There was a late start to poker this week: despite the chips being laid out at 20:20, play didn't start until 20:50.
Excitement arrived shortly afterwards though, when Julian and Mark clashed with 10s & Qs. They ended up going all in and Mark hit trip Qs to double up and gain an early chip lead.
The night looked like it might only got better for Marky, when he casually suggested to Jude that they should shag in her new sauna. Sadly, Jude turned him down on the basis that "it would be too hot."
Late arrival IJ got mullered by Lee when his Ks were beaten by Lee's 10s which tripped up.
Jude & Sharon returned us all to the joys of last week's conversational highlights: the swimming instructor. Jude was upset because she didn't get a place swimming. However, do not fear: she is still letting the kids go, despite the poor quality of the aquatic tuition, because at the end of the day, she's getting a babysitter.
Having thoroughly discussed the babysitter/swimming instructor situation, Sharon exited first when her Qs came up against Jule's Ks. This time there was no tripping up and Sharon went out (9th).
A controversial mystery arose regarding last week's Royal Flush money. It did not arrive at the Youngs' this week and the Borehamwood Boys, who were heads up in last week's 2nd game, were not forthcoming about its whereabouts. JJ and Baz admitted talking about taking it and JJ was fairly sure that Barry took it, although he didn't actually see him pocket the cash. Baz denied everything, claiming he couldn't remember taking it. However, he revealed his true desperation when he wanted to call Dean as a witness. Under duress, Baz finally 'had to accept' that he took it and said he would refresh the pot next week but he still didn't think he took it.
Dan went all in with 8s, which got unlucky against JJ's J9. JJ hit a 9 and knocked Dan out (8th).
Despite the close proximity of JJ to him at the top of the table, Baz declared that he was totally chilled and not stressed at all about the 4 point gap. However, he did admit to being unhappy that Dave & Bea were not there as JJ only picks up chips in a Bea free atmosphere. Baz aired his suspicion that JJ may have paid Dave more to stay away than Baz offered him to play...
Ultimately, Baz was relegated to the sidelines, where all he could do was hope and pray that JJ & Lee came acropper. Jules knocked him out (7th) with A10 against Baz's A5.
Baz didn't have long before he could start to relax: JJ re-raised Jules all in. Jules called with AQ and hit an Ace to overcome JJ's 10s. JJ went out (6th) to Barry's delight. JJ was stoical: "I'm a 2nd game specialist."
Suddenly, Jules was a monster, an impressive comeback from his early position with only 10 chips left.
IJ went all in with Q4 which Jules had to call with 75. Confirming IJ's run of terrible luck, Jules hit a 7 to knock him out (5th).
At this point details are sketchy as your blogger had to go visit his brother. The best the remaining players could do is as follows:
Jude (4th)
Jules (3rd)
Lee (2nd) - thinks he tripled up at one point.
Mark (1st)
Game over 23:38.
Well played Mark!
Game 2 – 7 players - (1st Lee, 2nd Mark, 3rd Julian)
While waiting for the smokers to finish up, the non-smokers player a few hands of open poker, demonstrating conclusively that shit hands always win. JJ was delighted as after years of derision, his strategy of backing shit hands is finally proven.
Play kicked off at 23:56, with the atmosphere tense. Only 4 points separated JJ & Baz and if JJ won and Baz didn't get any points, we will have a new table leader...
Lee built an early chip lead, wining a pile of chips off Dan, who's £2 re-raise cost him dear when his flush came up against Lee's full house.
Demonstrating his loss of concentration in perhaps the knowledge that his era was coming to a close, Baz amused himself playing the piano on his gayphone.
He then went all in with 4QK hearts on the flop. Dan called, flipping over AJ hearts and creating one of the tensest moments we have had at poker. With 2 cards to come, he had the best chance in a long time of pocketing the Royal Flush pot (minus the £8 Barry had accidentally pocketed). While Dan was not ultimately successful, Baz was truly beaten, his AK top pair no match for Dan's nut flush. Baz was knocked out (7th) leaving the field open for Lee or JJ to narrow the gap.
IJ went out next, going all in with KQ against JJ's KJ. Both had top pair on the flop and the only thing JJ could hit was one of 3 Js. True to IJ's recent form, he hit it knocking IJ out (6th).
There's now a bit of a gap in the details but Lee has supplied the following about the final 3:
The same 3 as in the first game.
Julian went out 3rd again.
This time when me and mark were heads up I had a lot more to play with.
Lasted about 20 mins and ended with me checking a flush I had hit on the flop allowing mark to go all in with top pair.
Game over.
So well done Lee: the net closes in on our beleaguered table leader. His safety net gone, one more week and Baz's reign might be over...
So Baz's lead at the top is now perilously thin. Still only 4 points ahead of JJ, who picked up no points this week, but now also only 6 points ahead of Lee, who is also making a late comeback. Although Barry enters December our table leader, the race is now well and truly wide open.Meanwhile, as he frequently reminds me, Mark is making progress. His 8 points this week take him within 5 points of Sharon his closest rival. Knowing Sharon, she will not want to be overtaken with so few games left to play in 2008.
