This thread needs pictures.
First, a brief history.
12 of us began playing in a winner take all $10 NLHE, unlimited rebuy tournament in my cousin's unheated basement a month before the November Nine in 2007. Never imagined then, that I would be playing now.
The game quickly evolved to a .25/.50, $20 buy-in cash game. My cousin sealed off part of the basement and purchased a poker table and a heater.
My poker life took a turn in December of 2010 when I was invited to join a bar league. Met two other poker players who played in a weekly $30 STT. Through that game I learned of another cash game. I started hosting a bi-monthly $40 NLHE 18 to 20 player tournament in the winter of 2011/2012.
In mid 2012, Hollywood opened up their poker room. I became a fixture there, playing thirty+ hours a week.
Formed a poker league that consisted of 18 players for our winter tournaments in 2013/2014. Finished third in points, behind one of the two players I had met playing in the bar league. Took down the TOC.
Moved in May of 2014. In February of 2018, I signed up to play in a 30 player tournament at Hollywood on my day off. I showed up late and was second on the waiting list. A seat opened shortly before the re-buy period ended.
Made the final table, to my surprise, sitting across the table was Jared who played in my poker league. He eliminated the players who finished in third and fourth place, accumulating a 2.5 to 1 chip lead going in to heads up play. Called him down early on with A/K on a ten high paired board to win a large pot. From there, I went on to win the tournament.
The $1/$1 low buy-in cash game I played in last year broke up. Now I am driving one hour after work on Tuesday's to play in a weekly $1/$2 NLHE, $300 buy-in home game.
This is the box I had used for five years to store my poker winnings:
Had to move to a tin:
Outgrew that.
Current bankroll (Plenty of room to grow):