I played the first Yanok tourney on Friday, of course I didn't place. This will be the first year that I've participated in the extra $5 qualifier for the Year-End tourney. I would've had a LOT of chips last year had I paid that extra $5. But as my buddy Brian M. can attest, being the chip leader doesn't mean you're getting paid!
And in the world of "It could always be worse" I could've paid all year long and not placed once - Sorry Brain Y. 
Anyways, the first NDPT tourney was also this weekend. I played it on Saturday. This was one of the largest tourney's we've had - 30 in all. I started out slow and really didn't catch any hands. When we were down to two tables, I think the biggest hand I had seen up to that point was pocket 7's. But I have to say I played very patiently. Might have something to do with the fact that I wasn't drinking!
My hopes of even placing were lost when I called Rick's (aka "Frank's brother") all-in with AJ suited clubs. He had pocket Jacks - great hand! I got lucky on him on the flop to catch my Ace. There were two spades on the board and Rick had one spade. The turn and the river were both spades! I couldn't believe it! But the best hand pre-flop won, which is the way it should be. I would've just rather NOT seen the ACE in the first place. Ah, the ups and downs of POKER!
Now I was down to 1200 in chips with the blinds 400 and 800. I folded my hands around until I was the big blind, and look down at J9 off-suite. I was put all-in for an additional 400. Nothing I could do but call. Jerm had AJ, I was dominated! The flop and turn didn't help either of us, however the river was a 9! I couldn't believe it! After that double up I never looked back. I started catching some good hands and playing them right and folded the crappy hands. Soon it was down to three left: me, Brian, and Jamie. Brian and I alternated between who had the chip lead. I had great position on Jamie and thus was allowed to steal some blinds. Soon I was the chip leader. When Jamie took Brian out we were practically dead even in chips. After 5 hours of playing, I offered to split 1st & 2nd with him. We counted our chips to see who would get 1st and 2nd for the points race. I had 15,300 and he had 15,600 - we would've been playing for a long, long time! Best just to split the $410 pot!All-in-all a great weekend. Thanks Frank for hosting. Next month is my turn!
