The intensity grows by the week

The 2nd leg of the Business & Leisure Texas Hold’em Mall Tour — Eastwood City Challenge as presented by Honda again took this exciting mall by storm last Saturday, November 27, 2005.

The game started at 8:00 p.m., but as early as 6 p.m., registrants and guests started trooping in. Wine from Ralph’s Wines & Spirits flowed throughout the evening as everyone partook of the buffet.

It was exhilarating to see the crowd get increasingly bigger as this "non-cash wager" tournament progresses. The 2nd day saw the tent full and bursting at the seams, the spectators spilling over to nearby tables outside the tent. In between breaks that Grand Marshall and official dealer Rey John Gamboa called as breathers for the cliff-hanger games we had that night, the spectators rook turns at the buffet table that we kept replenished all night long (the dinuguan at puto tandem was a hit that night) or sauntered over to appreciate the two Honda cars on display beside the gaming area — the gorgeous black Honda Jazz and the equally spectacular Honda City.

The second leg saw more fierce action, though the games finished earlier than the first leg. This can only mean that the competitors are getting a little more aggressive. When we heard the phrase "all in" from a competitor, it could only mean that the table of originally ten would be cut by one or two less.

The first two participants were in fact eliminated in the first half hour, and soon after that, another two followed. The husband and wife team of George and Deanne Brainard lasted quite well, until George threw in all his chips for what he thought was a winning hand, and had to bow out of the race.

In the final half hour, only Alli Ong, Jun Lañas, and Deanne Brainard were left in the gaming table. Truly a "last man standing" competition, the crowd waited with bated breath as DJ Slyde and I annotated the games. Since I am an avid poker fan myself, I truly enjoyed giving a blow-by-blow account of the "championship round" of the night.

Alli, who was already assured of 3rd place, fought valiantly that night, but had to bow out to the two best poker players of the night, Jun and Deanne. The last game had Deanne standing over the poker table in anticipation of the river (last card to be dealt on the table) and saw in dismay that Jun’s "flashes" was superior to her "pair". When I asked her how she felt after the sorry loss, she can only blurt out with a mischievous glint in her eye, "At least I’m better than my husband."

C’est la vie. Final tally for the evening:

Leg Champion - Jun Lañas

1st Runner up - Deanne Brainard

2nd Runner up - Alli Ong

See you this evening for the 3rd and penultimate leg of the poker mall tour, same time, and same place. Everyone is invited. There are raffles during the breaks within the game where spectators can just drop their name cards to qualify and stand the chance to win valuable prizes and surprise gifts from our sponsors.

Our thanks to our friends, Charlie and Fely Leobrera of Vistamar Beach Resort & Hotel and the Hyatt Hotel & Casino Manila courtesy of Eugene Tamesis for providing the major prizes, to Bobby Joseph of Ralph’s Wines & Spirits for their great reds & whites, to Genuino Water courtesy of my sister-in-law Evelyn, that cooled us through the entire evening, Asahi Glass for the very prestigious all-glass trophies, to Sammy Liuson for the very comfortable Concept One chairs at the oval poker table, one of which shall go to the Grand Champion and to Atoy Llave of A-Toy Body Kits for exciting raffle prizes that night.

Of course, this mall tour would not have been possible without the support of Honda Cars Philippines and Eastwood City. Thank you for believing in the project.

By the way, the highlights of the 1st Elimination Leg, which was held last November 19 will be aired tomorrow on the TV show Business & Leisure at 10:30 pm on Channel 4 Manila and nationwide via satellite on the National Broadcasting Network (not unless we have to give way once again to the SEA Games coverage).

Poker is a mind game that requires skill, cunning, people reading & judgment, resource management and infinite patience–Pinoy traits that can make us be among the best of the best.

Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.

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