NO EXCUSES
PGL SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT – JAN. 4, 2026
As we kiss goodbye to 2025 and all our weekly, lame excuses for weak play, let’s begin the 4th (official) Poker Gods League with some basic home truths that go beyond usual poker strategy.
Not everybody plays the same number of games, and there’s no balance for that.
Turning up for more games increases your chances of winning league points.
The person who won in 2025 played more games than anyone else.
Right, I know what you’re thinking. Maybe not the exact words, but I’d put my money on something you might find listed in Roget’s Thesaurus, alongside, “D’UH!”
My point is that if you have the best game point average (GPA), then the only thing stopping you from winning the league is you. At least 2 players have a better GPA than me, but it’s the points that count. And that will be the case again this year.
However, I plan to introduce a “Best GPA” prize for the year, to reward the most consistent player. There will be a minimum requirement of 20 PGL games played during 2026, so it’s got to be earned over time, not just in 1 or 2 games. Once we have a few games under our belt, we’ll add 2 more columns to the league table – games played and GPA. Whoever ends the year with the highest GPA and played 20 or more games will win the prize.
Meanwhile…
Five of the usual suspects braved the cold to darken Barka’s doorstep once again this week. That’s the bare minimum for a league game; much like when I make up an excuse. Everyone knows it’s BS, so in my mind, no need to come up with anything beyond the bare minimum. Others had actual reasons today for their absence (but definitely not their abstinence) so I guess they’re excused. I know some of you were celebrating some ancient history, a few were out of the country, or out in the country, and the rest were probably still in bed (I don’t blame you!) No excuse necessary.
Regardless, a game was played. We all missed Robert for the first half hour – that was how long it took before the first rebuy happened. I thought it would be Tom, but Rusty beat him to it. And after that, there was only one more rebuy! It was far too sensible a start, but the game did eventually provide some drama after the break.
Having made some moves that diminished his stack, Janne went all-in with A5off, but came 5th when Tom showed ATh, and hit the ten. The next exit in 4th, brought forth the most expletives of the day (the 4-minute category). Rusty had followed Janne’s example with donating a lot of his stack, and pushed the rest all-in with pocket 3s.
It was a chunk of change, but somehow I’d accumulated enough chips that I could call with A3 suited. The flop started with a pair of Jacks, and Rusty was happy with 2 pairs. Then a 3rd Jack made his boat. I thought I had a 3 outer – only the other Aces, but I was wrong. The turn was the fourth Jack, and we both had quads, and my A kicker kicked Rusty to the rail. He was not happy, but I can excuse him for venting.
That left myself, Tom and Rod to scrap it out. Rod was now the low stack, and clearly had a fairly wide range for a shove. When he went over the top of Tom’s pre-flop bet, we had a long wait while Tom weighed up his decision (a long weight?). Eventually, he folded. Then they both showed – Rod pocket 4s, Tom pocket Qs.
Gob-smacked. Dumbfounded. Speechless (except for mentioning that we were gob-smacked and dumbfounded, obviously, and then naturally also asking Tom how many beers he’d had).
(Note to self: must ask Rod about “Get Out Of Jail Free” cards)
It pained me to see Rod start making a comeback, but the next major combat was between myself and Tom. Tom made a small raise with AToff (Interestingly, in Essex, but only in Essex, Tom is a toff. Innit, bruv?)
Ahem… I called Tom’s bet with A6d, only to hear “all-in!” as Tom hit his ten. I quickly checked the flop and confirmed there were 2 diamonds on board. I hatched my diamond heist in a heartbeat, as I got my flush on the turn, and Tom was out in 3rd.
Heads up, Rod was a big dog with only 20% of the chips, and was obliged to push on any half-decent hand. He did (A3), and I called with 89d. Hit my 8, game over. Apologies to those who’d prefer me to spin out the drama. Please excuse me.