March Melee Review:

Another exciting and fun filled tournament hosted by the folks of the South Bay Poker Tour!

March 25^th 2006 was the date, and we had just what was expected… a total of 30 players.  Using the same blind structure as the October Invitational, the action was furious from the start.  Having no chance to re-buy would really make a player buckle down but with the players that we bring to Club Caribe, it’s almost impossible to play a tight game!  We joke about one of our S.B.P.T. members because his style is “Poker Fu” (which means that he is never afraid to push all his chips to the center), well it would appear our “Poker Fu” master has many disciples. All-ins were being called out left and right so it was imperative to have good card under your card marker!

    Once again, the folks at Club Caribe treated us like celebrities. Everyone is so nice and prices are so reasonable, it really is my favorite place to host a tournament. Special thanks to Lisa, our tournament director!  She was delightful and did all she could to make us feel welcome. Thanks

    It didn’t take long before players hit the rail and quickly found places at the Black Jack table and into other Hold-em’ games.  One of our players had a literal crowd around him at the Black Jack when he had well over $100.00 in play and doubled down, hit his 21, only to have the dealer hit a miracle joker (California rules) to push. Bummer!

    After about 3 hours, we made it down to the final table and luckily I was still alive to represent the S.B.P.T. and luckily after picking a new seat at the final table, I picked the same seat so I didn’t have to move the entire tourney.  Here too, at the final table, players were quickly finding their way to the rail and into other games and surprisingly, I’m now one of three still alive in the tournament to represent our cause.  With the blinds as high as they were and the huge stack going all in, I made the decision to call with 10/3 suited and was surprised to see that I flopped two pair but when the river was the fourth diamond on the board, and I didn’t have one, I too hit the rail with surprising impact.

We are now heads up and our two gladiators are:

Short stack- Clint Micheals

Huge stack- Brian Cochran

It would only take but one hand to crown a champion.  With J/9 suited against 7/3 suited, it was all but over when a Jack was flopped but to add a final touch, the river would straighten him up and crown Brian Cochran our March Melee Champion!

Thanks to everyone who attended and thanks to Club Caribe for their hospitality.

Slick