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I received the invitation from Dennis a month ago but was still fashionably late when the Saturday came around. It must be in my asian genes! The group was already drinking, eating Mary’s delicious appetiziers and chatting away when I showed up, but thankfully I wasn’t the last person!

The weather was simply magnificent. I wished all the summer days could have been like that – warm and bright with a gentle breeze. The food came and more were on the grill, and everybody was digging in to their heart’s content. I bet even retirement is not this good everyday.

The Main Event
Finally, we got down to the purpose of our gathering. Everybody had been trash talking and it was time to show your skills! Sheila had her poker hardcard (written on the back of a chewing gum package), and everybody was ready to ante up and start the poker tournament.

6 of us played 2 freeze-out sessions that night with Dan winning the first tournament. I dominated the second tournament and won that round. I was the first to bust out in the first round when I tried to catch Richard’s bluff. To my dismay, he showed 2 pairs and I didn’t catch my semi-bluff straight-draw. But redemption was mine in the second session when I knocked out Richard by catching my open-ended straight on the river. The poker gods were smiling on me.

The Hand Of The Night
Since I busted out early, I dealt all the remaining hands of the first tournament. The bad-beat of the night had to be Richard vs. Sheila. Sheila covered Richard and was in command at the flop. Richard was all-in with Ace,10 vs. Sheila’s trip-kings. Richard needed a runner-runner QJ to win. The Queen of hearts came on the turn and everybody waited in anticipation. I forgot to burn the top card and pulled out a 4 of hearts.

So I put the 4 of hearts aside and the next card was a Jack of diamonds. What a suck-out! Richard completed his straight and stayed alive. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and everybody was having a good time.

Reflection
I’ve put up the photo album for you to enjoy. I’m just glad that I could back up my trash talking by winning the second tournament in dominating fashion — being the big stack bully the entire night. I had no doubt that Dan could do well with his experience, but it’s been a while since I played poker. I’m just blessed with having wonderful friends who know my way of having fun — eat, drink and play!

I have registered to play in the PokerStars World Blogger Championship of Online Poker! This Online Poker Tournament is a No Limit Texas Holdem event exclusive to Bloggers.

Registration code: 2078122