Triumvirate Texas Hold'em Tournament Play, Shuffle up and deal!

[The Bohemian Rhapsody]

OOC: Sign-ups are unofficially closed. After a post about the casino/locale the tournament will be held in (by Ruperts), I'll allow a couple of days for people to RP their player's arrival and state of mind heading into the preliminary round. Once again, feel free to RP your players as often as you wish...it can only help your cause .

As was the format last year, there will be three tables of seven participants each (though one or two may have eight players). Each day one table will play down to three players. Then the nine remaining players will be combined into a final table, where they will play until a champion is crowned. The game will be played according to standard Texas Hold 'Em Rules, and blinds will start at $250/500 gold bonds. Beginning chip count will be $100,000 in chips per player. Every two hours of play, the players will be given a break, and the blinds will increase. The entire event will be televised on WSN (with commentary modeled after ESPN's World Series of Poker broadcasts). Table assignments were drawn randomly as follows:

Table 1:
Mark "Iceman" Callaway, Iyari
Amun Jaar, Lusus
Stephen "Mickey" Finn, Independent Planets
Juukar, The Grendels
Bryan Dorge, Silver Star HQ
"Slick" Rick Hanson, HUNTER A Bettik
Barak Mayer, New ZaKommia
Jericho, Vagus

Table 2:
Cletus Jones, The Bohemian Rhapsody
Maximillian MacTavish, The Bruce
Haakon Grim, Marldeep
Giancarlo Santangelo, Ruperts
Kirsten Cleaver, Equus
Morden, The Zocalo
Bentaro, The Centauri

Table 3:
Ivor "No Limits" GoodHand, PAX HEARTLANDIA
Colonel Aristeo Gaelin, Caphtoria
Joe Steele, Rebaltion
The Steeler, Victoryas
Ja-Ni Chan, Drakkel
Bruce Sidewinder, Arcurias
Yuri Orlov, Americaistan
Tommy Lucchese Jr., Tyryte


I hope that this tournament will be a hotbed of interest, intrigue, and imaginative RPing!

[The Bohemian Rhapsody]

OOC: Sorry for the gigantic delay, folks! Due to a number of RL and forum-related items the tournament has been delayed. But not much longer...Eric is too busy to host, so if someone already participating wants to send me a PM, they can offer to have the tournament held in their country/casino. The only obligation for the host is to set the stage for the rest of the players to arrive by describing the venue that will be hosting the event. If in the next few days (by the 7th) I don't get any offers, I will pick a casino to host. Its more fun if someone else does it though.

[The Bohemian Rhapsody]

Reposted from the Wysterian Forum--Ruperts

Ruperts to Host TTHT

The eyes of the gaming world will be locked onto Pavonia as The Casino di Ravenna plays host to the prestigious Triumvirate Texas Hold-Em Tournament. Players from all across Wysteria and beyond are already arriving in the Rupertian capital to take their shot at the multi-million gold bond jackpot, including defending TTHT champion "Slick" Rick Hanson of HUNTER A Bettik and hometown hero Giancarlo Santangelo.



Situated on the banks of the Elba River, the Casino di Ravenna is a 40-story complex that includes a five-star hotel, 12,000-seat arena, and over 500,000 square feet of casino space. Over 1000 slot machines and 600 gaming tables featuring everything from baccarat to tall card are open around the clock. The TTHT will be held in the largest of The Ravenna's three poker rooms, the Sala di Rinascimento, a marble-columned room decorated with massive frescoes and ornate chandeliers.

[The Bohemian Rhapsody]

Reposted from the Wysterian Forum--HUNTER A Bettik

The sudden change from Lavoie et Sant Tuc to Ruperts had been jarring for "Slick" Rick Hanson, but he had of course quickly adapted. The change between a luxury casino in LST and in Ruperts was a far cry from the Snake Eyes Orbiting Casino and anywhere else.

Hanson checked into the Casino di Ravenna alone after obliging a few of his fans an autograph and picture. His fiancee Renee Laporte had planned a tour in LST to coincide with his tournament, but had been unable to convince her agent that a Rupertian tour was as lucrative.

I must say, I'm impressed, Rick thought to himself. For as far as the eye could see, Hanson saw gambling in all directions as he observed the ground floor of Casino di Ravenna, but he demurred at the prospect of trying his luck just yet. There will be plenty of gambling soon enough.

Slick rode the private elevator to the penthouse suite that he had hurriedly reserved on short notice. It had cost him to upgrade from the room given to other players for the tournament, but the view alone was worth the price. The Elba River sparkled as pleasure boats ran up and down its azure surface.

After he had settled in and ordered a big room service dinner, Slick set down to watch tape of his fellow Table 1 players. It wouldn't be easy to come out of this minefield--by Hanson's estimation, the three tournament favorites were at this table--Hanson, Callaway, and Juukar. All three had previous TTHT experience, and all seemed ready to use that experience to exploit the rest of the table. None are as experienced as me, though, Hanson thought. As for the others at his table, the Lusian was probably dangerous, while the ZaKommian would either bleed chips or bleed the other players from what Slick had heard. Dorge was an ultimately non-threatening player, though Hanson had never seen him play, while the Texan had shown some flashes of ability and some weaknesses to exploit. Finally, there was the strange creature from Vagus, who was intriguing for, if nothing else, his unusual appearance. All in all, it would be a challenge, but Slick felt like he was up to it.

Slick was here for one thing: to win the champion's bracelet again. There was no second prize for this tournament, and that was just how he liked it.

OOC: Feel free to RP your characters' arrival into the Casino di Ravenna if you so desire. I'll give you a few days to do this and then we'll start the action.

To Tyryte/anyone else interested, you can still enter a player until I start play, so get in your entry forms if you're interested!

[The Bohemian Rhapsody]

Reposted from the Wysterian Forum--Caphtoria

Colonel Gaelin had arrived at the Casino di Ravenna. He noted that its architecture was similar to Caphtorian designs.

He was an unknown entity at Tournament, and he doubted any of the other players had been playing poker for over a hundred years. Win or lose, he was sure that he would enjoy himself. With the diversity of the other players, the Tournament should prove to be an interesting psychological case study.

[The Bohemian Rhapsody]

Reposted from the Wysterian Forum (Vagus)

The red-furred maledict stepped off of his private jet and turned back to offer a hand to the two scantily-dressed females that followed him. They looked horribly uncomfortable in their tight little leather outfits but Jericho didn’t seem to care- he just grinned at them from behind a dark pair of sunglasses and patted their rumps once they reached the bottom of the stairs. Despite Jericho’s status as a Vagusian celebrity he couldn’t be sure that the ladies in Ruperts would be as friendly to him as those in Vagus, so he felt it was only fair that he bring some “carry-on” along with him for the trip. After all, if you looked like the twisted spawn of a wolf, a rat, and a human dunked in red paint you couldn't go to other countries and expect to get anything more than curious (or frightened) stares. Jericho was accustomed to getting his picture taken everywhere in Vagus, but here in Ruperts he suspected they were snapping shots of him for an entirely different reason. The maledict half expected to hear whispers that Bigfoot had come to town- and he wasn’t a reclusive forest-dweller after all but instead was a high-roller with his own private jet.

The tall, muscled furre waited for his ladies to hook their arms through each of his before strolling toward the limousine waiting for him. The long white vehicle took him to Casino di Ravenna where Jericho quickly checked into his room, smiled charmingly at a few curious onlookers- they seemed rather frightened at his jagged row of pearly white fangs and slitted yellow pupils- and went up to his room for some R and R- that is, Rachelle and Ruby, his two escorts.

Later, after a luxurious nap in the huge bed he’d had all to himself- the girls had been given their own private rooms since Jericho was very picky about his privacy- the former Emir put on some walking-around clothes (Suit pants and an button-up white shirt, though he'd kept it unbuttoned down to his sternum) and went out to take a self-led tour of the building.

Poker was never far from his mind, of course, and Jericho was constantly mulling over the opponents seated at his table; however, he had always been a procrastinator, preferring to fly by the seat of his pants the first round rather than careful study and examination of his opponents beforehand. He knew of them of course, and had gotten a basic grasp of who they were through what information he could find on the internet, but he’d wait to do further study once the tournament started.

[The Bohemian Rhapsody]

Reposted from the Wysterian Forum (Rebaltion):

President Steele stepped off the governmental private jet. The first thing about the Casino di Ravenna he noticed was the typical capitalist excess. The second thing he noticed was the giant furry beast.
"What is that?" Steele asked one of his numerous aides in Rebaltion.
"Sir," said the aide, whose name was Robert, "I think that's Jericho from Vagus. And I'm not sure about the women."
"Capitalist," said Steele, dimissing Jericho from his mind.
The inside of the the di Ravenna was even more opulent than the outside. Steele made a face in distaste.
"Right," said Steele in Rebaltion, "Time to have some fun."
Robert watched Steele, trying to see what changed about him. His stance became slightly more casual and his face turned from a look of distaste to one of mild curiousity.
"And here we go," whispered Steele to Robert, before going from Rebaltion to Common Wysterian, "Let's get this capiatlist-fest moving!"

[The Bohemian Rhapsody]

Cletus Jones sauntered into the Casino di Ravenna as if he owned the place, with beautiful escorts on either side of him. The player from the Bohemian Rhapsody was a polar opposite from his predecessor, Wesley Cunningham, in most every way--manners being foremost among these differences.

In his heavy drawl, Cletus berated the concierge for delaying in getting him his room. Jones was hardly a usual client for the Casino di Ravenna. After all, he was clad in overalls and a hunting cap. Cletus' shoes looked as if they had been fished out of a garbage can, which they had.

Cletus had a couple of days to kill before Table 2 action began, and he was determined not to waste any time in getting the most out of the casino. After a few hours of consistent winning at blackjack and about a half dozen shots of bourbon, Cletus stumbled into his room and immediately fell into a deep sleep.

The people in the room adjoining the poker player called the front desk complaining of noise. When the concierge checked out the complaint, he found that Cletus was just snoring. It sounded like a dying hog.

Classy, the concierge thought with distaste. That was Cletus Jones--the epitome of classiness.

[The Bohemian Rhapsody]

Reposted from the Wysterian Forum (Iyari)

Mark Callaway made his way through the hotel lobby, pausing only briefly to nod hello to a red furry thing dressed as Tony Montana, and headed straight for the elevator. Ever since he returned to poker full time Callaway had been a regular at the Ravenna, and was of course accorded the expected treatment. When the tournament's move to Ruperts was confirmed his usual suite was reserved automatically.

Callaway took out his Blackberry and looked over the new table list again as the elevator made its way up to the 39th floor. The plan was simple, be patient and play to make it though to the final table. He wondered if he would be able to get a read on the furball. He looked forward to playing Hanson again, but he was going to stay away from him if he could during the opening round, so as not to give Rick opportunities to try and read his game.

He opened the door to his suite and was greeted by a leggy brunette in a slinky dress. She had a lot of those, and in fact Callaway enjoyed buying them for her. They had reservations for dinner at La Rochelle, the five-star restaurant on the second floor of the hotel. Afterwards it was off to the tables for some tall card, it was her favorite game. Plenty of time for poker later.

[The Bohemian Rhapsody]

Reposted from the Wysterian Forum (Americaistan)

Yuri Orlov, as was his style, barged into the Casino di Ravenna without regard for the safety of anyone else. Several people were bowled over by the massive, hairy Americaistani marble quarrier.

Orlov was in a particularly bad mood today due to the fact that he'd sat in the middle seat in the airplane row for the entire twelve hour flight from Alien City (where his flight from Valgrad had connected to) to Ruperts. Yuri had been seated between a mother with a baby that wouldn't shut up and a man who wouldn't stop rambling about his cat. It had taken all the strength in Orlov's constitution to avoid breaking them both in two--after all, the former slave desperately needed a way out of his hard life in the marble quarries. Even men as strong as he eventually were killed by the strain of quarry work, and this tournament was his way out of that.

The renowned bear hunter was moderately impressed by the Casino di Ravenna, but opulence really wasn't Orlov's style. Give me a timber dire bear hunting lodge over this any day, Yuri thought. Nevertheless...I'm here, and this definitely beats the quarry. Orlov had to wait until Table 3 started to play, so he had time to enjoy the finer things in life in Ruperts. He headed straight for the bar and didn't emerge for quite some time--though the vodka was not of the quality of Americaistani manufacture, it sufficed for Yuri.

The Americaistani player smiled as he slammed home his fifteenth shot of vodka. This is the life!

[The Bohemian Rhapsody]

Reposted from the Wysterian Forum (Lusus)

Unlike his Americaistani counterpart, Amun Jaar had traveled in style to the Casino di Ravenna. The Lusian man had relaxed in the first class section of the Air HUNTER flight from Lusus to Ruperts, with a beautiful heiress to a Rupertian trucking company as a companion. Had he closed the deal? You bet he closed the deal! He was Amun Jaar!

Amun didn't let his celebrity in Lusus go to his head though. After all, he was only known regionally as a cash game player, though he hadn't done too badly for himself in tournaments at Gapaw Ixtal casinos either. The flashy Lusian arrived at the Casino di Ravenna just in time to almost get bowled over by Orlov. Not wishing to get his new bright green robes dirty, Jaar wisely sidestepped the burly marble quarrier.

Amun got to his suite as quickly as possible, watched some tape of his Table 1 competition, and decided quickly that he needed a drink. There was no doubt about it: Table one was a tough group...but Amun's extremely tight play would serve him well as he better learned the tendencies of his tablemates. Some he had seen play, but many he had not seen. He was intrigued particularly by the presence of the unknown ZaKommian man.

In any case, Amun Jaar couldn't have a night completely wasted on studying film. He changed into bright orange robes and descended to the gambling floor. Amun had two goals: to find a decent martini and to chase some prime tail.

The things I do for my country, Amun thought to himself with a smile as he bravely went about his duty.

[PAX HEARTLANDIA]

As the taxi drew to a halt outside the Casino di Ravenna, its sole occupant Ivor "No Limits" GoodHand paid the driver then recalling what happened last year to his nations entrant, he pulled his collar up and after exiting the cab he made a swift dash across the pavement and into the entrance.

Not the most dignified entrance he had made to a tournament but when needs must he thought, he took a huge inwards breath as he made his way to the reception desk, 'Let the games begin' he mused to himself.

[The Bohemian Rhapsody]

Reposted from the Wysterian Forum (Zakommian Trademaster 1)
The moment Barak got in the casino and looked upon the tables list he could already feel his blood boiling and anger taking over him.
"WHAT?!" Barak was furious "GET ME THE MANAGER!! I WILL NOT SIT ON THE SAME TABLE WITH A FILTHY GRENDEL DOG!!"

Reposted from the Wysterian Forum (The Grendels)
Juukar got out the limousine and snarled. Observers of the tall gnoll would have realized it was only a slight snarl and taken it as a sign he was in a good mood. Not nearly as snarly as the time he’d nearly ripped a man’s arm off with his teeth, after being referred to as resembling one of the dogs playing poker, depicted in a framed picture on the wall.

He was just as happy that the venue had been changed to the Casino di Ravenna in Ruperts, from Lavoie et Sant Tuc. Juukar didn’t speak a work of French and wasn’t in the mood to learn anytime soon.

The casino warrior drew a tough table, but remained a draw if he’d gotten the most annoying one. The arrogant Centauri or the insane ZaKommian. It was the kind of tough call between the two that had made him take a bit more extra time to file his teeth this morning. They better have some decent whiskey. thought the gnoll, as he walked up the steps, adjusting the collar of his tuxedo.

Reposted from the Wysterian Forum (Zakommian Trademaster 1)
Barak could see the Gnoll arriving, he waited until their eyes crossed when he spat on the floor. "They let pests play poker. You disgust me." He said loudly, knowing Juukar must have heard him.

[The Bohemian Rhapsody]

Reposted from the Wysterian Forum (The Bruce)

Maximillian MacTavish was in his hotel room, staying clear of the distractions that Pavonia could provide, to focus on his game. His coach was loading up another video on one of the new players, obtained from footage of some obscure championship. He’d spent an hour earlier, poking around the room where the games would be held, to get a feel for the place, but now he was back to studying his opponents at table two.

“Did you see that?” piped up Pat MacSporran, pointing at the video monitor.

“Yes,” replied Maximillian flatly. “He did the same thing three hands ago. I’m going to call room service and get some more iced tea.”

[The Bohemian Rhapsody]

Reposted from the Wysterian Forum (The Centauri)

Bentaro swept into the lobby of the Casino di Ravenna, viewing his surroundings with the moderate disdain of a jaded tourist. His deep blue suit was well tailored and modeled after his people’s military dress uniforms of times long past. It had rich golden braidwork and buttons of real gold, each bearing the symbol of House Godan. A more elaborate house crest was worn on his right breast, in the form of a jeweled brooch. For a nation that was government by manipulative opportunists, the clothes of the statesman were manifestations of duty to family and the state.

The Centauri gave a slight nod to the bellhop who took his bags, after checking in with the desk. He could see a gnoll and some pale human glaring at each other, behind him in the lobby and was certainly hoping that neither of them would be sharing a table with him in the tournament. The human was frothing at the mouth at the gnoll, in an attempt to start a brawl. The human was a vulgar barbarian at best, but at least he wouldn’t shed on him if he were seated nearby.

He turned and was met by another human, who was smiling coldly at him. It probably wants a tip. sighed Bentaro.

“What do you want?” asked the stranger, still smiling.

“What? Who are you?”

“That’s really not important,” smiled the stranger. “What is, is what do you want?”

“You are a lunatic, leave me alone.”

“Are you certain that’s all you want, to be left alone?”

“Do you really want to know what I want?”

“Yes, very much so.”

“I will tell you then, if it will get rid of you,” sighed the exasperated Centauri. “I want to not have to share a table with either of those barbarians shouting in the lobby. I want to stretch out my hand and take all the chips at the table I’m at and the chips from all the other tables. I want to walk away from the poker table a champion and not have to leave any chips behind me when I leave. I want it all! Does that answer your question?”
.
Bentaro abruptly headed up to his room, taking a last look at the strange human before entering the elevator.

“Yes, it does, Bentaro,” said Morden, to himself, still smiling.

[The Bohemian Rhapsody]

Reposted from the Wysterian Forum (Caphtoria)

Gaelin returned to his room after having breakfast. Upon entering, he found a young Caphtorian woman waiting for him.

“Good morning Colonel. I hope you don’t mind that I let myself in.” his visitor said, almost seductively.

“Section 2 or 5?” he asked.

She smiled. “I’m not at liberty to say.”

“Section 5 then.” he said as he sat down. “I can guess why you’re here.”

“Don’t.” she said. “My orders were changed by the time I arrived. Let’s just say I’m on standby presently.”

“Do you have your own room, or do we share?” he asked hopefully.

She laughed. “Sorry Colonel. This was just a courtesy call. Besides, you’re old enough to . . .”

He held up his hand. “Don’t say it. I’m not that damned old.”

She laughed again. “I have my own room.” she said as she started to leave. She paused at the door then said, “You’re attractive for a man your age. I’m sure you won’t have any trouble finding a willing companion.”

She then left. Gaelin had no doubt who her target was, should she get the termination order. He hoped the order wouldn’t come. It would certainly spoil the tournament for him.

[The Bohemian Rhapsody]

Reposted from the Wysterian Forum (HUNTER A Bettik)

The stage was officially set for the second TTHT, and this one was bigger and better than the last. The Sala di Rinascimento at the Casino di Ravenna, a beautifully appointed, marble colonaded, frescoed poker room, was the site where all the action would be taking place, one table at a time. It was a hive of cameras and electronic equipment. The WSN crews would film the entire tournament at the tournament's magnificent feature table.

This table had of course been fitted with the latest in electronic gear--a camera from which each player's hole cards (the two they were originally dealt) could be seen--this year sponsored by Air HUNTER. There were also built in heart rate monitors to show the viewers at home the stress upon each player during hands. In addition, there was also a rabbit cam, which showed the viewers at home what card would have come up had the hand not ended prematurely due to betting. There were lights fixed at each seat that would show which player's turn it was. The whole set up was meant to be as fan-friendly as possible, as was the tournament structure.

It was important for viewers to note that in the TTHT's fast-paced format--with quickly accelerating blinds and antes, players must play more hands than they would otherwise do because the blinds represent a larger chunk of their chip stack. It's probably not the best indicator of the best overall player--that would be with low blinds and grind-it-out poker. However, such poker rarely translates well to the masses, so the WSN went again with the fast-paced action format that had worked so well last year.

WSN officials knew that many of the viewers didn't know too much about poker despite its regional popularity, so they would try to make it as fan-friendly as possible. During each show the commentators would make sure to explain most of the poker terminology used and would explain the rules. After each day of poker, the editors would condense the action down to a two hour block, with commercials from their paid sponsors.

This would mean that a delay of one week would ensue between the first day of the tournament and the first episode of "TTHT Part 2, Tournament of Champions" on the WSN. The casino's security force as well as strongly worded confidentiality agreements would of course ensure that the results weren't made public until they aired in prime time across the Triumvirate.

The audience was all in place:

All the other nonparticipating tournament players, and most of their retinues (those that weren't enthralled by the myriad other distractions offered by the Casino di Ravenna, as well as several affluent poker fans were on hand to watch the action.

One by one, the players of Table 1 entered the Sala di Rinascimento, to varying degrees of applause.

First to enter, in Seat 1, was the tournament veteran and Casino di Ravenna regular, Mark Callaway--accompanied by a ridiculously leggy Texan brunette. As was his recent custom, he was clad in his "Undertaker" ensemble: pressed buttoned shirt, black. Black dress slacks, black shoes with black socks. Black leather belt with a black buckle. Black designer sunglasses wrapping around his now clean shaven face and neat black hair. With his white as rice skin, Callaway truly cut an imposing figure. The crowd whooped appreciatively at their most familiar player.

If Callaway was the epitomy of intimidation, Seat 2 was the exact opposite. With his flashy purple Lusian robes, the diminuitive Amun Jaar was escorted by two very lovely Rupertian ladies to his seat, martini in hand. The Lusian playboy conspiciously displayed his bejeweled rings and necklaces for all to see, a huge smile on his face. The crowd cheered wildly.

Seat 3 was the young Texan, Stephen "Mickey" Finn, accompanied by his university sweetheart. Finn exuded a quiet confidence with his casual western attire. The crowd politely cheered the unknown Texan, though more than a few women were in love with the youngster--to the frank disapproval of his girlfriend.

Next to enter at Seat 4 was the widely feared and respected Juukar of the Grendels. The gnoll was attired in a flashy suit that did little to hide his abundance of fur or obvious difference. The cagey pro was given an enthusiastic cheer.

Seat 5 belonged to perhaps the least well-known member of the table, Silver Star's Brian Dorge. The nondescript middle-aged former arms manufacturer was clad, well, non-descriptly, with a business casual outfit and a TTHT hat. The audience barely acknowledged the unknown player.

However, the player at Seat 6 brought the crowd to their feet. "Slick" Rick Hanson, wearing a blue dress shirt, no tie, aviator shades, and the TTHT World Champion bracelet, made quite a scene. Hanson's new goatee was a hot topic in the poker world, but the general consensus was that it was a positive new look. The Bettikan arrived alone, but it seemed as though many in the crowd were cheering him on--of course, many of those had bet on the champ to repeat.

Seat 7, however, brought a chorus of boos from the crowd. This was returned by a sneer by the New ZaKommian ex-Skull Guardian, Barak Meyer. Meyer was dressed in a black tank top and the old ZaKommian Skull Guardian trousers. He stonily glared at the gnoll in Seat 4, and he obviously wasn't happy to be seated next to the occupant of Seat 8.

Last but not least was the occupant of Seat 8, the furry maledict from Vagus, Jericho. The maledict wore suit pants and an button-up white shirt, though he'd kept it unbuttoned down to his sternum, as was his custom. Jericho was accompanied by two beautiful women, which made his appearance--he looked like the twisted spawn of a wolf, a rat, and a human dunked in red paint--seem all the more bizarre. The flashy maledict took his seat enthusiastically and tried unsuccessfully to engage Meyer in conversation. The ZaKommian refused to acknowledge his presence. The audience seemed almost taken aback by Jericho's appearance and mostly was silent.

All in all, it was an eclectic and very difficult-looking first table, which gave WSN commentators plenty of fodder with which to set the tone of the TTHT.

Once again, the play-by-play announcer was longtime sports anchor Hugh Patterson, and the color commentator was excitable three time HAB poker champion Willy McGee.

The mood was set, and the players were seated at the feature table. The TTHT was about to get underway.

The TTHT Tournament director, HUNTER Corp. gaming director Richard Thomas, after making an introductory speech that reiterated the format of the tournament for the television cameras and introduced all the players at table one, began the TTHT with a simple line: "Shuffle up and deal!"


The TTHT was once again on.

[The Bohemian Rhapsody]

Reposted from the Wysterian Forum (HUNTER A Bettik):

The setup for this TTHT was very similar to the last one, as was explained by play-by-play man Hugh Patterson to the Wysterian audience tuned in to the first installment of WSN's coverage of the TTHT in Ruperts.

Hugh Patterson: Hey there, folks, and welcome to the second annual Triumvirate Texas Hold'em Tournament. I'm Hugh Patterson, and alongside me is three-time HUNTER A Bettik poker champion Willy McGee. An interesting field today comprises Table One, Willy.

Willy McGee: That's right, Hugh. Table One has a stunning variety of poker styles, players, and psychological differences. There's a lot of experience at this table, with Hanson, Callaway, and Juukar in particular looking like serious challengers. This one could be interesting, Hugh.

HP: To remind our viewers of the rules at the TTHT Willy, why don't you give us a quick summary of the rules to No-Limit Texas Hold-em?

WM: Right Hugh. In Texas Hold 'Em players are dealt two "hole cards" that they alone can use. A round of betting ensues, beginning with the player three to the left of the dealer. The minimum to enter the pot is called the big blind. It is an amount that often increases as the tournament goes on. Right now, the big blind is $1000 in chips. The action continues around the table, with each player either calling the big blind or folding their cards until play gets to the person immediately to the left of the dealer, or "the button". This person is called the small blind, because before the hand has been dealt they will have already paid half of the big blind into the pot. The person to the left of the small blind is the big blind, who before they even see their cards is already in the hand for the minimum pot size. They have an option of checking, in other words doing nothing but staying in the hand, or raising the pot.

After the initial round of betting, the dealer burns a card, or discards it, and turns over three cards in a row, called the flop. These cards are community cards: in other words, they can be used by all players that are still in the pot. Another round of betting ensues, this time initiated by the person closest to the left of the button. After this, the dealer burns another card and flips over the turn, or the 4th community card. Another round of betting follows, and then the dealer burns a final card and turns over the river, the 5th and final community card. A final round of betting ensues.

Whichever player has the best five card hand out of the seven cards they can choose from is the winner of the pot. This, of course, is assuming that the pot has even gotten this far, because at any time one player could be left to collect the pot because of betting the others out of the pot.

HP: Thanks Willy. For the opening level of the tournament, blinds will be at 500/1000, and will periodically escalate as the tournament advances. The purpose of this is to force players to play more hands. In any case, Willy, tournament play is under way.

WM; Iceman is first to act, or as we say in the poker community, under the gun. He sees 4s-3c and folds the rags--poker slang for a marginal hand. We can expect to see a lot of this from Mark, Hugh, as he's become a much more conservative player since the last TTHT.

HP: In seat 2, the Lusian Amun Jaar sees As-9s and calls the big blind. Finn, Juukar, Dorge, Hanson, and Mayer fold behind him. Jericho, who as the big blind is already in the hand, is faced with the option of checking his option or raising. The maledict checks, and we're going two to the flop.

WM: The flop comes out 2h-Ah-Kh. Jaar picks up top pair, while Jericho picks up a flush draw, needing just one more heart. The maledict is first to act, since the blinds act first after the flop, and bets 3000 chips, a pretty standard bet. Though wary of the flush draw on the board, the ultraconservative Jaar makes the call.

HP: The turn is a Kd, no help to either player. However, Jaar now has to be worried about Jericho having a king as well. The maledict bets 5000 chips at the Lusian...who after a long deliberation, makes the call.

WM: Jaar seems to believe that his two pair are best, but he isn't confident enough to push his advantage.

HP: The river card is a 7s, missing Jericho completely. Amun can only lose the hand if he folds. The maledict, representing a position of strength once again, fires out a bet of 7000 chips.

WM: He's trying to push Jaar off of his hand with nothing! A stone cold bluff attempt on the tournament's first hand. Jaar doesn't seem convinced though, and calls, raking in a nice-sized first pot from Jericho.

The chip leaderboard in the Sala di Rinascimento now read:
Amun Jaar: $116,500
Mark Callaway: $100,000
Stephen Finn: $100,000
Juukar: $100,000
Bryan Dorge: $100,000
Rick Hanson: $100,000
Barak Mayer: $99,500
Jericho: $84,000

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Action continued at the TTHT.

HP: Amun is under the gun, and he sees Ah-Js, and raises to 3000.

WM: For someone with as conservative a reputation as Jaar, he's been pretty active thus far.

HP: The table folds over to the small blind, Jericho, who sees 8s-8h! He re-raises Jaar to 6000 chips. The big blind, Callaway, quickly gets out of the way, and Amun makes the call. We're going two to the flop. It comes out 9d-5h-2s, no help to either player. Jericho still leads with his pocket eights and leads out with a 10000 chip bet, which pushed the Lusian off his hand. The maledict rakes in a small pot.

WM: At this point in the tournament, Hugh, the players are just feeling each other out, probing for weaknesses. Jericho continued his aggressive play and this time it paid off for him.

Chip counts:
Amun Jaar: $110,500
Stephen Finn: $100,000
Juukar: $100,000
Bryan Dorge: $100,000
Rick Hanson: $100,000
Barak Mayer: $99,500
Mark Callaway: $99,000
Jericho: $90,000

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The next dozen or so hands lacked any major action, and the big blinds or a raiser often winning the pots, causing very minor shifts in the chip counts. On one of the last hands of the first level, though, a confrontation did develop.

HP: Slick Hanson is under the gun, sees Ah-5s, and comes in for the big blind. Mayer, Jericho, and Callaway fold over to Amun Jaar, who sees Ad-Kc!

WM: The Lusian gets Big Slick--he should have no complaints about the dealer, who has given him nothing but playable hands thus far. He raises to 3000 chips, prompting a fold from Finn and Juukar.

HP: The big blind, the unknown Dorge, sees 9d-8d and comes along. It says here in his player bio that Dorge believes very strongly in the power of suited connector cards, and especially likes 9-8 suited. This might countermand his conservative nature Willy.

WM: Indeed it might Hugh. Slick comes along for the ride as well and we're going three to the flop. It comes out 8c-Ks-3d, giving Jaar top pair, top kicker--or top secondary unpaired card--while Dorge gets middle pair.

HP: Dorge bets out 3000 chips, pushing Hanson out of the pot. The Lusian just calls, slow playing his hand.

WM: And this is much more like Amun Jaar, Hugh. From what I hear, he is the master of trapping foes both verbally and with his smaller bets.

At the table, Amun Jaar, as was his style, was trying to get a rise out of the Silver Star player, and though Bryan looked a little put off by the whole thing, he wasn't giving up much.

HP: The turn is a Qs, no help to either player. Dorge now checks, fearful of the queen and realizing that there would be no flush draw. Jaar pushes out 5000, but doesn't get a caller, as Dorge mucks--poker slang for folding without showing your hand--and the Lusian emerges from the first level at Table One as the chip leader.

Chip counts:
Amun Jaar: $116,000
Juukar: $102,000
Mark Callaway: $101,000
Rick Hanson: $101,000
Stephen Finn: $99,000
Barak Mayer: $96,000
Jericho: $93,000
Bryan Dorge: $92,000

[The Bohemian Rhapsody]

Reposted from the Wysterian Forum (HUNTER A Bettik)

Action continued at Table One in the Sala di Rinascimento with the second level, with blinds now at 1000/2000.

HP: Mark Callaway, on the button--more poker slang for being the first to act--sees Jh-Jd! Pocket jacks for Iceman!

WM: It seems like Callaway will come out firing with his jacks. He raises to 6000 chips, driving out the other players until the big blind, the maledict from Vagus. Jericho sees Qc-Jc, high suited connectors. They're good enough for a call. Little does the maledict know that his hand is currently dominated by Iceman.

HP: The flop comes out 9c-5c-5s--a flush draw for Jericho, but Iceman's jacks are still in the lead. Jericho, who apparently likes the look of his hand, leads out with a 10000 chip bet to the Undertaker, who remains expressionless as he smoothly calls the raise.

WM: Callaway doesn't seem worried by anything on the board, and the math is telling him to make a call here. Jericho has been pretty aggressive thus far, so Mark is less afraid of a raise in that situation.

HP: And the turn is a Kc! Jericho makes a flush and takes a hammer-lock on the hand. He bets out 12000 chips to Callaway. Tough decision for Iceman here Willy.

WM: You've got that right Hugh...Jericho has done nothing but bet, and bet big, at pots thus far. The Undertaker has to be afraid of the flush possibilities on the board, as well as the fact that a pair of kings beats his hand. We'll see how the new-look Callaway handles his first big decision of the tournament. He would need a jack or five to win the hand if he called.

At the table, Mark was outwardly a mask of composure, but internally, gears were churning inside his head as he ran the numbers...and they just didn't add up. He didn't have a great read on the maledict yet, so he relied on the math. He mucked his cards.

WM: A nice fold by the Iyarian there--one that last year he might not have made.

HP: And the Lucky Dragon Pale Ale Rabbit Cam shows that the river card would have been a 10h, no help to Callaway. That's our Farmer's Good Instinct Moment of the night. With that hand, Jericho regains all the chips he'd lost and then some.

Chip counts:
Amun Jaar: $116,000
Jericho: $110,000
Juukar: $102,000
Rick Hanson: $101,000
Stephen Finn: $99,000
Barak Mayer: $95,000
Bryan Dorge: $92,000
Mark Callaway: $85,000

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next hand was a surprise to many in the audience.

HP: After Jaar folds under the gun, Stephen "Mickey" Finn looks at Ah-9d and calls the big blind. The table folds around to the small blind, Jericho, who makes the call with Kh-6s. Iceman sees Jh-10h in the big blind and comes along for free.

WM: The flop is Qh-9h-Ad--giving a straight flush draw to Callaway and two pair to Finn! However, Jericho is first to act from the small blind, and he bets 5000 chips. A surprising move by the maledict, who is trying to represent a big hand against two bigger ones.

HP: Callaway's flush draw is good enough for a call, while Finn smooth calls with his two pair.

WM: I think that the Texan would have been better served by taking that pot down right there, but his bio shows that he is more of a passive player. We'll see if it works out for him this hand.

HP: The turn is a 9s, giving Finn a full house! This time, Jericho slows down and checks over to Callaway, who confidently bets out 12000 chips to Finn.

WM: Iceman appears to believe that the Texan can be pushed around, and is mildly surprised when Finn quickly calls his bet. Jericho folds immediately, and we're going two to the river. Callaway can only win the hand with an 8h for a straight flush, since Jericho had the Kh.

HP: And the river card is a 4h, giving Callaway a flush that is second best to Finn's full house. This could be dangerous for Iceman, Willy.

WM: Indeed it could, Hugh. Finn has only called bets so far, never raising, so he's been hard to get a read on him.

At the table, the Undertaker's mind was working dilligently to figure out just what it was that the Texan had. A-Q? Maybe he had a set of nines? A flush? However, the only hands that really worried Mark were a higher flush or A-9. The math worked out for this one. He bet 20000 chips to the Texan.

HP: Now we know why Finn has played this hand so slowly, Willy. He's been trying for a big payout from Iceman.

WM: I'm sure that Finn will raise here, but the key is finding an amount that will get Callaway to call. After all, Callaway has already put 39000 into this pot, so a reraise would probably be for a huge portion of Callaway's stack.

HP: And Finn announces a raise, pushing out four stacks of chips, a raise to 40000 chips--doubling Callaway's bet. And now Iceman has another big decision Willy.

WM: Yes he does. With a call here, Callaway would have only 26000 chips left. That's not enough chips to do much. One option going through his head has to be going all-in, though I'm not sure that Mark is willing to risk his tournament on this flush. The new conservative Iceman can't believe that the Texan really has him beaten here, but the possibility certainly exists.

HP: And after plenty of deliberation, Callaway makes the call, and is shocked when Finn turns over his full house. Iceman mucks his hand in disgust, and is now by far the short stack in the room. Meanwhile, the young Texan has a big chip lead.

Chip counts:
Stephen Finn: $165,000
Amun Jaar: $116,000
Jericho: $103,000
Juukar: $102,000
Rick Hanson: $101,000
Barak Mayer: $95,000
Bryan Dorge: $92,000
Mark Callaway: $26,000

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the shock of the last hand had subsided, action continued at the TTHT.

HP: Callaway's in a tough position now, Willy. If he wants to survive, he's got to pick a spot and push all-in preflop. He doesn't have much room to manuever in, unfortunately.

WM: Talk about starting off Level 2 poorly Hugh! Iceman needs to regroup quickly and forget about that last hand.

HP: The new chip leader, Mickey Finn, is under the gun and looks at Kh-Jc, enough for a raise to 4000. The Texan appears to be enjoying his newfound chips.

WM: Indeed, Hugh. When you have the chip lead, it is common practice to try and bully the shorter stacks at the table by betting before the flop and trying to steal the blinds. A veteran move by the youngster.

HP: Juukar folds, but Dorge sees 2d-2s, a weak pocket pair for the Silver Star player. He calls Finn's bet. Slick decides to get frisky and calls with 5h-4h, while Mayer and Jericho both fold, as does the small blind Callaway in disgust. Amun Jaar sees As-5s...a weak suited ace. He also makes the call.

WM: If he weren't the big blind, Jaar probably would have folded that hand, but since he gets the discount, he'll be happy to play a weak suited ace.

HP: The flop comes out 6c-Qd-4c--Hanson takes the lead with a pair of fours. Jaar checks, followed by a raise to 4000 by Finn, who seems unworried by the board. Dorge comes along for the cheap price, as does Hanson. Jaar folds, showing his excellent discipline.

WM: A confusing play by the Texan there. Did he think that such a small raise would get three players out of the hand? For a big stack, the Texan needs to push hard to get others to fold to his stack, or he won't be chip leader much longer.

HP: The turn card is a 10d, no help to anyone. Finn, who now has an openended straight draw, bets out 8000, causing Dorge to fold. Hanson, with only a pair of fours, appears to be considering a raise here Willy.

WM: Slick got into this hand looking to bluff the big stack, and he's going to try his hardest here. The Texan looks vulnerable to Hanson, and he loves to go after the young and inexperienced players. He raises to 16000 chips.

HP: Caught with only a straight draw, Finn nevertheless seems to be contemplating a call. The Texan must like his hand, because he called the Hanson bet very quickly.

WM: First the Texan calls all the way through until the end versus Callaway, and now he's calling with a marginal hand. He's hoping to get lucky with a king, jack, ace, or nine on the river.

HP: And the river card is a Ad! The Texan gets lucky again, rivering the nut straight--best straight possible--and now can only lose with a fold. That isn't happening. He bets out 12000 to Hanson, but Slick has already stabbed at this pot once with a bluff. He mucks quickly and the Texan rakes in the pot, increasing his chip lead.

WM: A stunning development at Table One: the two favorites are the two short stacks at the table while the untested Texan is the big chip leader.

Chip counts:
Stephen Finn: $202,000
Amun Jaar: $112,000
Jericho: $103,000
Juukar: $102,000
Barak Mayer: $95,000
Bryan Dorge: $84,000
Rick Hanson: $77,000
Mark Callaway: $25,000

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[The Bohemian Rhapsody]

Reposted from the Wysterian Forum (HUNTER A Bettik)

Action continued at the TTHT...

HP: Juukar, Dorge, and Hanson all fold their hands over to the ZaKommian, Barak Meyer, who up until now has been quiet at the table. He looks at 7s-7d...good enough for a raise to 6000. This drives out everyone until the big blind, Mickey Finn. The Texan sees Qh-Jh, good enough for the call.

WM: Finn is playing pots not only because of his chip lead but also because he's gotten a few playable hands in a row.

HP: The flop is 2s-4h-Ah, a flush draw for Finn, but Mayer's sevens still lead. Finn bets 8000 to Barack, who calls without much deliberation.

WM: It appears that Mayer is disregarding the Texan's moves and is trying to play his own game here. That's what happens when you wear masks most of your life--you aren't used to seeing people face to face. This environment appears to be deeply jarring for the ZaKommian.

HP: The turn is an 8s, no help to either player. This time, Finn checks to the ZaKommian, trying to get a read on Mayer. Mayer merely checks, so we're going to the river. The Texan needs another heart to complete his flush. And the river is a 2c, no help to the Texan.

WM: With not much on the board besides the ace, Finn has to believe that his opponent either has an ace, pocker pair, or had a similar draw to him. He checks, and Mayer raises to 16000, causing a fold from Finn.

HP: And Mayer rakes in a nice pot from Mickey, utterly without emotion. That is one tough cookie to read, Willy.

Chip counts:
Stephen Finn: $188,000
Amun Jaar: $111,000
Barak Mayer: $110,000
Jericho: $103,000
Juukar: $102,000
Bryan Dorge: $84,000
Rick Hanson: $77,000
Mark Callaway: $25,000

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HP: Dorge is under the gun, and folds, as does everyone until Mark Callaway, who sees As-Qh! Good cards for Iceman...will he push here Willy?

WM: If he doesn't then he's probably playing a little too conservative. He's got a few chips to work with, but he's not likely to get a better starting hand anytime soon. He might pay to see the flop and then decide based upon the result to move all in or not.

HP: And Callaway merely calls the big blind. Jaar folds, but Finn sees Ah-9s in the small blind. This could get interesting, Willy. Finn raises to 5000 chips. The big blind, Juukar, who has been very quiet thus far, looks at Ad-Ks! Big Slick for the gnoll! He reraises to 12000 chips.

WM: And Callaway reraises the gnoll all-in! Mark thinks that he is suckering the gnoll out of his money or at least sniffing out a bluff from the aggressive Juukar, but he is way behind. However, Finn, excited with the prospect of knocking out another player, makes the call! This could complicate things for the best hand. Does Juukar play the odds here and get his money in good? Or does he live to play another day?

At the table, Juukar smiled, showing off his yellow fangs. He had the right read--he was certain of it. "I call".

HP: If Callaway wins this pot, he could more than triple up, Willy. Meanwhile, Juukar and Finn will bet into a side pot that only the best of their two hands can win.

WM: Will we have our first elimination, Hugh? Iceman needs a lot of help here. The flop is 3h-7c-2c, no help to anyone. Juukar still leads with big slick. Finn is first to act, and he checks. The gnoll veteran wants to even out his odds, and bets 15000 into the pot with the intention of chasing Mickey out. Finn considers calling heavily, but thinks better of it and folds.

HP: Both Juukar and the Undertaker show their cards, and Callaway is dismayed to see that he is dominated by the gnoll. Only a queen can win him the hand. The turn is a 4s...hope for Callaway, as a five on the river would give both players a wheel--A through 5 straight--and they would chop the pot. Only one of the other three queens in the deck will win Iceman the hand now though...and the river is a Qs!!! Callaway sucks out on the river and triples up!

WM: Juukar is disgusted by his ill-fortune, while Callaway leaps and shouts giddily at his good luck, a near opposite to his bad beat that eliminated him at the first TTHT! He's still the short stack, but Iceman is back, baby!

Chip counts:
Stephen Finn: $163,000
Amun Jaar: $111,000
Barak Mayer: $110,000
Jericho: $103,000
Bryan Dorge: $84,000
Juukar: $77,000
Rick Hanson: $77,000
Mark Callaway: $75,000

--------------------------------------------------------

HP: Slick sees Qs-8c under the gun and calls the big blind. Mayer folds, but Jericho likewise limps in with As-2h. Callaway folds, still giddy from his suck out, as does Jaar and a chastened Mickey Finn. Juukar calls the blind with 7d-2d--the gnoll is getting frisky, Willy.

WM: Yep Hugh, it appears that the gnoll wants to get that losing taste out of his mouth as quickly as possible. Dorge, the big blind, checks his option with 8h-3s.

HP: And the flop is 3c-3h-Jh! Trips--three of a kind--for Dorge!

WM: He never would have played that hand if he weren't the big blind and could play for free. Luck like that is the reason that many pros work hard to eliminate players from the hand before the flop to increase their odds of victory.

HP: Juukar checks, and Dorge bets 8000 chips, the size of the pot. This drives out Slick, but the maledict gives Dorge a call. The gnoll folds behind Jericho, and we're going two to the turn. It's an Ah...an interesting card for both players.

WM: Jericho has made top pair, which he thinks is probably good, judging from the preflop betting patterns. The dossier on Dorge is that he has a tendency to bet big if he feels that he is ahead...and he does, with a 15000 chip bet. Right now, Jericho has to be thinking that Dorge has a flush draw or perhaps a jack. He just makes the call.

HP: And the river card is a Js...giving Dorge a full house!

WM: Dorge could be worried by a jack and a jack only, as his full house beats everything else. He's obviously not that worried, as he pushes out another 15000 chip bet to Jericho. The maledict has a big decision...if he thinks his aces are best, he should make a big raise to the Silver Star national. Otherwise, he needs to fold.

The maledict's mind was racing from option to option, doing the math quickly. He decided, looking into the nondescript former arms manufacturer's eyes that the man had him beat. He folded his cards, and Dorge pulled in a nice pot.

HP: With that pot, we're bunching up a little bit at Table one, with several similar small stacks at the bottom and in the middle, with the Texan the only one to create some separation for himself.

Chip counts:
Stephen Finn: $163,000
Bryan Dorge: $113,000
Amun Jaar: $111,000
Barak Mayer: $110,000
Jericho: $78,000
Juukar: $75,000
Rick Hanson: $75,000
Mark Callaway: $75,000

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