Powerbase: Los Angeles was a nice 3-day event that began with Friday
night V:TES and Texas Hold'em at Mike Courtois' house.  We had maybe 15
people there (some who wouldn't be able to make it to the tournaments
and some early arrivers for Saturday's and Sunday's events).  Lots of
good games to get us warmed up.  As well, Poker newbie Albert came
looking for some poker lessons and ended up leaving with the majority
of the money.  Three players were all in on the first hand and Albert
had pocket rockets and won.  He ended up leaving early that night.  I
cleaned up the remaining dollars.  A bunch of psychos played until the
sun was nearly up.

Saturday we had breakfast and got the Citibank Community Center setup
for play. Our art gallery contraptions weigh a ton and it is a lot of
work to unwrap and hang all that art.

We began the first tournament at 11:00 AM.  Our pal Reyda was in town
(though exhausted). Other visitors included the Tatus, Brian Moritz and
friend Fletcher (from Seattle) and Fred Scott from Arizona. Lists of
winners will follow (I'm not the owner of the archons).

Around six PM we played for the Southwest Region Championship.  After
deducting for already qualified players we had 4 qualifying slots to
give away in the event.  Reaching the finals were Darby Keeney,
Fletcher (I forget your last name Fletcher, sorry), Steve Fazio, Brian
Moritz and Alex Harmon.  I believe Brian went on to win. Congrats to
Brian. Fletcher finished in 5th and didn't qualify but all 4 of the
players that qualified are attending GenCon this year.  Last year we
had several qualifying slots eaten up by players who weren't attending.

Again, people played till sick hours--some probably even sleeping at
the venue.  Next day we had another tournament beginning at 11:00 AM.
The finals were really intense.  Mike Courtois played a big vampire
deck that had an assault rifle and lots of damaging votes.  Brian
Moritz and James Lin, playing swarmish decks, were greatly punished by
an Ancilla Empowerment and Mike eventually took out his predator and
prey.  He and STeve Fazio (Ahrimanes) helped each other out and then
fought it out at the end.  Lots of tense moments and table talk.  Could
have gone a number of directions.  Congrats to Mr. Fazio.

The last event still had, if I remember hearing correctly, 3 tables
going.  This was great attendance for the last event since people are
usually pretty exhausted by then. It began around 6:00 PM and probably
ended about midnight or 1:00. I wasn't there.  Don't know who won.

I also heard that the Seattle crew and Robert Scythe and Mike Courtois
played all day Monday. Sick!

A few photos are at:

http://vtesinla.org/gallery2/pbla_gallery.htm

(Link from memory and can't check from work - hope I'm right!)