A monumental game in many respects... first game post Hurricane Katrina... everyone was ready to enjoy little poker cheer and time off from the headaches of recovery. 44 people happily arrive and see smoke pouring out from a huge trailered barbecue smoke pit. This year's food was cooked from an award winning barbecue expert, Mister Pete. As the first bits of sausage and chicken melted in your mouth, you knew you had won and the game hadn't even started. Everyone carried their cooler bag (token) around in anticipation of the 7th game to prove who the real master of Poker will be.

A new game, Omaha High-only was added to some players enjoyment... and others frustration! And the biggest change of all was the elimination of the suits rule. To the cheers of many this rule was dropped because it failed to promote speed of play, which was the reason for its inclusion. So with a much less confusing game, we started the game-play.

This game would be characterized by the abundance of great food thanks again to committee member Kevin for the Great chef.

Mark D Goes out in the first half hour, but thereafter the tables stayed strong until well after dinner.

By the $5 ante, people are busting out until one table remains at the $20 ante mark. The last seven, Carlos M, Frank P, Robert C, Mike, Richard F, John Ko, John Ka.

Robert C gets out, followed by Richard F.

Mike wins the 5th place prize, Frank follows him at 4th, and in the inebriated Carlos manages to hang around to 3rd place... and it is between the Johns for first place.

John Ko finally makes a bad call and is dwindled down John Ka wins the tournament and, more importantly, the notoriety they can only come from the being the Big Easy Tournament VII Champion!