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