Getting it... DONE!

Yes, I got myself a hat to wear when I am playing poker and for formal occasions. You can never go wrong with black. I actually bought two. One I gave to my wife Misao for her birthday. I have also been playing a bit of friendly games at home. A few people from church come over and we play a bit of free Poker or Sheep's Head. Sheep's Head is a great game.

So with the book, difficult finances, and getting hit with some unexpected bills, not to mention I thought I had til the end of November to qualify for the Tavern Tourney six month, I had not been playing poker in any of the leagues for a while. Then on Tavern Tourneys home page they had the big message to make sure you get all your points for the six month by the end of October and found I was out in the standings. And only four more venues available in Milwaukee when I read the message. Then the Tuesday night event had too few people to play. Showed up on Sunday and finished fourth by playing good and determined like and taking full advantage of chip earning opportunities, including buying a round to make it easy to the final table. I finished fourth and found myself barely in for the six month tournament.

Great result and I didn't even have my lucky coin on the table. I won four gold coins in a friendly game at a friends house and gave them again to Misao for her birthday. She gave me one for good luck. But I thought I lost it when I couldn't find it in my jacket pocket. Then I found it when I pulled out my car keys to go home. Must have lost it again because the next morning I found it on the back walk, stepped on once or twice. But I had it Monday night. And it was well into the evening when someone asked, "Is that Chocolate?"

I lost 3/4 of my stack on the second hand but quickly earned it back with three straights and a flush in quick succession. I told the guy who nearly cleaned me out that the others called my big bets because I lost big to him and was now right back in the game. That hand I lost 3/4 I had a flush and he hit sevens full of fives. I knew he liked playing 7, 5 but called anyway.

Again I had to buy a round, though I really really really didn't want to, to make it to the final table. Got my chips and a guy blowing smoke all night went all-in and it was only me left to call heads up. I had A, J suited and had to decide if I just sit back to make the final table or put it all on the line. I called and doubled up. Then I rolled the dice to earn possibly even more chips as the round was over $20. Two rolls. The first was a seven which is bad. I think I actually lose chips. Then I rolled another seven and got no extra chips but... two sevens means the tournament director pays for the round.

As it now stands I am in not only the six month tournament but currently qualify for the monthly.