Zonks. 

But before we could get to the magical mystery time, there was regular ass NLHE to be played, and play it we did. Yours truly ran up a big stack early once again, after I busted Mr. Colin and he was first out - running into a massive cooler of trips over trips  But I was unable to keep building after the break. I kept, as they say, running into it, and truthfully could’ve been a bit more patient.

Mr. Tony was next to bust, it was great to see him for the first time this year, unfortunately it was very short though it was indeed sweet. Busting next in short order was Ian and Jeff G. At that point we broke the third table and had two tables of 8 apiece going at it. 

Next out was Mr. Mike C and then Mr. Emanuel.  The good Mr. Philip was out next and then Stephen busted. Finally, yours truly ran his suited over cards into aces against Mr. Marc, who had been my nemesis and out flopped me in three big hands before just crushing me all in pre-flop here. 

It was final table time!

This meant that all 9 remaining players each got a bounty chip, and when they busted another player they got to collect it and then exchange it for a cash value chip from the mystery sack!

First to depart from the final table was Mr. Kyle, busted by Ken who drew deep from the sack only to get a zonk! A measly five dollar bounty! Boo!

Allen R. exited next, and from here on out I can’t remember who got what bounty by what player. I was dealing and didn’t write it down. However I will spoil it a bit and tell you that the majority of bounties were collected by Ken and Joe. In fact Mr. Ken snagged both hundred dollar bounties!

Ms. Barbara was next out and the bubble approached. We were paying 5 and Jason exited next in seventh place. Lea Anne was out next as our unfortunate bubbler - collecting nary a bounty or monies, just a hearty handshake for her efforts. Boo!

And then we were in the money!

A big thanks to the wife you came out to snap a picture as I was knee-deep in the dealing streets.

First to cash, collecting a slightly smaller than usual fifth place amount of $100, because of the bounties taking away a little bit from the prize pool, was Mr. Jerry.

Out next in fourth place after a valiant effort and an extended bit of four handed play, was Mr. Marc. A great return to the fold good sir and very grateful to have you back. Hopefully you will return sooner than later. Marc pocketed $140 in fourth place. 

And then there were three big stacks left, the battle intensified and Mr. Joe cranked up the aggression. In the end it was a bit too much for Mr. Jeff who saw his mountain finally crumble and he had to settle for third place and $180.

And then it was heads up for the seat and the title!

As you can see in the picture, at the outset Joe had a fairly commanding lead and his foot firmly stomped on the gas pedal. It wasn’t long before he finished off Ken, who would take second place and $280 plus another $200 plus in mystery bounty action. Yes he ended up getting almost more than Joe overall thanks to his sack o’ mystery good fortune. 

And Joe got first place and $360 plus another $100 plus in mystery bounty action. Well done Joe! The return of the wrecking ball!

Our next tournament is looking like it’s going to be on Saturday, May 20 at 5:30 PM. No limit hold ‘em will be the game, and there will be no twists, just the good old fashion action that you all love!

I was hoping to find time for a WSOP satellite, and I just don’t know when I’m going to squeeze it in. If it does happen it likely will be on a Sunday, so I hope there are enough interested people to make it worthwhile. The entry will be $125, so set that aside and I will do my best to make it happen within the next couple of weeks.

A big thank you is in order for everyone who came out and took a chance in the mystery bounty streets, I think it was pretty cool and very likely will do it again next year. Any and all comments or suggestions are welcome, please let me know via Facebook or text what you thought and if you have any ideas how to make it better. 

Our next poker event is a cash game next Friday, we have two tables going and a mystery guest from up north will be joining us. Can’t wait for that!  I took a bunch of you off of the Evite who don’t seem to have any interest in cash game fun or money, but of course if you do please text me and let me know and I can get you back on no problem.

Until then, peace and we out!

Friday Cash 2023.04

 It’s been a busy year and there haven’t been nearly as many cash games in the garage as I would’ve liked, not by a long shot. But the few games we have had, have been great, and last night was no exception.

For only the second time in our cash game history of almost 15 years, it was No-Limit Hold-Em only and we got rid of the quarters and used a single one dollar blind. 

Surprisingly, or maybe not, the action was about the same as previous NLHE only nights. The single dollar blind just makes it a lot easier and faster in bet sizing. No more $3.25 bets or $1.75 opens.  I am certain we got in more hands because of this added efficiency.

Action was also helped along by occasional Bomb Pots and our first ever foray with The Nit Game!  Click here to read all about it!

I think the game was enjoyed by all, though it was particularly hard on the person who had the last Nit button in his possession. I have instituted a grace rule if someone is felted on the last hand of the Nit game, they are not obligated to pay the bounty. I would much rather they stick around and reload a little bit and keep playing rather than shell out to everyone and leave. The two dollar bounty is small for the winning players but large for the single losing player, so I think this is the way to go with the game. The purpose is not Max pain, as it is with the standup game in Texas, it’s just to generate action and fun.

Meanwhile, as you can see by the next picture, though I didn’t do much in the Nit game, I ran hot otherwise. I seemed to be getting dealt a lot of premiums, and they were holding up. I also smashed the shit out of more than a few flops. It always helps to run good! 

As always, with all the players, it was a mixed bag. Some up and some down a bit, and a couple were felted and departed for the night.

The starting lineup was Jeff S., Tom S (my friend from grade school who lives across town and doesn’t make it out as frequently as he would like, it was so great to see you Tom!) Jeff G, Mike C, Jason H, Stuver, Art, Lea Anne and Allan R.

After a couple players had left, Ian stepped in and took a seat around 10:30 PM. We continued nine handed, and then seven handed, until about midnight.

We had been at 10 players for a couple of weeks, then of course at the last minute I had two more who wanted to play, one came and waited for a seat, the other waited for my text but no doubt was asleep by the time I sent it. That 10 and 11 number is always tricky in terms of opening another table. If I could get a solid 14 or 15 every time we would just do two tables and it would be easy. What I’m trying to say is, respond early and lock up your seat! And then if the game seems full, still respond as an alternate, the earlier I can get the numbers up the easier it is to set up a second table!

Our high hand pay out went to Mr. Jeff G, who drilled a gut shot straight flush early on in the evening! He collected $53 and no small amount of needling from the rest of us for his casual monster hand of the night.

It was funny, I had the first qualifying hand of the night about a half hour in, just a regular old straight. And then we played for another 45 minutes or so, wondering if anybody was going to get a flush or a full house, and then Jeff just casually got paid with a straight flush! Even bigger than the four aces that we had last time! Yes, the game was pretty much over and it became a Jeff tax on every pot over $15. Boo! 

I still really like the concept, and we will give it another shot on the next NLHE night. But if it’s another absurd suspense-less monster hand early on, and it just becomes a tax for one player, I may have to reconsider this side game. We have had it in the past where it fluctuated all night long, then someone gets a big boat and there’s still a chance. But this quads and straight flush thing, really takes the suspense out of it. Oh well.

Yes, this last picture was my payout. In for $120 out for $529. Easily my largest win in this game in a long time, it might be the record. I truly ran hotter than the sun, it certainly wasn’t skill ha ha! I imagine I would’ve been up even more if I could refrain from playing garbage hands and speculating way too much, even though a few of those hands did work out into some big pots.

Our next cash game will be mix games, and it is most likely looking like the first Friday in May. I was hoping to go earlier, but life has intervened and there’s just too much going on on a daily basis. I doubt we will make my 24 cash game target this year, but what we lack in quantity we have more than made up with in quality that’s for sure, and no doubt will continue to do so! 

Until then, peace and we out!

2023.03 Omaha/8

 Our annual March event had to be pushed to April, but it turned out to be well worth the wait. Omaha/8 was in the house and 19, yes 19 which is probably a record, swarthy degenerates gathered around to throw down in the fixed limit madness!

When play started it was bright and pleasant outside, the sun set and play continued on, with a handful of bust outs and re-entries before the second break.

Joe S, he of the go big or go home school, was first to bust. Followed by Alan S, Jerry C and perpetual dealing machine Mr. Art.

Art was kind enough to take over the dealing at table one as his better half Priya was still in contention over at table 2.

The next round of exiting players saw Bobby, Allen R, Dan G and Colin depart in that order.

I had forgotten that fixed limit lasts a bit longer, lately we have been wrapping up around 10:30 PM, but this night was to go over an hour longer. It was well after the second break when the final table finally formed, with a flurry of bust outs all at once. 

There was a double knockout at table 2, with Lea Anne and Mike C busting in that order. Meanwhile at table one it was yours truly who fell just after.

Art carried on dealing, we were paying five players!

Ian and Jason busted next, leaving the unfortunate Priya to bubble. This meant that Art took his leave as dealer but the standup guy and mensch known as Ian stepped into the box without being asked and would deal the rest of the night. I just have to express how grateful I am to all players who are first volunteer to help out and deal, or clean up, or take that extra step. It is greatly greatly appreciated.

And then we were in the money. The first to cash was Mr. Jeff S., Pocketing 100 bucks and a hearty handshake for his trouble.

With four remaining, it was Mr. Kyle, who had also done a huge amount of dealing on the night, who left next. $140 richer and a bit more tired than when he came in. Thanks again Kyle for your service!

And then there were three…

After having all of the chips for most of the tournament, Rich was unable to hang onto his mountain and had to settle for third place and 200 doll hairs. Great to see you again Rich! He says he’ll be back for the next non-NLHE event, but I hope we see him sooner!

Heads up play did not occur, it was well after 11:30 PM and both players were tired and eager to make a deal. They counted up the chips, and believe it or not they were almost equal with Sean having a teeny tiny advantage. They were both happy to split the money evenly, which came to $480 each, yes you read that right. This also included $180 from the optional last longer bet that the true gamblers took part in.

Speaking of gamblers, both Sean and Jeff were feeling frisky and decided to award the 1st place points and the TOC seat to whoever cut to a higher card in a shuffled deck. Wow! That is some hard-core degeneracy and gamble! In the end the guy on the left pipped the guy on the right…

Got damn, youse is some hard-core mother-effers!

And so another fantastic night was in the books! A huge thanks to all the true poker players who showed up to play one of the best games that exists. And congrats on the double POY points and the cachet of not being afraid to play something different other than the usual.

Our next tournament was going to be April 22, but now it’s being pushed to the following Saturday, April 29 same bat time same bat channel. 

This will be our first ever no limit hold ‘em mystery bounty event! 

It’s a $60 entry with $20 from each player going to the bounty prize pool. No bounties are awarded until the final table of 9, at that point it’s a mystery what each bounty is worth. They will range from $5 to $100 each. Like a box of chocolates you just don’t know what you are going to get. Should be a good ass time! 

Very much looking forward to this exciting event, until I see you then - peace and we out!