Morgan and Rodrigues seem evenly matched
A six-game lead after 400 matches
At our Saturday, Feb. 29, leap day gathering we had a nice even 12 players with one guest, Howard Lee from Portola, and one visitor, Mike Affinito from Reno.
The very formidable cribbage player Ron Morgan took first with a 14 game points earned off of seven wins (14/7 score) while I, Doug Rodrigues, came in second with a 13/6 scorecard.
Third place went to Howard Lee with a 12/6 score beating out Janet Miller, who also had a 12/6 day but lost the tiebreaker by having a net spread differential of 14 less points then Lee.
There were two 4-of-a-kind hands, one by Mike Affinito and the other to Keith Nelson. Mike cut high card to win the side pot.
There were four 24-hands posted by Morgan, Nelson, myself and Miller — who got the last one to win that side pot.
An interesting side story is a competition between Ron Morgan and I that started a year ago in February. My wife was undergoing an extensive treatment program in Reno, and Ron and his wife invited us to stay with them in their North Valley home to eliminate the long daily commute that lasted over six weeks. Ron and I got to play a lot of cribbage at $5 a game that year and we agreed to pay off when one player got 10 games ahead – a $50 payday, but not too painful for the loser.
I have paid Ron twice and he has paid me once. However, currently I am four games ahead of him so I hope the head-on competition will soon be tied.
Clearly, we are evenly matched: We’ve played just over 400 games and Ron is only ahead by just six games! He and I haven’t played lately (except in the weekly tournaments) but we will pick up where they left off.
As many cribbage players have discovered, the game brings people together into life-long friendships — it has for Ron and I.
The Graeagle Peggers meet at Gumba’s Pizza in Blairsden every Saturday and play a 9-game tournament. Check-in is at 10:45 a.m. and play begins at 11.
Players of all ages are welcome, but you must be 18 years or older to participate in the money pools. Tournaments that qualify are American Cribbage Congress sanctioned. Players of all skill levels are welcome! New players (we refer to them as guests) are given a grace period where seasoned players will help them with counting their hands and with tournament play rules.
For more information or questions, contact me, the club director, at 836-4254.
