The temperature in Burbank was in the low 80s all day, so I knew that we would likely be just fine in the garage with the doors open and a fan or two blowing. It’s just so much more work to do poker on the patio, I’m happy to say that even with 24 poker players crammed in, it was almost a sweatless environment and as the sun went down it was downright lovely.
The table I was at had no shortage of action right away, with plenty of big collisions and big movements of chips before the first break. So much so that for me the time just flew by. We had several re-entries and didn’t have our first bust out until afterwards.
Alas the first to exit the tournament was a brand new player, Mr. Carson, son of Legacy player Mike K. We don’t like when new players bust, but that’s how tournaments go sometimes. Another player new to tournaments (but not cash play) at PSP, Dave R. (aka Dodger Dave) also bid his farewell early on. Hopefully both newbies had fun and will be back, it’s always great to inject new blood into the mix.
The third table broke right after the second break, three hours and 10 minutes into the tournament. In addition to Carson and Dave, Laura, Allen R, Ken, Jeff G, Babs, and Dan G, busted out in that order. Also busting out somewhere in there was Mr. Philip, who forgot to sign out. I will always do my best to place a player who forgets to sign out correctly on the sheet, but if I really have no idea then I have no choice but to put them at the bottom of the list. Remember, it’s important to sign out because your placement gets your points to qualify for the tournament of champions. If you forget to sign out you are potentially passing up on $1000 free roll.
After Gareth, Andrew, Collin, Jerry, Ian and Priya busted out, in that order, we were down to nine players and that meant it was final table time! I had been playing well, really in the zone, all tournament and also was getting lucky at the right times. I had a healthy stack and Priya was kind enough to take a couple of pictures as we got into it at the final table just before 10 PM.
As always, the most exciting part of the tournament is when the money approaches. First we lost Arthur, whose Jacks ran into Queens I believe all in pre-flop. Out next was Mr. Eric P who had acquitted himself well earlier in a pot with yours truly, firing large on the flop and the turn to get me off of top pair with a king high flush redraw. That was a painful fold to make, but I hope it was correct. Either way, nicely done sir!
Busting two from the money, was PSP newcomer in his second tournament with us, Mr. Chris R. He got pretty unlucky as his opponent flopped two pair against his over pair and that was that.
Our bubbler, alas, was the always friendly but always ferocious on the felt Mr. Emanuel. I don’t actually remember the hand, but I know it was pretty nasty from what I remember. Emanuel took the beat like a champ, and bid us farewell.
And so we were all getting paid, the first to collect monies was the always formidable Mr. Joe. He busted in fifth place for $180. A nice tripling of his buy in.
Out next after a good 45 minutes of intense four handed play, was recent monthly champ Ms. Lea Anne, who scooped up $220 for her efforts.
And then there were three, and just as with four handed play, three-way action was intense and a bit prolonged. Typically these tournaments end at the 8000/16,000 level, but we were well into the 10,000/20,000 level when Mike C finally succumbed in third place for $300.
Mike was ecstatic at his first big cash in a PSP tournament. He has become a fixture this year, not only in tournaments but every single cash game, which is greatly appreciated by this host. He is gracious and kind and also hilarious, we are very lucky to have him.
And then there were two!
Payouts were $400 for second and $600 for first, which is rather awesome I must say. My opponent, Mike K, yes the same Mike whose son had busted out first over six hours ago, had a bit of a chip lead over me. Still, with the hour late (almost midnight) and the stacks short I proposed to him that we split the money evenly $500 apiece, and he could have the trophy and the TOC seat.
Up until last night, Mike had been unable to join us this year, due to the busy lives of his boys, and I know he would not qualify on points alone, he had to have the title. Mike was happy to accept and so we chopped up the money and he got the custom card protector and the TOC seat. Nicely done my friend!
Once again, another great night of tournament poker is in the books! And once again I have to say a huge thanks to everyone who came out and made it a fun time as always.
I have said it for many years and I still believe it, I am the luckiest home poker host on the planet, to have such a great group of friends that I truly do consider friends, to come out and throw down in the poker streets and always keep it fun.
I know this game won’t go forever, though I hope it does keep going for a while, and so I am being very mindful to appreciate what Pepper Street Poker is and what it has meant to me, which is a lot! Love you all, some more than others!
Our next tournament is not for another month, and as is tradition in September, now going on over a decade, we will be playing Crazy Pineapple! Don’t be scared, it really is just no limit hold ‘em with a third hole card that you discard after you see the flop. The game really isn’t that different, it just means bigger hands show up at showdown.
Best of all we will be playing with what many consider their favorite poker chipset at PSP, the legendary tiki kings!
Also don’t forget, this will qualify as a non-NLHE tournament, meaning player of the year points are doubled! One big score in this tournament can lock up your seat in the TOC, even if you haven’t been playing many tournaments this year.
Sean L, who has only played one tournament in 2023, our Omaha event, is right at this moment still qualified to join us in the tournament of champions. He probably will have to play in another tournament at some point to hold onto his spot, but he got over 22 points for his finish in that event. Don’t miss out on this chance to secure your spot in $1000 free roll.
Before the tournament of course there will be cash games, our next one is an NLHE only evening this next Friday. There’s still a couple of seats available if you want to join us. If you are not on the Evite and you want to be, be sure to let me know.
Looking forward to a lot more poker for the rest of the year, including a HORSE event in November and possibly a Legacy Hall of Fame invitational in December as well. Can’t wait!
Until then, peace and we out!
