Head Fish!

Ingram - Jim H's five victories were enough to take the top spot in the FNCPT's inaugural double-elimination, heads-up NLHE tournament late Saturday night.

Only 14 players RSVP'd for the tournament despite 18 regular invites and 39 substitute invites.  After everyone arrived, the first round match-ups were randomly drawn.  Tom W. faced Jim H, Jason Tr. faced Keith K, Kevin A. took on Sean O, Eric W. faced John M, Nick G. faced his wife Anita G, Angie S. faced Pat M. while "Buffalo" Bill B. and Jason Ta. received first round byes.

The blinds were 10 minutes each and included the following levels:

1. 500-1k
2. 1k-2k
3. 1.5k-3k
4. 2k-4k
5. 3k-6k
6. 5k-10k
7. 7k-15k
8. 10k-20k
9. 15k-30k

Jim H, Jason Tr, Kevin A, Eric W, Nick G. and Angie S. advanced in the winners bracket whilst their opponents fell to the losers bracket. Sean O, John M. and Pat M. were the evening's first eliminations with each of them going 0-2 and tying for 12th place. They were followed by Jason Tr, Anita, Nick, Tom and "Buffalo" Bill who all finished 1-2 and tied for 7th place.

Kevin was out next when he was eliminated by Keith and finished 2-2 which was good for 6th place. Angie followed Kevin (out in 5th place) after losing a grueling match against Eric that got into the 7k-15k level.

Despite losing his first round match, Keith K. managed to string together 4 straight wins over opponents Sean, Jason Tr, Tom and Kevin. Unfortunately Keith's luck ran out when he was eliminated by Eric and finished 4-2 on the night.

Jim H. cruised into the championship match out of the winner's bracket with 4 straight victories over Tom, "Buffalo" Bill, Kevin and Jason Ta. 

The final 2 players in the tournament (Eric and Jason Ta.) faced each other out of the losers bracket with the winner facing Jim in the championship match. Jason Ta. prevailed when he rivered a straight against Eric's top pair sending Eric to the rail at 4-2 overall on the evening.

Jason Ta. (3-1 on the night) squared off against Jim (4-0 on the night) in the championship match at 2:30 AM. Jim's undefeated record gave him the advantage of a rematch if he lost the match. As luck would have it, that's exactly what happened. Jason edged Jim in the match giving each of them a record of 4-1.

The rematch started and advanced into the 3rd level when Jim dealt a huge blow to Jason's stack. Jim raised to 5,500 preflop with A-8. Jason reraised to 10k on top with K-10 and Jim called. The 8-4-10 flop hit both players who both checked bringing the king turn which gave Jason two pair. Both players checked and the river brought an ace, giving Jim the bigger two pair. Jim moved in and Jason quickly called and was reduced to less than 30k. 

Jason managed to battle back a little until the final hand of the tournament was dealt. Both players got it all-in with Jason holding the Ac-8h and Jim holding the Ad-5d. Jim led on the 6s-5h-7d flop with a pair of 5's however Jason picked up an OESD. The Qd turn missed him and Jim continued to lead. The As river both hit and missed Jason giving Jim two pair the win.

 Congrats to Jim on the hard fought win!

With tying records of 4-2 overall in the tournament, Jason, Eric and Keith all tied for 2nd place and split 2nd and 3rd place monies.

Here is the completed bracket:

Thanks to all who participated in the event and we hope to see you next month.

~ Jason Tr.