For the second time this year, the stars aligned and the universe was right for another Pepper Street Poker special event, a.k.a. - a monthly tournament. This time, once again, it was good old-fashioned no limit Texas hold ‘em!
No less than 20 eager degenerate gamblers squeezed into the garage around back, this time a little more spacious because table 3 was a brand new Barrington poker table, which is a great and cheap 8 handed oval available at Costco! I swapped it out for the green beast, and there was definitely more room! We very likely might seeing another one of these Barrington tables soon!
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| Easier to deal - more room in the garage! |
But I am getting ahead of myself. Before the tournament could start, once again we indulged in the relatively recent tradition of cash game poker in the afternoon. We went from 1 PM to 4:30 PM, and had a great time with seven mix game enthusiasts gambling it up. Priya, Allen R, Rich, Colin, Lea Anne, Ian and yours truly! The perfect number to play ALL the games!
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| Your hosts final stack - up nearly $150 in profit. |
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| Colin was the big wiener - almost $300 in profit! |
While Colin and I walked away winners, others finished up or down just a little bit, and a couple were down to the felt. Mr. Ian for once did not have a winning session, but he would have his revenge in the tournament! Spoiler alert!
After a dinner break - it was time to bust out the tournament chips and throw down in what is still the most popular poker format in the world, Hold-Em a' la' Tournament!
It was great to see so many familiar faces, including some who had been away for awhile. Mr. Marc returned after a long absence, and he brought a buddy along - a new player Mr. Aaron who was visiting from Colorado. Aaron chipped up rapidly by getting involved in seemingly every pot. Eventually, I'm told, his enthusiasm caught up with him and he hit the rail, along with Marc unfortunately who had busted a bit earlier. Grateful you both came all the way from Playa del Rey fellas! Sorry you didn't last longer - next time join us for cash and you can reload!
Along with the boys from PDR, two others busted well after the break and we were down to two tables by 830 or so.
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| One for the Gram. |
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| Father and son doing battle! |
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| Your hosts stack. |
Unfortunately I couldn't hold on to my chips and ended up bubbling after an ill-advised river jam bluff against Mr. Jeff got snapped off lol. One of my nicer punts I must say. And then we were in the money!
Art had actually busted earlier, a nasty cooler (one of more than a few on this fine evening, happening to almost everyone at one point or another) - and volunteered to deal while his better half was still playing. Art is a great dealer and this host very much appreciated his service!
First to exit with moolah was Mr. Jeff, who took home $120 in fifth place. Jeff stuck around to help shuffle (see above pic) as his offspring was still in contention - and also in the money in his second ever live tournament!
Next out to hit the rail was Ms. Carla, who cashed for the second month in a row for $160 in fourth place. And then there were three!
Priya had Ian on the ropes fairly early on, and then all the chips went in and she had the goods - pocket rockets vs. Ian's measly 45 off-suit. The flop however, had other plans...
After this hand it looked like Art might be sleeping on the couch for awhile. However, the battle continued and Ian took a couple of hits, and when the dust cleared, we had our February 2025 champ!
Ian had to settle for $320 in second place but it did wipe out his cash game losses and put him firmly in profit-ville!
Joshua had battled long and hard all night, but finally ran out of chips as we passed 11pm - and had to settle for a very nice $240 in third place. Nicely done Jeff Jr.! And now it was heads-up!
Priya had Ian on the ropes fairly early on, and then all the chips went in and she had the goods - pocket rockets vs. Ian's measly 45 off-suit. The flop however, had other plans...
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| Zoinks! |
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| Love the Wonder Woman over her shoulder! |
Ian had to settle for $320 in second place but it did wipe out his cash game losses and put him firmly in profit-ville!
Priya got the massive PSP card protector, the TOC seat, the cashola ($460) and the glory! Nicely done and well deserved!
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Our next monthly tournament will be the first Saturday once again, March 1st at 530pm. The evite will go out soon! As always, in March we do Omaha 8 or better - I expect it will be Pot Limit, which should be a hell of a lot of fun! Hope you can make it.
Between now and then we will also be hosting several Friday night cash games, including next weeks first ever FIX LIMIT only evening of cash play. Very much looking forward to all of it!
A huge thanks again to everyone who came out and made it such a fun time. I really appreciate all of you, your friendship and your fellowship and your gambling enthusiasm! Until we meet on the felt again...
Peace and we out!
