I say big event, because when we find our way back to this format, it is indeed - always a big event. This is by far the most popular kind of poker, still the Cadillac of the game.
For awhile the game was capped at 27 players, and we had a waiting list! Then a few dropped, a few added, and a few more dropped - and when the dust settled we had a lovely 25, just perfect as far as your host is concerned.
You may notice something a bit different with the table situation. My lovely monster tables, including one that I built myself over a decade ago, have seen better days; battered and ripped and basically falling apart. Loved to death, if you will. I am grateful for their service, just scroll back through this blog over the years to see how much they were all enjoyed - but the time has come to move on.
I learned a few lessons from the older tables - mainly that we do not need 96" in length if the goal is to run 8 handed tournaments and cash games. 84" is plenty sufficient (insert your bad double entendre's here) and has the added benefit of opening up quite a bit more space for players to get in and out of the garage and around each other.
Two of my smaller and more efficient tables come straight from Costco right down the street, less than two bills each - a value that's impossible to beat. The third and more beefy table (though virtually the same size) cost 8 times as much, but the quality from Gorilla Gaming is well worth it. However, knowing that in another decade or so this high end table will likely also end up falling apart, prevents me from getting more higher end Gorilla tables any time soon.
And finally, the piece de' resisténce are the custom table toppers, courtesy of a great vendor on Poker Chip Forum, just such a gift for a self-dealt game. Ties the branding of the game together beautifully and provides a slippery air-hockey surface for cards so that even players on the ends can deal with ease.
The only thing I love more than more than tables and chips, is of course the one thing that money can't buy - friendship! Happy to say that once again, I had 25 of them crammed into my garage on a Saturday night, and the battle began!
Such a kind and thoughtful gesture - it literally brought tears to my eyes when Tony handed it to me. We will for sure have it framed and put in a place of honor. Thank you so much Tony, you super talented artist you!
As you can see, your humble hosts stack did not grow the way I would've liked. For me it was a struggle all night to get things going (after a beautiful bluff that I pulled off early on) - though I did make it to two tables when the third table broke just after 8pm.
Despite doubling up with my AK vs KQ (don't know how THAT happened lol) I still couldn't get more traction and ended up busting with 14 players still remaining.
The fight to the bubble was intense. We were paying 5 and we had players hanging on by their fingernails. With six players remaining Sheyna found herself with a micro stack and all-in for less when the big blind hit her and alas, her napkins could not overcome the actual hand that she was up against.
Colin worked his shorter stack masterfully, while Jonathan and Jeff went to war with their bigger stacks. Jonathan took a major hit in a major collision when he turned his top pair into a bluff to try and get Jeff off a range that screamed two pair, only to run headlong into a very made straight that had come in on the turn.
But the K6 would not hold and the two short stacks got to chop up Jeff's money - though at this point it really wan't that much. Colin got a bit more in the side pot.
That meant that poker wrecking ball Mr. Jeff G locked up yet another tournament in The Garage Around Back. Surprisingly, this is his first takedown in the 2024-25 season. Jeff pocketed a delightful $500 for his efforts.
A big thanks to everyone who came out and made poker night a great time as always.
And as if the stunning new tables weren't enough - we also had the second appearance of the vaunted Tiger Palace chips - they pretty much blow the budget for the tables right out of the water.
This time around we incorporated T25s into the starting stack. Not because we needed to for any practical reason, but because it gives us more gorgeous chippies!
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| Sherbert! |
The only thing I love more than more than tables and chips, is of course the one thing that money can't buy - friendship! Happy to say that once again, I had 25 of them crammed into my garage on a Saturday night, and the battle began!
We had one new player, Mr. Ross brought on by Mr. Jonathan H. - and we were also joined by second timer Mr. Dave L., sponsored by Mr. Ken.
One old player, well - not old, but a veteran of the game, reappeared to everyone's great delight after being in Italy for awhile. The venerable Mr. Tony G. And he came bearing a gift, a stunning portrait of your hosts recently departed kitty.
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| Portrait of Princess Itty Bitty - by Tony G. |
Such a kind and thoughtful gesture - it literally brought tears to my eyes when Tony handed it to me. We will for sure have it framed and put in a place of honor. Thank you so much Tony, you super talented artist you!
We had zero busts before the break, but quite a few re-entries. The prize pool swelled to over $1500 and the action intensified as re-entries ended and shit got real.
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| Our Hero is ALL IN - I did indeed manage to double up on this one... |
The final table formed just after 930pm -
The fight to the bubble was intense. We were paying 5 and we had players hanging on by their fingernails. With six players remaining Sheyna found herself with a micro stack and all-in for less when the big blind hit her and alas, her napkins could not overcome the actual hand that she was up against.
Finally in the money, it wasn't long before we had our first cashing players.
Bowing out in fifth place for a respectable $120 was the one and only Mr. Ken.
Busting next for $160 in fourth, the always dangerous action man Mr. Allen R.
And then there were three...
Colin worked his shorter stack masterfully, while Jonathan and Jeff went to war with their bigger stacks. Jonathan took a major hit in a major collision when he turned his top pair into a bluff to try and get Jeff off a range that screamed two pair, only to run headlong into a very made straight that had come in on the turn.
And so it came to pass that all three players were all-in with Jeffy poised to end the tournament right then and there!
But the K6 would not hold and the two short stacks got to chop up Jeff's money - though at this point it really wan't that much. Colin got a bit more in the side pot.
So with that extra padding you'd think that Colin would end up outlasting Jonathan - but you'd be wrong!
Colin had to settle for third place after all, and a not too shabby payout of $260.
Head's up play was very brief, Jonathan eventually bowed out for a lovely 2nd place payout of $360.
That meant that poker wrecking ball Mr. Jeff G locked up yet another tournament in The Garage Around Back. Surprisingly, this is his first takedown in the 2024-25 season. Jeff pocketed a delightful $500 for his efforts.
A big thanks to everyone who came out and made poker night a great time as always.
A special thanks to Mr. Ian who once again stuck around to help shuffle - this host GREATLY appreciates you good sir!
I think I've finally learned my lesson - monthly Saturday MTTs are for No-Limit Texas Hold-Em. We will do this every first Saturday of the month for the rest of the year. That means 8 more chances to lock up a seat in the TOC! That's right, you have to win it all to be guaranteed entry.
This means our next big event will be Saturday, May 3 at 530pm.
Remember our new hot weather policy - if the forecast is for a high of 88° or more, start time will be pushed to 7pm. If the forecast is for a high of 94° or higher, we will also be playing outside on the patio.
Don't forget also, that before May 3 rolls around, there will also be lots of other poker happening in the garage.
We've got cash games happening on Friday nights - if you're not on the Evite and want to be, please let me know.
We will also be starting our new once a month Friday night tournament series - Mix Fix - with our first ever Big O tournament on Friday night, April 18 at 730pm. I will be using the full Evite list so you should get it - be sure to let me know if you don't (Evite goes out on April 12).
Also pondering a $120 Satellite for the WSOP, be sure to let me know if this is appealing to you! I will poll on our Facebook group, but if you don't do the socials I still want your opinion.
Can't wait for all this exciting poker action!
Until then, peace and we out!
