K9isadog Wins His First NPP Tourney!

Over a field of another eighteen players, K9isadog overcame a few monster stacks of his opponents to take this one. He also had and lost a monster stack himself, but rallied nicely. K9isadog becomes the 44th member of the NPP Walk of Fame!

Returning to the NPP felt tonight was Duder1123. Welcome back!

Now remember – we have a week off before the exciting 3rd quarter final. Five players are still in the running for the NPP finals seat.

This is an excellent opportunity to RECRUITE for the league and the blog! And this final tourney of the 3rd quarter would give rookies a chance to give it a try before the final quarter race begins.

On to the action:

16 min: UMichPoker (19th) loses to Theedouble*d.
28 min: A short-stacked (SS) LittleRedElf (18th) loses to a SS Duder1123, who hits a straight on the river.

34 min: A very rare double kill as Kensik (17th) (66) and TresStooges (16th) (AQ) lose to K9isadog’s (QT) two pair on the turn [8QJT].

39 min: Absea98 (15th) sees his (As3s) run into Meatsword’s (KK). Tight play follows, but it exploded after the break! As you can see, we had some short stacks who did not try to fight the Break Monster.

1st Break:
K9isadog 5866
Theedouble*d 3586
Douge2 2675
Akensi 2375
Tomservo2 2340
Budda627 2165
Tigercub8189 2076
ThePunk75 1802
T3chlady 1510
Meatsword 1448
Rennzzo 1018
Wingsfancurt 645
Funtoon 570
Duder1123 424

Here starts some carnage.

61 min: SS Duder1123 (14th) goes with (K9) and sees a SS Wingsfancurt (QJ) pair the [J] to take it down.

63 min: Douge2 (13th) (KdQd) gets out flopped as Theedouble*d (JT) hits a [J] on the flop. Lots of bigger cards were out – flopped tonight. An awful lot!

65 min: Budda627 (12th) sees his (66) get out – flopped by K9isadog’s (A8) with an [A] on the flop.

68 min: A SS Wingsfancurt (11th) pushes with (AJ) but K9isadog (A3) makes a straight! Ouch! Now things settle for a while, before another rush to the exits.

81 min: Funtoon (10th) has to go with (A2) and K9isadog calls with (Qh 8h) and wins with a [Q] on the flop.

82 min: A SS Akensi (9th), Meatsword and Tigercub8189 take it to the river and Meat’s two pair take it down.

84 min: An AIPF ThePunk75 (8th) is called by Meatsword, Theedouble*d and T3chlady. Meatsword bets the other two out with (33) and it takes the pot.

86 min: A SS Rennzzo (7th) has to try with (Kd 9d) but can’t catch to T3chlady’s (44).

91 min: Success is fleeting for T3chlady (6th) who is AIPF with (AJ) (48%) against Meatsword’s (KQ), but a [K] on the flop and the Lady has yet another tough NPP exit.

The exit door gets a rest for a little while – until:

108 min: A SS Tomservo2 (5th) has to try with (Kd 7d) but can’t catch K9isadog’s (KJ).
115 min: A SS Tigercub8189 (4th) is all-in with (A5) but can’t catch Meatsword’s (AJ).
116 min: A SS Theedouble*d (3rd) sees his (KJ) run into Meatsword’s (88).

Heads up: Meatsword 22000 - K9isadog 6500
But a lost hand right at the break makes it closer.

2nd break:
Meatsword 17266
K9isadog 11234

125 min: Meatsword 13500 - K9isadog 15000

127 min: Meatsword (2nd) goes with (QT) but K9isadog has (A3) with an [A] on the flop.

Congratulations K9isadog.

1st – K9isadog
2nd – Meatsword
3rd – Theedouble*d
4th – Tigercub8189
5th – Tomservo2
6th – T3chlady
7th – Rennzzo
8th – ThePunk75
9th – Akensi

Standings are on the right side of the blog! Five still have a shot for the 3rd quarter seat in the NPP Finals!

Reminder: No tourney next week. We return to the NPP PS felt on September 15th. Bring in new players for the 4th quarter!

How About a Team Tourney in December?

NPP will host the Heads Up Tourney again in December, but how about another night of poker – Team Style?

Here is how the Tournament Committee at NPP has drawn it up right now:

Everyone who wants to play in the Team Tourney submits their names via this blog or email. The Password is sent out via email for the Team Tourney.

Just as the tournament starts – The Teams are posted on the blog, so you have to have NPP open and refresh the browser to find out who your teammate(s) is/are. Depending on number of entries, it will be decided by the NPP Tournament Committee if there are 2, 3 or 4 person teams.

Points awarded same as for league play – per team.

Winning team is posted on the Player of the Year list.

Prize money transfers not the responsibility of NPP, but Faldo will be glad to assist in any way possible.

The blog is open for comments, suggestions, and questions. - Faldo

Welcome to the United States of NPP

Aqualung made a statement to me that got me thinking.

He said, “NPP is not NPP anymore because it doesn’t have very many of the original players left.”

My fertile brain really started to digest this statement.

Like for instance, is the United States not the United States anymore, because the ‘original’ people that understood the Constitution and how valuable freedom is, are no longer with us?

Score one for Aqualung.

But a poker ‘club’ is not a country. It can’t be (ironically), because everyone is so FREE and untaxed to do what they want with their cash.

But let’s pretend NPP is a country, and the citizens have total liberty and freedom, as they do at NPP.

NPP is also a country broken up into several states:

Internet
Home Game
Casino
High Stakes
Low Stakes
Different Games
Holdem Only
Time (Multiple States)
Day (Seven States)
Tourney
Ring
Blog
Rail
Hen Pecked

There are probably a few other ‘states’ not on this list.

Because NPP citizens are so free, they are able to move to any state at any time – and stay or go as they please. Some never visit other states. Some visit them all. Others stop by – just to look around. Others go to one state and never leave.

NPP is made up of players from all states, and most have at least rental property in some of the other states.

Some of our NPP citizens no longer visit the ‘State of Internet.’ Some will never venture out of that state. Some only visit the state of Blog. Some never visit blog unless it is necessary.

Some NPP’ers moved too far away from the State of Home Game to visit there. Some only play at Home Game or State of Casino. Still other NPP’ers will never visit Home Game.

Some think the State of Home Game is actually a part of the State of High Stakes or Low Stakes.

Some citizens think the NPP Tuesday is in the State of Low Stakes and others think it is in the State of High Stakes. Either way, these citizens ended up in the State of Rail.

Some NPP citizens claim they can’t leave their State of Day or Time to visit NPP in our State of Tuesday at 8pm.

Many NPP citizens are visiting the Rail – some temporarily, some permanently, and some are just in the State of Rail - but only in the country of NPP.

Regardless, NPP can still be NPP for all our citizens, even with our citizens moving all over the country often and freely.

What we must do - as citizens of NPP - is to make more citizens! Recruiting is what it is all about. It is all a population game. The more citizens - the more movement between the states, for all the states of NPP.

And just like the United States of America, the country of NPP can only be strong if the citizens are involved and working to make it a better country – instead of expecting the leaders to do everything for them.

Ask not what NPP can do for you, but ask instead, what can you do for Faldo?….errrrr, I mean NPP?

Random Questions Answered by Faldo

A new series. Feel free to email me questions to add to the list, or leave them in a comment. Also, feel free to answer them yourself in the comment section. I like to learn more about you people too!

Who is your favorite actor of all time?

A tie between George C. Scott and Jimmy Stewart. Throw Matt Damon in there now too.

I noticed on the NPP point standings that some of the people have pts after their points and a couple have ‘points’ after their point numbers. Why is that?
That is a Faldo code. If it says ‘points,’ means you have the lead or had the lead in the standings at one time.

In a 52 card deck, which card are you?

I hope the King of Hearts, but probably closer to the Jack of Clubs.

What is your favorite car of all time?

Not a ‘car’ guy. Don’t’ have a favorite one. They are just a tool to get from point A to point B.

What do you think of steroids in sports?

Hate them. But I don’t care if they are used, outlawed, or were used. What’s done is done.

Will the world be a better place in 100 years or worse?

Worse. As the last bastion of freedom in the world, the United States, falls into socialism/communism, it will be a very cold, stagnate, miserable planet. Misery and poverty spread evenly. Sorry the truth hurts.

What recommendations would you give the poker community?

The “rake” is to poker as “taxes” are to business and the economy. You have to lower both of them! And the people and companies making money on poker are going to have to ‘pay the extortion’ to the government, so poker playing is legal everywhere. Got to bite the bullet and do it.

What is your favorite beverage?

Beer. The heavier or darker beer preferred. Soft drink – Coke. Liquior - Like them all at different times. Love wine, but it doesn't like me.

Faldo Says “Yay” or “Nay” to Common Dealer’s Choice Games – Part V

There are other poker games besides what is dealt in casinos and tournaments. The casino games are there because of their speed and simplicity in dealing. More hands equals more rake for the house.

But there are some fun, entertaining and exciting poker games you can deal in a home game, which make you have to think outside “the flop” sometimes.

The description of the following games in this series is Faldo’s opinion only. Others may like my take on a game and some will not. That’s fine. It’s all good. Here we go:

Mexican Stud / Flip / Peep / Pedro

A lot of names for a game that is simply 5 –card Stud where the player receives his all of his cards face down – one at a time – and rolls the one he wants his opponents to see.

Faldo says Nay. There is just not enough action in this game.

Follow the Queen

Played like Seven-card Stud, except Queens are wild and/or the next face card and all like it are also wild. The twist is, every time a new queen appears the wild card changes to the next card off the deck.

So if you have been betting your two 3’s as wild on 3rd street, they may just be a pair of 3’s by 6th street.

In some circles, the game is played where if the Queen of Spades appears showing in anyone’s hand, the game ends, the pot stays in the middle and a new deal begins. This version is called Black Mariah.

Faldo says Nay. I consider this to be more of a lottery than poker.

444

Dealt as 8-card stud with 4’s as a wild card. Obviously this game can only be played with a table of six or less players (although you could spit a community card or two if you have more players playing).

The best way to deal it is to start with two down and two up. Then always deal so the up card outnumbers or is tied with the down cards. So the last card is down.

This is a straight wild card game like Deuces explained earlier, but with an extra card in the hand.

Faldo says “Yay” and thinks the game plays better with more players and community cards. And there is no law against dealing it - and calling it 442, 443, 44Q etc. - simply changing the wild card.

Douge2’s Humor Corner – XVIII

Get er’ Done

Faldo and The Lovely and Talented are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

Faldo says to the Mrs., "Honey, I was wondering...have you ever cheated on me?"
She replies, "Oh Faldo, why would you ask such a question now? You don't
want to ask that question..."

Yes, Dear, I really want to know. Please..."
"Well, all right. Yes, 3 times..."
"Three? Well, when were they?" Faldo asked innocently.

"Well, Faldo, remember when you were 35 years old and you really wanted to start your own business and no bank would give you a loan? Remember, then one day the bank president himself came over to the house and signed the loan papers, no questions asked?"

"Oh, Sweetheart, you did that for me! I respect you even more than ever, to do such a thing for me. So, when was number 2?"

"Well, Faldo, remember when you had that last heart attack and you were needing that very tricky operation, and no surgeon would touch you? Then remember how that doctor came all the way up here from Texas, to do the surgery himself, and then you were in good shape again?"

"I can't believe it! Baby, you should do such a thing for me, to save my life. I couldn't have a more wonderful wife. To do such a thing, you must really love me, Darling. I couldn't be more moved. So, all right then, when was number 3?"

"Well, Faldo, remember a few years ago, when you really wanted to be president
of the golf club and you were 37 votes short..?"

First Prize!

Beerhog won first prize at a Father's Day tournament which was an envelope.

When he opened the envelope, he was very surprised to find a voucher for a free visit to a brothel. He had never been to one before but he decided to go the next day even though he was very nervous.

The girls were very friendly and soon he found a lovely young lady and went with her to her room.

Two minutes later, she came running to the Madam and asked,

"Can you tell me what a Mulligan is?"

Tomservo2 Takes Over 3rd Quarter Lead with NPP Win

Over a field of eighteen players, Tomservo2 wins his second NPP tourney of the quarter and his second of all time. Not only did he take over the 3rd quarter lead for the last NPP seat, but he moved up the Walk of Fame too!

It will be an exciting finish to the 3rd quarter, folks! Stay tuned. Two more tourneys left!

On to the action:

16 min: ThePunk75 (19th) sees his (AJ) run into Funtoon’s (AA).
26 min: A short-stacked (SS) Meatsword (18th) loses to K9isadog’s pair of Aces.
30 min: Kensik (17th) see his (KK) run into trips 7’s after the flop by TresStooges.
38 min: SS Douge2 (16th) has to go with (KQ) and runs into TresStooges’s (JJ).
48 min: Theedouble*d (15th) sees his (KK) run into Budda627’s (AA). Ouch! Rough night so far for pocket cowboys (twss).

53 min: Ah, redemption for the Kings as last week’s champ, Derf-63 (14th) goes with (KQ) and runs into LittleRedElf’s (KK).

1st Break:
LittleRedElf 4400
Budda627 3665
Absea98 3110
Funtoon 2630
TresStooges 2510
K9isadog 2324
Akensi 2000
T3chlady 1655
Rennzzo 1570
Mikeniks-Faldo 1565
Tomservo2 1540
Tigercub8189 850
Wingsfancurt 681

62 min: K9isadog (13th), LittleRedElf, Tigercub8189 and Rennzzo see a flop of
[6s Qh 3d]. The Elf bets and only K9 calls. They get all-in with a turn card of [5d].
(Kd Qs) (93%) for K9 and (Qc Jd) (7%) for the Elf. But a [J] hit the river. Ouch!

72 min: A SS Tigercub8189 (12th) has to try with (AQ and runs into Tomservo2’s (AA).
74 min: A SS Wingsfancurt (11th) pushes with (Ac 6c) but doesn’t catch LittleRedElf’s (KK).

86 min: TresStooges (10th) calls pot committed with (88) and Mikeniks-Faldo has (AQ) with a [Q] on the flop.

89 min: Absea98 (9th), Tomservo2 and Budda627 take it to the river and Budda’s pair of Queens takes it down.

97 min: Akensi (8th) makes her move but Funtoon and Budda627 split her chips with the same full house.

110 min: T3chlady (7th) gets the better of it (AT) (67%) to LittleRedElf’s (A9) (23%). But the Elf escapes again as a [9] flops.

116 min: Budda627 (6th) flops a pair with (JT) (48%) and a flop of [6h 5h Jh], but Mikeniks-Faldo holds (Ah Kh) and goes no where (51%). Faldo hits his [A] on the river.

120 min: Rennzzo (5th) has to try with (As 7s) and a [9s 3s 5c] on the flop, only to find Funtoon holding (K5) and no spade arrives. The Break Monster wins again!

2nd break:
Funtoon 11274
Mikeniks-Faldo 9811
Tomservo2 5401
LittleRedElf 2014

125 min: LittleRedElf (4th) is all-in with (Q3) and a [Q] on the flop, only to see Tomservo2 holding (QT).

129 min: Funtoon (3rd) sees his (AK) run into Tomservo2’s (AA). A lot of people ran into AA tonight at the wrong time.

130 min: Heads up: Tomservo2 22500 - Mikeniks-Faldo 6000
135 min: Tomservo2 16800 - Mikeniks-Faldo 11700
140 min: Tomservo2 11200 - Mikeniks-Faldo 17300
145 min: Tomservo2 13200 - Mikeniks-Faldo 15300
150 min: Tomservo2 18600 - Mikeniks-Faldo 9900

154 min: Mikeniks-Faldo (2nd) goes AIPF with (Ah 9h), but can’t run down Tomservo2 with (88).

Congratulations Tomservo2.

1st – Tomservo2
2nd – Mikeniks-Faldo
3rd – Funtoon
4th – LittleRedElf
5th – Rennzzo
6th – Budda627
7th – T3chlady
8th – Akensi
9th – Absea98

Standings are on the right side of the blog!

Faldo Retires From (working at) Golf

Does this mean I will never play again? No, of course not. But this is the last year I work at trying to play – or play better.

Herbavor nailed it with his comment. I got jobs at golf courses so I could play for free in order to practice, practice, practice!

I got out there on the course in the cold weather, the bad weather, on the Friday nights, and on the big Football Saturdays and Sundays when I knew the course would be empty. I dropped golf balls in ridiculous lie and places just to see how to hit them out. I read Golf Digest to learn how to hit shots. I took putting lessons.

I learned to build golf clubs. No, not to fix the ones I broke in anger (although [confession time] that was needed on occasion). But to learn about swing speeds, angles and loft, club weighting and grip adjustment (twss).

The reason I did all of this was to be able to play golf with my friends and family and not embarrass myself in the process. I was absolutely terrible when I started playing and just could not stand the thought of playing anything THAT badly. And I did not like holding up play by having to look for my ball or duffing it all the way down the course.

Well, I have leveled out in ability (twss), the number of foursomes on a Saturday or Sunday I can assemble to play in, has flattened out, and the number of golf course jobs has dried out.

There is no longer a reason to have discount golf available for friends and family, and no longer a reason for me to practice my butt off.

I’m still going to play golf when the opportunity arises, but I am retiring from working at my game, working at making time to play, or working to get free golf.

As it says on this blog’s profile, life changes things. Time for another change.

Faldo Says “Yay” or “Nay” to Common Dealer’s Choice Games – Part IV

There are other poker games besides what is dealt in casinos and tournaments. The casino games are there because of their speed and simplicity in dealing. More hands equals more rake for the house.

But there are some fun, entertaining and exciting poker games you can deal in a home game, which make you have to think outside “the flop” sometimes.

The description of the following games in this series is Faldo’s opinion only. Others may like my take on a game and some will not. That’s fine. It’s all good. Here we go:

Criss-Cross / Southern Cross

Each player receives five cards (although 4 or 3 per hand is playable also). There can or cannot be a betting round here. It is up to the dealer to declare prior to looking at his cards. Then a window is placed on the table as such (ignore dash):
-X
XXX
-X
Southern Cross has the same board but it has 5 cards in the row/column instead of 3.
An outer card is chosen to be turned over, and another betting round.
The dealer then chooses anther outer card to be turned over, but not one in the same row or column as the first one. And another betting round happens.
This continues until all the cards in the window are exposed, with the middle one being last.

You make your hand using ANY of the cards in your hand and the cards in either the row or the cards in the column to help you out.
You can play this game turning two cards at a time and then the one in the middle, to lessen the betting rounds. You can play this game High-Low. You can play this game with the middle card being wild. I have seen and played every variation.

Faldo says “Yay” to this game, although If the middle card is to be wild, I prefer it be the first card turned.

Deuces Wild

Usually dealt like 5 card draw or 7 stud poker,with the added twist that any Deuce (2) can be named any card the player holding it wants it to be. Some people name a different card wild or multiple cards wild.

Faldo says “Yay” to this game, and here is why. There is an interesting quirk about a wild card game that you may not know. But now you will.

First of all, with a wild card game, there are 30,816 possible 4-of-a-kind hands, and only 12,672 full house hands possible. This means it is easier to get quads than boats, but quads of course rank higher! In addition, there are only 13,204 possible flushes.
Two-pair (95,040) also should rank above trips (355,056).

How many of you did not know this? Well, that is why I am here.

Faldo Wears Out His Welcome on the 1st Visit

I know, I know. When don’t I do that? But this was different.

This was a poker game I was invited to by getting picked up to play in a softball tournament. The sponsor of the team wanted to pad his team a little and picked up me and a few of teammates to play one weekend on his team.

My main team rarely had a weekend off as “Frank” was a total softball junkie, but we had this one off. I guess I was even a bigger playing junkie, because I was playing this weekend too.

Over beers at the bar after the tournament, the sponsor of the team, Larry, told me he had a game on Friday night with some of the men who worked for him at an auto-body shop. I said I played poker and he said to come on over if I could handle the stakes. I asked what those were and he said $1 - $2.

This was a decent amount of money for a ‘starving’ college student as far as Larry was concerned. My fellow softball ringer John told Larry about the $.25 - $.50 game our main softball team had some Saturday nights.

I didn’t feel the need to mention to Larry I played in the $10 - $20 ‘Frank’ game and $1 - $2 would not be a problem. I just told him I thought I could swing it next week and I would be there. John also was invited.

A nice group of guys and they played the usual Jacks or better, Blind Baseball, Deuces Wild for both stud and draw, etc. – along with 7-stud Hi-Lo, which is what Larry dealt. I duly noted that Larry was the ‘playa’ of this group.

I introduced Little Squeeze (5-stud, with a purchase exchange option) to the group, and they fell in love with the game – especially Larry. It was the fan favorite for most of the night.

Well, it was getting late, and I was a decent size winner, as was Larry. I played straight forward poker, didn’t re-raise much, and was outwardly shy about my good fortune so far that night. A few of the guys had said after taking a pot from me, “I didn’t raise to take it easy on the kid his first night here.”

The big winner this night so far was Dave. He liked to talk and call hands out that he thought everyone had and what they folded. He was usually right, and when he wasn’t – then you didn’t play the hand right, according to him. It was all done in a friendly manner anyway.

The deck was hitting him between the eyes this night also. He was in a good mood and feeling he had his A-game tonight. He probably did.

We had been playing a good six hours and as a new player and up money, I was not going to be the first one to leave. Just bad poker game etiquette if you want to be invited back. Losing? No problem, leave whenever you want and you will still be on the call list. But winning in a new card game and leaving early? Not good as long as you know the game is on the level.

So I decided I was there until we were four handed or less. I was thinking that I still had another 3 hours or so to go. Uh…no. This hand headed people to the exits like a lap later. The game, Little Squeeze and the dealer is Larry, the host (no, not me thank God, as you will soon see).

Almost no one folded until they got their original five usually so the game was dealt with only two exchange chances. No one folded this hand either.

Joe (X) Kc 3c 2h 2c
Bob (X) As 9h Jc 8h
Dave (X) 4c 8s 3h 5h
Faldo (X) 4s 6h 7c 3s
John (X) Qc 6d Qd Ks
Doug (X) Kd Qs 5c Ac
(D) Larry (X) Ts 7d 9s 5d

The betting has basically been capped every round with Bob, Dave, John, Doug and Larry doing all the betting. I just called, as I had most of the night. Exchange time {throw away card} – [new card].

Joe (X) Kc {3c} 2h 2c [Jh] (obviously 2 pair or trips)
Bob (X) As 9h Jc {8h} [7s] (Aces down?)

Dave exclaims, “I needed that seven! I’m not buying now.”

Dave (X) 4c 8s 3h 5h [pat] (Has an eight-low. Any worse, he buys regardless)
Faldo (X) 4s 6h 7c 3s [pat]

When I also don’t buy, Dave says, “See, the boy is learning from the master!”

John (X) Qc {6d} Qd Ks [4h] (trip queens and sandbagging?)
Doug (X) Kd Qs {5c} Ac [4d] (straight draw obviously)
(D) Larry (X) Ts 7d 9s {5d} [Th] (tripped the tens)

The betting is capped by Dave, John and Larry, putting us all in what is known as “the popcorn machine,” getting pelted by bets from all sides.

Joe [{X}] Kc 2h 2c Jh (trying to trip the 2’s)
Bob (X) As 9h Jc 8h {7s} [9d] (two pair – no way he has trip nines)

Dave says, “I’m not buying. Gonna let the kid catch.”

Dave (X) 4c 8s 3h 5h [pat]
Faldo (X) 4s 6h 7c 3s [pat]

Dave says, “You should have bought a card there, son. I don’t have a pair. Honest.”

John ({X}) Qc Qd Ks 4h (still trying to trip the queens)
Doug (X) Kd Qs Ac {4d} [2d] (no straight for you!)
(D) Larry (X) Ts 7d {9s} 5d Th [3d] (trip tens for sure)

Joe checks, and Bob fires out a tentative bet. Dave says, “Sorry, I have to bet it son. I raise.”

When I re-raise, you could have heard a pin drop from three houses down! After about what seemed like five long minutes (probably 30 seconds), I turn and look at John, who folds like lightening when I looked at him.

Doug folds nearly at the same time John does, and Larry calmly re-raises. Joe reluctantly calls. Bob thinks for a while and folds.

I now look at Dave who is looking at me like I have my hands on his daughter in his living room after Sunday church. He says, “Kid, you are not bluffing me out of this pot. I cap it!”

I call as does Larry and Dave. Dave declares ‘low’, Larry and Joe go ‘high’ and I declare both ways and take the entire pot down with my 7-high straight (had the 5s).

I never got invited back to the game. John was invited as long as he didn’t bring me, and I know John played in that game for years.

Douge2’s Humor Corner – XVII

The True Rules of Golf

• The game of golf is 90% mental and 10% mental.
• If you want to get better at golf, go back and take it up at a much earlier age.
• Since bad shots come in groups of three, a fourth bad shot is actually the beginning of the next group of three.
• When you look up and cause an awful shot, you will always look down again at exactly the moment when you ought to start watching the ball if you ever want to see it again.
• Any change works for a maximum of three holes and a minimum of not at all.
• No matter how bad you are playing, it is always possible to play worse
• Never keep more than 300 separate thoughts in your mind during your swing.
• When your shot has to carry over a water hazard, you can either hit one
more club or two more balls.
• Golfers who claim they don't cheat, also lie.
• If you're afraid a full shot might reach the green while the foursome ahead
of you is still putting out, you have two options: you can immediately shank
a lay-up, or you can wait until the green is clear and top a ball halfway there.
• The less skilled the player, the more likely he is to share his ideas about the golf swing.
• The inevitable result of any golf lesson is the instant elimination of the one critical unconscious motion that allowed you to compensate for all your errors.
• If it ain't broke, try changing your grip.
• It's not a gimme if you're still away.
• Everyone replaces his divot after a perfect approach shot.
• A golf match is a test of your skill against your opponent's luck.
• It's surprisingly easy to hole a 50-foot putt when you lie 10.
• Counting on your opponent to inform you when he breaks a rule is like expecting him to make fun of his own haircut.
• Non-chalant putts missed count the same as chalant putts.
• The shortest distance beween any two points on a golf course is a
straight line that passes directly through the center of a very large tree.
• There are two kinds of bounces: unfair bounces, and bounces just the
way you meant to play it.
• You can hit a 2-acre fairway 10% of the time, and a 2-inch branch
90% of the time.
• Every time a golfer makes a birdie, he must subsequently make two triple bogeys to restore the fundamental equilibrium of the universe.
• If you want to hit a 7-iron as far as Tiger Woods does, simply try to lay up just short of a water hazard.
• To calculate the speed of a player's downswing, multiply the speed of his backswing by his handicap. Example: backswing 20 mph, handicap 15, downswing 600 mph.
• There are two things you can learn by stopping your backswing at the top
and checking the position of your hands: how many hands you have, and which one is wearing the glove.
• Hazards attract. Fairways repel.
• You can put "draw" on the ball, you can put "fade" on the ball, but no golfer can put "straight" on the ball.
• A ball you can see in the rough from 50 yards away is not yours.
• If there is a ball in the fringe and a ball in the bunker, your ball is the one in
the bunker
• If both balls are in the bunker, yours is in the footprint.
• Don't buy a putter until you've had a chance to throw it.

Derf-63 Wins His 2nd NPP Tourney!

Derf-63 didn’t seem to remember, but he has topped the NPP field once before – back on June 2 of this year.

This was the greatest – or second greatest – NPP tourney comeback of all time! At the 70 minute mark, Derf was down to 130 chips! He came roaring back to win it all!

We welcomed back a couple players that have missed a few weeks of play – TresStooges and UMichPoker. Welcome back Chris and Michele.

On to the action:

14 min: Wingsfancurt (20th) sees his (99) run into Greggst49’s (KK).
35 min: Theedouble*d (19th) sees his (JJ) run into Umichpoker’s (QQ).

These two went out 1 – 2, but in reverse order last week. Wow!

The play at NPP is tough as we lose only two players in a half-hour. But eventually the short-stacks are forced to move.

47 min: A short-stacked (SS) K9isadog (18th) pushes his (K4), but Derf-63 has (AJ).

53 min: Sirgash gets a rare double kill as his (AJ) takes out a SS Tigercub8189 (17h) (AT) and a SS Akensi (16th) (66) when an [A] hits the flop.

58 min: (SS) T3chlady (15th) has to go with (A8) and runs into Budda627’s (66).

1st Break:
Greggst49 4500
Sirgash 3950
Douge2 3000
UMichPoker 2985
Meatsword 2885
Tomservo2 2060
Budda627 1990
Absea98 1835
Funtoon 1620
Kensik 1620
ThePunk75 1175
Derf-63 1135
TresStooges 735
Mikeniks-Faldo 510

62 min: A SS Mikeniks-Faldo (14th) goes with (A2) and runs into Greggst49’s (AK).
69 min: A SS TresStooges (13th) gets all-in with (99) to Tomservo’s (55), but sees a [5] hit the turn. Ouch!

76 min: Greggst49 (12th) thinks his (88) is good on a weak board and runs into Meatsword’s two pair.

77 min: A SS Funtoon (11th) pushes with two clubs on the flop holding (Tc 3c) but does not hit and all remaining players (and some on the rail) can beat his hand.

78 min: Another double knock out with Douge2 doing the honors to ThePunk75 (10th) and Tomservo2 (9th). I miss the hand because the table broke.

85 min: Budda627 (8th) makes a move with (Ad Qd) but Derf-63 has (KK).
88 min: Sirgash (7th) tries to get Kensik to fold, but Ken’s (99) holds up. Sirgash goes out three minutes later.

Sirgash announced he is taking six months off from poker after this weekend. I hate to hear this, as Sirgash is right in the mix for a seat in the NPP finals - either this quarter, next quarter or the at-large bid for total points. If he doesn't change his mind, NPP will lose a good guy and a good player from our stable for a while. We back him on whatever decision he makes. Hat tip to Sirgash!

106 min: Last week’s winner, Douge2 (6th) tried to steal the pot with (66), but Derf-63 holds (QT) with a flop of [QA9] and goes no where.

107 min: Kensik (5th) has to try with (K4) and a [K] on the flop, only to find Absea98 holding (KJ).

109 min: A SS UMichPoker (4th) is AIPF with (A8) only to see Derf-63 holding (99).
113 min: Meatsword (3rd) gets a little impatient holding (A7), and finds a snap-call by Derf-63 with (44).

Heads up: Derf-63 24000 - Absea98 6000

114 min: Absea98 (2nd) must call AIPF with (AJ), but can’t run down Derf-63 with (TT).

And a great comeback is capped off with a win! Congratulations Derf-63.

1st – Derf-63
2nd – Absea98
3rd – Meatsword
4th – UMichPoker
5th – Kensik
6th – Douge2
7th – Sirgash
8th – Budda627
9th – Tomservo2

Standings are on the right side of the blog! Still anybody's race for this quarter's seat in the NPP finals!

Theedouble*d Wins a Seat in the WCOOP!

2009 NPP Finals Seat Holder Theedouble*d wins a seat in the prestigious World Championship of On-line Poker (WCOOP)!

Yes, I know it pales to having a seat in the NPP Finals, but a WCOOP is the 3rd best tournament event you can qualify for in on-line poker. I guess the WSOP would be a distant number two.

TDD qualified for Event 17 and if you double click on the picture you can read the details!

All kidding aside, this a is great poker accomplishment and we know ‘TDD’ will represent NPP well in this ‘big one’ (twss).

Great job Don!

ThePunk75 Wins in Omaha

Pot-limit Omaha that is! I’ll let him tell it:

“The Punk has finally conquered a MTT(non SNG) online on PS.

After a couple final tables (Ed. Note: ‘as a bridesmaid’), I finally broke through with a nice win.

Ironically it wasn't Holdem, it was pot limit Omaha. Fifty-nine other players felt my wrath and I collected 16.5 times the buy in as my prize.

Douge2’s Humor Corner – XVI

What Happens When You Don’t Play Golf Often Enough

After a particularly poor game of golf, Davethedog skipped the clubhouse and started to go home. As he was walking to the parking lot to get his car, a policeman stopped him and asked, "Did you tee off on the sixteenth hole about twenty minutes ago?"

"Yes," Dave responded.

"Did you happen to hook your ball so that it went over the trees and off the course?"

"Yes, I did. How did you know?" Dave asked.

"Well," said the policeman very seriously, "Your ball flew out onto the highway and crashed through a driver's windshield. The car went out of control, crashing into five other cars and a fire truck. The fire truck couldn't make it to the fire, and the building burned down. So, what are you going to do about it?"

Dave thought it over carefully and responded...

"I think I'll close my stance a little bit, tighten my grip and lower my right thumb."

Faldo, Bigbrimar, and Tigercub go Golfing

These three were waiting one morning for a particularly slow group of golfers.

Faldo: What's with these guys? We must have been waiting for 15 minutes!

Tigercub: I don't know, but I've never seen such ineptitude!

Douge2: Hey, here comes the greens keeper. Let's have a word with him. [dramatic pause] Hi George. Say, what's with that group ahead of us? They're rather slow, aren't they?

George: Oh, yes, that's a group of blind fire fighters. They lost their sight saving our clubhouse from a fire last year, so we always let them play for free anytime.

The group was silent for a moment.

Tigercub: That's so sad. I think I will say a special prayer for them tonight.

Douge2: Good idea. And I'm going to contact my ophthalmologist buddy and see if there's anything he can do for them.

Faldo: Why can't these guys play at night?

Douge2 Wins His 2nd NPP Tourney

Douge2 drives back from vacation, jumps into the NPP pit and comes out victorious! He beat of field of twenty-one others, which is a nice turnout for a warm summer night.

We also had a changing of the guard at the top of both leader boards. I am sure the newly vanquished and the rest of the challengers are not done yet!

Returning to the NPP felt was Rennzzo and Wingsfancurt, who both missed a few weeks.

On to the action:

8 min: NPP Finals Seat holder Theedouble*d (22nd) goes out to Douge2’s two pair.

19 min: Gotbug (21st) limps in, then calls Sjagot1990’s raise, along with Funtoon. The flop is [6c 7c 9c]. Bug bets, gets re-raised huge by Sjags and Funtoon gets out of the way. The Bug calls and is pot committed on the river. His pair of ten’s lose to Jag’s kings.

By the way, I coined a new phrase tonight. Flops like the one above - with three cards of the same suit – I call a fluch when you don’t have any of them in your hand. I had 50 fluches tonight!

31 min: Meatsword (20th) sees his (AJ) run into Akensi’s (KK).
35 min: Wingsfancurt (19th) goes out next, but I missed it, battling the fluch.

38 min: Last week’s winner Budda627 (18th) doesn’t believe and pushes his (KK) all the way into a flop of [7QQ], but Absea98 has (AQ).

39 min: K9isadog (17h) sees his (KT) hit the flop of [8K4], but ThePunk75 has (88).

42 min: ThePunk75 repeats this process on Rennzzo (16th) when Rennzzo’s pockets Ladies are violated by ThePunk’s cowboys, (AK) and a [K] on the flop.

47 min: Short-stacked (SS) LittleRedElf (15th) has to go with (A6) and runs into Tigercub8189’s (AK).

48 min: T3chlady’s (14th) (AJ) runs into Douge2’s (AA).

1st Break:
ThePunk75 4422
Douge2 4266
Akensi 3955
Absea98 3835
Funtoon 2450
Greggst49 2352
Sjagot1990 2045
Mikeniks-Faldo 2035
Derf-63 1975
Tomservo2 1780
Kaytdid 1605
Kensik 1310
Tigercub8189 970

69 min: Sjagot1990 (13th) gets all-in with ThePunk75 and Funtoon, and Funtoon’s (KK) holds up.
75 min: A SS Kaytdid (12th) has to try it with (K9) and runs into Mikeniks-Faldo’s (AK).

77 min: Tigercub8189 (11th) loses a coin flip (43% Tiger) pre-flop to Kensik. The only problem was, they were not all-in until a flop of [Ad Kd 8d] (fluch for Tiger – 60%). Kensik is pot committed with his (Qs Qd) and hits his flush on the river.

81 min: Absea98 (10th) bubbles on points, and I missed it. We all buckle down at the final table and play a half hour, and only lost two players!

95 min: Fourteen minutes later, Akensi (9th) has to go with (AQ) and is called by Derf-63 with (55).
110 min: Fifteen minutes later, Tomservo2 (8th) makes a move with (AK) but Greggst49 has (99).
114 min: Kensik’s (7th) straight draw misses to Funtoon’s pair.

118 min: A SS Mikeniks-Faldo (6th) has to call with (Ac 2c), but Derf-63 holds (A3). Break monster got me fluched down the toilet (very useful word I think I invented).

2nd Break:
Derf-63 10475
Funtoon 7388
Greggst49 6129
Douge2 5331
ThePunk75 3677

After winning Faldo’s chips, Derf-63 started getting Faldo cards and found himself the short-stack in eight minutes.

128 min: A SS Derf-63 (5th) has to try with (Td 4d) only to find Douge2 holding (AQ).

137 min: Funtoon (4th) is AIPF with (TT) only to see Greggst49 (KQ) hit his pair of Ladies on the turn.

139 min: Greggst49 (3rd) gets a little impatient holding (Js 7s), and finds a snap-call by ThePunk75 with (AA).

140 min: Heads up: ThePunk75 22000 - Douge2 11000

But ThePunk75 (2nd) must now have the Faldo chips because he loses three big hands in two minutes. Finally, he calls a raise pre-flop with (Kd 5d). The flop is [KQJ]. Dangerous flop, to be sure, for both players.

ThePunk bets it heavy and gets called. The turn is another dangerous card [9s]. ThePunk shoves with a top pair bluff hoping for a fold, but actually has the lead (80%). Douge2 calls what he must think is a bluff with a lesser pair – and catches the [J] on the river to win it!

Congratulations to Douge2 for his second NPP win, and taking over the point lead for the 3rd Quarter seat!

Congratulations to ThePunk75 also, who takes the lead in the Total Points race for a seat in the NPP finals!

1st – Douge2
2nd – ThePunk75
3rd – Greggst49
4th – Funtoon
5th – Derf-63
6th – Mikeniks-Faldo
7th – Kensik
8th – Tomservo2
9th – Akensi

Standings are on the right side of the blog.

Faldo Says “Yay” or “Nay” to Common Dealer’s Choice Games – Part III

There are other poker games besides what is dealt in casinos and tournaments. The casino games are there because of their speed and simplicity in dealing. More hands equals more rake for the house.

But there are some fun, entertaining and exciting poker games you can deal in a home game, which make you have to think outside “the flop” sometimes.

The description of the following games in this series is Faldo’s opinion only. Others may like my take on a game and some will not. That’s fine. It’s all good. Here we go:

Bull

A seven-card stud game where players receive three cards down to start. Then the standard stud dealing and betting round. After all remaining players have their seven cards, one of the down cards is turned over and another round of betting starts. Then the next is turned over, for another betting round, for a total of seven rounds of betting.

Obviously, the fifth street turn over usually won’t help you define the exposer’s hand that well, but seeing what card they show will probably help you define other player’s cards. Deception and hurting other player’s hands (or not) you want out could come into play with what looks like a useless card flip.

Sixth street is a lot more important, and maybe you throw in a double bet option on this round. Like 1 until a pair shows, then 2 and then 3or 4 on the sixth street card bet round. Something like that.

Faldo has never dealt this but gives it a hesitant Yay. It is a little like Anaconda, which I like.

Cincinnati

This game is played like Omaha Hi-Lo, except the cards are turned over one at a time, instead of a first window of three. This game is also called Utah, Lamebrains and California.

Faldo says Nay. We already have Omaha Hi-Lo.

Cincinnati Liz

Dealt the same as Cincinnati, except the lowest card in the window is wild and all like it.

Faldo says Nay. I don’t mind wild cards but I do mind them in a window.

Chicago

Seven card stud, but the high spade in the hole gets half the pot.

Faldo says Yay, but I don’t deal it. People think it builds a pot, but I think it does just the opposite. How can you chase for half the pot when the lock guy keeps raising and someone with a pair or two pair is capping?

But a fun game none the less.

LittleRedElf and Bigbrimar Continue to Dominate the Felt

This is why you should join Niks Poker Palace. Sharpen your skills here!

Bigbrimar and LittleRedElf both make final tables!

Bigbrimar finishes 6th in a 360-player NL Holdem tourney, for a 17x return on entry.

Well done Bri.

Meanwhile, NPP’s best – LittleRedElf finished 2nd in a Limit Holdem Tourney with 662 players in it, that took a full seven hours to finish! But the 81x return on investment should help the sleep catch-up. This is the same exact tourney LRE won in July!

Outstanding LRE!

Douge2's Humor Corner XV

He Shoots, He Score
Beerhog and Faldo were two of the bitterest rivals at the club. Neither man trusted the other's arithmetic.

One day they were playing a heated match and watching each other like hawks. After holing out on the fourth green and marking his six on the scorecard, Beerhog asked Faldo, "What'd you have?”

Faldo went through the motions of mentally counting up. "Six!" he said and then hastily corrected himself, " No, no....a five."

Calmly Beerhog marked the scorecard, saying out loud "Eight!"

"Eight?" Faldo screamed, "I couldn't have had eight."

Beerhog said, "Nope, you claimed six, then changed it to five, but actually you had seven."

Then why did you mark down eight?" asked Faldo.

Beerhog calmly told him, "One stroke penalty, for improving your lie."

The laws of golf
LAW 1: No matter how bad your last shot was, the worst is yet to come. This law does not expire on the 18th hole, since it has the supernatural tendency to extend over the course of a tournament, a summer and, eventually, a lifetime.

LAW 2: Your best round of golf will be followed almost immediately by your worst round ever. The probability of the latter increases with the number of people you tell about the former.

LAW 3: Brand new golf balls are water-magnetic. Though this cannot be proven in the lab, it is a known fact that the more expensive the golf ball, the greater its attraction to water.

LAW 4: Golf balls never bounce off of trees back into play. If one does, the tree is breaking a law of the universe and should be cut down.

LAW 5: No matter what causes a golfer to muff a shot, all his playing partners must solemnly chant "You looked up," or invoke the wrath of the universe.

LAW 6: The higher a golfer's handicap, the more qualified he deems himself as an instructor.

LAW 7: Every par-three hole in the world has a secret desire to humiliate golfers. The shorter the hole, the greater its desire.

LAW 8: Topping a 3-iron is the most painful torture known to man.

LAW 9: Palm trees eat golf balls.

LAW 10: Sand is alive. If it isn't, how do you explain the way it works against you?

LAW 11: Golf carts always run out of juice at the farthest point from the clubhouse.

LAW 12: A golfer hitting into your group will always be bigger than anyone in your group. Likewise, a group you accidentally hit into will consist of a football player, a professional wrestler, a convicted murderer and an IRS agent -- or some similar combination.

LAW 13: All 3-woods are demon-possessed.

LAW 14: Golf balls from the same "sleeve" tend to follow one another, particularly out of bounds or into the water (See Law three).

LAW 15: A severe slice is a thing of awesome power and beauty.

LAW 16: "Nice lag" can usually be translated to "lousy putt." Similarly, "tough break" can usually be translated "way to miss an easy one, sucker."

LAW 17: The person you would most hate to lose to will always be the one who beats you.

LAW 18: The last three holes of a round will automatically adjust your score to what it really should be.

LAW 19: Golf should be given up at least twice per month.

LAW 20: All vows taken on a golf course shall be valid only until the sunset.

Budda627 Wins His 1st NPP Tourney!

Budda627, in only his 2nd NPP event, beat a field of fifteen to becomes the 43nd player to win an NPP tournament. He comes from last at the 1st break, in a remaining field of past winners, to win it too!

Also returning to the NPP felt tonight were Beerhog and Sjagot1990. Welcome back guys.

Sorry for the late tourney results as my work schedule was a killer at exactly the wrong time to get this posted sooner.

In addition, playing poker, keeping score, untangling Beerhog’s son’s fishing poles and attending to a bonfire – all at the same time – means you will miss the occasional hand or two of what you DO post.

On to the action:

2 min: Douche_Splat (15th) sees his pair of K’s run into Beerhog’s two pair.
10 min: Derf-63 (14th) is gone next and I missed it.
15 min: ThePunk75 (13th) is gone next, and I missed that too.

34 min: Sjagot1990 (12th) flops two pair (64%) and Mikeniks-Faldo has to call with (Ad 7d) with a flush draw and what I thought was an over-card (36%). I hit the flush to give Jags a sad welcome back.

37 min: Funtoon (11th) is gone next, and I missed it.
39 min: Meatsword (10th) bubbles on adding points as his flush is topped by Beerhog’s bigger flush! Ouch!

48 min: Akensi (9th) has to go with (AJ) and is called by Beerhog with (QQ).

57 min: Sirgash (8th) makes a move with (AK) but Beerhog has (KK) and a monster chip lead at the break.

1st Break:
Beerhog 9970
Gotbug 2905
Kensik 2480
Mikeniks-Faldo 2450
Tigercub8189 2030
LittleRedElf 1685
Budda627 980

80 min: Play goes on for a while before Gotbug (7th) sees his pair of K’s and backdoor straight draw (52%) get run down by Beerhog’s (47%) flush on the turn.

88 min: A short-stacked LittleRedElf (6th) has to go with (66) and a flop of [23Q], but Beerhog holds (23)! Ouch!

92 min: Tigercub8189 (5th) goes AIPF with (TT) only to find Kensik holding (JJ)! Tiger still manages to pad his 3rd Quarter lead this evening.

94 min: Mikeniks-Faldo is AIPF with (44) only to see Beerhog turn over (KK).

110 min: Budda627 and Kensik have whittled Beerhog’s massive chip lead down to where everyone is about even at this point. Game on!

115 min: Beerhog (3rd) gets a little impatient on a flop with a [7] in it holding (A7), and finds a snap-call by Budda627 with (AA).

119 min: Kensik (2nd) moves in with (57) (93%) and a flop of [57K]. Smelling a bluff or at least thinking he has an over card, Budda627 calls with only (A4) (7%). But runner-runner [4] [A] lands to give Budda the chip lead!

2nd Break:
Budda627 12955
Kensik 9545

122 min: Kensik regains the chip lead as his pair of Q’s out-kicks Budda’s pair of Q’s.

125 min: Kensik 15490 - Budda 7010

130 min: Wow, what a turn around in five minutes!: Budda 14000 - Kenisk 8500

131 min: Kensik flops a pair of Q’s again, but Budda rivers a pair of Aces to win it.

Cruel ending for Kensik. He fought off two hot players for as long as he could.

Congratulations to Budda627 on his first NPP win!

1st – Budda627
2nd – Kensik
3rd – Beerhog
4th – Mikeniks-Faldo
5th – Tigercub8189
6th – LittleRedElf
7th – Gotbug
8th – Sirgash
9th – Akensi

Standings are on the right side of the blog.

Spotlight on T3chlady

Techlady, which is how you pronounce her PokerStars handle, is an aspiring poker superstar. As the picture with Greg Raymer from the 2008 WSOP Women’s Academy attests, she is willing to work to get there.

Joining NPP is yet another step on the road to poker stardom. “Jean” thinks NPP is a great place to play and learn, and has shown some interest in growing NPP (twss). Faldo needs all the help he can get, and is thankful for the assistance.

The “Tips from T3chlady” blog has been started and added to the NPP Michigan blogroll, so you can get to know Jean from her own words. Now the pressure is on Jean, to keep that blog current.

Hat tip to T3chlasdy for the pic and the blogsite. - Faldo

I would like to do this for all of our NPP players. I just need a picture and/or a short auto-bio. Send them in!

Faldo Drops Some Names…and Some Cash

If you have read the ‘White Whale’ series on this blog, you would know Faldo really ‘learned’ poker from his ex-softball coach ‘Frank’.

Frank held a poker game at his house every Wednesday night. This game included future WSOP Main Event winner “Fat” Russ Hamilton. Yes, the guy of the now infamous internet poker betting scandal over at Absolute Poker.

The game also included some plumbing contractors, Detroit landlords, some Detroit TV/radio sportscasters, and a couple ex-Detroit Lion football players.

One of the more popular games dealt was Little Squeeze. It is 5-card stud Hi-Lo game, with an exchange a card option. Frank dealt it with 3 exchange options that you had to pay for and there was another betting round after each one. A re-shuffle of discards was allowed if the deck ran out.

By this time, I was no longer on Frank’s “shill” program, which is how I started in this game. I was on my own as I had learned enough and was winning enough to hold my own.

Usually the pots were massive, which is why these gamblers played this game. As a poor college student, I literally had the equivalent of two month’s pay in front of me as a buy in to this game. Gulp! The stakes were $5-$10, a fairly big game in the 1970’s that went to $10-$20 for the last round of the night. Cash played as chips were not used.

This hand was in the last round and the second to last hand of the night (around 6 am after starting at 7pm).

Russ was dealing with seven players in the hand. After the shuffle and MANDATORY cut, the deck was always placed flat on the table to prevent bottom dealing.

Frank was dealt a 5 with his down card, Don a J, me a Q to pair my Q down, Earl a 9, Tommy Watkins a 6, Dave a T, and Russ gave himself a 9.

Frank bet his low (now $20 with a pair showing), Don called. I raised with my hi card. Earl folded, Tommy calls, Russ calls as does Frank, and Don.

Frank hits a 2, Don a J, me a K, Tommy an 8, Dave a 5 and Russ a 3.

Frank bets, Don raises his pair of Jacks, I re-raise, Tommy calls, Dave folds, Russ-Frank-Don call.

Frank [X] 5, 2, 7
Don [X] J, J, 8
Faldo [Q] Q, K, K
Tommy [X] 6, 8, A
Russ [X] 9,3,T

Frank bets, Don reluctantly calls, I re-raise, Tommy calls, Fat Russ calls, Frank re-raises, Don calls, I cap it and everyone calls.

Frank [X] 5, 2, 7, A
Don [X] J, J, 8, 6
Faldo [Q] Q, K, K, Q
Tommy [X] 4, 8, A, J
Russ [X] 9,3,T, 3

Frank bets, Don – the meat in the cash sandwich – folds, I raise, Tommy – the cheese in the same sandwich calls, and fearless Fat Russ finally folds. Frank pops it and I cap and Tommy calls.

Frank [X] 5, 2, 7, A
Faldo [Q] Q, K, K, Q
Tommy [X] 4, 8, A, J

Exchange time. Frank with the best looking low passes an exchange, as do I with the lock high. Tommy has to chase Frank to win – knowing full well Frank is capable of bluffing in this spot with a high card or even a paired down card.

Tommy throws off his J and catches a 4, to pair his other 4. Betting is capped again and I am thrilled Tommy is donating.

Tommy thinks for a while then decides to chase me high! He throws off his 8 and buys another 4!

And you can now guess what happens next.

At least I saved the $80 on a possible last round of bets. The quad 4’s were looking at me.

Poker News for NPP Readers

First, a quick note that the Premier Poker Lounge is back in full operation Tuesday thru Friday.

Their site is updated with the latest information on their tournaments and ring action. Check it out by hitting the PPL link on the right side of the blog!

Faldo will make a return to PPL soon!

Next, a hat tip to “Hard Boiled Poker”

Here’s ESPN’s complete schedule of the WSOP coverage so you know when it is on. Note that it is on Tuesday night. So, have it on in the background. NPP play comes first!
Better yet, record it to watch later.

• August 4, 8:00-10:00 p.m. -- WSOP Champions Invitational
• August 11, 8:00-10:00 p.m. -- Ante Up for Africa Celebrity-Charity Event
• August 18, 8:00-10:00 p.m. -- Main Event Day 1A
• August 25, 8:00-10:00 p.m. -- Main Event Day 1B
• September 1, 8:00-10:00 p.m. -- Main Event Day 1C
• September 8, 8:00-10:00 p.m. -- Main Event Day 1D
• September 15, 8:00-10:00 p.m. -- Main Event Day 2A
• September 22, 8:00-10:00 p.m. -- Main Event Day 2B
• September 29, 8:00-10:00 p.m. -- Main Event Day 3
• October 6, 8:00-10:00 p.m. -- Main Event Day 4
• October 13, 9:00-11:00 p.m. -- Main Event Day 5
• October 20, 9:00-11:00 p.m. -- Main Event Day 6
• October 27, 9:00-11:00 p.m. -- Main Event Day 7
• November 3, 9:00-11:00 p.m. -- Main Event Day 8
• November 10, 9:00-11:00 p.m. -- Main Event Final Table

Douge2’s Humor Corner – XIV

THE 1O COMMANDMENTS OF GOLF

THOU SHALT NOT covet thy neighbors putter.
THOU SHALT NOT pick up lost balls before they stop rolling.
THOU SHALT NOT wager with those who carry a one-iron.
THOU SHALT NOT play "inside the leather" with a 52" putter.
THOU SHALT NOT build thy house of handicap with sand bags.
THOU SHALT NOT worship St. Mulligan, except on the 1st tee.
THOU SHALT NOT imitate a stunt driver in a golf cart.
THOU SHALL yell "Fore!" before the body hits the ground.
THOU SHALL restrict profanity on the course to three putting or worse.
THOU SHALL throw thy clubs in non-lethal directions.

Why Golf Is Better Than Sex - From David Letterman's Late Night Show

1. A below par performance is considered good.
2. You can stop in the middle and have a cheeseburger and a couple of beers.
3. You can still make money doing it as a senior.
4. It's much easier to find the sweet spot.
5. Foursomes are encouraged.
6. Three times a day is possible.
7. Your partner doesn't hire a lawyer if you do it with someone else.
8. If you live in Florida or California, you can do it every day.
9. You don't have to cuddle with your partner when you're finished.
10. If your equipment gets old and rusty, you can replace it.

More Truisms

Golf balls are like eggs. They're white. They're sold by the dozen, and a week later you have to buy more.

A pro-shop gets its name from the fact that you have to have the income of a professional golfer to buy anything in there.

It's amazing how a golfer who never helps out around the house will replace his divots, repair his ball marks, and rake his sand traps.

When you stop to think about it, did you ever notice that it's a lot easier to get up at 6:00 a.m. to play golf than at 10:00 to mow the yard?

Golf is by far the ultimate love / hate relationship. Sometimes it seems as though your cup runneth and moveth over.

It takes longer to learn good golf than it does brain surgery. On the other hand, you seldom get to ride around on a cart, drink beer eat hot dogs and fart while performing brain surgery.

A good drive on the 18th hole has stopped many a golfer from giving up the game.

Water hazards are no walk in the park for fish, turtles, frogs or gators either.

Golf is the perfect thing to do on Sunday because you always end up praying a lot.

That rake by the sand trap is there for golfers who feel guilty about skipping out on lawn work.

If there's a storm rolling in, you'll be having the game of your life.

If your opponent has trouble remembering whether he shot a six or a seven,
he probably shot an eight.

You probably wouldn't look good in a Green Jacket anyway! A green sweater-vest will do just fine!

Tomservo2 Wins His 1st NPP Tourney!

Tomservo2 bested a field of twenty other players, including a couple of new players that look like they add to the competitive field here at NPP. Tom becomes the 42nd player to win an NPP tournament.

New members – Budda627 and Meatsword joined us tonight, as did Nixi44, who was MIA for a few weeks.

On to the action:

17 min: Douche_Splat (21st) was the first casualty, but I did not see it.

23 min: A short-stacked (SS) Sirgash (20th) tries to survive with (Ks Qs), but cannot overcome Absea98’s (77).

28 min: Douge2 (19th) sees his (QQ) run into Meatword’s (AA).

40 min: A SS Boother36 (18th) goes AIPF with (AK) (67%) and Tigercub8189 calls with only (Ad 7d) (29%), but a [7] on the flop eliminates Boother.

43 min: LittleRedElf (17th) has to move all in with (98) and a flop of [K98]. But Funtoon is holding (99)! A cold deck night for the star of NPP.

55 min: A SS TresStooges (16th) gets in with (97) when he likes the flop of [89T]. But Meatsword is holding (T2) and it holds up.

56 min: A SS ThePunk75 (15th) moves AIPF with (K5) but Theedouble*d has (AA).

1st Break:
Meatsword 4520
Funtoon 3540
Akensi 3460
Mikeniks-Faldo 2960
Kensik 2750
Theedouble*d 2690
Greggst49 1880
Nixi44 1735
Tigercub8189 1670
Absea98 1505
Budda627 1455
K9isadog 1385
Tomservo2 1085
T3chlady 865

61 min: T3chlady (14th) goes AIPF with (QQ) and is called by Budda627 with (AJ). A [A] on the turn ends the Lady’s evening.

63 min: PokerStars is picking on the ladies as Nixi44 (13th) moves AIPF with (JJ) and runs into Meatword’s (QQ).

77 min: Well maybe not, as PokerStars decides to torture a SS Tigercub8189 (12th). The Cub moves AIPF with (AJ) and is called by Absea98 with (88). A coin flip, but the Cub is behind. The flop of [8KT] trips Absea but gives Tiger a straight draw – which he hits on the turn [Q]! But a [K] on the river boats Absea. Nothing like twisting the knife a little.

79 min: A SS Akensi (11th) moves AIPF with (A8) (61%) and Budda627 calls her with (97) (29%) and a [7] hits the flop and holds up.

83 min: NPP Finals seat holder Theedouble*d (10th) bubbles on adding points as his (66) is run down by Tomservo2’s (KQ) with a [K] on the river!

For the first time in NPP history, two new players make a final table appearance at once! Nice job Budda627 and Meatsword.

90 min: K9isadog (9th) actually goes with (K9) and is called by Tomservo2 with (JT). A [T] on the flop sends this dog back to the kennel.

94 min: A SS Absea98 (8th) makes a move with (KT) but Funtoon has (AT).
109 min: A SS Mikeniks-Faldo (7th) calls with (Q9), but Meatsword has (AK).

The 2nd Break gets delayed as Budda627 has internet problems. PokerStars stopped the clock many times and the game slowed down for about a half hour or so. Meatsword also had some issues.

125 min: When we got back at it, Budda627 (6th) tries a semi-bluff with (JT), but Greggst49 holds (KK).

129 min: A SS Kensik (5th) goes AIPF with (A7) is called by Funtoon with (99). With Ken gone, we will have a first time NPP tourney winner for sure!

2nd Break (20 minutes late):

Funtoon 10565
Tomservo2 8105
Meatsword 7525
Greggst49 5305
142 min: Greggst49 is AIPF with (QJ) only to see Tomservo2 turn over (KK).

148 min: Meatsword (3rd) raises the standard and is called by the BB Funtoon. A flop of [9h Jc Ac] gets a small bet by Funtoon, a move AI by Meats with (KJ), who is snap-called by Funtoon with (AQ).

150 min: Heads up we are and Funtoon and Tomservo2 are even up.

155 min: Funtoon 5400 - Tomservo2 26100

160 min: Funtoon 10000 - Tomservo2 21500

163 min: Funtoon (2nd) moves AIPF with (Ks 4s) (27%) and Tomservo2 calls with (K6) (39%) and Funtoon cannot catch up.

Congratulations to Tomservo2 on his first NPP win!

1st – Tomservo2
2nd – Funtoon
3rd – Meatsword (1st NPP appearance!)
4th – Greggst49
5th – Kensik
6th – Budda627 (1st NPP appearance!)
7th – Mikeniks-Faldo
8th – Absea98
9th – K9isadog

Standings are on the right side of the blog.

Douge2’s Humor Corner – XIII

The Marriage Bond

Sirgash and his buddies were hanging out and planning an upcoming fishing trip. Unfortunately, he had to tell them that he couldn't go this time because the wife wouldn't let him. After a lot of teasing and name calling, Sirgash headed home, frustrated.

The following week, when Sirgash's buddies arrived at the lake to set up camp, they were shocked to see Sirgash was already there. He was already sitting at the campground with a cold beer, swag rolled out, fishing rod in hand, and a camp fire glowing.

"How did you talk Nixi44 into letting you go, Sirgash?"

"I didn't have to," Sirgash replied. "I went home from work last night and slumped down in my chair with a beer to drown my sorrows.

Then the Nixi snuck up behind me and covered my eyes and said, 'Surprise'. When I peeled her hands back she was standing there in a beautiful see-through negligee.

She said, 'Carry me into the bedroom and tie me to the bed and you can do whatever you want'. SO HERE I AM!”


Brokeback II

A successful rancher died and left everything to his devoted wife. She was a very good-looking woman and determined to keep the ranch, but knew very little about ranching, so she decided to place an ad in the newspaper for a ranch hand.

Two cowboys applied for the job. One was gay and the other a drunk. She thought long and hard about it, and when no one else applied she decided to hire the gay guy, figuring it would be safer to have him around the house than the drunk.

He proved to be a hard worker who put in long hours every day and knew a lot about ranching. For weeks, the two of them worked, and the ranch was doing very well.

Then one day, the rancher's widow said to the hired hand, “You have done a really good job, and the ranch looks great. You should go into town and kick up your heels.”

The hired hand readily agreed and went into town one Saturday night.

One o'clock came, however, and he didn't return. Two o'clock, and no hired hand. Finally he returned around two-thirty. Upon entering the room, he found the rancher's widow sitting by the fireplace with a glass of wine, waiting for him.

She quietly called him over to her.

“Unbutton my blouse and take it off,” she said. Trembling, he did as she directed.

“Now take off my heels.” He did as she asked, ever so slowly.

“Now take off my stockings.” He removed each gently and placed them neatly
by her shoes.

“Now take off my skirt.” He slowly unbuttoned it, constantly watching her eyes in the firelight.

“Now take off my bra.” Again, with trembling hands, he did as he was told and dropped it to the floor.

Then she looked at him and said, “If you ever wear my clothes into town again, you're fired!”

7Jokers Goes Home from Hospital

Great news! 7Jokers felt well enough to leave the hospital and start recuperating at home. Or maybe - just maybe - the doctors and orderlys got tired of losing at poker to him.

Either way, he will be resting at home, so our prayers were answered. My wish now if for 7Jokers to recover quicker than ever and for Mrs. 7Jokers to get some well deserved rest.

To cheer everyone up, let me clear up to everyone where 'twss' came from. As with our "Wookin Pa Nub" video (in the Faldo video section, 'twss' was started by Beerhog and has been kept going ad nauseum by Faldo.

Can't help it. I just smile or laugh out loud everytime either one is used. When I miss a 23 out draw for the 32nd consecutive time on PokerStars, I'm getting "no nub" (love). When my golf drive heads to the woods, but rattles around and comes back out on to the fairway - then I got "tree nub."

When a pot size raise is re-raised all it, someone might say, "Man, did he hit that hard," and I would have to say...

"That's what she said!" You Tube video is now posted.

7Jokers Has Successful Surgery

We kid around on this blog, and also whine about our bad luck at the poker tables.

But sometimes real life deals us a real bad beat. But like he does at the poker table, 7Jokers will shake it off and make a comeback.

We kept it quiet, but 7Jokers announced at Matchy’s poker game that he had to go in for surgery. Trust me when I say, it is a very serious operation. You can write me at NPP for more information.

Mrs. 7Jokers let me know that he pulled thru the surgery ok, but it will be a few days before the test results are in and he is feeling better. But the hope is that he is home and resting after this weekend.

Obviously prayers are in order for 7Jokers, his daughter and especially his wife who has a lot on her plate to say the least.

7Jokers will be recuperating for a while and I think a little donation to his PS account would help his recovery. His city is Dexter to make sure you get the correct account. At least he can play some cards while he gets better.

Also, get well cards and wishes can be sent to the NPP address I will post on the right side of the blog. I will make sure they get all get to 7Jokers.

7Jokers, you lead NPP in tourney victories, so I know you will win this too! Get well soon so you can return to kicking Faldo’s butt in ring play and tournaments.

LittleRedElf Wins His 6th NPP Tourney of 2009

To put LRE’s six wins in perspective, nobody else has won more than two this year! In other words, he is destroying a pretty tough field on a regular basis. And he does it while playing in other tourneys on PokerStars at the same time (like last night!).

Twenty players competed, including a new member – Douche_Splat. Also returning were Greggst49 and Whilden. Welcome Douche and welcome back Greg and Mike.

On to the action:

9 min: Gotbug (20th) had a rough night all the way around. First his internet connection was not working well. Then his (88) gets beat by Sirgash’s (Ah Kh). Severely short stacked (SS) he moves in with (AT) and sees that get beat by Douche_Splat and his (96) and a [9] on the flop.

Sometimes it’s not your night.

25 min: TresStooges (19th) sees his flush get crushed by ThePunk75’s full house.

27 min: Kensik (18th) raises and gets called by Douche_Splat and Wingsfancurt. The flop is [6h 9s 7s]. Kensik bets the pot with (AA) and only Wingsfancurt calls with (5d 4d) and an open ended straight draw. The turn [9c] gets checked and all the money goes in when an [8] hits the river.

41 min: Derf-63 (17th) moves all in with (Q6) and a flop of [6QK] (79%). When called by Kaytdid (AA) (11%) and Greggst49 (AK) (9%), Derf is stylin’. That didn’t last long as runner-runner [22] gives Kay the pot.

Another crazy night of cards happened tonight and I can’t even begin to record, tell and explain every one of them. The length of the tourney will have to show the ‘back and forth’ rocking of the stacks tonight – with the underdogs winning much more than their share of hands.

44 min: A SS Wingsfancurt (16th) gets in with (5s 3s) when he likes the flop of [QT3]. But Douge2 is holding (AA).

58 min: Whilden (15th) moves AIPF with (Ah Th) but can’t run down ThePunk75’s (88).

1st Break:
ThePunk75 5840 (two weeks in a row chip leader at break)
Douche_Splat 3870
LittleRedElf 3730 (two weeks in a row in 3rd at the break)
Greggst49 2745
T3chlady 2310
K9isadog 1840
Akensi 1640
Douge2 1485
Mikeniks-Faldo 1410 (900th week in a row – no chips at break)
Kaytdid 1215
Tigercub8189 1160
Sirgash 1040
Davethedog 945
Funtoon 770

62 min: Tigercub8189 (14th) goes out and I missed it involved in an all-in hand on my table to survive.

65 min: Sirgash (13th) moves AIPF with (AK) and runs into LittleRedElf’s (LRE) (TT).

67 min: Davethedog (12th) calls Mikeniks-Faldo’s AIPF with (AA) (81%) and I can only turn over (33) (19%). But my [3] hits on the flop. Usually I am on the other end of these. Tonight I hit a couple of these to stay alive.

70 min: A SS Kaytdid (11th) moves AIPF with (A9) and runs intoThePunk75’s (AQ).

75 min: Funtoon (10th) bubbles on points (two weeks in a row) but I missed the hand surviving another all-in and reporting another beggar at the table.

The beggar was Chief Payne and I told him, not only was I not giving him $5, but he was not getting his country back either! Get it? Indian chief? Not getting their country back? I kill me!

100 min: Twenty-five minutes of battling as the final table is a slugfest! Not only was great poker played by all, but some trash talk started – all in good fun of course!

The chips were flying around and stacks were going up and down as short stacks survived multiple time!

Finally, Douche_Splat (9th) goes with (Kc Jc) and is called by Douge2 with (AK). Great job Douche, pointing in your first NPP tourney. This is not done too often.

110 min: Akensi (8th) makes a move with (TT) and is called by LRE (AT) and ThePunk75 (44) and LRE hits his [A] on the river. What else is new?

120 min: Poor K9isadog (7th) got no nub here. First he calls with (JJ), Mikeniks-Faldo who was AIPF with (33) only to see me hit my [3] AGAIN on the flop! Wow! This stuff was going on at the final table all night.

K9’s final AIPF with (KJ) runs into Greggst49’s (AJ). Ouch!

I guess you could say I screwed both dogs with crabs! (Davethedog and K9isadog with 33)

2nd Break: My bad. I missed getting the chip counts at the 2nd break. Sorry.

ThePunk75
LittleRedElf
Douge2
Greggst49
T3chlady
Mikeniks-Faldo

123 min: ThePunk75 (6th) tries to flush with (Qh 9h) and a flop of [5h Kh 3d], but misses and Douge2’s (KQ) holds up. LRE runs down ThePunk for the last time as he runner-runner’s a straight to beat ThePunk’s pair.

133 min: Craziness here as Mikeniks-Faldo sees his (AA) lose to a shorter-stacked T3chlady’s (99) with a rivered [9]. But I return the favor the very next hand as my AIPF call with (88) of T3’s all-in with (AK) flops quads! I get my chips back!

145 min: Confession time. Mikeniks-Faldo (5th) got outplayed by Greggst49 all night long. He got so many of my chips, even though I was winning hands – both regular and lucky – I always seemed short-stacked as I bled them off the Greg.

It was only fitting that my panic AIPF with (Qs 7s) is called by Greg with (Ah Qh) and I don’t catch up. Great job Greg!
152 min: A SS T3chlady calls AIPF with (Js Ts) (33%) only to see Douge2 turn over (AT) (66%). The Lady rivers a [J] on Doug.
Now a SS Douge2 (4th) bubbles on the cash and he goes with (8h 4h) and finds – who else – LRE holding (A3).

153 min: The pain continues as Greggst49 (3rd) calls an all-in with (K9) (62%) and a flop of [5d 6d Kc] and is thrilled to see T3chlady only has a flush draw (Td 4d) (38%). The Lady hits it on the river and Greg is now the low man.

154 min: Greg goes with (6c 5c), but – who else – LRE is holding (KQ).

Heads up: T3chlady 18000 - LRE 12000

156 min: LRE’s (AJ) beats the Lady’s (A2).

158 min: A SST3chlady (2nd) correctly moves all-in with (Ac 6h) (64%) and LRE calls with (Td 9s) and – who else - LRE hits a spade four-flush on the river to end the night.

Congratulations to LRE as he continues to dominate this league!

1st – LittleRedElf
2nd – T3chlady
3rd – Greggst49
4th – Douge2
5th – Mikeniks-Faldo
6th – ThePunk75
7th – K9isadog
8th – Akensi
9th – Douche_Splat (1st NPP appearance!)

Standings are on the right side of the blog.

Matchy Puts On a Great NPP Home Game!

Six of us gathered at Matchy’s green felt last night for a One Table Lap Dealer’s Choice of Holdem-Omaha Variations Fixed Limit game last night – moved to the garage.

I will admit, the “one lap” format kept the game moving as the “reminding everyone what game we were playing” was kept at a minimum.

Ok, we still had to remind Matchy every other shuffle, but no system is perfect.

7Jokers, Beerhog, Dave E, Duder1123 and Faldo all partook of the chips, dip, hotdogs, beer and hospitality. A pit fire at the mouth of the garage and smoking cigars inside the garage, kept the mosquitoes at bay for the most part.

I won’t name names, but some of the players (not Dave E. or Faldo) were girlie men and drank Miller Lite – again! Nope, not naming the Brokeback Mt. beer drinkers. That would be mean.

The big winners were Faldo, 7Jokers and Dave E.

So a poker cashing ends the day of golf, Buffalo Wild Wings and poker for Faldo. Now the hard work begins again, as Faldo has to play golf - again - on Sunday.

Oh well, someone has to do it.

LittleRedElf Wins PokerStars Limit Holdem Tournament

At least he doesn’t just beat us up on Tuesday nights.

LRE bested a 666 player field in a limit Holdem tournament last Sunday, picking up a smooth 114 x entry payday! The event took over 8 hours to complete, and a rest was greatly needed afterwards.

Hey LRE, do us at NPP a favor. Play in a tourney for eight hours starting at noon Tuesday. The rest of us need all the help we can get!

Congratulations LittleRedElf. When you play at NPP on PokerStars, you play against the best! – Faldo

Faldo Finishes 3rd in MI Forum Doyle’s Room Freeroll

Thirty-six players made it to the offering. A freeroll cash is never hard to take.

I don’t know who won it. It was Whilden or Hotgirl (sp), but was playing poker from Beerhog’s backyard. Between the mosquitoes and the bonfire ash attacking me and my laptop, it was a wonder I made it that far.

Doyle’s Room is a member of the Cake Poker Network. I had an account in both, but I usually go with the main site in situations like this. But the MI Forum tourney was not available on Cake.

Whatever. A good time and maybe Sirgash can comment as to where Doyles and MI Poker go from here.

Freeroll Offered by the Michigan Poker Forum

Hit the link on the right side of the blog (I assume all NPP'er have been there already) for the Michigan Poker Fourm.

Please use their link to make an account at that site. I can't give the site name since I am a PokerStars guy - but the tourney will be a piece of CAKE and DOYLE may stop by.

Once there, find the "Tournaments" page, and you will see the offer. On the site, it is under "Tournaments" then "Private" and probably "Texas Holdem".

The tournament is at 8pm tonight.

It is for Michigan players only they say. To get the password, ask them on the Forum or write me at npokerp at yahoo dot com.

Faldo is RxQch on that site - FYI.

Planning on playing but a drunken stupor coming off of the golf course today may change that. Hope not.

Sirgash Wins His 1st NPP Tourney of 2009

Sirgash won his first of this year and 3rd NPP tourney overall against a field of seventeen others. It was a topsy-turvy night as stacks did a yo-yo and bad beats were common place.

It was good to see the return of the NPP webmaster back to the felt tonight – Davethedog.

On to the action:

19 min: A short-stacked (SS) Theedouble*d (18th) has to go with (AT) and gets two-timed by Funtoon (QQ) and LittleRedElf (KK). DD is gone and Funtoon is really crippled.

25 min: A SS Wingsfancurt (17th) tries it with (7h 4h) and is beaten by Gotbug’s (A6).

44 min: Derf-63 (16th) gets AIPF with (AK) (71%) and gets called by Boother36 with (AT) (24%) and a [T] hits the flop. A lot of this stuff tonight.

54 min: Gotbug (15th) moves AIPF with (77) (81%) and LRE calls with (22) (18%) and The Elf hits a flush on the river. Like I said, a lot of this tonight.

59 min: A SS Davethedog (14th) moves AIPF with (Ks Qs) and runs into Akensi with (AA), and the best hand holds up this time. The end of the return for the NPP webmaster.

1st Break:
ThePunk75 2807
LittleRedElf 2728
Douge2 2665
Kensik 2530
Kaytdid 2475
Sirgash 2180
Mikeniks-Faldo 2110
Tigercub8189 2090
T3chlady 1900
Boother36 1825
TresStooges 1510
Akensi 1380
Funtoon 800

Not too many casualties before the first break as NPP players all have alligator blood. Funtoon has nursed a short stack for over 40 minutes. (twss)

71 min: Mikeniks-Faldo (13th) kept winning X chips and then losing 2X chips to Kaytdid. Now on the low side of the chip count, I move all-in with (88) (56%) and Kensik looks me up with (K9) (44%). I lose the virtual coin flip with a cruel [K] on the river.

72 min: A SS TresStooges (12th) moves AIPF with (Ks Js) and runs into Sirgash with (44) and cannot catch up.

75 min: LittleRedElf (LRE) raises and is called by ThePunk75 and Funtoon (11th). The flop of [Js Qh Ah] moves everyone all-in. It is a real cooler as ThePunk has two pair, Funtoon trips and LRE the straight (KT)! Wow! ThePunk is all but done. Like I said, cruel cards tonight and it continues.

76 min: SSThePunk75 (10th) bubbles on points with (TT) and runs into LRE’s (QQ). What is with this run of cards for LRE???

82 min: Kaytdid (9th) goes with (J9) (80%) and a flop of [5J6] and is called by Sirgash with (85) (20%). The turn is …you guessed it …a [5]. It is the way it is tonight. Ouches everywhere.

85 min: Douge2 (8th) makes a move with (AK) and a flop of [T8A] and is called by Sirgash with (AT). Doug’s string of three straight 5th place finishes ends here.

90 min: A SS Akensi (7th) and Tigercub8189 see the flop of [6TQ]. She moves in with her (T4), but Tiger has (TT).

92 min: Boother36 (6th) goes AIPF with (AK) and Kensik calls with (AT). Boother did it to Derf earlier (see 44 min mark) and now Boother has the favor returned as Ken hit a runner-runner straight.

100 min: I notice going around the table that Sirgash, LRE, Tiger, Kensik and T3chlady are all between 4500 and 6000 in chips, with the blinds at 100/200 – 25 ante. We got a ballgame here!

105 min: Kensik raises and gets re-raised by Sirgash and calls that. Flop is [As Jh 8h]. Sirgash moves all-in with (77) (13%) and Kensik calls with (Ks 8s) (86%) and the higher pair! Sirgash then runner-runner’s a straight and Ken is crippled.

What a move and what a read and call – even if the ending was bad. How many of these have we had tonight – that I even recorded? There were more but I did not get them. Brutal.

110 min: Payback time! Sirgash moves with (JJ) and Kensik calls with (66) and gets his [6] on the flop! Ken is back in business and the frenzy starts.

116 min: LRE (5th) moves with (88) (74%) and a flop of [753]. Tigercub8189 calls with (AK) (26%) and hits his [K] on the river. LRE is paid back (see 54 min). Crazy night!
118 min: A now SS T3chlady (4th) goes with (42) and a flop of [A4Q], but Tigercub8189 has (AJ).

119 min: Kensik (3rd) moves AIPF with (QJ) and is called by Tigercub8189 with (A6) and Ken doesn’t catch up.

Heads up at break: Tigercub8189 17287 - Sirgash 9713

125 min: Tigercub8189 calls all of Sirgash’s bets to the river to see his two pair (AK) lose to Sirgash’s turned straight (JT) – [QJK9Q]. The chip position switched on this hand.

128 min: A SSTigercub8189 (2nd) correctly moves all-in with (A3) (64%) and Sirgash takes a shot with (82) (36%). He has been around long enough to know when PokerStars wants the table, and he saw the way the night went. The expected [8] hits on the flop.

Congratulations to Sirgash on a fine NPP win. Congratulations to Tigercub8189 as he takes over the point lead for the 3rd quarter seat in the NPP Finals!

1st – Sirgash
2nd – Tigercub8189
3rd – Kensik
4th – T3chlady
5th – LittleRedElf
6th – Boother36
7th – Akensi
8th – Douge2
9th – Kaytdid

Standings are on the right side of the blog.

Bigbrimar Finishes 2nd in PokerStars Tourney

Bigbrimar, refreshed and rested after a few days of fishing, returns to the virtual green felt of PokerStars. He proceeds to outlast all but one of the 360 people entered.

Also, not reported in the media, it was Bigbrimar who also slapped around Brock Lesnar, and forced Lesnar to apologize for his behavior after his victory in UFC 100 for the heavyweight crown.

Bigbri also told Lesnar to drink Bud Light that night…or else. Video here.

http://sports.yahoo.com/video/player/mma#mma/14458660

Premier Poker Lounge to Re-open in Hartland, MI., Tuesday, July 21

From a World Series of Poker Press Release:

“For 2009 the tables were full and the action was intense. Brian J. Hughes of Howell, Mi was selected as a dealer for this event based on his previous working experience at the tables in Hammond, In., for Harrah’s Gaming.

Brian currently owns and operates Premier Poker Lounge, a Charity Gaming room at Grille 23 in Hartland, Mi. He will return to the Premier Poker Lounge in Mid July to resume dealing to his local customers with stories from the Main Event.”

From Premier Poker:

“Brian is back in Michigan and the Premier Poker Lounge is opening July 21, 2009 at 5pm.

The new location to be at Grille 23, Hartland, MI. 1/2 mile south of M-59 on Old US 23.

Nik’s Poker Palace, and their player’s support is, and has been, greatly appreciated.”

Thanks,

Ron Hughes
Business Manager, Premier Poker Lounge

Please support PPL if you want to play some poker and are in the area. Just not on Tuesday or Wednesday night (NPP and MI Forum nights). Just kidding.

For live action and tourneys, NPP recommends PPL. An unpaid endorsement by the way. I just know it is the best run and friendliest poker room in the Brighton-Howell-Hartland, MI area. - Faldo

From the “This Should Only Happen to Faldo” Department

From the NPP bloglist and the site ‘Keeping Your Head in (all) the Game(s).

“I got this story directly from the dealer involved, he verified the details and the pain involved. This is a WSOP main event tale, obviously from early in a day one session.

Involved in the hand is a known, but not well known player, who has been efficiently building his stack against a very weak table. His opponent is a completely unknown woman, who has to this point demonstrated exactly zero poker skills.

The pro flops top set (kings) with a unconnected board (K-5-2) and they manage to get it all-in with four bets.

The betting did include the question: "How much can I raise?" The player turns over his top set, waits for the novice to table her lower set but instead the lady turns over 9-7 offsuit, no draw, none, period, zip, zero.

Oh wait, there is a five on the flop, so she does have a double belly-buster straight draw (1.5%). She proceeds to catch perfect (6)-perfect (8) for the straight.

As she stacks her chips, something she has clearly not done before; the player asks:

"Excuse me, did you win your seat online?"

She innocently replied: "No, mine was in a bag of Planter's Peanuts."”

If only the (KK) holder was Helmuth or Matusow, the meltdown would have been a You Tube and ESPN classic!

Wish I could tell you who the (KK) holder (98.5%) was for certain, but it sounds like it could be Faldo.

Doug2”s Humor Corner – XII

If you remember the Original Hollywood Squares and its comics, this may bring a tear to your eyes. Peter Marshall was the host asking the questions, of course.

Q. If you're going to make a parachute jump, at least how high should you be?
A. Charley Weaver: Three days of steady drinking should do it.

Q. True or False, a pea can last as long as 5,000 years.
A. George Gobel: Boy, it sure seems that way sometimes.

Q. According to Cosmopolitan, if you meet a stranger at a party and you think that he is attractive, is it okay to come out and ask him if he's married?
A. Rose Marie: No; wait until morning.

Q. Which of your five senses tends to diminish as you get older?
A. Charley Weaver: My sense of decency.

Q. As you grow older, do you tend to gesture more or less with your hands while talking?
A. Rose Marie: You ask me one more growing old question Peter, and I'll give you a gesture you'll never forget.

Q. Charley, you've just decided to grow strawberries. Are you going to get any during the first year?
A. Charley Weaver: Of course not, I'm too busy growing strawberries.

Q. It is considered in bad taste to discuss two subjects at nudist camps One is politics, what is the other?
A. Paul Lynde: Tape measures.

Q. Can boys join the Camp Fire Girls?
A. Marty Allen: Only after lights out.

Q. When you pat a dog on its head he will wag his tail. What will a goose do?
A. Paul Lynde: Make him bark?

Q. According to Ann Landers, is there anything wrong with getting into the habit of kissing a lot of people?
A. Charley Weaver: It got me out of the army.

Q. It is the most abused and neglected part of your body, what is it?
A. Paul Lynde: Mine may be abused, but it certainly isn't neglected.

Q. Back in the old days, when Great Grandpa put horseradish on his head, what was he trying to do?
A. George Gobel: Get it in his mouth.

Q. When couples have a baby, who is responsible for its sex?
A. Charley Weaver: I'll lend him the car, the rest is up to him.

Q. According to Ann Landers, what are two things you should never do in bed?
A. Paul Lynde: Point and laugh

DavetheDog (4Putt) and Cigar4John - Publishers

The brothers decided it was time to share their knowledge! Since golf and poker no longer are hobbies of theirs, they have some time to write. They do so under duress - and while ironing a dress. Their computers craftly hidden under quilts they hand sewn and knitted. Let's not forget the danger of typing and using an electrical device with dishwater hands.

Little Red Elf Wins 2nd NPP Tourney in a Row

All I can say is that LittleRedElf (LRE) stands alone as the best player at NPP. He is leaving us all in the dust. Not only is he a great player, but he is running hot on league night. Nothing we can do about it right now, but live and learn.

No new players tonight (disappointment to Faldo), but Kaytdid, Rjmech and Wingsfancurt returned tonight, which was good to see.

On to the action:

23 min: ThePunk75 (16th) raises with (KK) and gets called by Tomservo2. The flop is [7c 6h 3c]. ThePunk makes a pot size bet and Tom calls, going nowhere. The turn is a [3d]. ThePunk moves all-in (70%) and Tom (Ac 6c) calls (30%). The river [Qc] flushes ThePunk down the sewer.

27 min: Funtoon (15th) moves AIPF with (AA) and LRE calls with (AQ) and The Elf hits his straight on the river. I said he was running hot! Funtoon goes out the next hand.

30 min: Tigercub8189 (14th) calls T3chlady’s raise and they see a flop of [3s 2c Qc]. Tiger takes the initiative and min-bets. T3 raises and Tiger calls again. The turn is the [Qd]. Tiger checks and T3 bets, Tiger re-raises and T3 calls. Wow! Looks like a cold deck hand in the making. The river is the [Ac] and all the money goes in. Tiger’s trips are no match for TheLady’s full house.

31 min: Wingsfancurt’s (13th) return goes wrong when he loses his set over set confrontation with Douge2. Ouch! We all hate when that happens.

47 min: A short-stacked (SS) Akensi (12th) moves AIPF with (AK) and runs into Mikeniks-Faldo with (AA).

51 min: A short-stacked (SS) K9isadog (11th) moves in with (A4) but cannot catch up to LRE’s (44).

56 min: Kensik (10th) bubbles on points with (99) and runs into T3chlady’s (QQ). T3 bubbled last week's on the bubble point person too.

57 min: Gotbug (9th) goes with (QQ) and is called by TresStooges (AJ) and Rjmech (Kd Qd). An [A] on the flop crushes the Bug.

1st Break:
Tomservo2 5100
T3chlady 4295
LittleRedElf 4125
Kaytdid 3555
TresStooges 2020
Mikeniks-Faldo 1920
Rjmech 1885
Douge2 1100

67 min: Rjmech (8th) makes a move with (76) and is called by Mikeniks-Faldo with (77) and does not straight or runner-runner the Devil's hand.

83 min: T3chlady (7th), Douge2, Tomservo2 and LRE all see the flop of [Kc Jh Jd]. T3 bets, Tomservo2 raises and only T3 raises and moves in with (Js 4d). Tomservo2 is the only caller with (AJ), and the Ace-kicker holds up. Ouch!

88 min: TresStooges (6th) goes AIPF with (AJ) and runs into Tomservo2’s (QQ).
95 min: Douge2 (5th) moves AIPF with (Kd Qd) and LRE calls with (AK). THREE 5ths in a row for Douge2!
112 min: A now SS Tomservo2 (4th) goes with (Q9) and LRE calls with (KQ) and Tom cannot catch up.

116 min: Mikeniks-Faldo (3rd) and Kaytdid see a flop of [6 9 3]. Harmless enough, so Faldo moves all-in with (KK) {80%} and is called by Kay after a long think with (A9) {20%}. The [9] - on the river - sends your host packing.

Heads up: LRE 14000 - Kaytdid 10000

118 min: Kaytdid (2nd) raises and is called by LRE. A flop of [555] makes it interesting. Kay makes the standard raise and LRE calls. The turn is a [T]. Another standard raise by Kay and the call from LRE. The river is an [A] and Kay moves all-in, hoping for a fold or that her (K) is good for high kicker. But alas, LRE is holding an (A).

I told you, not only is he a very good player, but he is running hot. Congratulations to LRE on yet another NPP win.

1st – LittleRedElf
2nd – Kaytdid
3rd – Mikeniks-Faldo
4th – Tomservo2
5th – Douge2
6th – TresStooges
7th – T3chlady
8th – Rjmech
9th – Gotbug

Standings are on the right side of the blog.

Faldo Says “Yay” or “Nay” to Common Dealer’s Choice Games – Part II

There are other poker games besides what is dealt in casinos and tournaments. The casino games are there because of their speed and simplicity in dealing. More hands equals more rake for the house.

But there are some fun, entertaining and exciting poker games you can deal in a home game, which make you have to think outside “the flop” sometimes.

The description of the following games in this series is Faldo’s opinion only. Others may like my take on a game and some will not. That’s fine. It’s all good. Here we go:

ANACONDA or PASS THE TRASH –
Each player is dealt seven cards face down. There is a betting round here. The player then passes three cards to his right, which acts as a ‘draw’ for the player receiving the new cards.

This game is usually played high-low with a Ace thru 5 as the nut low, with straights and flushes able to swing both ways (twss).

You will note that if you were dealt a wheel, straight, flush, full house, straight flush or royal flush, you will have to break it up in order to pass! Ouch!

After receiving the new cards, each player discards the two he does not want, and arranges his five cards in the order he wants to display them one at a time – face up. The player sets his set deck in front of him and everyone simultaneously rolls the first card.

High card bets and it is played as 5-stud from there.

Faldo’s opinion: Yay! – This is an exciting game with bluffing opportunities galore. Being the lone high or low hand is a great feeling too! Remembering what you passed and knowing the player to your right and left - what you should pass and what you will probably receive – adds strategy to the game.

BLIND BASEBALL (with wild cards) – BEAT YOUR NEIGHBOR (without wild cards)
There is an ante. Each player is dealt seven cards face down, but cannot look at them. Starting at the dealer’s left – under the gun – the player turns one card over and can bet or check that card. After the bet round, the 2nd player must turn over his cards one at a time until he can beat the card shown by player #1. Another bet round. Player #3 turns over his cards one at a time until his hand beats player #2’s hand, etc.

The baseball name comes in as 3’s (outs) and 9’s (innings) are wild and 4’s get you an extra card for your hand. There is an extra ante for the 4, and usually one also for the wild cards.

Once a player cannot beat the previous best hand, his hand is folded and he is out. Best hand wins – usually four of a kind or higher.

Faldo’s opinion: Nay! – Another lottery card game, but can be exciting as the cards are slowly turned over. The first player and last player pay a lot of money into the pot without knowing what their hand is. Any time I have to pay the pot blind, I am not a happy poker player.

More games next time.