Season 19 Week 5

This week 17 people laid their hard earned money on the online for they're shot at glory.

We start this blog at the very important spot of the bubble.

4 players: Jeremy, George, Joe and Brian

This week the #4 spot belonged to Brian.

That's right! Money time!

Jeremy, Joe and George

Out of this bunch there are 2 previous qualifiers (Joe and George).

This week it was George who had to say his good bye leaving the table in 3rd place with a $44.

Heads-Up: Jeremy and Joe

Very nice playing on both parts.

Someone had to win and someone had to take 2nd.

This week number 2 spot belonged to Jeremy winning $70.

That's right: Joe was the winner of week 5 with the c$146.

The points race hasn't tightened up: The difference between the top 3 players is only 3 points.

Who will win next week? Who will pull ahead in points?

These questions, and many others, will be answered next week.

Same bat time, same bat channel.

Good luck everyone.

Season 19 Week 4

Halfway through Season 19 brought some exciting play.

This week there were 16 players at the VPL. Dont' let the small numbers fool you.

You will not find better poker players than at the VPL (okay maybe that's a stretch but it is sure alot of fun).

We've had some old friends come by and play. Larry and Sandra caught the bug again now that they found some time.

Also, Don made trip to come and play.

Now on with the action.

This week bubble action included: George, James, Todd and TC

Todd, who was feeling no pain, reached into his bag of tricks to exit the table in 4th place while popping the bubble.

Money time: James, George and TC.

George is the only who has qualified among these three.

The third place position was filled by TC with a $40 win.

Heads up: George and James.

It was George who finished in 2nd place with a $68 win.

James won the tournament, the chip and $136.

To show the quality of play at the VPL, this week's tournament ended with the blinds at 400/800. This was totally different than two weeks ago when there was 22 people. At that tournament it ended with the blinds at 150/300.

There are now 7 qualifiers for the TOC.

Good luck to everyone next week.

Season 19 Week 3

This week the VPL was a bit relaxed. There were 14 players at two tables this week.

A tad bit smaller than last week, however, the quality of play with the regulars is very good.

Bubble time this week came a bit earlier than normal. There were still 4 players on this weeks

bubble.

Those four names belonged to: Todd, TC, James and Steve.

This week the honor of busting the bubble belong to James exiting the table in 4th place.

Next to exit the table was TC in 3rd place winning $35.

Heads up: Todd and Steve

Both players are very good players. Going into heads up they both had alot of chips.

But in every week, there has to be a 1st place and 2nd place.

This week was no different.

Exiting the table in 2nd place was Steve with a win of $60.

That means that Todd finished in 1st place, the chip and a win of $119.

Congratulations to Todd and Steve for being this weeks two qualifiers.

Good luck to everyone next week.

Season 19 Week 2

Can it get any better?  I know this question has been asked before but it is a very relevent question.

The answer is YES!

This week was insane at the VPL.  This VPL hosted 22 seats to players who had the desire (and skill?) to make it to the number 1 spot.

22 people is now the official record for the number of players in a single week.  Three tables of alot of action.

I wanted to give a shout to Larry and Sandra for coming and playing this week.  Sandra is a previous bracelet winner (season 3).  They are a couple of players who helped launch the VPL.

Having over 20 players, the payout was adjusted.  There were five places being paid with 5th place going toward the points and TOC.

Also because of the new rule, the blinds cap was raised to 1000/2000.

The VPL has a high caliber of talent (of course this point has been debated in the past).

By the 1st break, there was only 1 person out of the tournament.  21 people going into the break.

Now onto our favorite spot:  The bubble.  This week there were fives names that belong on this list: Jeremy, TC, Frank, Bill,  Joe.

The fifth position was not lonely for long, Jeremy joined the #5 going out on the bubble.

Money time:  Frank, Bill, Joe and TC 

It was TC's time to leave the tournament in 4th place with a win of $29.

The next person to exit was Joe in 3rd place earning him $37.

Heads up:  Frank and Bill.

Two very good players, each with alot of chips.

The final hand was crazy.  Going into this Frank had Bill outchipped.

Here is how it went down:  

 

There is $22,000 in chips on the table.  Frank has a little less than 2:1 on Bill

Blinds are 150/300

Bill goes all-in preflop.  Frank thinks about and calls

Bill shows pocket Jacks and Frank shows As 2d

Flop comes:  J, one diamond, another diamond

Bill now has Frank practically drawing dead with trip Jacks.

The turn comes another diamond.

The river card is shown................................a diamond.

Frank wins the hand (and the tournament) by catching a four card flush to Bill's trip Jacks.

Bill's 2nd place finish earned him $93.

Franks 1st place finish earned him the chip and $187 (the biggest payout for a single week).

Congratulations to Bill and Frank for qualifying for the TOC.

Last time we had 21 people, the blinds were capped at 500/1000 and the tournament lasted until 1:54.

This week we 22 people and the tournament ended at 150/300 and the time was 11:54.

Didn't make it to the 2nd break.

Thanks to everyone for coming this week and good luck to everyone next week!