After playing in 8 minis beginning in March of this year and twice advancing to a semi-final table, I finally made it to the money table. While all the high-level action was going on at the Hilton MDIII this past Saturday I was at Boulder Station vying for 1st place money of $1250. On the last hand I was BR2 with 5 players still at the table and only three of us in contention for the top three places. I was second to bet, behind BR3 and ahead of BR1. With only a 150 difference between 2nd and 3rd place money but a 900 difference between 1st and 3rd, instead of playing to keep BR2 I opted to go for a possible win with a max bet. As the hand played out I hit 14 vs dealer 10, busting and finishing third. I wish to express my gratitude, first to Ken for creating and maintaining this site, and also to Ken and all of you more advanced players who are regular contributors to these postings for graciously sharing with us newbies the benefits gained from your years of playing experience. Absent the knowledge acquired here and from Ken’s strategy articles, I’m sure I would be just winging it without a clue as to any kind of informed play. May all your cards be aces and faces. [Unless I’m at the table, in which case it is: May your position at the table be…Always to the right of me! ] --jr
Final Table !!! Nice job jr. You always had the technical tools to compete in tournament blackjack you just lacked the confidence to take on the big boys. Now that you've cleared that hurdle I'm sure we'll be seeing more of you in the big ones. Try to make Bally's in two weeks. The shrimp's on me. Nice showing, IG
Thanks for the encourgement, guys. Well I guess I skipped over the next part of this clump. I almost had a repeat the next day at the Silverton: After winning the table in both Rounds 1 and 2, on the last hand of the semi-final I hit 16, busted and came in third. (Two advance to the final in this one!) Close but no cigar. Now I guess I’ll have to make the 271 mile drive to Turning Stone when I get back home --jr
Need Turning Stone Info Speaking of Turning Stone, I can't find any mention of their blackjack tournaments on their website. Do you have dates and details of their upcoming events? If so, either post them here, or add them directly into the event calendar. Thanks, -Ken-
Tournament Schedule at Turning Stone They have a "Blackjack Doubleheader" (2 tourneys in one day) the first Monday of each month unless it is a holiday, such as this month, in which case the tournament is the following Monday. For a monthly schedule, from the site's home page click Entertainment then Table Games. Here's a link: Tournament Page I have added next Monday's event as a one-time tournament and the monthlies beginning Oct 4 to the event calander. --jr
