Shocking!

The final game of TNP Phase 1 did not go out with a whimper but with a bang! Upsets, quads, straight flushes and a first time winner were hallmarks of the concluding contest in Phase 1. Mark suggested that since this was the last of the Phase 1 games, all points should be doubled. Good idea Mark! So let's jump right into the report.

Having the point lead sown up, Deb really wasn't worried about her finish. Still, this consumate winner never likes to lose but after some lousy hands and never drawing a pot, she went all in before a card was dealt. $350 at stake from her, me & Nick and sure enough, it just wasn't her night. First out with 1 point x 2 = 2 points.

Our rookie, Bobby, was out next. He's got the makings to be a great player, needing some time at the table to get the nuances down. Second out with 2 points x 2 = 4 He was kind enough to deal for us the rest of the night. Adam was at the Seinfeld show. Bobby assured us Adam would be UP all night. I'm eager to hear about that!

Crystal took an early dive, ending in 3rd place. She's never satisfied. Put her at one table, she wants to be at the other. Ugh! 3 points x 2 = 6

Justin was out next, unwilling to remove his hat even though he was indoors. I must say, however, his new hair cut really did look good, and to you his words, it's "age appropriate". 4 points x 2 = 8

Par for the course, Mark was out soon after Justin. Nick's call of Mark's stone cold bluff pissed him off. Even Bobby was a little scared when Mark barked "You want me to deal"! I assured Bobby that was just Mark and to think nothing of it. 5 points x 2 = 10

I was out next. Deb's early exit and doubling the points helped me close the gap with her. So, I took her bounty and the points were thus: 6 + 1 = 7 x 2 = 14

Markus made a return for the final Phase 1 game and did a dam good job. He had quad 7s to help increase his standing. 7 + 1 = 8 x 2 = 16

The heads up came down to Chris & Nick. Once Markus was eliminated, the stood and said let's split it. I said hell no, we're not going to end the final Phase 1 like that. After doing a dead eye reckoning of each chip stack, I determined they were as even as could possibly be. One final had to determine the winner. Chris came up on the short end of the hand but wasn't hurt that bad. For you see, earlier in the evening he'd made a straight flush, 9-K of spades. 8 + 1 + 2 = 11 x 2 = 22

Wonders never cease! Nick won! Hallelujah! Appropriate that Nick's first win was our last Phase 1. Congratulations Nick! 10 + 1 = 11 X 2 = 22

And so ends our legendary TNP Phase 1. It's been a blast. But now we embark on a new adventure where the pots are bigger, the game more intense and the challenges just keep coming. We'll see everyone next Thursday night at 7 and until then may all your cards be live and your pots be monsters!

9. Deb 1 x 2 = 2
8. Bobby 2 x 2 = 4
7. Crystal 3 x 2 = 6
6. Justin 4 x 2 = 8
5. Mark 5 x 2 = 10
4. Jeff 6 + 1 = 7 x 2 = 14
3. Markus 7 + 1 = 8 x 2 = 16
2. Chris 9 + 2 = 11 x 2 = 22
1. Nick 11 x 2 = 22

Join us as we bid a fond farewell.......

For the better part of 4 years, we've been playing poker on Thursday nights in much the same way. Tonight we bid a fond farewell to TNP Phase 1. It's been a blast, but now it's time to up the ante and play like the pros. The final game for Phase 1 is tonight at 7PM. A tournament is in the works to lay phase 1 to rest and we'll be getting details to you as soon as we get the kinks worked out. Right now it's looking like a heads up tournament with the byes and beginning chip stacks being determined by a formula that takes into consideration points and games played. Look for this tournament some time in late October. And Phase 2 begins next week with new rules, chips and excitement! The following Thursday, October 9th, we'll have our monthly feed bag with "Breakfast for Dinner". Pancakes, egges, hash browns, sausage, bacon, ham, toast, gravy, biscuits, what ever you want to bring. So, we'll see you tonight!

Announcing TNP Phase 2!

At our last game, after having mentioned it here in the blog, a concensus was reached with only 1 dissenter. Therefore, the majority having voted in the affirmative, we start TNP Phase 2 on October 2, 2008!

What does this mean? For starters, we're wiping the slate clean. Deb had the same opinion as I did. It'll be more fun if everyone is in contention for first place. So, this Thursday will be the last game for Phase 1. Adam is working on a weighting system for a final game to determine the ultimate winner of Phase 1. The number of chips you'll be given to start the game will be determined by the amount of points you accumulated during the year. Adam's coming up with a formula so that it won't be too skewed to Deb & myself. Once this is done, we'll have a final game, probably on Sunday, October 12, starting at about 4 in the afternoon and crown our ulitimate winner for Phase 1.

As for Phase 2, the following changes are in store. We'll be instituting antes in conjunction with the blinds. Antes will begin with level 4. Blinds will be as usual, however, the starting chip count is going up. And there will be minimum bets. Here's the break down.

BASED ON 20 MINUTE BLIND INCREASES
Level 1 No Ante Small Blind 10 Big Blind 20
Level 2 No Ante Small Blind 20 Big Blind 40
Level 3 No Ante Small Blind 25 Big Blind 50
Level 4 $10 Ante Small Blind 25 Big Blind 50
Level 5 $25 Ante Small Blind 25 Big Blind 50
Level 6 $25 Ante Small Blind 50 Big Blind 75
Level 7 $50 Ante Small Blind 50 Big Blind 75
Level 8 $50 Ante Small Blind 75 Big Blind 100
Level 9 $75 Ante Small Blind 75 Big Blind 100
Level 10 $100 Ante Small Blind 100 Big Blind 200
MINIMUM BET FOR EACH ROUND IS EQUAL TO THE BIG BLIND

Starting chip count is 10 RED 10 BLUE 10 WHITE 2 GREEN ($500). Clock will be strictly enforced. Pots will be bigger but so is the starting total number of chips. We've been playing for a long time basically the same way. Now we're going to bump it up a bit and play more like the professionals. This should also eliminate the need for split winners and should get us out of the game no later than 11 or 11:30, even with the increased starting chips.

So, welcome to the big leagues, let's shuffle up and deal some real poker!

For a sneak peek at the new TNP Phase 2, go here: http://tnpphase2.blogspot.com/

Report from the Thursday, September 18, 2008 game

Lots to eat. Nick brought Chicken Express, Adam & Bobby a huge chocolate chiffon cake, Chris fortune cookies, Mark & Justin chopped bbq brisket from Henks, Crystal cookies, Deb ice cream and I had left over Bobby stew.

As for the game, let's see, who was out first? Oh yeah, Justin.

Next to exit was me! It's a conspiracy I tell ya!

Nick was next, improving over his performance of the past 2 weeks.

Crystal soon followed.

Chris' fortune cookies couldn't predict a win for him so he bowed out.

Some guy trying to impersonate Mark was next to leave. His "Christian" alter ego lasted about 40 minutes. I think Bobby wasn't too scared once the REAL Mark decided to show up. I'm still worried about Brandon though.

Making his TNP debut and meeting Mark for the first time, Bobby did a great job (with a little help from Adam) and survived his first encounter with Mark.

Came down to Deb & Adam. With the special announcement having been decided, Deb was gracious and bowed out. Adam had to get Bobby back to his house.

So Adam won! Here's the scoring breakdown.

9. Justin 1
8. Jeff 2
7. Nick 3
6. Crystal 4
5. Chris 5
4. Mark aka the Reverend Peachtreehigginbottom 6
3. Bobby 7
2. Deb 9
1. Adam 12 (including 1 for Deb's bounty)

Remember, starting time is 7pm so we'll see you Thursday and until then, may all your cards be live and your pots be monsters!

TNP Phase 2

Special Announcement coming soon!

It's gonna be a hoot!

To say I'm looking forward to tomorrow night's TNP, for reasons other than food and poker, would be an understatement. Remember, 7pm start time. We'll eat whatever we bring then play some hold'em!

Guess who's coming to dinner....

About what food to bring Thursday night, I know we said Chinese, and feel free to bring any kind of oriental food, but because I've got so much Bobby stew left, that's what I'm providing. So I guess we can call it pot luck again. If it's edible, bring it and we'll edible it!

The winds of change

Ok, the movie format is getting old. At least for me. It was fun for a while but it's becoming increasingly difficult to find movies to match the personalites and conditions of the game plus it takes longer. I may return to this later on, or move on to TV, but for the forseeable future I'm returning to a regular narrative.

Let's see, everyone arrived around 8ish. Adam, Mark, Justin & myself having just come from the Chamber BBQ and filling our guts to the limit.

Nick was out first but this was mostly due to the fact that he was working on grading papers. His attention was definitely somewhere else. Mostly on school but also on Brandon. Nick, like last week, added 1 point.

Mark, after doing so well last week, was out next. Deb took him out and captured his bounty point. And of course Justin was out next because Mark was out, tired and ready to go home.

Chris was next to exit, followed by Crystal. She, however, earned an extra point for quads. She announced her achievment by simply tossing out her 4th 6 and saying "I'll take an extra point". She & Adam were aggravating each other all night.

Adam made the final 3 by taking a large chunk of Deb's chips which she wound up taking back.

The heads up came down to Deb & myself. I started the final 3 doing really well, getting some decent hands while Deb & Adam were being dealt squadush. But the tables started to turn even before it came down to just us 2. About 5 minutes after Adam left I had Ace Queen of clubs and 2 clubs on the board. The blinds were up to 2 & 4 hundred and I was running out of chips fast. There was a straight waiting to be made and Deb put me all in. I gambled and lost.

So Deb earned an extra point from Mark and 1 for her quad jacks, I think it was jacks. I'll check the log book when I get home and correct it if necessary.

I'm honestly looking forward to the first of the year when we can wipe the slate clean and start everyone at square 1. It's more fun when you have several people vying for the top spot instead of just 2. Here's the breakdown.

8. Nick 1
7. Mark 2
6. Justin 3
5. Chris 4
4. Crystal 6 (including 1 bonus for quad 6s)
3. Adam 6
2. Jeff 8
1. Deb 13 (including 1 bonus for quad jacks & 1 bonus for Mark's bounty & 1 bonus for retaining her own bounty point)

Deb seems unstoppable and with the final quarter of the year fast approaching I'm going to have to make a move soon if I want a chance. Remember, next week we start at 7 and we'll do our monthy meal next week, oriental food. Rice, noodles, pork, chicken, beef, EGG ROLLS, whatever you want to bring. See you then and till next time, may all your cards be live and your pots be monsters!

BULLETIN!

ATTENTION:

THE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2008 EDITION OF THE ADMIRAL'S POKER CHALLENGE, THURSDAY NIGHT POKER, WILL BEGIN AT 8:00PM DUE TO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BAR-B-QUE. BLINDS WILL BEGIN AT $25 AND $50 IN ORDER TO EXPEDITE PLAY.

END OF BULLETIN

Carnac the Magnificent

We're not Carnac, but we're pretty good.

McCain/Obama, tied. We'll find out the first Tuesday in November.

Adam did indeed pull ahead of Nick.

Crystal did indeed pull ahead of Jake.

Even though the Mark's were tied in the survey, only one came out the winner, the other was absent.

FYI

We will start at our regular time this Thursday, 7:30. That's the night of the Chamber BBQ which several of us are attending. However, we will begin at 7PM sharp on Thursday, September 18th. We will also strictly enforce the blinds clock in order to have the game done at or before 11PM. Let's also shoot for a meal on the 18th to help Markus celebrate his birthday which is actually this Thursday, the 11th, on the night of the bbq.

The Chronicles of Narnia

Having grown weary of having her authority challenged, the Ice Queen decided to once and for all deal with the creatures that would take her throne. Summoning all the power her witchcraft could conjur, she began first with the weakest.


Flicking the faun, Mr. Tumnus (nick), like a fly, the Queen barely noticed his feeble attempts at dethroning her. Mr. Tumnus was sent scurrying with 1 point.






Next to fall was Oreius (chris), who dared only 2 short weeks ago to attempt a coup against the queen. He & Mr. Tumnus were pawns in the clutches of the queen. This night they were removed first. Oreius with 2 points.


Susan (crystal), fighting valiantly, had her quiver run empty and was discarded with 4 points, one arrow in particular doing damage but failing to deliver a death blow.








The only nemesis of the queen able to mount a serious threat to her throne was banished next. Even the goodness of Father Christmas (jeff) was no match for the wicked queen, as his 4 points can attest to.


Remarkably, the brave Prince (adam) was no match for the powers of the queen. His sword was able to draw blood once, doing much damage, but it proved only to enrage her. His 6 points recapturing for himself the lead over Mr. Tumnus.






Even Aslan the Lion (mark), who seemed on the verge of vanquishing the queen, finally settled for an armistice. After fighting gloriously and defeating many of the queens minions, Aslan grew exhausted and finally accepted the truce offered by the queen.




Even settling for a cessation was a victory for the queen. Two of her spells had done particular damage to her enemies, proving she had to use all the guile she posessed to escape with her life. She yet prevails and retains her throne, her grip on power becoming ever tighter.

The battle over, the war continues. Will the evil queen ever be defeated? Is there not a champion among us brave and powerful enough to unseat her? Is our destiny sealed, ever fighting, ever losing? Time alone will tell.

By the tally:

7. Nick 1
6. Chris 2
5. Crystal 4 (including 1 bonus for quad 9s)
4. Jeff 4
3. Adam 6 (including 1 bonus for quad kings)
2. Mark 8
1. Deb 10 (including 2 bonus for quad 4s & quad 10s)

Having split the first place finish, there are 2 bounty points available this week, on Deb & Mark.

SPECIAL - Cash game at the B & B & L

Sunday night found myself, Adam, Nick, Chris, Crystal & Deb at the poker table. The $5 buy in winner take all event began around 6 as the typical gays were late! Still, it was much fun and here's how it went.

Chris was eliminated first, followed by Nick. Adam made the top 4 and I made the top 3. Came down to Crystal & Deb, the straight women once again making mincemeat of the girly men. Deb made 1 offer to end the game & split the pot, but Crystal felt emboldened by her good hands and enormous chest. But, as luck would have it, her cards grew cold and the hour grew late. So, making a second and final offer, they decided to split the pot. Much fun was had by all. I think we need to do more cash games. What do you think?