Last Friday night was the penultimate game at the Crescent Lounge. As I might have mentioned earlier, the Lounge is set for a meeting with the wrecking ball because landlord Andy T__ views the game as “a vile den of filthy rascals and ignominious vermin more concerned with where to score a pound of ‘brick weed’ than their odds to an inside straight.”

As a poker player, I am going to miss the Lounge for the good times and all the easy money to be made off Jeremy R__ there. Dwelling on my own misfortune seems self centered however when considering the effects the Lounge’s closing will have on the surrounding community. Consider that, after the final chips have been cashed in, the deluge of all of Andy R__’s nostalgic kitsch will be sent out for trash day, an event that will surely set the town of Waltham back decades. I don’t envy the plight of a parent passing by having to explain to a three year old why the giant porcelain Minnie Mouse holding a full house has “such big boobies.”

But, that’s life after all, you can’t expect all of your hands to win, expecially when you jam preflop with 66 (off suit) and get called by 99 (also offsuit). That was me, down a cool $45.50 about three hands into the game. Rather than buy back in like I usually do, I tried to run my remaining $4.50 back up, and I ALMOST did. I was back up to about $42 when I flopped a straight. The turn put a flush and a full house on the board, and an all in re-raise from Rockland Mass’ premiere disc golfer. Adios, hand. Adios, miraculous comeback. Hola, terrible sadness and pain. Another losing session ($30) for me. That’s three in a row, accounting for a whopping total of $225 (I think).

The game was filled with an insane amount of smack talk, much of it directed towards yours truly. It’d probably be a good idea for Andy to have conselors on hand if he ever resurrects this game elsewhere. There are rumors it’ll happen in Arlington, but who knows.