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!
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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!
