The season ending Chip Bowl Championship is only three weeks away! Over the next several weeks each AGP member will be evaluated on their season and given odds on winning the Chip Bowl. This is part 1 of the season in review.

Tony “$5” Porter – Tony played throughout the first quarter and in the first big game, The Big River Showdown. He was seeded 7^th and lost rather quickly to Buzz in the first round. He played in a few games in the second quarter, but has not been back since due to work constraints. He finished with 32 points for the season.

Odds for winning Chip Bowl – N/A

“Quad Steak” Bryan Knepper - The newest member of the AGP squad entered into the season in the first quarter as a probation player. As part of his probation he was not able to accumulate points throughout the first quarter and unable to play in the Big River Showdown. He completed his first quarter probation and began his full time status as an AGP member in the second quarter. In the second quarter Bryan had no wins and played in his first ever Big Game, Tiltamania, where he finished 5^th.  In the third quarter Bryan became the only member without a win. He was also a victim of predictions based on when he was going to go lose in each game. Crazy as it may seem, many of the predictions were remarkably accurate! Several predictions were within a minute! He didn’t make much of splash at Pokerpalooza finishing 6th and seemed like he was never going to win a game. Bryan proved all the critics wrong in the fourth quarter as he took down his first career win and followed it with a runner-up finish the following week. Quad Steak has been known for his lack of focus at the table due to his obsession with the game “Words with Friends”  that he plays constantly on his phone. However, when he stays focused, Bryan has proven he can be a formidable opponent to anyone. He is currently at the bottom of the overall points race, but will need to stay focused. If Bryan stays where he is, he will be the short stack going into the Chip Bowl. Despite being 9^th in the overall points standings he currently sits in second for the 4^th quarter points title. No doubt Bryan’s goal in these last few weeks will be to accumulate enough points to get out of last place and make a run at the 4^th quarter points title. Will he be able to solidify his place in AGP lore by winning the most prestigious title this season?

Odds of winning the Chip Bowl – 1 in 100 chance

Dan “Mags” Martin – Dan has had an interesting season. He was absent for most of the first and nearly all of the second quarter due to some health issues. In the first quarter Dan played some weeks, but when he played he had little success.  He found himself in last place going into the first big game of the year, The Big River Showdown. Dan made a scene when he showed up in a shirt that said “Down with the KoP” shirt in reference to his first round opponent, Troy Steffy. His attempt to take down the number one seed failed as Troy eliminated Dan in the first round of play. Quarter number two saw little of Dan as his health issues kept him from the table. He made a few appearances, but missed the second Big Game, Tiltamania. In the third quarter Dan started feeling better and started attending more games. He won two games over the course of the quarter and was primed for a deep run at Pokerpalooza, AGP’s annual mixed game format. Dan proved that he was best that night as he won Pokerpalooza and gained his second Big Game title. So far in the fourth quarter he’s had limited success, but still is accumulating points. Dan is vying for his second Chip Bowl Championship in as many years, third overall Big Game title and second in a row. Dan plays well in the big games, especially the Chip Bowl. Expect him to be in late when it’s all said and done. Dan will make the first ever big game title defense in AGP history as he attempts to become a two time Chip Bowl champion this November. Dan will certainly be a favorite going into the biggest game of the year.

Odds of winning Chip Bowl – 1 in 7 chance

“Fairly Odd” Alan Dennis - Alan has been in and out of the AGP game for a few years now. In 2011 he became a regular member. Alan endured his one quarter probation in the first quarter and started full time as the 2nd quarter began. Alan is a roller coaster player who will play any two cards if there is a shot at making a straight or flush, see “Alan connectors” in AGP glossary. Alan’s first full time quarter saw him winning two games and playing well heading into Tiltamania. Unfortunately for Alan, his success in the quarter did not translate into the Big Game as he was eliminated first when his flopped set of 8′s lost to Bryan’s flopped set of 10′s! The third quarter saw Alan go back and forth with good finishes and bad plays. He was up and down all quarter long, but was in good shape going into Pokerpalooza as he had the second most “passes” that night. However, Alan didn’t use a single one of those passes and went out first. Alan has done well in the fourth quarter, currently sitting in third place. He has one win so far in the fourth quarter and sits tied with Mike “Daggum” Krisle for sixth in the overall season points standings. He has slowly moved up the ladder despite missing an entire quarter. Alan’s no fear play has been rewarding at times, but devastating so far in the Big Games this year. Can this wild, experienced player be rewarded at the year end championship? No doubt his aggressiveness will be a factor at the Chip Bowl, but will it be enough to fight off a last place finish again.

Odds of winning the Chip Bowl – 1 in 25 chance

Next week three more players will be profiled: Mike “Daggum” Krisle, Mark “The Red” Herring, and Ricky “Poker God” Hodge.

Mike “Daggum” Krisle – Beat Writer – AGP