The Horse Race
March 19th, 2025 Newsletter
It's looking like a good race to the 2025 points race finish line!
Six tournaments left in the points race.
Here we are again, looking at who has a realistic shot at Vegas, who is just hoping for the $950 second prize, and all the rest of us who are just trying to get another ping pong ball for the $500 lottery.
I have now been able to witness this part of the year from every vantage point (Second place and trying to catch up, First place and trying to stay there, and now with only a prayer of a chance at winning it). While I admit that being in first was the nuts, I am enjoying this year too.
I suppose it is going to be different every year but I love that Rex is battling on and off the felt and whipping up on everybody and everything that is in his way. I love that we have fresh blood towards the top of the leaderboard. Chris Lannoye and Andrew Shultz have come out of nowhere to compete this year. Dave Paukovitz came to our game less than a year ago and is truly dominating.
With so much variance in the game, next week (and next year) are bound to bring more surprises and excitement. Thank you all for being a part of it. I hope you are having half as much fun as I am.
New series in the new season:
Every year when we start the points fresh, we get a few new players that want to have a go at that trip to Vegas. I suppose this year will be no exception with your help of recruitment of course.
Something I would like to offer these new players is a series for beginners. Starting in May, I will put some advice and concepts for beginners in this newsletter.
If you are a seasoned reg, feel free to pass it by. But, you never know it may be worth a read. Looking at the game in a different way than which we learned it originally, is always a good thing.
Know a Game: Badugi
Badugi is a 4 card draw limit game. Blinds are posted and each player receives 4 cards. It is a lowball game but the primary goal is to get a card of each suit.
The nuts is Ac, 2d, 3h, 4s. As an example, Kd, Jh, 5c, 3s beats Ac, 2c, 3h, 4s because the badugi trumps the lowball element of the game.
There are 3 drawing and betting rounds.
This week's Tip of the Cap goes to.... Joe Schwenk for recruiting Ed Kodman (LugNutz) to our game. Thanks Joe and welcome aboard Ed!
Follow results, get reminders of upcoming tournaments, and receive random poker news on Twitter by following me @FreezeoutPoker . If you have a result you would like to share with the group or find yourself playing cards in a notable location, please tag us @FreezeoutPoker to share it with this group.
If you haven't tried the Zoom group hosted by points leader JerzeJoe, you need to give it a shot. It's a load of fun and sometimes you can get an idea on what the other zoomers are thinking. Any information is good information right?
The ZOOM password is 432777
If you have any questions or suggestions, email me at MikieCulpepper@gmail.com or simply respond if you are receiving this newsletter by email.
2025 Points Leaders
- Rex Bell 34
- Joe Schwenk 32
- David Paukovitz 29
- Michael Culpepper 25
- Chris Lannoye 24
- Andrew Schultz 23
- Steve U. 23
- Marty Kunz 21
Recent Results
- March 11th, 2025
- 1st - Steve U.
- 2nd - Mikie C.
- 3rd - Dave P.
- 4th - Rex B.
- March 18th, 2025.
- 1st - Joe S.
- 2nd - Robert R.
- 3rd - Michael T.
- 4th - Moody F.
Coach's Corner
Hopefully, by now, we know what a 3 bet (3!) is and when to employ it.
There are times when your best move is to make a preflop 3! as a bluff.
Split suit Sweeney goes over some of the good 3! bluffs you can find in your range and when to employ them and when not to.
Level: semi pro
2025 Points Leaders
- Rex Bell 34
- Joe Schwenk 32
- David Paukovitz 29
- Michael Culpepper 25
- Chris Lannoye 24
- Andrew Schultz 23
- Steve U. 23
- Marty Kunz 21
Recent Tuesday Freezeout Results
- March 11th, 2025
- 1st - Steve U.
- 2nd - Mikie C.
- 3rd - Dave P.
- 4th - Rex B.
- March 18th, 2025.
- 1st - Joe S.
- 2nd - Robert R.
- 3rd - Michael T.
- 4th - Moody F.
Coach's Corner
Hopefully, by now, we know what a 3 bet (3!) is and when to employ it.
There are times when your best move is to make a preflop 3! as a bluff.
Split suit Sweeney goes over some of the good 3! bluffs you can find in your range and when to employ them and when not to.
Level: semi pro
Venmo Addresses
Michael Culpepper - @Michael-Culpepper-14
Joe Schwenk - @Joseph-Schwenk
Jonathan Ayala - @Jonathan-Ayala-55
Have any questions or feedback for this newsletter? If so, please email me
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