Comeback Kid Steve Jumps Into Second Place

In an unprecedented move, all eleven players started on the same table instead of breaking up the group. Did that favor one player over another? Certainly it altered some strategies as the blinds were raising faster than a full rotation around the group.

Host, Brett, fresh off the verbal support of his delicious pulled pork sandwiches (see poll on the right side of the page) utilized his standard aggressive approach to jump into the chip lead early with some strong betting and showing down the occasional winning hand.

One of the victims of Brett's success was Aran whose all-in call cost him nearly all of his chips. But a second all-in got him back in the mix for a while before falling out after Beast became the first man out.

The night was filled with controversy as dealer positions were ignored, cards were prematurely flipped and all-in bets were counted too fast. The volume at the table reached new heights with a half-joking, half-irate exchange of ideas on how to remedy the missteps.

Then came the greatest comeback in the history of the Camel Cup Poker Tour when Steve went all-in with a minimal amount of chips and holding on dearly to a pair of pocket 3's. They held up when he flopped a set and he was back in business. He went all-in moments later holding 10-4 offsuit and won again as his 10 paired. Riding the tidal wave of success, Steve called a shorter stack's all-in with a J-9 offsuit and won yet again.

In the end, Adam's failed all-in left three players in the points/money including the current co-leader, MattM. The comeback kid took Brett and MattM out in one shot, completing his phoenix-like rise from the ashes. It's important to note the accomplishment of MattM who has gone back to back 1st and then 2nd place finishes. Surely a darkhorse before the tour began, Matt is now in the overall lead, has secured his spot at the final table and is now looking to get his free buy-in.

Administrative note: the Tournament of Champions was discussed with a potential date/location of March 14 at Tulalip. More to come as Aran sorts out the details.

Here are the standings from Event #3:

1) Steve
2) MattM
3) Brett
4) Adam
5) MattG
6) Ben
7) Jon
8) Chris
9) Tyler
10) Aran
11) Beast