Season 18 Week 7

What can I say about the VPL? Just when you thought it couldn't get any better....................................It certainly does and then some.

The VPL has been around for 3 years. For the first 3 season we played at the bar.

The most players we had at the bar was 20.

Season 4 was when we started playing at the house. The most players we've seen at the house was 19. We saw 19 players quite a few times.

Now erase everything you previously thought about the VPL.

Enter Season 18 Week 7.

This week we saw a few things that we had never seen before.

This week, May 5, 2009, Cinco de Mayo, the VPL was host to a record breaking 21 people.

That's right, we had 3 tables of 7 players going at for their share of the prize money.

Every week there are 4 places that get paid with 3 people who get money (the 4th place money is combined with the $3 each week).

One night we had only 10 players. The payout then was adjusted down to only 3 spots ( 1st - 50%, 2nd - 30% and 3rd - 20%)

This week we had the opposite situation. Since we had 21 players there were 5 places being paid ( 1st -50%, 2nd-%25, 3rd-%10, 4th-8% and 5th-7%).

Week 7 had 4 players getting money and the 5th place will go the pot.

Week 7 was also the first week (since season 3) that the blinds were capped.

This heads -up action was intense. Because the blinds didn't raise after 500/1000 real poker came into play.

Normally the tournament ends about 12:15. Season 18 Week 7 was the tournament that last lasted way past midnight.

The tournament finally ended at 1:54am. And the winner was...................................more on that subject later.

This week the bubble was 5 players. So after 21 player started and then 16 players saw their way off the felt was what brought us to the bubble.

This week the 5 players were: Angela, Jason, Nick, Steve and Brian.

No matter how many places are paid, there is always the bubble boy.

Season 18 week 7 had its own bubble too, that honor belonged to Jason.

This brings us to the money: Nick, Brian, Angela and Steve.

After an earlier win (A2 vs AK and a deuce hits) Angela was playing on borrowed time. Well it was time to cash that time it. Angela saw it was her time to leave the table in 4th place with a $28 win.

This week also had a 3rd place. This position was filled by Steve with a $35 win.

Head-up: Brian and Nick

These guys are two new qualifiers for season 18.

This is where the battle started. They capped the blinds and then lasted another 50 minutes playing at 500/1000.

When the dust settled and the river card was laid, it was time to crown this weeks champion.

In 2nd place and an $89 win was Nick.

That's right. Week 7 champion was Brian with the chip and $178.

This week saw three new things happen.

1: new record of 21 people
2: seeins the blinds being capped.
3: new rule: that's right. A managerial decision was made for the blinds. If there are more than 20 players the blinds will be capped at 1000/2000 with increasing blinds from 500/1000, 600/1200, 800/1600 and finally 1000/2000.

We now have 14 players who are qualified for the TOC (includin the points winners).

Here is the interest point ( for those who have made it this far). David has already indicated that he will not be able to play at the VPL until 8/09. This means that his seat is now available for sale.

The possible players in position for this are: Ryan, Angela and James.

With 1 week left, Michelle is in the points lead by 5. Can she win it?

You will have to come to week 8 to find out.

The only word I have to describe week 7 is: WOW!

The payout schedule can be found in the side bar. With the last payout being combined for the TOC and points money. When there is only 10 players all 3 positions get paid and no money goes to the pot (only $3).

Good luck to everyone