Lead Story

The Big Weiner.

Four aces lie in front of Koneo still warm and damp from his excited fingers which had already begun their happy task of scooping up the massive pot at the center of the table. He picked up the twenties first. There were 4...and still lots and lots of chips. A deflated Feltman faded into the background, bad-beaten twice with excellent cards: he would not summon the strength (or cards) to reach for the chip mountain again. Koneo, playing in his last game as a bachelor won everything. And even after shedding a couple of mercy pots in the late going, he still ended up with 130 reasons to smile the whole way home.

Not to take anything away from the often chided player, Koneo benefited from a series of conditions and consequences that came together like a perfect storm to breeze the lucky one well into the $100+ category. Lyons played after an absence and bet like he was making up for lost time—emphasis on the word ‘LOST.’ Dano played with a renewed vigor, going both ways a few times, and hanging in too long a few more. Hank exercised acts of ‘Ultimate Prickdom’, raising with a lock at every opportunity. Most importantly, guys lost with good cards— Koneo ’s were always better.

This clutch-win could not have come at a better time for the beleaguered Kenny. He was almost a statistical lock-low, and a leading contender for ‘Poker Fool.’ The $100 win gives him +2 points. Dano now leads though Koneo will tie him on Saturday with the -1 point marriage penalty. It looks like a horse race to the finish—which will be next week, since the last Tuesday of the year falls on Christmas day.

When asked what he will do with his winnings. Koneo stated: “Now I can get my teeth cleaned.” If his dentist does as good a job as Koneo did on our wallets, his bride will have to wear sunglasses at the altar. Good luck on your big day Koneo , here’s hoping you didn’t use it all up this Tuesday.