ESPN Texas Hold-em at Basketball HOF

[Koop]

This was a very cool event and I'm hoping to have some pics up within a day or two.

Johnny Archer made a nice run but in the end, Manalo's lead was just too much. For those who have not seen Marlon play, the guy is a machine. At least now I know what all the hype was about because this was the first time I got to see him play.

The final 4 were: Manalo, Archer, Owen, Morris
Gabe went out first.
Rodney made a go of it but having to go all in every game made it inevitable that he would not be able to hang on.
This left Archer and Manalo where Archer, being the low man, had to go all in every game. He snapped off about 4 in a row before Manalo slammed the door.

Regards,
Koop

 

[Rude Dog]

This was a very cool event and I'm hoping to have some pics up within a day or two.

Johnny Archer made a nice run but in the end, Manalo's lead was just too much. For those who have not seen Marlon play, the guy is a machine. At least now I know what all the hype was about because this was the first time I got to see him play.

The final 4 were: Manalo, Archer, Owen, Morris
Gabe went out first.
Rodney made a go of it but having to go all in every game made it inevitable that he would not be able to hang on.
This left Archer and Manalo where Archer, being the low man, had to go all in every game. He snapped off about 4 in a row before Manalo slammed the door.

Regards,
Koop

Thanks Koop, glad you had a good time. Peace, John.

 

[ARM9BALLER]

This was a very cool event and I'm hoping to have some pics up within a day or two.

Johnny Archer made a nice run but in the end, Manalo's lead was just too much. For those who have not seen Marlon play, the guy is a machine. At least now I know what all the hype was about because this was the first time I got to see him play.

The final 4 were: Manalo, Archer, Owen, Morris
Gabe went out first.
Rodney made a go of it but having to go all in every game made it inevitable that he would not be able to hang on.
This left Archer and Manalo where Archer, being the low man, had to go all in every game. He snapped off about 4 in a row before Manalo slammed the door.

Regards,
Koop

Did Rodney at least make you laugh? If so, then the trip should've been worth it.

 

[bud green]

Can someone post the rules (or a link) for the hold 'em event?

I'm curious how they did the betting, raises, or whatever...

Might have to give this game a try.

 

[Koop]

Can someone post the rules (or a link) for the hold 'em event?

I'm curious how they did the betting, raises, or whatever...

Might have to give this game a try.

Hey John and Arm,

I did get to say hello but it was between matches and I hate to bother these guys during a tournament. He was his usual funny self though making the whole crowd laugh.

Bud,

I was there for the semi-finals and finals so I'm not sure if the rules or stakes changed but I can tell you what I saw.
Marlon and Rodney were already through to the final round so the semi's were:
Gabe, Johnny, Luc Salvas, and Charlie Williams.
The betting starts out at I believe $10K per man, alternate break, ball in hand on a miss. Pure OFFENSE.
After a full turn through everyone, the bets are raised and eventually you have someone who only has enough to go all-in.
Luc and Charlie were forced all in at some point and Gabe and Johnny advanced.

Finals in break order and money order were:
1. Manalo 2. Archer 3. Owen 4. Morris
Manalo's chip lead was tremendous.
Owen was the first eliminated as he was forced all in with a bet of $40K.
At this point, the bet was equal to the lowest man alive which meant every game Rodney was all in. He made it interesting by winning a couple but he couldn't get enough to surpass Johnny who was next.
In the finals Archer was all in every game and won 3 or 4 in a row but like I said earlier, Manalo's chip lead was just too much.

Hope this helps,
Koop

 

[Snapshot9]

Rooms

One of our Pool rooms will hold a Ring game or
Texas Hold'em Tournament anytime there is enough
guys with the money that want to play.

 

[NaClBandit]

I, too, was at the event and had a great time. http://www.texasholdembilliards.com

As for the format, there were 2 groups of 4 players in the Semi's. There were 4 rounds:

Round 1 - stakes = $5k, player A breaks first, player B second, player C third, player D fourth.

Round 2 - stakes = $10k, player B breaks first, player C second...

Round 3 - stakes = $15k, player C breaks first...

Round 4 - "All In" round - short stack is all in, proceeds until 2 players remain, player D breaks first...

Four players advanced to the finals. The only difference was that the stakes were higher in the first 3 rounds (maybe $20k, $30k, $40k).

Manalo played great, and luck was on his side a bit when coming to the table (few problem balls). An interesting rule was that after a miss the incoming player had ball-in-hand, so if someone missed you would come to the table as the favorite to win that game and would be breaking in the next! Winning on your break was obviously key, but the break and run % wasn't as high as I thought (maybe %20 or less - what do you think Koop?).

I didn't know that it was ALL OFFENSE, and was wondering why the players didn't tie up balls when they had no feasible shot. But both Archer and Manalo did attempt to cluster balls in the final round.

I think Rodney had a decent shot at winning. In the Semi's he was playing great, getting out every chance he had. He failed to get out twice in the Finals which was what killed him. He made an incredible jump shot in his penultimate game that sent the crowd into a frenzy, but missed the next (tough) shot.

Archer made an incredible run-out to reach the finals. He had to bank the 6-ball cross-corner and go three rails for position on the 7 and barely made it. He threw his arms in the air when he realized he'd executed the shot successfully.

The venue was great, although seating was sparce (I had to sit on the 2nd floor in a director's chair...without my name on it!). They sold cocktails outside the arena too. It will be aired on ESPN in the coming months, not sure exactly when though.

 

[Koop]

Manalo played great, and luck was on his side a bit when coming to the table (few problem balls). An interesting rule was that after a miss the incoming player had ball-in-hand, so if someone missed you would come to the table as the favorite to win that game and would be breaking in the next! Winning on your break was obviously key, but the break and run % wasn't as high as I thought (maybe %20 or less - what do you think Koop?).

I didn't know that it was ALL OFFENSE, and was wondering why the players didn't tie up balls when they had no feasible shot. But both Archer and Manalo did attempt to cluster balls in the final round.

I didn't know you were going. Too bad we couldn't have met up.
Break and runs seemed to go in spurts. I would say that Gabe Owen had the most that I saw but your figure is probably accurate.

Funny on the tying up part. There were a group of guys in front of me saying what they would do for every shot that came up. I don't know if you remember the shot Charlie Williams made when he kicked off the short back rail to pocket his ball and get shape, but none of them saw it until I pointed out what he will probably do. They actually listened to me the rest of the way
When there were only two remaining and Johnny was all in every game, he had a real difficult shot where he had to kick. Obviously Manalo only needed one game and if Archer misses it's ball in hand for Manalo.
I said to the guys that it's probably wise to try and clump some balls together but it was the first time in the tournament I saw the need for it. When there were still 4 guys playing, if you decided to cluster some balls, you had to wait until each had a turn to get back to the table. Now, if Archer could make the run real tough on Manalo he may get back to the table with ball in hand.
It was a lot of fun and I thought, and a very cool format. The only thing I wish they would do is pay all of them something. I'm not crazy about the winner takes all part but it does add a lot of excitement and pressure.

Koop

 

[Koop]

He made an incredible jump shot in his penultimate game that sent the crowd into a frenzy, but missed the next (tough) shot.

Archer made an incredible run-out to reach the finals. He had to bank the 6-ball cross-corner and go three rails for position on the 7 and barely made it. He threw his arms in the air when he realized he'd executed the shot successfully.

To add to this, Morris' jump was a full ball jump which he stuck with a little draw. AMAZING shot.

That shot by Archer was awesome but I thought the one rail kick up in the corner was incredible too. Where it was basically a straight in shot except there was a ball right between them. He teetered on using the jump cue and then decided on the kick. One rail off the side and thin cut it in the corner. These guys are a pleasure to watch.