Part 2

In the last entry, I was eliminated in the 4th Level with blinds at 200/400 and over 18 tables remaining or nearly 106 players remaining for a chance at winning a seat to represent NPT Colorado for the 2008 WSOP. Team Poker Across America's Manny V, Chuck P, Jay and Kelly were still in contention for the WSOP Seat. The air was full of electricity as players from Nebraska were also invited participate in the NPT Colorado Championship. A majority of the Nebraska players wore red shirts that read "DPT" Dave's Poker Tour. This was a tour that was formed recently in Nebraska that was formerly a part of NPT. DPT Leader Dave K was on hand and was pleading his case to be allowed to play in this event. NPT Colorado Director John Allen rejected Dave's request to play in this event but allowed the other Nebraska players to participate. Nearly all of the Colorado players had no knowledge of this but word soon spread about what the red shirts meant and who the red shirts were directed at. Nebraska was here to win the WSOP Seat and give NPT Colorado Director- John Allen a long hard day to remember.

Amidst the sea of red shirts, Kelly was maintaining his chip stack at 5,500. Thus far, the table has been tight and not many flops were being seen. Most players have fallen into the trap of playing too many hands and forced into compromising situations of playing a 50/50 race for all of their chips. Kelly has been able to avoid this situation thus far. He is dealt A,10 suited in the button position and raises it up to 2,000, 5xs the big blind. It is folded around to the 1st position limper who reraises all-in for 3,600. We now have a huge All-In moment for Kelly. Kelly goes into the tank and calculates the odds. Getting nearly 4 to 1 on his money, Kelly is still in the tank. meanwhile, at another table- a Colorado player- Dhana has just eliminated another red shirt - Nebraska player and the number of Nebraska players is inside 18. Dhana has just scooped a mid sized pot and her stack is around 7,500. I take a quick glance and she nods to me. At another table, Chuck P & Jay are now seated at the same table much to my dismay- fellow PAA members at the same table.

Kelly finally makes the call and is behind with A,10 against a pair of 5s. The flop brings a 10 for Kelly and he has eliminated another Nebraska player and increases his stack to nearly 14,500. This hand was a virtual coin flip and Kelly was barely behind and managed to win. The rest of the level, Kelly raises many uncontested pre-flop pots and approaches the break with over 21,500 and aongst the top 5 in chips. Dhana makes its to the break with 8,500, Chuck P at 7,500, Jay at 9,500 and Manny V at 8,000.

During the break, Nebraska players huddle together and Colorado players are in seperate groups of their own. One thing is certain there are no loss words. Words/phrases such as "take what's yours back to Nebraska'; Why are there so many of us at the same table. Let me interject and say that NPT Colorado director John Allen did not have to let the Nebraska players participate in this event as they were no longer a part of the NPT Tour. John demonstrated much class by allowing the Nebraska players to play in this event and not much appreciation was demonstrated from their part. I received lots of emails and comments about the day's events and happenings. Here are a few, all sources will remain anonymous:

-"John is such an a**hole and deserves it!'
-We're the best players and here to take what's rightfully ours!"
-As you know I am all about fairness, and my hat is off to John,Steve and the rest of the Colorado NPT players that did not allow the obviously (for what ever reason)disgruntled Dave and his side kicks bring down the house and take center stage in our yearly, and the game we play in Honor of our beloved Harvey.May God Bless all of You!!! - Colorado Player
-We love reading your blogs & wish everyone could just get along. - Nebraska Player

The above are just a few of the comments sent in and more will be revealed in the next edition. As many of you may know, a beloved and dear poker friend, Harvey Burry passed away in January of 2007. In honor of Harvey, the Yearly NPT Colorado Championship is dedicated to Harvey and each year the winner's name is engraved on the NPT Yearly plaque beside Harvey's pic. Last year's winner was Stephen Chevalier, who will this year's winner be? Will a Poker Across America Team member take it down, will it be a Nebraska player? or Will the title stay in Colorado?

The 30 minute blind levels and desperation All-Ins are beginning to fray the nerves of all players. We are now inside 100 players and Kelly takes a much needed break to gather his thoughts and almost all of the players are taking a much needed break for playing for the one of the biggest prizes awarded in NPT Colorado 2007 history- a seat into the 2008 WSOP. As we approach the final table, tensions rise, heated arguments develop and chants of DPT began a deafening roar and turn the venue into a raucous atmosphere like that of a soccer arena. A physical tussle ensues and bodies fly; putting NPT Staff Member Steve and Frontier patrons in harms way. All this and more in the next entry of Chewey's Corner: 2007 NPT Colorado Championship- Part 3".

The Final Table Nears,
Chewey