TILLY IS 50 YEARS OLD

Jennifer Tilly may have surprised alot of people when she won a bracelet in the 2005 World Series of Poker Ladies No-Limit Hold’em event, but she would prove later that year that she was no one-hit-wonder with her first place victory at the World Poker Tour Ladies Invitational.

On June 27, 2005, Tilly won a World Series of Poker bracelet (and $158,625) in the Ladies’ No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em event, outlasting 600 other players. She followed up this accomplishment on September 1, 2005 by also winning the third World Poker Tour Ladies Invitational Tournament held at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles. Tilly has appeared in the GSN Poker Royale series. She appeared in the third season of Poker Superstars but was eliminated in the preliminary round.

Tilly has stated that at this point in her career she is more interested in pursuing poker than acting. As of 2008 her live tournament winnings exceed $450,000. Tilly also appears in the World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions 2007 Edition video game (along with current boyfriend, Phil Laak) that was released in 2007 by Activision.

I’m not sure where I want to go with this...I'd like to believe that it’s because she’s makes good reads and is a heck of a poker player, but let’s be honest, if you were a guy in sunglasses with that pictured above sitting across from you, I’d imagine you’d probably be a little distracted. I don't think that type of outfit, or those type of distractions belong in poker.

She is currently dating poker professional Phil “Unabomber” Laak and is nicknamed “The Unabombshell” within the poker circuit. Laak is 14 years younger than Tilly, and personally I think he's an annoying guy to watch.

But she’s FIFTY. I honestly can't believe it. She could easily pass for 35, poker keeps you young baby.

WSOP BROOKTOWN EVENT OCT 3RD -

We are 1 week away from our penultimate event. NL Texas Hold ‘Em.

Due to a last minute change of plans, the event will be held at my house in Middletown, and as usual we’d like to start by 8pm. Please let me know who will be attending, I’m a little tight on space so FOUNDERS only this month. Below is the blind structure and starting chip counts.

Be sure to visit our websites for additional information.

www.BrooktownLeague.com



Event Overview – NO LIMIT TEXAS HOLD ‘EM

THE GAME

The game is No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Maximum number of players - 14.
• Minimum number of players - 3.
• Chip Value:
o White 25
o Red 50
o Green 100
o Blue 250
o Black 500

BUYIN/REBUY/ADD-ON

• The initial buy-in is $40. This will purchase 3,500 in tournament chips. These chips have no monetary value.
• A player may add-on at any point in the tournament prior to the first hand of round 5. Each player is allowed up to 1 (one) add-on in this tournament.
• Add-on are $20 and will purchase 1,750 in tournament chips.



SEATING

• Table assignment and seating will be determined prior to the start of the tournament by random drawing. (However, the tournament director reserves the right to redraw the tables).
• Button position will be determined by the random assignment of seat #1. Seat #1 will be the first to deal.
• If we have in excess of 10 players at the start of this event we will use two tables.
• If the tournament began with two tables, as soon as the remaining players equal 8, we will combine the two tables and have one table of 8 players.
• When the difference in the number of players at the two tables is greater than 1 then a player must move from the bigger table to the smaller table. When a player is eliminated and a move must be made, the player ‘playing a hand’ in the same position (seat), relative to the left of the button (on the subsequent hand at each table) at the highest populated table must move to the eliminated player’s seat. The move must occur before the next hand is dealt at any table. For the purposes of this rule, a player is ‘playing a hand’ once all the blinds/antes have been posted and the dealer has begun shuffling (riffles the deck).A moved player will be dealt a hand at the start of the next deal and assume any obligation of the new seat including the posting of a blind or dealing.


BLINDS

• The two players to the left of the dealer are required to post “blind” bets before seeing their cards. The 1st is the SB and the 2nd is the BB.
• If the SB is knocked out, the button essentially goes into his empty seat.
• If the BB is knocked out, then the BB moves on to the player who would have had it next and there isn’t a SB on this hand (SB moves into the empty seat). On the following hand, the button would wind up in the empty seat. The player who just had the BB would have SB, and the BB moves on normally to the next player.
• When play is down to two players, figure out who would get the BB next if nothing had happened. He will be the BB on the next hand. The SB is always on the button and the other player is the BB.

SCHEDULE FOR BLINDS
Level Time Limit Little Blind Big Blind
1 40 25 50
2 40 50 75
3 40 50 100
4 30 75 150
5 30 100 200
6 30 150 300
7 20 200 400
8 20 300 600
9 20 500 1000
10 20 800 1600
11 15 1000 2000
12 15 1500 3000
13 10 2000 4000
14 10 3000 6000
15 10 5000 10000

The above schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the tournament director, in an effort to complete the tournament by 2am.






TIMER USE AND BREAKS

A timer will be used to time the blind progression. When the timer expires, it should be immediately restarted. The next hand will be dealt at the new blind level. For the purposes of this rule, a hand is considered currently in play once the all blinds are posted AND the dealer has begun shuffling (riffles the deck).
The timer is stopped during breaks. No additional hands at any table should be started during such a break although hands already in progress should be completed.


THE DEAL

The player to the right of the dealer may be given the right to cut the deck before the cards are dealt.
The dealer is responsible for making sure that all bets have been called before dealing each round of card(s).
Order of the deal:

1. Dealer deals two cards (one at a time) face down to each player.
2. Betting round 1 occurs.
3. Dealer burns one card and deals 3 cards (flop) in the middle of the table face up.
4. Betting round 2 occurs.
5. Dealer burns one card and deals one card (turn/4th Street) in the middle.
6. Betting round 3 occurs.
7. Dealer burns one card and deals the final card (river/5th Street).
8. Betting round 4 occurs.


BETTING

• Check and raise is allowed.
• The minimum bet is equal to the size of the BB.
• The raise must always be at least the size of the previous bet or raise.
• Any player can bet all of their chips at anytime (ALL-IN).
• Betting round 1 begins with the player to the left of the BB.
• Betting rounds 2-4 begin with the player to the left of the button.
• When only two players are left sitting at the table, the BB is dealt to first, the button acts first before the flop, and the BB acts first after the flop.
• Do not splash the pot. Stack your bets in front of you the dealer will rake the bets into the pot after the betting round is complete.
• Do not bet, check, call, fold, or raise out of turn.


WINNING THE TOURNAMENT

The final player remaining, in the championship round, with all the chips will be the first prize winner. The last player eliminated will be the second prize winner; the second last player eliminated will be the third prize winner, etc... If two players get eliminated in the same hand, the person who started the hand with the most chips gets the higher finish and awarded the corresponding prize pool for that placement.

JULY 1, 2010

Only 819 days.

It doesn’t sound like that long a time.

819 days ago it was January 5, 2006. Rich Southard had just won the first Brooktown WSOP title, no one knew what “subprime” really was, Pedro Martinez was probably hurt, and on Lost we were 5 episodes in and had no idea what was going on.

Not much has changed.

So what is so exciting 819 days from now? Well, on July 1, 2010, LeBron James becomes a free agent and will sign a contract to play for the Knicks. Now I know the Knick fans still have two full seasons of preparation (and losing) to endure. They have to be sure not trade away expiring contracts, and they probably have to lose a lot more games, but none of that matter. For the Knicks it’s all about 7/1/10. For now we must simply get rid of Isaiah, and get this roster ready to make room for the greatest player ever to play for the Knicks.

Sorry Clyde and Patrick, but LeBron will be the most exciting, captivating, “must see TV’ thing to hit Broadway since rumors (yes I’m starting them) of Moulin Rouge hitting the big stage.

819 days…19,656 hours….

By then Rich may still be the defending WSOP champion, no one will know what subprime really was, Pedro will probably still be hurt and I’m sure we’ll still have no idea what is happening on Lost.

It’ll be here before we know it.

19,656 hours…1,179,360 minutes.

BROOKTOWN POKER APRIL EVENT INFO

One week from tonight is event # 4. No limit Hold Em.

The event will be held at JMAC’s in Spring Lake, and as usual we’d like to start by 8pm. Please let me know who will be attending. Below is the blind structure and starting chip counts.

Be sure to visit our websites for additional information.

http://www.brooktownleague.com/


Event Overview – NO LIMIT TEXAS HOLD ‘EM

THE GAME

The game is No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Maximum number of players - 16.
Minimum number of players - 3.
Chip Value:
White 25
Red 50
Green 100
Blue 250
Black 500

BUYIN/REBUY/ADD-ON

The initial buy-in is $40. This will purchase 3,500 in tournament chips. These chips have no monetary value.
A player may add-on at any point in the tournament prior to the first hand of round 5. Each player is allowed up to 1 (one) add-on in this tournament.
Add-on are $20 and will purchase 1,750 in tournament chips.

SCOTT DAVIS WINS FEB POKER EVENT

Thanks again to Jay for hosting the 3rd poker event in his house in the last 60 days or so. He always says "that's what the basement is for" and it's hard to argue with him. He even put out the blue cheese (or is it ranch, I always get the white creamy sauces confused) and the duck sauce and no one spilled any of it.

No Limit Hold 'Em...I have to say, it has really gotten pretty competitive, we have played it 14 times now in BROOKTOWN WSOP history and in any given month, just about anyone can finish in any place. This month, 2 of the top NL Hold 'Em players in Brooktown, if not the world, finished 10th and 12th (Jay and Rich). Jim Martucci had his best showing in over 2 years (not counting the satellite) and Stan, who was the self proclaimed "Hottest player in Brooktown" was gone in 11th place.

Neil, Scott any myself were all seated at the same starting table, and any of us could have easily been out in 10th or 11th place, having been all-in and short stacked a number of times, but "luckily" we all held on. Mike Triola had built up a nice chip stack and was playing very well pushing players around and making things happen, but after the merge, the cards went cold and Mike's quest for that ever elusive 1st Brooktown win, will have to wait at least another month.

At the other table, January winner Bob Darakjy, was again the first time to rebuy, but this time it didn't work out like it did in January as Bob was the 2nd man down. Jay's A3 lost to an A2 when the 2 fell and I know JMAC had a ton of chips early (doesn't he always) but he was 1st man out after the merge.

As a matter of fact, none of this month's top 4, Scott, Neil, Mark and Triola didn't finish higher than 10th last month, and last month's top 4, Bob, Mangine, Jay and Stan, didn't finish higher than 9th this month, making for a no clear cut leader in the points (and top 6) battle.

As Jay showed us last year, and Rich the year before though, until August or September roll around, you're never out of the hunt to avoid the dreaded satellite table.

Next month we play 7 card stud where again, anything can happen. With only 25 days to go until March's event, it's just about time for me to log on to full tilt and figure out a way to increase my luck and win a poker tournament.

BROOKTOWN WSOP NEXT EVENT FEB 8TH

We are less than 2 weeks away from our February event. NL Texas Hold ‘Em.

The event will be held in Jackson, and as usual we’d like to start by 8pm. Please let me know who will be attending. Below is the blind structure and starting chip counts.

Event Overview – NO LIMIT TEXAS HOLD ‘EM

THE GAME

The game is No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Maximum number of players - 16.
Minimum number of players - 3.
Chip Value:
White 25
Red 50
Green 100
Blue 250
Black 500

BUYIN/REBUY/ADD-ON

The initial buy-in is $40. This will purchase 3,500 in tournament chips. These chips have no monetary value.
A player may add-on at any point in the tournament prior to the first hand of round 5. Each player is allowed up to 1 (one) add-on in this tournament.
Add-on are $20 and will purchase 1,750 in tournament chips.



SEATING

Table assignment and seating will be determined prior to the start of the tournament by random drawing. (However, the tournament director reserves the right to redraw the tables).
Button position will be determined by the random assignment of seat #1. Seat #1 will be the first to deal.
If we have in excess of 10 players at the start of this event we will use two tables.
If the tournament began with two tables, as soon as the remaining players equal 8, we will combine the two tables and have one table of 8 players.
When the difference in the number of players at the two tables is greater than 1 then a player must move from the bigger table to the smaller table. When a player is eliminated and a move must be made, the player ‘playing a hand’ in the same position (seat), relative to the left of the button (on the subsequent hand at each table) at the highest populated table must move to the eliminated player’s seat. The move must occur before the next hand is dealt at any table. For the purposes of this rule, a player is ‘playing a hand’ once all the blinds/antes have been posted and the dealer has begun shuffling (riffles the deck).A moved player will be dealt a hand at the start of the next deal and assume any obligation of the new seat including the posting of a blind or dealing.


BLINDS

The two players to the left of the dealer are required to post “blind” bets before seeing their cards. The 1st is the SB and the 2nd is the BB.
If the SB is knocked out, the button essentially goes into his empty seat.
If the BB is knocked out, then the BB moves on to the player who would have had it next and there isn’t a SB on this hand (SB moves into the empty seat). On the following hand, the button would wind up in the empty seat. The player who just had the BB would have SB, and the BB moves on normally to the next player.
When play is down to two players, figure out who would get the BB next if nothing had happened. He will be the BB on the next hand. The SB is always on the button and the other player is the BB.

TIMER USE AND BREAKS

A timer will be used to time the blind progression. When the timer expires, it should be immediately restarted. The next hand will be dealt at the new blind level. For the purposes of this rule, a hand is considered currently in play once the all blinds are posted AND the dealer has begun shuffling (riffles the deck).
The timer is stopped during breaks. No additional hands at any table should be started during such a break although hands already in progress should be completed.


THE DEAL

The player to the right of the dealer may be given the right to cut the deck before the cards are dealt.
The dealer is responsible for making sure that all bets have been called before dealing each round of card(s).
Order of the deal:

Dealer deals two cards (one at a time) face down to each player.
Betting round 1 occurs.
Dealer burns one card and deals 3 cards (flop) in the middle of the table face up.
Betting round 2 occurs.
Dealer burns one card and deals one card (turn/4th Street) in the middle.
Betting round 3 occurs.
Dealer burns one card and deals the final card (river/5th Street).
Betting round 4 occurs.


BETTING

Check and raise is allowed.
The minimum bet is equal to the size of the BB.
The raise must always be at least the size of the previous bet or raise.
Any player can bet all of their chips at anytime (ALL-IN).
Betting round 1 begins with the player to the left of the BB.
Betting rounds 2-4 begin with the player to the left of the button.
When only two players are left sitting at the table, the BB is dealt to first, the button acts first before the flop, and the BB acts first after the flop.
Do not splash the pot. Stack your bets in front of you the dealer will rake the bets into the pot after the betting round is complete.
Do not bet, check, call, fold, or raise out of turn.


WINNING THE TOURNAMENT

The final player remaining, in the championship round, with all the chips will be the first prize winner. The last player eliminated will be the second prize winner; the second last player eliminated will be the third prize winner, etc... If two players get eliminated in the same hand, the person who started the hand with the most chips gets the higher finish and awarded the corresponding prize pool for that placement.

Is Brooktown a "No Limit Hold 'Em League"

As most of you may remember, we considered a couple of possible rule changes to the structure and set up of BROOKTOWN Poker.

One of the suggestions up for consideration, was to have the over all points leader select the final championship game. The votes were a resounding 12-1 against (Stan being the only one that voted for it, with the proposer of the rule even voting against it.) I heard alot of chatter about how we are really a Hold 'Em league above all else.

While is it true that we do have almost half of our events, as well as the two play-off events as NL or PL Hold 'Em, I strongly will argue that this is an all around poker league first, with an emphasis on Hold 'Em. We are modeled after the official WSOP (http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com/) with respect to what events they play as well as taking the concept of points and a year end championship from the World Poker Tour (http://www.worldpokertour.com/index.php) but I think we have a much more diverse roster of games then both these formats. These two "leagues" are so over loaded with Hold Em events, it makes us look like a RAZZ league.

It stands to reason, at least to me however, that as long as these two entities have such an emphasis on NL Hold 'Em, so should we, both in number of events, as well as "play-off" events.

If anyone is interested in starting, or running, a league of all Hold 'Em, or all 7 card stud, or even Yahtzee, I would hope you would consider inviting me to join, and you can count on me to be there at every event and support the hell out of it.

First Event of 2008 is in the books

Well...we're off.

And the winner as I am sure you all know by now, is our newest member Bob.

H.O.R.S.E. what can I say....I think I'm a little confused as to how the "real big time" poker players in this world (not Rich and Jay, but Doyle Brunson, Negreanu et al) consider this event "the ultimate test of skill."

Now don't get me wrong, by no means am I disparaging this event, and I am looking forward to playing it again (do I hear requests for playing it twice in 2009?) with a revamped structure as to not have to sit there until 4 in the morning watching people play RAZZ, but until I can get a better feel for how to play RAZZ, Stud, and Stud Hi/Lo, with some better feel for the hands, the odds and the strategy, I'm going to be relegated to sitting there for 4 hours with the proverbial deer caught in the headlights look on my face.

Last night, or actually early this morning, we saw the pitfals (damn I miss Atari 2600 sometimes) of carpooling. Triola was first out and had to wait around for Jay who finished 3rd and Jim was 2nd out and had to sit there until the end as he rode in with 2nd place finisher Richie.

All in all though Brooktown is off to another sold start, I thank everyone for helping keep my house in order and allowing Bosco to drool on most of your legs for the better part of 8 eight hours.

Congrats to Bob on getting 2008 off a great start.

BROOKTOWN WSOP 2008 SET TO START TONIGHT

As we head into the 4th year of BROOKTOWN poker I never would have expected to see this thing do as well as it has. I thank all of you for your support and dedication. I think we've got a great group of 14, and probably could push it to a 3 table league if it was feasible and prudent, but sometimes it's not the size that matters.

Hopefully I won't be sad (not finishing 2nd) after the events, or tired (it does suck driving home from Frank's at 3am) to put down some observations and thoughts after each event.

I ask all of you to keep a thick skin, and open mind, and take most of the comments I put here with a grain of salt. Anything I say is meant to be in good fun and really, isn't that what this is all about? Just a diversion from the real world and an excuse to have some fun.