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2nd Annual Fall Poker Classic a Huge Success!

The 2^nd Annual Fall Poker Classic was a success. Although it was the least attended poker tournament of the six major events held in the past two years at the Wicomico Civic Center in Salisbury, MD, 248 players showed up to play the Main Event. Couple the 30 or so players that came just for the cash games, the 67 players who entered the 2^nd chance tournament and the 18 Sit-N-Goes held and you could say the 2^nd Annual Fall Poker Classic was a huge success. The Charity, the "Tomorrow Fund" for the Friends of the Wicomico County Parks and Recreation Department should make out very well.

The morning started off early when over 30 players showed up before the doors opened at 8AM for the SNGs, $60 qualifying satellites. 1^st and 2^nd place won their Main Event buy-in. 16 of those qualifying satellite were held prior to the start of the Main Event. The morning started off with only 149 pre-registration but by the time the qualifying satellites, the walk-ins, the late entries and the reseats were complete, 248 players had entered the 2^nd Annual Fall Poker Classic. Making a prize pool of $49,600 with a 1^st Place Prize of $13,250. They paid 25 places with 26th place, the bubble, winning $260 when all players left put $10 in the pot.

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Salisbury VFW 1st Deep Stacks a Huge Success

Sunday, October 26th
The Deep Stacks $300 Buyin at the Salisbury VFW on Saturday, October 25th was a HUGE SUCCESS. 51 Players entered the tournament for a $12,750 prize pool and making a $4,998 1st Place Prize. The tournament paid 6 places. "Petey" who likes to add a "Last Longer" side bet, had $720 in that bet, making 36 players in the last longer. The cards were in the air at 12:20 and with $30,000 in starting chips, the field was still strong well after 7PM. The money was reached shortly after 9PM. The last hand was dealt at 11:24PM. After this webmaster went out in 3rd place, the final two agreed to a chop in which the overwhelming chip leader Jeff L. "Treeman" took $4,500 and Matt C. took $3,871. There was $1,530,000 chips in play and Treeman had a little over $1,000,000 at the chop. Ken S. had $430,000 and was the chip leader when the final table of 10 started. Jeff L. had a little under $100,000, Matt C. had a little over $100,000 and I had $37,500. Here's how they finished, 1st through 6th. Jeff L., Matt C., Jeff Mc., Vernon R., Ken S, & Barry.

Editor's Note. This was Jeff L's. 4th final table in a row and 2nd time in a row he finished 1st. In the last Deep Stacks held in Snow Hill, Jeff L. finished in the money and Jeff Mc. and Vernon R. chopped 2nd place. If you haven’t played one of these Deep Stack Big Buyin Events, it’s worth it. The play is much better, with $30,000 in chips you can be adventurous or have patience. Either way it’s a much more enjoyable time. We saw a lot of new faces at this event and we were missing about 10 of the regulars. Keep an eye on the calendar for the next Deep Stacks Big Buyin. Congratulations to the Salisbury VFW for another great tournament! Thanks to Doug L., Angela, Jeff R. and Bill K. for assisting in the tournament.

Interest High for March 2009 Poker Cruise

Updated: Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Interest is high for the March 21, 2009 poker cruise, however the local players who showed an interest initially during preliminary discussions earlier in the year have not signed up. At this time only 10 suites are left and ocean view cabins are at a premium. Prices stay the same until October 17th. But that doesn't guarantee there will be any cabins left at the low prices or the cabins will be located where you would like to be.

For those of you that have never cruised before, you cannot wait until the last minute to book your cruise. Cruise lines have registration guidelines and security issues to deal with. For those of you who have cruised before you know the earlier you book, the better the price and the better the cabin choice.

Deposits and/or payments are 100% fully refundable up until January 9, 2009. Only $50 per person today to reserve your reservation and $200 per person will guarantee your cabin on the March 21, 2009 5 day Bahamas East Coast Poker Cruise from Jacksonville, Florida. Book early and receive a $75 Buy-in tournament entry at no additional cost! The $75 Buy-in offer ends September 30th.

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Snow Hill Deep Stacks a Big Success

The Deep Stacks $300 Buyin at the Snow Hill Firehouse was a great success today. 33 Players and 5 reseats made a $9,500 prize pool with a $4,400 1st place prize. The action was huge with a lot of big hands, big pots and some unusual bad beats. This webmaster was the first out after making a stupid call with QQ. I was one of the reseats, which paid off. Although I finished 4th, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th places agreed to a split. I owe Neil Shull and his friend an apology for seeming overbearing and rude when I offered the deal.

It was nothing intentional but my wording did come out wrong and for that I apologize. I offered a split of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th place money, which was a total of $5,100 or $1,700 each. Vernon Ruth, Bill (I don't know his last name) and I each had about $150,000 in chips and Neil had close to $700,000. The blinds were $8,000/$16,000 with a $1,000 ante. In 4 minutes the blinds were going to $10,000/$20,000 with a $2,000 ante.

For us I thought it was a no-brainer when next out would only get $600. Neil the chip leader looked confused at what I was offering. What I meant to say was the three low chip stacks were guaranteed a minimum of 1,700 each and we did not have to worry and could have a good shot at making better money. But how I said it was demeaning to the chip leader.

Neil the chip leader offered us each $300 more or $2,000 each for the low chips stacks and by that guaranteed himself $3,500. Again I'm sorry, it was not right of me, but as you can see I was acting as a poker player and not a tournament director at that time.

Congratulations to Neil, Bill and Vernon. Also to Angela and Stanley for co-finishing on the bubble.

For the second time a Female wins the Choptank Bazaar.

UPDATED: Sunday, September 14, 2008

The 2nd Choptank Texas Hold'em Bazaar was a very nice event. The 86 players that showed up for the event enjoyed themselves. Or at least most did. From a Tournament Director's prospective it was a pleasure to run the event. With the exception of a few who either took bad beats, were short stacked or were new players that really didn't understand a professionally run event, everyone was well behaved. Which makes it nice for a Tournament Director. If you missed the event you should consider the next one. The Sailwinds Park auditorium is the perfect place to host a poker tournament. Lots of room, a variety of food, soda and alcohol on premise and a scenic view.

16 females started the tournament with 5 of them making the final 18 and 4 of them making the final table. The players that made the final two tables were probably the best final 18 players I've had the opportunity to manage. Especially the final table. Those 10 players were courteous, yet tough, respectful and complimentary of each other's play. The final four were probably one of the best final four I've had the pleasure to deal too. Congratulations to Tina Murphy who finished 4th and won $910. The next three names finished 1st, 2nd & 3rd respectfully and split $1,966 each. Trudy D'Innocenzo, Robbie Walker and Vincent Bradley. Trudy had a $65,000 chip lead over Robbie who had about $85,000 more than Vincent. A total of $860,000 chips were play. The prize pool was $9,460. They paid 9 cash places and 10th place won a free entry into the Sailwinds next event.

The extended blind structure was nice. They added 6 levels of blinds not normally played in a local charity event. The blinds were 30 minutes. At 5PM there were still 50 players left. The last hand was dealt at 10:22PM. The final players were tired, but I reminded them of the extended blinds and that was the idea of the sponsor. To give players time to be patient and play longer.

Congratulations to Guy and his staff at the Sailwinds for another great event!

2nd Annual Summer Poker Classic - Hugh Sucess!

The 2^nd Annual Summer Poker Classic sponsored by Wicomico County Tourism to benefit the “Friends of Towmorrow” of the Parks and Recreation Department was held on Saturday, August 23, 2008 at the Wicomico County Youth and Civic Center in Salisbury. When registration began on June 2^nd no one knew how many players would show up to play. When pre-registration closed on Friday, August 22^nd, 245 poker players had paid either $250 or $275 to enter the 2^nd Annual Event.

The doors opened at 8AM with over 100 players waiting to play the single table satellites for a chance to enter the event cheaper than the $300 at the door entry fee. By the start of the main event over 23 $60 qualifier SNGs were held with 1^st and 2^nd place winning their buy-in. By noon, with late entries, re-seats and SNGs 375 players had entered the 2^nd Annual Summer Poker Classic. Close to last year’s 387 players. The Main Event was $250 to $300 Buy-in with $10,000 in tournament chips and 30 minute blinds. Which made for $3,750,000 chips in play.

Only a few minutes before the first victim fell, losing with pocket kings. 42 make-shift round 9 player poker tables started the event. The excellent floor staff of Doug, Vernon P. and Greg kept the tables full as players busted out. By the 4:45PM dinner break only 8 tables and 63 players remained. Players returned from break with live dealers, however it didn’t take long to reduce to 6 tables. Once the player count hit 50 the play tightened up and the play continued until after 7:30PM before the money was reached. The Main Event was paying 37 places. However the sponsor kicked in $250 to the bubble player.

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2nd Annual SPC Comment

    Congratulations to the capable and diplomatic Jeff, the pragmatic and blunt Doug and (of cuss!) the lovely and very capable Angela and all other staff and dealers who made this our best ever tournament!!
    'Salisbury Sandy' assures us of two more booked tourneys in the near future..!!
    Dr Ruth was particularly delighted to see the winners (First EVER NO-Split) were a pair of courteous, NON-verbally abusive young gentlemen who should be setting the standard for table behavior for all future games. It made our jobs of keeping order in the pot/blinds and concentrating on dealing so much simpler. Actually, the entire final table was a delight to 'service' while they concentrated on playing their hands.
    Again: Thanks Jeff, Doug and Angela and.... Congratulations to ALL..!!

Berlin $300 Buyin Tournament Nice Event

Saturday, August 16, 2008 - The $300 Buyin Deep Stacks tournament that was moved from Girdletree to the Berlin American Legion was a HUGE success! 38 Players forked up the $300 to vie for the $9,500 in the prize pool. Congratulations to Ken Stuckey for winning the $4,080 1st place prize. The tournament was played out in it's entirity. NO Chop. The tournament paid 4 places, but the final 5 agreed to take $100 from each place and pay the bubble $400. 2nd place was $2,700, 3rd $1,580 and 4th place $740. Once the 5th place short stack was gone it didn't take long. The two large chips stacks butted heads with the 3rd largest stack moving in with pocket Aces. The chip leader wanted to check it down, but after the 2nd chip stack made a $40,000 bet, the chip leader came over the top and was called. The chip leader flopped two pair, and the 2nd chip stack called with Ace King. And the short stack, prior to the hand, made a $1,960 profit by folding. They played heads up about 5 hands before the tournament was over. A total of $1,140,000 of chips were in play. Ken had the lead when the final table started. When it was down to 5 players, Ken had $560,000 of the chips. Jeff "The Treeman" was 2nd, Jim Pond was 3rd and Vince "The Pope" Bradley was 4th. This Webmaster was the "Bubble".

Local Player places 7th in Major Borgata Tournament

Wednesday, August 13, 2008 - Local Player, Gordon McKenzie, from Delmar, Maryland, went into Day Three 3rd in chips at the Borgata's $500,000 Guaranteed Deep Stacks Tournament. He battled a tough field and took a terrible bad beat just after 6PM. His chips were once over $2 Million. However he was never able to come back strong. That bad beat left him with 700k with 12 players left. Gordon went out in 7th Place winning $71,000. Congratulations Gordon for your fine finish! Click Here for details

The tournamnent prize pool was $1.9 million with a field of 956. Gordon won his seat through a $250 Satellite.

Congratulations to Brian Hollywood from Passadena, Maryland for his 50th Place finish and $5,300 prize. Also John LeCato, Bellehaven, Virginia, finished 69th and won $4,200.

Editor's Note: Brian and his group have played in every Civic Center Event. He is personal friends with Steve Dannemann. John is a local Virginia businessman and plays regularly in the local charity events.