For the 10th tournament of the 2013 RPT season, we found ourselves, once more, in the friendly confines of Grover’s Playhouse. Thanks to Grover for stepping up once again to entertain our motley crew. Grover’s hospitality is almost as strong as his love of Coen Brothers’ films.
We had 15 RPTers in attendance. Many of which were battling for their spots at the Final Table. We also had two newbies making their first RPT appearance. Bob Herd Sr. and Jr. Unfortunately, Bob Jr. and Bob Sr. ran into monster hands by Brian Harnish and were the first two players out in the tournament. This turn of events gave Brian Harnish the nickname “The Bob Slayer” which quickly became “The Bobsleigher” because it is a little funnier.
We had an early exit by Glenn which cost him some Final Table points. Same with Voldemort. Voldy will need a really solid performance to make the top 8 in the final tournament of the year… but more on that later.
Craig Bare made a rare appearance and was starting to get into a groove when Lady Luck decided to leave him for Doug Deleo. I think the picture below says it all… but sometimes it is better to let the numbers do the talking as well.
I believe that Craig was big blind and checked in against Doug. The flop is 9d-8d-2s. I don’t remember the sequence of events but Craig went all-in and Doug called. Craig shows his 8s-2h having two pair. Doug shows his Ac-9h which was high pair. At this point, Craig is a 75/25 favorite. However, the turn brings a Qc and then the river seals the deal with a Qd… giving Doug the better two pair with Q’s and 9’s. Tough break for Craig. As the picture shows, he was none too pleased.
The tournament progressed with Darryn and Rob getting knocked out by the Ass Hat… AKA Grover. Rob had a mountain of chips but apparently gave them all away to Tony before getting finished off by Grover.
After Rob and Darryn’s exit, the final table was set. The first person knocked out was the Ass Hat Grover. Tony had a mountain of chips (thanks in part to Rob) and started his string of kills. Trueman was next to fall to Tony. Nita was the next in line… but this one was a little tougher to swallow.
Nita goes all-in with Kd-Qd. Tony was in the blinds and his first reaction was to fold but he then decided I have to just call. He flips over his 10d-4s. Before the flop, Nita is sitting pretty as a 70% favorite. The flop hits with Js-2s-Qs. With all of those spades… Nita is still a favorite… but now only a 61% favorite. Well… the turn is an As. Just like that, Tony has a flush and Nita is drawing dead for the river. Tough finish.
I am the next victim of Tony. My A-Q vs. his K’s did not pan out. Nothing worse than running into a buzzsaw hand to a chip leader. Where was that 10-4 off suit when I was betting?
At this point, there are now 4 players: Tony, Doug, Brian Harnish, and FedEx. Tony has like 70% of the chips on the table. The battle was on to see who would finish on the button. Unfortunately, Doug won that prestigious award. He ran into a big hand where Brian Harnish has gotten an A on the flop to go along with his pocket aces… vs. Doug’s K’s. Always tough to lose with K’s vs. A’s.
This put FedEx, Tony, and Brian battling and all in the top 3. FedEx was soon out by Brian Harnish leaving Tony vs The Bobsleigher. Tony had probably 70% of the chips still. After battling and a few big hands, Harnish found himself the chip leader and eventually battled to the victory. Tony tried to push with his stack but his cards were just not helping him.
This is Brian Harnish’s first RPT victory ever and it happened in his 23rd tournament. This is his 3rd top 3 finish of the year. Congratulations to him.
As for Tony, this 2nd place finish moves him up to a tie for 2nd place with Jim Wagner in the all-time top 3 finishes with 14. This is Tony’s 3rd top 3 finish of the year and has moved him up to 7th place in the RPT Final Table standings.
FedEx gets his 1st top 3 and money finish of the 2013 season and moves up to 6th place in the RPT Final Table standings. Sometimes it isn’t about winning the battle but winning the war. Way to grind there.
For the Final Table, the following players appear to be locks:
Brian Ross
Rob Schilling
Grover Sauter
Nita Cox
Glenn Tana
Dave Levin
Tony Huckestein
For the 8th spot, there are a lot of possibilities:
Jason Trueman and Darryn Graham are both tied for 8th right now with 91 points.
Brian Bennett is right behind them with 90 points. He would probably be sitting pretty if he didn’t miss the October tournament.
Doug Deleo has 86 and would need a solid showing and poor showings by the above players to make it to the 8th seat. Voldemort is at 81 RPT points and would need a lot of things to happen to get to the spot.
Anything can happen and that is the beauty of it all. I would encourage everyone to make sure they attend at least 6 tournaments during the year because every point you earn gives you a chance to win a spot at the Final Table in the 9th seat. This important fact gives the November tournament more meaning to the final players:
Thomas Ross Sr.
Quentin Moore
Angie Brower
Anyway – looking forward to seeing everyone next month. Go Ravens.