11/17/2004
Teresa says it's okay
for me to have a CARD NIGHT on Friday! (11/19/2004)
I can't drink too much...and it better not last too late.
Too Much and Too Late,
are both kinda gray areas for me, so I'm good with those constraints.
Let's plan on starting at 7:00pm (on the dot John!)
Let's make this a $10.00 quickie Hold 'em tournament. (no rebuys)
After that, we'll play some dealers choice...or even spread limit.
If you have suggestions or requests, let me know soon.
If we have enough people then some may want to skip the tournament altogether
and we could run completely separate table games.
For those of you at our last gathering...I had capped it at 14 people, but I
think if necessary, we can run another table.
So, if you were worried about a crowd last time, don't let that stop you. The
more the merrier!
Please RSVP quickly, so we can get a head count.
Hope to see you all there!
09/24/2004
Where do we go from here?
I, for one, do not plan to stop having our little Hold 'em Tournaments. I enjoy them and I think the rest of you do too. If attendance is any indication, then I know you do. As I've told many of you, I will return one more time to the Eagles for the BIG drawing on September 25th, but after that, it is doubtful that I'll be back. I feel slighted, and I know it's a character flaw but I do hold a grudge.
So, we need a location for future tournaments. My wife has agreed (it was her suggestion) that I can start hosting our tournaments again at the house, as long as it's only like once a month. I'm all for that, but once a month might be a stretch. If any of the rest of you are willing to host an event in between, we will respond and be VERY THANKFUL! Let me know your thoughts and plans, and I'll help in any way possible.
See below for additional information, and somewhat of a blow by blow of the events of last Saturday night. Henceforth, September 18th, will be known as the anniversary of "The Tournament That ALMOST Never Was"
Pictures from "The Tournament That ALMOST Never Was"
09/18/2004
Where to Begin...
The important thing is that we, the NDPT, played cards on Saturday. Circumstances panned out a little differently than we'd planned though. Most of you already know about the events of that fateful evening on September 18th, but let's recap for posterity. At approximately 6:00PM JJ and I arrived at the Eagles with all our poker gear, ready to get the room set up for 7:00PM's gametime. We were greeted (well greeted isn't really the word) at the front door by three of the Trustees. While they were gathering in front of us, I noticed a sign on the window...which I scanned quickly. I knew there was trouble. What I gathered from the sign and from the words that followed, our tournament had been cancelled by the Trustees. The sign said something about it not being approved. The Trustees, elaborated. We were informed that "lots" of people had been calling about the tournament. We were also informed that we shouldn't have posted the announcement "all over town." This point had us scratching our heads. We replied that we had only posted a single flyer there on the Eagles bulletin board, merely to inform the other members who had asked about our game, and wanted to play. The Trustees responded, that we should have known that Eagles members belong to other fraternal organizations and that word would get around. (Although, I'm not sure how that equated to posting elsewhere.) We were then treated to a diatribe on the legality of gambling (yes, from the Eagles' Trustees) and how we had jeopardized the liquor license, and that children were on site up until 9:00PM that night and poker would be inappropriate...as opposed to drinking and the sanctioned gambling on site. Anyway the gist of the story was, we weren't playing poker. JJ asked if this applied to this game only or any future events, provided we got approval. We were informed that a meeting would be held to discuss this...we weren't invited. Now, if I were a betting man, which I am, I'd wager that discussion of disciplinary action against JJ and I will be discussed as well. (Like we care!) :)
Additional warm welcomes were had by other members of the NDPT, upon their arrival at the Eagles, including smug remarks, and covert discussions among Trustees, who didn't seem to recognize our own Robert R. as he sat at the bar. "New people come along and try to change things." Well, there you have it, change is bad! Although, I wasn't aware that we were trying to change anything.
On a lighter side...we played, all 14 of us moved the venue to MY HOUSE (Big Red didn't even get upset!) JJ sadly fell victim to the circumstances, and was whisked away from us by the MRS. Although this was topic for discussion during the evening, it won't be aired in this forum. Chris B. emerged triumphant and ecstatic on the night, taking the top prize. I don't think we can call him Mr. No Limit anymore, the boy's got the fever NOW! Below, is the original announcement...although as you can see, it didn't quite happen as intended:
Open Invitation
to the next gathering of the NDPT,
I've decided that we MUST have a tournament on Saturday, September 18th, 2004...if
for no other reason than to celebrate\memorialize one or more of the following
events which occurred on that day in U.S. history:
1793 U.S. President George Washington laid the actual cornerstone of the U.S.
Capitol.
1947 The U.S. Air Force was established as a separate military branch by the
National Security Act.
1965 TV Series "Get Smart" premieres
1970 Jimi Hendrix rock guitarist, dies at 27 in London
1983 The members of Kiss appeared on MTV without makeup.
As you can see, many important events occurred and should be recognized through
celebration. In short...if I wanna play on ANY GIVEN DAY...I will find a
reason. Please let me know which event(s) you would be interested in gathering
to celebrate! :)
Everyone seemed to really like the "Bounty" and "Bad Beat" Jackpots, so these
will remain...$1.00 each. Buy-In for the event will be $10.00 with unlimited
$10.00 Re-Buys for the 1st 2-Hours! I'm not sure...but judging from the
attendance from our last tournament...we will need to play in the Eagles
Conference Room again. The second set of chips is in, and ready to be used.
One last thing...I would like opinions on "DEALING."
At the long rectangular tables, rotating dealers, is a little tricky,
particularly for the folks at the ends of the tables.
I would like to propose having designated dealers (still actively playing) for
each table, but we will still use the rotating DEALER button. This is closer to
a Vegas style deal, and is NOT an uncommon thing in many of the other "home"
tournaments that I've been reading about. I think it would streamline things a
bit. Also, another player at the table could shuffle the second deck and have
it ready for the dealer.
Please respond as soon as possible, expressing your intent to attend, or with
any other comments!
Let's make this the tournament that forces us to get a 3rd SET of chips! :)
Tell all your friends.
09/15/2004
The Labor Day
Weekend Shuffle aftermath and REPORT!!!
September 3rd, 2004 at
7:00pm--ish, the members
of the NDPT converged on the Eagles Aerie, as planned.
Unbeknownst
to us...a storm of epoch proportions was brewing. It would take us to the
limits of our very beings, and leave a scene of utter devastation in its path.
Hurricanes Frances and Ivan hadn't the fury of this...this...FORCE OF NATURE.
Henceforth, it shall be called
BRYNN!
She swept across our peaceful little tournament, and showed NO mercy.
All players in the path collapsed under her fury. When the onslaught was over,
after 5 hours of carnage, Brynn stood supreme. Her most recent casualties in
2nd and 3rd places were Eric S and John J, respectively. Everyone thought it
was over...thank God, but I AM still skeptical...it
whatever it
was, lives...Was this merely the
EYE of the Storm,
or is there still more to COME? It's up to you, when will this second
strike...OCCUR? Unlike those other natural catastrophes, this one...you CAN
predict. When will the NDPT gather again?
Respond as SOON AS POSSIBLE!
I shudder but I will be there to
witness the horrific display of might...power...and damn good luck!
:)
As is obvious the
RIORDAN'S commanded the night, particularly the "Mrs." of the clan. She took
home the top spot, he brought home the BOUNTY, which had rested on the head of
poor...poor...Eric P. May he Rest In Peace. The Bad Beat goes deservedly to
Scott D, suffering great loss at the hands of 7's full of 2's vs his 2's full of
7's. Respond soon...as to
WHEN
you want the next tournament, and Thank You All!
Tell all your friends.
09/03/2004
The Labor Day
Weekend Shuffle is ON!
Beginning FRIDAY September 3rd, 2004 at 7:00pm, the members of the NDPT will
converge on the Eagles Aerie!
Buy in for this tournament will be $10 + $2***! (doing something a little
different, read below)
UNLIMITED REBUY will be available for the first 2 hours of the tournament,
PROVIDED the player "busts-out" (meaning they have no more chips in front of
them)
The rebuy opportunity is NOT to be confused with an "ADD-ON."
The $10.00, as usual will go to the pot.
Payouts will be determined by the number of players, but WILL be announced prior
to commencement of the first DEAL.
This payout model will serve as a guide for the night:
Payout
1-9 players:75/25 %
10-19 players: 50/30/20 %
20+ players: 50/25/15/10 %
***The "+$2.00" will be split evenly between two available jackpots:
Bad Beat Jackpot...if during the evening's play a player is "beaten" when
holding a "FLUSH" that player will receive all funds in the Bad Beat Jackpot at
the end of the tournament (if no one is beaten while holding a flush...the funds
will be carried over until the next NDPT event...which will be SOON!) THUS, the
Jackpot will continue to grow over time. In the event of a tie, or multiple
occurrences of the "flush--beat," ...cards will be drawn by the contenders...and
HIGH CARD will take the Jackpot.
BOUNTY...a player will be randomly selected just prior to the beginning of the
tournament. This player's name will be announced, and that player will then have
a BOUNTY on his or her head during the evening's festivities Anyone who takes
that player out during the evening will take the pot! If the designated "BOUNTY"
player is not beaten, and remains victorious on the night, in addition to "pot"
winnings, he/she will receive the "BOUNTY" jackpot as well!
Tell all your friends.
08/29/2004
Be thinking about
when you would like to play next and let me know...and I'll get the ball
rolling. Some of you who weren't able to join us last time, will no doubt be
ready for a game. I hope everyone is really enjoying these gatherings as much as
I am.
One other thing I'd like for you all to be thinking about... we need to consider
other locations for our "big" tournaments. I think everyone agrees that 13
people in the poker room at the Eagles was a little bit tight. We have surpassed
our humble beginnings. We'll still have occassional gatherings there, but I
think we can do better. I'm also not ruling out playing at our own homes, I
still enjoy those games immensely! They WILL continue.
08/20/2004
The ..."Do we
really need a theme to play..." No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament
was a HUGE SUCCESS!
Thirteen of us gathered at the Fraternal Order of Eagles to play our little
tournament on Friday night (August 20, 2004.)
There was a $25.00 buy in and we ran 2 tables. Great play was the trend of the
night. Casey "Double Diamond" Dawson triumphed on a night when the RIVER seemed
to be his Best Friend. Still, I've got to give credit where credit is due. The
boy played the game.
Congrats! In second
place was newcomer Lance Gainer, but I'm sure we're going to see a lot more of
this "playa!" Very structured...disciplined player. A force to be reckoned
with. I, of course, kept up my tradition of always being a bridesmaid...but
never a bride. I always make it to the wedding but never get the Honeymoon
Night!
To those of you who joined us for the first time that night, we look forward to seeing you again. We, the members of the NDPT welcome you, and please consider yourselves to be ONE OF US. (and we do mean that in a GOOD WAY!)
Enjoy these pictures, taken during the game:
07/09/2004
Get Ready For A Dry
Spell Folks, no cards for a little while, it's vacation time...
Sorry gang, but the family and I will be heading out Friday for a much needed
vacation. We'll try to get a card game together real soon after we return. In
the mean time I suggest watching the WSOP 2004 in all its glory on ESPN. Also,
to all of you out there who haven't tried it, I strongly urge you to play in the
FreeRoll Tournaments on UltimateBet.com. It's been one of the biggest poker
thrills I've had.
07/07/2004
The
"School's Out" Party held on Friday July 2nd, 2004, 7:00pm at the Murray's was a HUGE success. In all we had 29 people! And in answer to the question... "what's the weight limit for the deck?"... well I know it is in excess of the weight of 29 people, since we didn't suffer a collapse. And I was right...we did throw together a card game after all. Other items of interest, John "Floppy" Johnson was resurrected on that night. When he falls off a wagon, he does it right! And I say...it's about friggin' time. Laura "Call Station" gets special recognition for her personal blend of fruit cocktail. (By the end of the night...I think both containers had been MERGED!) No one ended up in the pool this time...go figure. The party never really ended, but was moved to the Eagles and then a late night\early morning breakfast run to The Mountaineer.
06/19/2004
Jim Blankenship was the
big winner of the John Johnson Memorial No-Limit Texas Hold ’em Poker Tournament
(1st Annual) held on Saturday June 19, 2004, 8:00pm at the Fraternal Order of
Eagles on Gihon Road. It was a long, well fought battle, by Jim, who recovered
from early losses, which had him down to around $80 in tournament chips. NICE
JOB JIM! We had 11 players, which was a great turnout, and made for a NICE
pot. One other item...even though Tom D. did not win the tourney, it turns out
that his luck was greater than that of all the other tournament players that
night. Just ask him about it!
From
the original announcement:
Please join us in our
"Memorial Tribute" to former, less-than-low-stakes gambler:
John "Floppy" Johnson.
No, he’s not dead, just his gambling spirit. May it REST IN PEACE!
Seating is limited! Please reserve your seat in advance.
This tournament will take approximately 5 hours to complete.
In honor of this auspicious occasion, I had planned to make this a $25 buyin/$25
rebuy (first hour) event. I have spoken to a few of you already about this, and
the response seemed positive...BUT if the turnout drops, then this can be
adjusted to accommodate folks. We may run 2 tables (or more!) anyway, for this
event. If not enough people are interested in $25, we can run a $10 table as
well.
Hope to see you ALL there.
06/05/2004
Dennis Rempel was the "BIG WINNER" at our Saturday night gathering at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, in Parkersburg, WV. Yes, it was a "low-stakes" (yet a lot of fun) tournament. I was right...we spent more on beer than we did on cards. In addition, to Dennis, we had:
Tom Dickerson, Matt Keesor, Chris Brothers, Robert Riordan, and Brian Murray...
(no word yet on when "JJ" will return to the gambling fold!)
There will be another tournament real soon. Be on the lookout for the announcement. Hope to see you there!
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