| So, there I am, surrounded by six other poker players: Matt Headlee, Mike Payne, James Goforth, Jenell Armstrong, Silas Tsang, and the Co-Founded of the OPT Luke Shortridge, (and Jenell's viewing fiancé, Keith), ready to play poker for $200 and the title of OPT 2006 Champion, and likely the last time the title of "OPT Champion" will ever be played for. When we started, there was one thing going through my mind: "Boy, I can't wait to go back to the Juvenile Court on Wednesday! That's been a blast so far." Que Weird Al's polka rendition of "Let's get it Started," and the Chairman's "Allez Cusine," and off we went. I sat down determined to not turn into the Angry Poker Nerd and just to relax, have fun, play poker, and become at peace with the thought that I wasn't going to win this year. I kind of figured Headlee would beat Goforth heads up for it since he'd been running well lately, and James can grind out in a poker game longer than any rock, and I don't mean a "rock" as in Hellmuth's Rock player type, I mean an actual rock you find on the ground. We started with T3000 (or 3000 in Tournament chips) and thirty minutes levels on our normal blind schedule. Two players who could have been there were missing; Gregg Hart was at the Phantom of the Opera (which Ray Welch tells me is quite the amazing show) and Jeff Hartman was busy working on his Toledo Party...site...thingy. But, that was okay, I was still happy that the game was actually taking place, and as it turned out, it was the largest pay out we would have this year. Early on, I realized I wasn't in formal OPT dress, so I had to change into my black mock-turtleneck and my Dollar Sign bling that's been with me since the 2004 Championship. Ironically enough, it's getting a little old and rusted... And if I'd had a chicken suit in my bedroom, you know I WOULD have put it on after uttering the words "Time to get serious." The game started out decently slow, but still, a few large pots were played at first. Headlee gathered a lot of chips at first, but out of no where Jenell started playing like a wild woman deep into the first hour. I think it started because she realized that a lot of people were playing tight, but also calling to see a lot of flops. I think it later developed into Keith wanted to leave soon and the game wasn't speeding along all that fast, but either way, she was gathering up chips quickly. Although...I did catch her bluffing when I called her with Queen-high once... Headlee was the first one to drop out. Then Silas doubled up through Jenell and later took Jenell and James out on one hand. James to this day says he knew he should have folded his Queens to Silas's reraise and Jenell's all in push, but I think it wasn't a totally bad call, save for the gut feeling of knowing they're bad. It was down to myself, Silas, Luke, and Mike...and it stayed down to us for around THREE HOURS OF FREAKIN’ PLAY. During this time, I fell down to around T1500 in chips with Silas nearing T11,000. Silas started playing not to lose, doubling me up a time or two, giving many chips away, and finally went out in fourth place. Mike, Luke, and I played three handed for another hour or so. During this hour. we all had the chip lead, only to lose it and be very low. Luke, however, ran into my Ace high flush (of hearts). And then he slammed into my pocket Kings (but the board made a straight, tying the hand), and my pocket Aces which finally pushed him out of the game. Mike and I played about four hands before we both flopped top pair (nines) and I had the higher kicker. That's right...I won...again... OPT 2004, 2005, and 2006 Champion...WTF? Seriously...I'm still in disbelief. Well, the OPT League was a lot of fun over the past three years. It's sad to see it go away, but that doesn't mean the OPT is finished completely. There's still going to be poker, it just won't be every week, and it won't be in a league format. This will be a good thing as I study for the bar exam. |
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