Part 1

The time has arrived for the 2007 NPT Colorado Yearly Invitational. At stake, a seat into the 2008 World Series of Poker. This is a winner takes all, nothing else matters. The top 200 in points for the 2007 year from Nationwide Poker Tour of Colorado and the top 40 from Nationwide Poker of Nebraska are invited to play in this tournament. A field of 180+ players have arrived for this event. Nearly 140 are from Colorado and 40 from Nebraska. A intense environment ensues as a majority of the Nebraska poker players are branding Red DPT Shirts and chanting DPT- "Dave's Poker Tour". Colorado NPT Players are undaunted by the chants and find their way to the tables.

The "Poker Across America" team (Chuck P, Manny V, Jay M, Kelly, and I) are scattered amongst different tables. Level Blinds are 25-50, not much happens at my table, as I fold numerous hands and manage to win one pot to keep my stack level at 4,900. After observing the play of my table for 1 level; I go on the attack and am dealt pocket Queens in the big blind position. I raise the pot to 250 and get two callers. The flop is 9,K,6 and I bet out 400 into a pot of 850 and am called. The turn brings a 6 and I check. Mid position player checks as well. The river is a Queen, I now have a full house- Queens full of 6s. I bet 600 and hope that I get raised. The six could not have helped the other player. I am called and win a pot of 2050. I manage to go on a mini-rush and end level 2 with nearly 6,900 in chips. The pre-flop aggression has definitely picked up at our table as there are more pre-flop raises I win a few pots without having to show it down and end Level 3 with nearly 11,000 in chips.

Level 4, blinds 200-400, I lose a few small pots and am down to 10,300. I am dealt A,3 suited in the big blind position. It is folded to the button position and he raises it to 800. I re-pop it to 2,300. Button position goes into the tank and asks if I have pocket Queens again and finally decides to call. The flop is A,8, K. I have top pair and decide to push all-in for 6,300. He calls and flips over a set of 8s. The turn and river are of no help to me and I am sent to the rail. Just 5 minutes earlier I had nearly 12,000 in chips and was in good shape to make it to the 1st break. No Limit Holdem can bring a change in your fortunes with one pot or card. I'm really disappointed to in my play on this hand as I could have gotten away from this hand and been in decent position for the break. I was playing to win and trying to double up once more when I should have waited for a better spot to do so.

The 1st break is upon us and Kelly is the early chip leader of Team "Poker Across America" with over 14,000 in chips. The rest of the team (Jay, Manny- WSOP Circuit- Council Bluffs Omaha Hi/Lo 6th place finisher) & Chuck maintain their stacks near 6,000. Much to Chuck's dismay, Jay has been seated at the same table as the field of 22 tables is now down to 16 tables. Half of the Nebraska field has been eliminated from the tournament. The average chip stack is roughly 8,500. I am able to chat with many of the Colorado players and a few of the Nebraska players to gauge the mood of players. There is electricity in the air as Nebraska has come to win this Colorado event. I am interested in more recollections and viewpoints from amongst the Nebraska or Colorado group and welcome all comments for inclusion in the next blog via this link: contact Chewey

"Colorado vs Nebraska NPT" which state will take down the 2007 event? Coming Friday, March 7- Part 2: Colorado vs Nebraska NPT. Which state player will take down this event? What's going on with the Red Shirts? Is there going to be more action and mayhem than a WWE Event? Answers to these questions and more in the next installment. Chewey's Corner and Poker Across America will bring you highlights and interviews from various final table participants including the champions and their recollections of the most electrifying event of the 2007 year in NPT-Colorado history.

The only site to bring you highlights from the 2007 NPT Colorado Championship, Chewey