Last night, and with just one week to go before the launch of League VI, Black Belt Poker hosted its first ever Super Duper Tuesday, a high value night of fun and frolics in which ECOOP promotion winner Brian 'brigal19' Gallagher took on Neil Channing in a best-of-three Challenge Channing Heads-Up Special for a cool $1,000.The opening battle was a brisk affair, Neil utilsing his experience to apply a small ball style, ultimately finishing off his opponent before the end of the first level. The final hand was somewhat brutal, Neil calling a bet of 60 on a 3h-4x-7h-Jh board with Tc-9h, before moving all in over the top of Brian's lead of 150 on the 8c river. Brian immediately called, but his 6h-5s for the flopped nuts had been cruelly pipped to the post by Neil's superior straight, and it was first blood to the pro.
As the rail began to simmer, the two players prepared for Round 2, Neil just one victory away from saving the company $1,000 and ensuring Snoopy receives his wages this month. In stark contrast to the opening match, Part Deux was an epic affair with more twists and turns than an episode of Poirot. The encounter commenced in cagey fashion, neither player willing to commit and min-raising the order the day, before later picking up pace with frequent three-bets.
Both players took turns in doubling up at some stage: Brian with Ah-Jc versus Ac-2s, and Neil with Kh-5s versus Ah-Jh, but, eventually, something had to give, and after both players had chopped one with 9s-8s versus 9h-8c all in on a flop of 3s-2d-9d, the final hand arrived. Armed with the chip lead, Neil came over the top of Brian's open of 320 for a total of 1,990 with 3s-3c, and Brian made the call with Kh-Jc. The 2d-5s-Ts flop changed nothing, as did the 4s, and with Neil making a set on the 3h river, it was game over, Goliath defeating David as Neil sealed the deal without having to reach for that third bullet.
"Brian played really well," complimented Neil in the aftermath, "but, on the night, the cards fell my way. I found some good hands on the first match, and then won a couple of crucial all-ins on the second. It could easily have gone to a decided battle, and if it had, I would have had a real fight on my hands. After so many seconds recently, though, it felt marvellous to finally get a first. I should definitely play more events where there are only two runners."
Despite the $1,000 evading him on this occasion, Brian battled on, and, to his credit, avoided a 3-0 whitewash to snatch the final showdown and narrow the deficit to 2:1. He'd failed to topple the Irish Open Champion, but had left the virtual felt with his pride in tact. What's more, Brian triumphed in the Mulligan, fending off 19 other competitors to take down the $300 first prize, as well as the free Academy seat!
An Academy seat was also up for grabs in Black Belt Poker's other exclusive tournament, the 11pm Donkament. This prestigious honour went to Richard 'johnny2time' Hurst, the Orange Belt topping a 29-thick field to earn himself $118.50 and a free mentoring session on 'Poker Psychology: Tells & Tilt' with Neil Channing, Alex Rousso and a yet-to-be-announced special guest.
Super Duper Tuesday was a huge success, but it was little more than an hors d'oeuvre for next week's Super Tuesday in which the latest batch of wide-eyed, success-hungry poker fanatics go in search of fortune, bragging rights, and an all-expenses trip to the Cardiff studios to watch the final of Late Night Poker! If you would like the chance to meet the players and watch all the action from the green room, then see here for all the details on League VI and we look forward to seeing you in next week's event.
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