LIHU‘E — A pair of kings was worth $2,200 for Pepito Bunsaan Saturday. Bunsaan was one of seven finalists in the annual Big Save/Coors Light Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament that was played before an audience that ringed the special
LIHU‘E — A pair of kings was worth $2,200 for Pepito Bunsaan Saturday.
Bunsaan was one of seven finalists in the annual Big Save/Coors Light Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament that was played before an audience that ringed the special tent set up in the Lihu‘e Big Save parking lot.
“Was worth the trip in from Kaumakani, eh,” a Big Save employee joked with the winner following the elimination round.
Seven tables with seven qualifiers and six “wild card” players started the morning in the popular annual event.
Seated among the field were players from previous tournaments, one “wild card” being a previous Texas Hold ‘Em tournament winner.
“This is just one of the ways Big Save gives back to its shoppers that support us throughout the year,” said Derek Kawakami, who made his way among the tables.
Eric Sakazaki, the emcee for the event, said Texas Hold ‘Em poker started back in the 1900s in Texas.
As each table advanced one finalist through seven draws, Bunsaan joined Peter Thielen, Lisa Oatis, Garret Agena, Valerie Lagazo, Domi Bucasas and Timmy Keoni for the final seven rounds
Oatis captured the first game on three 6’s, holding two and one turning up in the flop.
“No sked’um,” said Kaua‘i Fire Capt. David Bukoski who was one of the earlier qualifiers. “That’s your new name — No Sked.”
Keoni picked up Game 2 before Bunsaan’s kings showed up in Game 3, joined by a pair of jacks in the turn.
Before the flop, Bunsaan declared “all in” along with Lagazo and Agena. But when the jack showed up on the table, Bunsaan was ecstatic.
Down to four players in Game 4, Bunsaan raised 15, Thielen and Oatis declared “all in” before the flop that revealed a pair of dueces and a pair of jacks.
That brought a whoop from Bunsaan who held a pair of kings.
“All he gotta do now is play smart,” Agena said as Bunsaan collected his chips.
Bunsaan and Keoni enjoyed a Game 6 Ace-six split before Bunsaan simply stayed out of Keoni’s range in Game 7 to win the pot that included a poker set provided by Coors Light and a trip to Las Vegas for four nights for two, including airfare and hotel.
The excess of the $2,200 will be available at the hotel as credit for Bunsaan to use.
“I am the champion,” he declared to one of his friends via cell phone while waiting for the presentation.
Coming up next for Big Save is the annual community Easter egg hunt for children. Hunts are scheduled for Lihu‘e and Waimea with details forthcoming.
