The first event of the 2007 SPT season occured last night, with Dave Gutierrez winning his third career event. The tournament was held with near capacity, as 17 players started at Waiz's house.

Play started slow, but then a rash of eliminations happened at the fourth level (100/200 blinds). We got down to the final table:

 

Dave G.        9,500

Greg Buhler 6,000

Dave Narayan   3,050

Kevin Bristow     3,850

Matt Mallory       7,300

Mike Bandy      9,500

Dave Finch       8,850

Eric Stamp      2,200

John (?)         750

 

I didn't catch John's last name, but it didn't matter much as his stack was knocked out on the first hand of the final table. Finch & Stamp were next, and we were down to 6.

Where we stayed for about an hour and a half. A ton of back of forth play finally ended when Dave was all-in with A-K vs. Kevin's pocket queens, and the Ace on the flop knocked out Kevin in 6th (and got us to the money).

At this point, blinds were fairly high, and the play moved quickly. Dave Narayan was out in 5th, earning $30 and 94 points, in his 4th career SPT cash.

Matt Mallory was out next, earning $39 and 116 points in his 3rd career SPT cash.

Greg Buhler was out in third, earning $68 and 148 points in his 13th career SPT cash, tying Jim McDaniel and Eric Stamp for third all time.

Heads up, Mike Bandy (in his first SPT event) and Dave G. went back and forth. Both were all-in multiple times and won. Finally, Dave hit a straight on the turn and got the money in, and ending up winning. Mike won $102 and 202 points in his first career SPT cash.

Dave G. won $141 and 322 points in his 3rd career SPT win, and 9th career SPT cash.

 

The next event will the 2007 Super Bowl major, held Saturday, February 3rd at Dave's house in Natomas. Preceding this event will be the 2006 Tournament of Champions! Look for an official invite soon.