The "Big Game" was but a gleam in the eye of two people, Robert and Scott, after watching the movie "Maverick" too many times. (No, "Rounders" was not out yet.) The two of them presented their idea to the regular poker buddies during a weekly game. Slowly the format started to take place. Being as we are in the Big Easy, this process took a quick five years to develop!

So on June 17th of 2000, the first "Big Easy Invitational" was played.

The original game started at 16 people put up their game token (A Big Easy Invitational Duck Decoy) to obtain their chips. The game started and lasted until 12:40 AM.

Throughout the day drinks and food were provided by Richard's award winning service. So even if you lost, you still could enjoy the game.

After six or so people had been eliminated, a side game developed amongst the people out of the tourney. So don't think you're through playing poker when you're done with the tournament!

The last two players were Gene and Lance. Lance was down to a few hundred dollars, Gene had about $2200 in chips and the cards started hitting Lance right. Lance showed patience and skill and managed (miraculously) to pull it through.