Presenting the poll predictions

Deb's remaining in first place, while not a certainty, was really never in doubt.

Crystal's remaing at the top of the "middle of the standings" heap was predicted, but in doubt until her flight was cancelled.

And, barring Adam's vote, the fact that he needs help was unanimous!

Tanner did not retake his lead, so we missed this one.

Adam did hold off Nick.

Dam gays!

The Sopranos

Jake, tired of having hit after hit put out on him, decided to hit back last night, and with a vengeance, that's exactly what he did! Hard! And Crytsal, originally scheduled to leave for Ft. Worth, had her plans changed by mother nature and was able to not only play but put up some serious points last night. Mark to, able to play for the first time in weeks, made his presence known. A rare appearance by Devin and a first timer to TNP, Ben, rounded out the cast of characters assembled to help Adam celebrate yet another year on the planet known as Earth. So sit back, grab some popcorn and a kevlar vest as we sort out the bodies from last night's massacre!

Trying to play hard ball with the big guns and taking an early bullet, Justin, after retrieving Crystal from the air port, was deep sixed first with 1 point.

Soon to follow Justin's early demise, trying to recapture his lead over Stevie, Tanner got caught up in the cross fire and ended the night with 2 points.

Though he didn't best Stevie last night, Tanner was helped by more errant gunfire from his table when Stevie himself was mortally wounded and left the game with 3 points, ensuring his 3rd place standing.

No mercy was shown when Ben, first timer to TNP and innocent victim in the violence that erupts every Thursday night, was taken out with 4 points.

Hoping to dampen Adam's birthday celebration by denying him points and taking a lead over him, Nick couldn't fend off the brutal attacks being waged all around him and had to duck for cover and only 5 points.

Seeing the bloodshed all around him, Devin threw up his hands and surrendered to authorities, leaving the crime scene with 6 points and his life.

Hoping to close the gap with Deb, needing as many points as I could muster, the crowd that assembled for the brawl could have brought me to within 1, but the onslaught of lead beat me back and I had to scurry away with 7.

Right on my heels, after bragging that the night would be his simply because it was his birthday and he was due, Adam survived long enough to garner 8 points and a lease on another year of life.

Making the top 3 and growing weary from a day of meetings and a night of rumbling, Mark gave up the fight from shear exhaustion and settled for 9 points.

Surprising everyone with her appearance and her play, Crystal fought valiantly until the bitter end but simply couldn't overcome the ammunition Jake had accumulated and left the game with 11 points.

Finally, with the carnage all around him, Jake stood up amongst the wreckage and triumphanly declared "Hit me! Come on, hit me now mother frakkers!" The bullet ridden walls, tables, chairs a stark testiment to the battle just waged and the victims who had fallen. Having grown weary of taking hits, Jake returned the favor and from very early in the game amassed an arsenal of chips that was simply too much for anyone to overcome. When it's your night it's your night and from the beginning Jake, with his quad 5s, made it known he wasn't here to take another hit. No, tonight he was delivering them. So with his first ever win at TNP and 13 points, the gangland war is delcared and God help anyone caught in the middle. Congrats Jake, but take care, we'll be gunning for ya next week. Revenge is a powerful motivator.

Here's a look at the crime scene, by the numbers.

TABLE 1
Crytsal
Mark
Adam
Nick
Jeff
Ben

TABLE 2
Stevie
Tanner
Jake
Justin
Devin

FINAL TABLE
Nick
Devin
Jeff
Adam
Mark
Crystal
Jake

HAND OF THE NIGHT
Jake's quad 5s

RESULTS
11. Justin 1
10. Tanner 2
9. Stevie 3
8. Ben 4
7. Nick 5
6. Devin 6
5. Jeff 7
4. Adam 8
3. Mark 9
2. Crystal 11
1. Jake 13

Next week we'll have Deb back from her vacation. And once again we'll gather for another shoot out at the TNP hideout! Until then, may all your cards be live, your pots be monsters and your ammo clip never empty!

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

With our two straight players out of town tonight, namely Deb & Crystal, that'll leave queens & queers to fight over food & points. Deb is on vacation with her family at Six Flags in Arlington, and Crystal is in Ft. Worth bringing her family home. While being absent usually leaves you vulnerable, Deb's lead is big enough that she's safe this week. Even if I could win, there won't be enough points for me to make up the deficit. So, all I can do is try to close the gap and keep competitive for when I'll be gone next week. Adam has thrown down the gauntlet and guaranteed he'll win tonight. I think the rest of us will have something to say about that, birthday or not! Stevie will likely be dragging ass. He had an appointment today that cut short his sleep time. Mark & Justin, Nick, Jake & Tanner will round out our competitors tonight. So we'll see who will don makeup and a dress to replace the two ladies who's beauty, grace and charm shall be sorely missed tonight. Mark? Justin?

The Last Supper

So far I've got Nick bringing potato salad and I'm providing some polish sausage & brats. If it's too much of a hassle each month for these meals, then I think we should make this the last one. Trouble is, too few will commit early enough before the day we eat to make sure we have enough food for everyone. I get several calls just before it's time to eat saying "what do you need?" Without having the menu secured at least a day before, we risk not having enough or everyone scrambling at the last minute and duplicating what someone else is bringing. Also, I realize everyone has a schedule they have to juggle. In order to get the meal in before we start poker, we need to eat early and that makes it difficult for some to even know if they'll be able to make it. In the future we could have meal night but make it BOYF, and that way it's up to everyone to bring whatever they're going to eat themselves. I just thought it was nice to have some home cooked meals for the group but that may just be too much trouble. So, let's get this one done tomorrow night and decide from there. I still need someone to bring a cookie/cake, and something to go with grilled sausage, brats & potato salad. Otherwise, it's going to be slim pickins.

Polling results

Yep, not only is she in her 5th week at #1, but it's likely, even though she'll be gone this week, it'll be 6!

We blew this one! Stevie did indeed pass Tanner!

The Nick passing Adam question became entangled in the recount contraversy, so this one gets tossed out.

This one we got right. Crystal is on top of this heap!

Dam gays!

Everyone loved Crystal's new doo!

This was a run away, Deb shakes worse than a quake in China!

Don't forget!

This Thursday is our monthly feast! I'll be grilling Polish sausage, brats, pork chops or anything else you want to bring! Road kill is acceptable, Crystal is bringing a cat! Also, I need someone to bring baked potato salad and a cookie cake. We could also use chips, corn on the cob, baked beans, whatever! Adam's birthday will be celebrated, along with anyone elses birthday, anniversary, whatever! So leave me a comment and let me know what you'll be bringing! It's time to grill!

Recount!

The current standings have been checked, rechecked and audited and are now confirmed! Adam's report is thorough, detailed and available for review. My thanks to Adam for his quick and concise audit of the TNP books. In order to prevent this from happening in the future, he'll be conducting this audit on a monthly basis. Sorry for any inconvenience. It is of the utmost priority that the integrity of the TNP standings be kept above reproach.