All-in fun

Free Texas Hold ’em tournaments offer harbor players a chance to hone skills

Jim Appelgate

of the Gateway

Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Mike “The Mouth” Matusow. All familiar names — if you’ve been watching the Travel Channel, ESPN or BRAVO lately. They’re the colorful personalities and poker superstars who have contributed to the sweeping popularity of the “Texas Hold ’em” poker game.

Now Gig Harbor is developing a few poker personalities of its own.

As members of the free “No-Fee Texas Hold ’em” Poker League, players gather each week to battle for league points at venues across Pierce, Kitsap and Mason counties, including two in Gig Harbor.

The money? Nothing. But the chips are free.

Ranking members are rewarded with buy-ins to satellite tournaments at Little Creek Casino in Shelton.

Donald Bly of Tacoma, director of operations for the “No-Fee Texas Hold ’em” league, touts the experience as “all-in fun” for players of all skill levels.

“The league is really about social networking. Yes, we play poker, but the real fun is in meeting new people and making great friends,” Bly said.

The players

Harlene “Harley” Pendleton is somewhat of a veteran. She and her daughter, Paula McCord — along with McCord’s boyfriend, Mike May — have been playing since the league began in 2005.

Pendleton plays twice a week in Gig Harbor and says she has always loved playing cards.

“I like meeting people, and I’ve made some great new friends,” she said. “I look forward to the games. I go because of all the nice people.”

McCord agrees. She’s been playing for about four years and enjoys the people and the challenge. She first became interested when she watched the game on television.

Just like poker legend Humberto Brenes’ “shark” (as seen on EPSN-televised national tournaments), many harbor players use card protectors to cover their live cards during play. This technique has become a common practice in casinos, too.

Pendleton brings a collection of Betty Boop items to each game for luck. Vickie Smith of Olalla has a Shrek donkey figurine, which is most often seen with its hind side facing players (remember: this is an adult league).

For May, a Gig Harbor resident of Native American descent, the card protector has taken on a persona of its own. He uses a tiny Smurf character with a Native American headdress, which he calls “Chief Wannumchips.”

Gig Harbor resident Lori Smith’s card protector is one of sentimental value.

“I have a round card protector, the outside edge of which is encrusted with crystals,” she said. “I received it at a ladies’ event in California. In the center is a picture of me and my husband. I love to look at it, as it reminds me of how supportive my husband is of me playing poker.”

Kenny Nguyen (pronounced “win”) hosts the tournaments, which are held at The Halftime Sports Saloon and Sunset Grill, both located off Point Fosdick Drive.

Nguyen is a formidable player in his own right, and plays each game while tracking blinds and catering to players’ needs. He ranked sixth among more than 230 league players in July.

“I’ve been playing Texas Hold ’em since September 2007, when I first moved to Washington from Colorado,” he said. “This league was where I learned how to play the game. Texas Hold ’em is the only game I play. Believe it or not, I don’t even play blackjack, slot machines or any game at the casino. That’s a good thing.”

How good are the rest of the players? It depends on who you ask.

“Out of all the venues I’ve played at, Gig Harbor is the best venue,” Nguyen said. “There are many good players. It’s great for competition, and they’re a very friendly group. Out of all of the venues, I give it 9.999 (on a scale of one to 10).”

Muree Chatman of Port Orchard rates Gig Harbor players at a seven. Chatman has been playing the game for about four years.

“Texas Hold ’em is a strategy game — with a little luck,” Chatman said. “I like strategy and a challenge. As far as luck? We all have it sometimes.”

Lori Smith brings experience from other places to her Gig Harbor play. She previously spent time in a California league, which gave her a different perspective on her new competition: She’s found a good combination of beginning and advanced players in the harbor.

“The players in this league run the gammut from 1 to 10,” she said. “But this league is defined as a fun and instructional league, so it is not really fair to compare it to other leagues I have played in, where all the players would be ranked 8 to 10.”

Aspirations

As players develop their skills, some have aspirations of becoming serious cash-tournament players.

Chatman and McCord hope to play their game on the big stage.

“I would like to win a tourney in Vegas. That would be cool,” Chatman said.

For Nguyen, becoming a serious tournament player is a dream, but he says he needs more experience.

“I admire all the (professional) players that are better than myself, because I could learn from them to become a better player,” he said. “It would be great if I knew all their styles of play and be able to change gears in different situations. An unpredictable player is what I want to become.”

Aside from the free league, Lori Smith only plays cash tournaments. Although she passed up an opportunity to play in the World Series of Poker Ladies’ Event this year due to family obligations, she prefers playing tournaments over live cash games because it increases her chance of winning.

“I know how much I am spending up front, and know my odds are better at leaving the table with winnings,” she said.

The games

Gig Harbor has only a few opportunities for would-be cash players to test their skills. Tournaments are played at Halftime Sports at 6:30 and 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, and at 2:30 and 5 p.m. on Sundays. Sunset Grill entered the fray earlier this month. It holds a single tournament at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for people to enjoy good food and service in a comfortable atmoshpere with lots of room for poker,” Sunset Grill owner Bill Camp said.

Tournament play closely resembles that of casino-style money tournaments, but no money changes hands. Blinds are raised on a regular schedule to keep play active, and each league member is expected to learn and follow league rules.

New players are afforded an opportunity to become familiar with rules without being penalized in any way.

“Participating in tournaments is a great opportunity to learn from those with more experience and to help those that are just learning to feel comfortable,” Bly said.

Want to play?

“No-Fee Taxas Hold ’em” is a free poker league for players of all skill levels. Beginning players are taught as they play, but they should have a general knowledge of the game.

Tournament play is held:

Sundays at 2:30 and 5 p.m., Halftime Sports Saloon, 5114 Point Fosdick Drive, Gig Harbor

Tuesdays at 6:30 and 9 p.m., Halftime Sports Saloon

Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., Sunset Grill, 4926 Point Fosdick Drive, Gig Harbor

For Information on league structure and current point standings, visit www. nofeetexasholdem.com.

Reach Marketing Director Jim Appelgate at 253-853-9237 or by e-mail at jim.appelgate@gateline.com.