Having been a total slacker when it comes to the RPT write-ups, I owe it to all of you two do the rare double feature… This write-up covers both the October and November tourneys… and also details out who is in the Final Table as well as the 9th seat.
For the October tourney, thanks to Brian Bennett for hosting. It is always a great spot for cards and you cant help but feel very comfortable there. Much appreciated.
We had 26 folks come out including some new blood. Chick Bennett is a new addition to the tour and none other than Brian Bennett’s Dad. Welcome to the group. Another new player was Tammy Cain. She came along with the herd of Herds. Always good to get more female representation. Welcome as well Tammy.
The Beer Bitch of the tournament was Bob Herd Sr. This was Bob Sr.’s 2nd Beer Bitch finish in his career. The first was in his first tournament back in October 2013. Perhaps October is just not a good month to play poker Bob. J
Just to fast forward… our RPU finishers were newcomer Tammy Cain in 5th place and Voldemort in 4th place. This was Ostendorf’s 4th RPU finish on the year and putting him solidly in the top 3 for the Final Table.
Our final three ended up being Brian Bennett in third, Tony Huckestein in second, and Rob Schilling taking home the victory. Bennett has been solid this year but this was his first top 3 finish on the year. As for Tony, this was just another day at the office… making this his 5th top 3 finish this year alone and his second 2nd place finish on the year. Tony is easily in the top spot for the Final Table and POY honors.
For Rob, this was his first victory on the year and his first since March 2013. This is his 3rd victory in his career. Rob has had a solid year as well and this victory has put him in a solid position in the Final Table standings.
Now, lets fast forward to the November tournament. This is the one to decide the Final Table standings as there were still a lot of things that would be decided in this tournament. We had the privilege of being at Grover’s Playhouse which is just such a perfect spot for poker. Grover’s hospitality, as always, was without parallel. We had 19 folks show for the last tournament of the regular season…
…and the first person out of it was Don Berry. This is Don’s first Beer Bitch finish and it happened in his 5th tournament. To date though, Don has been very solid, averaging right around 15 points a tournament. I am sure Don will be a contender for the Final Table next year if he keeps up the solid play.
To the Final Table, I finished on the bubble thanks to my A-K suited getting beat by Smyth’s A-10 offsuit. I am not bitter or anything… even though I was a solid 70+% favorite… ah well.
The rest of the final 4 consisted of Brian Bennett, Wally Cox, Brandon Smyth, and Grover Sauter. Our first one out was the host of the party: Grover. This was Grover’s second RPU finish of the year after he won the June tournament. In third place was Brian Bennett. This was Brian’s second consecutive 3rd place finish. Brian missed 4 tournaments this year and STILL finished in 9th place in the standings, just missing the Top 8. Impressive year.
Heads up ended up being Brandon Smyth and Wally Cox. Finishing in 2nd was Brandon. Brandon has had a rock solid year. This is Brandon’s second 2nd place finish and his third top-3 finish. Getting a win and two 2nd place finishes out of a season is a good year.
Our winner is Wally in his last RPT event as he and Nita are moving back to Kentucky. Their dedication to the poker tour has been great and they are solid folks. We wish them all the best… but they will be back for the Final Table in January J Wally saved the best for last and got his first win ever at the RPT. This was his second top 3 finish of the year as he finished third in the April tournament. Well done Wally.
After the November tournament, the regular season was now concluded and the final standings were posted. Below are your Final Table attendees:
1st place: Tony Huckestein (RPT POY. Won by 17 points… This will be Tony’s 5th straight Final Table appearance)
2nd place: Jason Ostendorf (2nd Final Table appearance since back in 2012)
3rd place: Rob Herd Jr. (first Final Table)
4th place: Nita Cox (Second Final Table in a row)
5th place: Brian Ross (7th Final Table appearance… consecutive appearances excluded the years in Louisville… Have 2 wins and 4 top-3 appearances)
6th place: Brandon Smyth (missed 3 tourneys and had a Beer Bitch finish and still finished in 6th… First Final Table)
7th place: Rob Schilling (3rd straight Final Table event)
8th place: Angie Brower (First Final Table – she should get some pointers from Glenn who won it last year)
The drawing for the 9th Seat was one at the conclusion of the November tournament and the winner is…. DARRYN GRAHAM! This will be Darryn’s 6th Final Table event. We drew a backup/alternate as well and that will be Wally Cox in the off chance that someone in the Final Table cannot make the event.
I look forward to seeing everyone on the 1st Friday in January for the Final Table. Mark your calendars. Have a good holiday.