Friday Cash - 2023.15

 Heading into late October in Southern California, somehow the days were still scorching with temperatures in the 90s. So that could mean only one thing, carving out a cool little slice of heaven on the patio pavers for what was sure to be an epic night of mixed game poker action!

We were originally scheduled to have 13, but we had a player beg off because he had a cold. I will say as a longtime host, it is always OK to cancel, even at the last second, if you are in anyway shape or form sick. It’s more important for you to get better than to play poker, and it’s even more important that you don’t get the rest of us sick. There’s always another game! 

And so there were 12, two tables of 6 for the bulk of the evening. Both Jeffs, G and S, Stuver, Priya, Jerry and Joe over at green table number two. Colin, Lea Anne, Ian, MC, Barbara, and yours truly over on big blue.

Because both tables were six max, it meant we could play all of the games. And I do mean all of them. I called Badugi, 2-7 single and triple draw, razz and more. We also indulged in two borderline games, one is real and the other is purely home game, Drawmaha and SOHE. Both caused much amusement as well as gnashing of teeth.

In the end, as is usually the case on cash game nights, a couple of players were felted and bid everyone good night after a few hours of play. A few players were big winners at the end, Colin, Joe and Ian all in three digit profit land. Yours truly did OK, I was down over $100 at one point and then climbed back up to an over $300 stack and then finally finished the night with just a $40 profit. It was quite a roller coaster ride!

In for $160 out for $200

As always, win or lose, mix game cash was an absolute blast. It’s always the best time at Pepper Street, playing a bunch of different games at low stakes with good friends is the perfect recipe for heaven on earth as far as I’m concerned.

Thanks to every single one who came out and made it a blast. Especially great to see Joe, who’s had a life changing event, ultimately positive I’m pretty sure, that will allow him to join us more often on Friday nights going forward. Also, a happy birthday to Jeff G today, no one realized last night that it was his birthday eve. That’s because men don’t say anything ha ha. Anyways, Jeff has become a very good friend to me, both at the table and away from it, and I hope he reads this and knows that I am grateful for him in my life and very happy he was born!

Next weekend is Halloween, so no poker. But the following Friday, November 3, looks to be great to host another cash game fiesta. I think people are ready, after the brain scrambling chaos of the mix game streets last night, to indulge in the Cadillac of poker – the one and only no limit Texas hold ‘em!  Stay tuned for the Evite!

Until then, peace and we out!

2023.10

 A balmy October afternoon gave way to a delightful evening, and because it was that time of year again it was also time for the annual Dia de los Muertos tournament at Pepper Street! That means no limit hold ‘em and the most fabulous chipset this side of the Rio Grande! Plus we had a few brand new accoutrements…

It was a smaller crowd than usual, especially for a no limit hold ‘em tournament, in the end only 19 players showed up to throw down, but the excitement and aggressive enthusiasm more than made up for the lack of a third table. We had one new player Mr. Brian B, plus a bunch of old friends that we haven’t seen in a while including the venerable Mr. Tony G and the one and only Dog as well. 

The good Mr. Philip was first to exit, well after the first break. Randall and Dog followed in short succession, unfortunately, followed by Priya and yours truly busting in 16th and 15th Pl. respectively.

Next out was the aforementioned Tony G and then Jerry, Jeff S and Jeff G as we entered the fourth hour.

Mr. Arthur was our final table bubble and then there were nine…

Ian was the first to bust the final table, followed by Brian B and then Ms. Sheyna.   As soon as there was a bit more room I sat in to deal as the money approached.

Eric P was our unfortunate bubble.

Busting in fifth place and getting his buy in back was Mr. Dan G.  Colin busted next in fourth place for $140.

Three handed play did not last long, Barbara succumbed in third place for a $200 pay out.  And then we were heads up!

Mark S, a newer player but not entirely new to Pepper Street, had at one point all of the chips, and looked to put it away when he woke up with pocket kings versus Gareth‘s pocket Queens. However a queen on the flop dashed his dreams and the momentum swung the other way.

It would swing back again at least one more time during heads up play, but in the end Mark lost a big flip and Gareth ended up taking it down. Mark got $300 in second place and Gareth locked up $400 and the TOC seat. Well done the both of you!

And so another great night was in the books. This time we wrapped up a bit earlier than usual at only 10:45 PM. Less players who were also very aggressive made it turnout this way and it was all good.

As always I have to thank each and every one of you who came out and made it a great time as always. I also want to send a special shout out and a big extra thank you to my main man Ian who stuck around after he busted and helped run the tournament with me, from shuffling duties to restarting the clock as well as getting the payouts to the players, I am super super appreciative for the help my man!   Ian also took some groovy photos of me dealing, which just brings this blog up to another level of greatness.

There’s only two tournaments left in the year, but the next one is one I look forward to all year long. Yes it’s the mighty HORSE, that’s the mix game fix limit extravaganza of Hold-Em, Omaha 8, Razz , Seven Stud and Seven Stud 8. As always, player of the year points are double for a non-no limit hold ‘em event.

I hope you can make it! Until then peace and we out!

Friday Cash- 2023.14

 An unseasonably warm October afternoon in Burbank, 99° in the shade, gave way to a delightful evening out on the patio. The cash light was on but the garage was empty!

It was a No-Limit Hold-Em only night, with Jeff S., Colin, Jeff G., Mike C., Ian, Lea Anne, new player Peter and yours truly throwing down and having a good old time gambling it up.

Things started off rather tame but action quickly heated up as everyone settled in to the groove. Jeff G. initially had to top up after taking a few hits, but eventually he ended up the night’s big winner with a well over $300 profit when the game broke at midnight.

A straight flush for Lea Anne!

I also had a nice profit at the end of the night. A couple of players had to leave after they were felted, the rest of the field was a mix of up a bit or down a bit.

All in all another great night of fun poker, including multiple Bomb Pots and a raucous Nit Game, plus very fun conversation and good natured and often silly ribbing. One tremendous benefit to playing the same game all night is that almost all the fun chatter isn’t talking/asking about rules, betting limits or which game we are playing. It’s really great to catch up with friends and also joke, laugh and comment about all kinds of topics, and not worry about keeping everyone up to date on what and how to play.

Our next poker night is next Saturday, same Bat-Time same Bat-Channel, and it’s back to good old NLHE! The next cash game night will be mix games and likely will be the following Friday. Stay tuned for the Evite!

Until then, peace and we out!