'Twas the Night Before HPT Christmas

[Jaxen]

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the cardroom,
The only thing stirring was Mrs. Jaxen in the living room.

Pictures of old friends placed on the mantle with care
In hopes Wedge Rock and Rose soon would be there.
Luckystraights, 2ToGoGrave and NotFadeAway snug in their beds
While visions of sugarplums HPT freerolls danced in their heads.

With a smooth glass of Pinch I flipped on the TV
and settled down to watch the latest WPT.
Just then outside I heard some familiar chatter
I sprang to the window to see what was the matter.

My limited edition Yuengling lamp cast a glow
On someone I knew, with another in tow.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
My good friend from HPT, Detroit Dad, was here!

He came with Austin5string, Martini and links_slayer
Then 72 popped in and asked, "Need a dealer?"
These folks weren't alone, they came with a crowd
Whose names that you know, and I called them out loud.

"Hey Jambine and Martini, William and Milo
R-Ho, Muley5 and Nerre, well hello!
It's great to see all you, but if it's all the same,
Let's pour some drinks, buy in and start up the game!"

Gobbs yelled from outside, "Follow each rule!" with a quip,
Neau opened the window and pegged him with a chip.
The first pots were amazing, the chips flew around quick,
But someone was missing ... No, it wasn't St. Nick.

Then a knock at the door, I needed no clues
of who it could be, our friend Nutn2lewz!
He wore just a barrel, no shoes and no hat
From the barrel he pulled out a sixer of Labatt's.

We gave him some chips and offered a seat
Then we picked up the game, not missing a beat.
He won a few hands and made it look easy
Either that or the beer was making me queazy.

He was stacking chips and would not give them back,
After playing a short while he was now the big stack.
Nutn and Martini were soon the only ones in it
I expected this tourney to have a great finish.

Folks gathered 'round to see them battle heads up
As 72 dealt the cards, NutN stood and spoke up.
Totting gifts to get to those too snowed in to shop,
He had to head out, so he offered a chop.

He reached in his bag to give a gift or three
I stopped him and said, "The best gift of all's HPT."
He winked, hitched his barrel and took his share of the cash,
and made for the door in a quick-footed dash.

But I heard him call out as he thanked us by name,

"Merry Christmas to all,
and to all a good game!"



Siiiiiiiilent Night. Hoooooooly Night.

[NotFadeAway]

Very nice.  Thanks for making this once again Jaxen.  I do always love seeing this each year.

[austin5string]

Love it!!  Thanks, Jaxen!!

[TwoToGo-Grave]

Awesome as always.  Thanks for our always anticipated and always wonderful dose of 'Twas the Night Before HPT Christmas.

[Milo]

Always look forward to seeing this, and feel honoured to be included in the "game".  Merry Christmas Jaxen, and thank you.

[Midnight Rose]

One'a these days, I'm gonna win this daggone game...

[Martini]

Woohoo! Chop for first! Thanks Jaxen. 

[Dr. Neau]

How did I get in the house?

And Rose, my take is that you didn't show to the game...there was a picture on the mantle in memory of when you used to be around...

[Detroitdad]

Nice job sir. First out for me

[Jaxen]

Naw DD, I never said who was first out, just who was last left ... 

I had bigger ideas for the poem this year, a fairly big overhaul. Then my in-laws got into town and my child caught the flu (and got waaaay overmedicated by an after-hours Pediacare ... but she's fine now) and BOOM it was the night of Dec. 23. But I couldn't NOT do it, even though I feel like the number of people who appreciate it is going down. Meh. Happy New Year, everyone. Stay safe.

[NotFadeAway]

I think a lot of people appreciate it.  I know I do.   

[austin5string]

I think a lot of people appreciate it.  I know I do.   

+1

[halfnelsen]

I believe I've read them all since the beginning, and look forward to reading it. Thanks