TOURNAMENT RECAP

(After a vote, the majority decide to play this High Roller with 25 minute levels — tentatively adding about 70 minutes of play by the end.)

• Before any knock-outs, Luis, the Charmer receives his cash prize (by way of majority vote)…and courtesy of Jay, The Bouncer!

• Level 6 Ricardo knocks out Chris.
(The Stinger played valiantly through a storm of missed draws and top pairs that didn’t hold. After redeeming both bullets, he found himself in an all-in hand against El Guapo. The Stinger was ahead with a paired Queen on the board…all the way till the River, where an Ace peeled off and paired El Guapo’s Ace. You’ll sail again, Napoleon!)

• Level 10 Nathan knocks out Jay. After The Bouncer insisted on covering the cash prize for this tournament’s draw, the *last thing* on The Nail’s mind was knocking out his very good friend (and personal fasting consultant), but being short-stacked Jay found himself shoving all-in followed by a fold by all players, except for Nate, sitting in the BB. The blinds were 30k, the all-in was an easy call being only 25k more. The Nail turns over 9/10 suited, The Bouncer, A7 off. Flop is JJ9 giving Nathan a pair. Turn and River change nothing.

• Level 11 Nathan knocks out Luis. Nate was SB and raised pre-flop. Everyone folds except for The Charmer who shoves all-in…for another 25k. The Nail turns over pocket Jacks, The Charmer, K3. Flop, Turn and River change nothing.

• Level 12 Vikas knocks out Joe. Joe The III is almost forced to go all-in sitting in the SB and with only 7k behind. The Iceman (with freezing cold blood flowing through his veins) is BB. Everyone else folds, Joe calls with his last 7k…backed into a corner, holding only a Q6, Vikas QJ. Flop changes nothing, Turn is a J making Joe’s hand dead.

• Level 13 Nathan knocks out Esther. The Hoodie shoves all in, The Nail sitting in the BB with 80k already committed calls the additional 40k. Everyone else folds. The Hoodie turns over AQ, The Nail, K8. Both players are holding 2 live cards, but Esther is ahead. Flop is nothing, Turn is a K and Nate fades an A on the River making his paired K the best hand.

• Level 14 Ricardo knocks out Anil. (Sorry…I didn’t catch what the hand was!–But shout-out to The Oracle who made it right to the door of the bubble…knocked as hard as he could…but El Guapo slammed the door right in his face!)

• Level 14 Nathan knocks out Ricardo. El Guapo goes all-in. The Nail calls. Nail turns over JJ, El Guapo, A7 of clubs. Flop gives Nate a J for Trips. Lightyear now handing on by a thread…needing runner-runner clubs (to make a flush) is full of hope (to infinity and beyond!). Turn is not a club making Buzz’s hand dead.

• Level 14 heads-up begins between Vikas and Nathan. Nathan has 770k in chips, Vikas just under 580k.

• Level 15 Nathan knocks out Vikas. After about 17 minutes of heads-up play, players get to a hand where both call and get to a Flop. Flop is K/9/10. The Nail checks the Flop, The Iceman (still sporting the freezing red stuff flowing through his veins) goes all-in. The Nail picks up a hammer (being quite unfamiliar with how to use it at this late stage in a High Roller tourney) and snap-calls. Cards are flipped…Iceman reveals a K/5, The Nail, JQ. Nate Flopped a straight, Vikas top pair. Turn and River change nothing. Nathan wins the hand.

• Nathan wins 1st place (and maybe the first time ever making the money in a High Roller tourney)!