Flushes, Aces, and Heartache

Posted on: July 21, 2025
By Yo — Your Queen of Chips and Chaos

Let me tell you something right now — if you weren’t at The Bull Moose Saloon this past weekend, you missed a poker rollercoaster that had more twists than a Wyoming mountain road.

Let’s start with last Friday, where we had a hand so messy I thought I was gonna have to call in an accountant. Four players. Flop came down with two spades, and somehow all four of these yahoos decided that this was the moment to get frisky. Turned out three of them were drawing to flushes — and yes, someone had the Ace of spades, naturally.

They all went all in. That’s right. I had to divide chips into three separate side pots like I was splitting up Halloween candy among toddlers.

And in the end? Thank the poker gods — one player had everyone covered and scooped the whole mess. If there’d been a split pot on top of all that, I might’ve quit on the spot and gone to live in a yurt.

Friday the 18th brought more fireworks — and not the Fourth of July kind. This one starred our gal Burly, who proved once again that you never count a Queen out when she’s holding K♦ J♦.

First hand of the night, she goes toe-to-toe with pocket Aces. Preflop raise? Burly calls. Flop brings two diamonds. Aces bet big, Burly calls like she’s just ordering another drink. Turn brings the third diamond — and she checks, cool as a cucumber. Aces shove like they’re invincible.

Boom: Burly flips the flush, and Aces are cracked on hand #1. No better way to set the tone.

The AA player? Let’s just say his mood went from “let’s play cards” to “I need a walk” real fast. Can't blame him — getting flushed on the first hand stings worse than Wyoming wind in February.

Later that same night, we had a player from Idaho Falls who decided to try something we do not recommend here at Yo’s Poker Palace: pushing blind for $83.

No cards looked. Just vibes.

Spoiler alert: someone called, and that man was gone faster than a tourist trying to pronounce “Gros Ventre.” I guess he just wanted the rush — and hey, I respect a man chasing his thrill, but maybe try skydiving next time.

Meanwhile, our own Keystoner brought some spice of his own. He raised preflop to $18 — and got three callers, including Mikey with Jh 10h. Flop came J♦ 10♠ 8♠, and Keystoner fired out $35.

Everyone folded — except Mikey, of course.
Turn brought the third spade. Keystoner bet $45, Mikey shoved $160 all-in like he was repping the flush or maybe blocking a straight draw.

Keystoner tanked, then called with A♠, hanging on with ace-high and nerves of steel.
River paired the board, giving him top two pair, and Mikey was left mumbling something about “bad mojo.” Can’t win ‘em all, babe.

Saturday the 19th was a little quieter — maybe folks were emotionally drained. We had laughs, stories, a few wild pots, but the yelling was down to a gentle simmer. Even the whiskey stayed in its lane.

Sunday the 20th capped it all off with our $25 tournament — and guess who came out on top?

This gal. 🏆

Final hand was me vs. Colorado. He had 8♦ 9♦, I had A♣ 9♠. Flop? Two 9s. Turn? An 8. He shoves — of course he did, he’s sitting on a boat.

I almost folded, but I called, knowing I was behind and probably toast.
River comes an ACE and I swear I nearly fell off my chair. The room howled. Colorado took it like a champ — finished third, we chopped the rest with the runner-up, and I walked away a happy little Queen with the bragging rights (and the cash).

Final Thoughts:

• Flushes ruin lives. But we still chase ‘em.

• Don’t push blind unless your name is “Entertainment Only.”

• KJ offsuit is not trash in the hands of Burly.

• And finally — never count Yo out. 😎

That’s all for now, poker pals. Game’s on again this week — the cards don’t rest, and neither do we. See you soon at Yo’s Poker Palace, where the stakes are high, the stories are wilder, and the river never runs out of surprises.

Shuffle up and deal,
—Yo