It's Here. Do or die time. The Slow Play Saloon final 2009 regular event is upon us. One last shot at history. A chance to sit with the greats of the game and show the world that you belong.

Some players are comfortable with their positions. Others a little nervous, and still more that are already planning for January.

As 2009 winds down I thought we should look back over the past year. With hundreds of suck outs, bad calls, good reads and out of hand cash games, the stories are endless.

Our Points leader (65) had a hell of a year. Scott is the only 2 time winner in 09 and ran away with the points with 7 final tables through October. He is also one of only a few that played in all 10 games this year. I'm not sure what the total points record is but he must be getting close.

Kyle is 2nd in points with 54. That's great news. But he had 51 at the end of may. 3 points in 5 months does not bode well for our follicly challenged cohort. He will be coming into the stretch run badly needing to get something going. November is a time to get back on the winning trail for the one time points leader and prove to the rest of the field that he has what it takes.

3rd in Points is yours truly. 7 final tables but no first place finishes. A 2nd and 3rd were the best places I could post this year and I have to say that's a letdown from where I should be. Still considered the best player that's not Peruvian I feel that my move comes over next 2 months. I'm shooting for the win in November to take the Points lead away from Scott and glide into Decembers Tournament of Champions as the overwhelming favorite.

Chris W is alone in 4th. 4 final tables. a win and a third place finish solidify his place in December. Outside of a perfect storm he will sit amongst the best of the best. Another player who shows every month and quietly earns his points...Unless he has a few beers, then he loosens up and likes to chit chat. 20 points over the past 3 months he comes into November a top 5 player.

Big Frank...What can I say. Frank pays $83 dollars like everyone else but eats $80 worth of tuna and meatballs every month leaving $3 for the entry fee. Aaron has confirmed that the food cost per player has more than doubled since Frank came on board. 5 Final tables and a big win in July has Frank virtually a lock for December.

Mark (Mike) Miller sits in 6th after a much needed win in October. 4 final tables in only 7 attended tournaments puts the aggressive Miller in the top 9 in a precarious position. 39 points is enough to be on the big board in October but it may not be enough come December. Novembers tournament will move someone off the leader board and I'm sure Miller will be there to defend his seat.

Steve C is Sick. 5 Tournaments attended and 3 final tables. He has no time to hang around with the likes of us and only shows to earn enough points to make the year end event. Easily the money leader in Casino play amongst the group he has the skills to be there and make a run at it in December....If he shows. He has no choice but to show in November. He could easily be pushed off the leader board and find himself in he cash game come December.

Tied with Steve C is Steve D. Every tournament was attended. A long cold snap from May through Sept ended when he got back to his 4th final table of the year in October. One win this year keeps him on the edge of the chalkboard. Another must show next month. 2 points separate him from 10th place and a long holiday season.

Aaron

Attends every Tournament

5 Final tables

sits in 9th place

Zero room for error.

Off the board in striking distance we see Rafael, Matt, Ray, Javier and John P.

All of these guys outside of Matt have a good chance but for one reason. Matt doesn't show so he wont make it. October had him on the "ill be there" list only to pull a no show and get bumped off the big board. An earlier post I stated that the good players of years past Josh and Matt would be hard pressed to make the final table. I stand by that statement. They both seem to not be committed to playing their best.

Rafael gets better every month so his chances are very good

Ray started 09 on fire. 4 final tables in first 4 months but has struggled since. November will give him a chance to get back on the board where he sat for most of the year.

Javier needs to dodge bad luck. 3 months in a row has sent him to the rail with great hands that don't hold up. He may end up being the 2nd best Peruvian in the league.

John is quietly sitting 7 points out. He needs a big night.

Bryan has made the final table every time he played. One show, One win. 16 points. took the winnings. Aint been back.

Other Notables:

Bob Sr. will be happy to put this year behind him. 6 tournaments and 6 points is a tough one to swallow. He will look to bounce back in 2010

Dave R has 2 final tables in only 6 shows. If he played more he would be a guy that might be right there in the end. Just cant commit enough time to the game.

Pete took October off. Still nursing a wound that will not heal until he picks himself off, dusts himself off and gets back in the poker saddle. With a win he could make the final table but will need a ton of help. A win = 16 points and puts him at 39. A long shot but doable.

Willis is Willis. Ultra aggressive and that suits him great in cash games. When he has the cards he is very dangerous. When he doesn't he is happy to start the cash game.

Sean M is keeping us all guessing. You get a read on him one month then don't see him again for a few. He has played the last 3 and scored a big 2 place finish in September. Another player that with better attendance could be a force in 2010

Mike M, Ryan, John L and Adin will all be looking to get it going early in 2010.

We will see someone or maybe a couple people get bumped in November. You all know who you are and what you need to do. Bring the "A" game or stay home and save your $83

I assume we should have a good crew next month with lots on the line. The last event of the year before its invite only. Aaron is planning on a side tournament for the rest of you in December as long as there is enough interest so let him know.

November 13th promptly at 7:00pm we start the last chance for some of you to prove your worth and show that you deserve to be invited back next year.

Aaron would also like to discuss some rule changes for next year. If you have some ideas or would like to suggest a change please forward all information to:

wojoenterprises@cox.net

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