Norborne - The 23rd time was the charm for Jim O. as he managed to lock up his first FNCPT win. Jim used a mixture of good cards early and the ability to survive starting the final table card dead on his way to victory lane. As a sub, Kyle's second place finish gave him enough points to ink his name into the current April 8. Third place went to Nick who has cashed in all three events this season.
Although the limit event was popular in the off-season poll, filling seats proved to be difficult. Seven regulars were unavailable (at least one was because of the limit format) and it appeared that E3 was going to be sparsely attended. At one point, we had as many as three subs fill up the empty seats. But as the event drew near, an eighth regular had to back out a ninth regular canceled the day of the event, and one sub was a no-show. And so play began with only 13 players and S3E3 became the first FNCPT short-handed event with 6 players at the red table and 7 at the blue table.
Jim H. was the first elimination of the night, putting together several solid hands that proved to be second best. He lamented about it on the FNCPT Google+ site. Jason Tr. was the next out, unable to put together any traction or ever put his chip stack in a positive direction. Anita became the first elimination at the red table, finishing in 11th place. The final table bubble burst when Eric's A-9 went up against Keith A-J and Keith hit an unnecessary jack on the flop. It was Eric's second consecutive 10th place finish. At the second break, three of the four players eliminated were prop players that failed to make the final table in this small field event.
The first casualty of the final table was Pat M. followed by John M.. John's call-on-the-draw, attempting to knock out two people crippled him when he didn't get there. Nick finished him off, but John ended up breaking even on the night when the
won him the $40 River Jackpot.Angie had built up a solid stack and was looking to build on her S3E1 win when she got mixed up with Nick, who committed all his chips preflop. In typical fashion, Angie wished Nick good luck with his all in, despite going against her. Nick showed A-3 and despite a 3 on the flop, he was a long shot against Angie. But he made his 2-outer on the river to double up and left Angie crippled. She stayed afloat for awhile, but ultimately finished in 7th place.
With less then half the starting field remaining, Keith K. was looking to follow up his S3E2 cash with another night in the money. He got off to a strong start, winning the first two pots at the blue table. Though he gave away some chips early at the final table, he steadied the ship and was ready for another run at the cash when he tangled with Jason Ta. and came up short, finishing 6th.
Sub Jeff O. had built a monster stack by the time the final table formed, but he was withered away by the limit structure and the oppressive stretch of blinds after the third break. In the end, he finished in a respectable fifth place.
Typically, FNCPT events pay 4 spots. But with the thin field of 13, only three spots were being paid. And so with four players left to fight in out, one would still go home with empty pockets. The cash bubble was burst by Jason Ta., though despite the disappointing finish has managed to make the final table at each event this year, improving his finish each time. He will certainly be looking to cash in event #4.
Three-handed play began with Kyle, Jim O. and Nick and the first to blink was Nick, being eliminated in third place. As mentioned above, not only has Nick made each final table this year, but he's managed to cash each time as well, putting himself at the top of the April 8 and leading the prop bets through three events.
As heads up play began, the players agreed to forgo antes and dug in for what was expected to be a long battle given the limit structure. In reality, it didn't take long for Kyle to make top pair on the flop with Jim holding the nut flush draw. And a
on the river gave Kyle top two but also filled Jim's flush. All the money got in and Kyle had four outs the the boat (or any 10 for a chop). But it was not to be as a harmless gave Jim his first FNCPT career victory.
Thanks to all who participated in Event #3 and congrats again to Jim O!
