Manchester Date is set.

An easy raise for Josh

Saturday June 20th...Err....Wait....is that right? A Saturday?

Well I can only assume with Aaron's last win coming in March of 2007 he needs to mix things up. Half way through the 2009 season he is sitting in a precarious 8th place. With some good players right behind him he is not in a position to fall any further. His 2nd place showing in April is all that is keeping him from hosting a December tournament from behind the rail.

Hang in the Aaron. If it makes you feel any better you could be Matt. After his impressive end to 2008, Winning Novembers tournament and then backing it up with the TOC in December he was on a roll. But outside of a lowly 5th place showing in May of 2009 he has really been a non factor and sits in 15th place with a paltry 10 points. It's sad really.

June is a very important month for all of us but its really the time of year when the attendance suffers and the ones who show have an opportunity to gain on the leaders.

Now if you are planning to play in December then you have to be in the top 9 in points, Its that simple. Players like Matt and Josh really have no choice but to show and do their best to get the monkey off their back.

Now these two are the 2007 and 2008 year end winners. They have show in the past they can win and have beaten far superior players along the way. The question still remains, can they get past the current sub par play and regain their poker form again? This year will be tough without a couple of top 3 placements over the next 6 tournaments. I cant say that one wont be there in the end but I would have to put very the chances on both making it to this years big dance a longshot.

Now even though there are plenty of you that need to make a move over the next 6 months that doesn't mean the top 9 should sit back and relax. There are some who I believe have the poker prowess to catch up and run away with the championship.

Now being in 6th place I still only have 1/2 of the points the current leader has. I too need to be vigilant. Just being arguably one of the leagues top 5 players in not enough to rest and coast into December, I too need to play at my best to stay in the top 9.

Another Player that needs to make a move soon is Dave R. With zero cashes this year and his last win in January of 08 he is wallowing in 22nd place, 3 points? This is not the Dave R from Years past. When he shows he is not afraid to shove and has been known to show flashes of brilliance. I believe with my guidance he may someday return to form and compete with the local top tier players.

Now I have not seen Ryan since Last year. Rumor has it he may be the New Poker Czar for the Obama administration. He for one should ask for a poker bailout. 3 Points and a no show for months at a time. Now I understand he has a long drive but its poker for goodness sake.

Willis is invited to make sure the bounty is organized and to start the Cash game before it gets dark. I cant really comment on his play because he averages only 3 hands per night and then hes off to rake the cash game. I still to this day think he has won more money at Aaron's then anyone. Just none in the tournament. Sad but with 3 points he has more points then 16 other players!

The 4 players that are really trying to get into the top 9 every month are Frank, Rafael, Pete and Mike.

These guys show every month. But they all have their weaknesses. They all have there little nuances. Pete has to eat at least 8 cookies before settling in to the game. Mike's wife calls a minimum of 6 times per level and puts him on tilt. Rafael Speaks Peruvian when he gets pocket pairs and Frank is actually a Caribbean Stud poker player and sometimes forgets the dealer does not need to qualify for him to win.

All these guys still have plenty of time to make their move into the top 9. But who will they knock off? Javier is in 9th but is considered one of the best players in the League. Aaron in 8th was mentioned earlier. John P in 7th is having a great 2008 with 2 cashes. I'm in 6th and I for one don't plan on missing the year end tourney. Then there is Ray, Is he the weak Link in the top 9?

Only time will tell but take heed. June is here. Month #6 out of 11 before the December 9 are named. Will you be there? Will you play enough to make up the points behind? Will you play enough to Keep pace? Will you earn your spot in history?

I hope to see 8 of you there sitting along side of me.

June20th.....Saturday....7:30

No Excuses.

See you on the felt.