(The 15th Annual) A BIG STACKS CHRISTMAS STORY Twas the night before Christmas, the year comes to an end, Poker winds down, time for family and friends, The tables were put away at all of the venues, When we start back in January, the quarter will be new. The players were masked all snug in their beds, While visions of Royals danced in their heads. With the dealers back home, and Jim (not) updating the website, They had all settled their brains before saying good night. When out in the town there arose such a clatter I sprang from my couch see what was the matter Away to I-4 I flew like a flash, Tore open the car doors and threw up the Sunpass. This Christmas Eve night there's not a cloud in the sky and as I continued west, the 429 I soon came by  And that's when I saw it, and it gave me a smile, A blue SUV with 133,000 miles! With a fast little driver looking oh, not-so-slim, I knew in a moment it had to be Jim. More rapid than flushes his dealers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name! For a while it was Ted, then he had to move, now there’s somebody new, whom the players approve (KEEP READING) Nicole holds things down over on the coast, and Jay helps on occasion, serving as the second host. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each reindeer hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Jim came with a bound. He was dressed in Big Stacks fleece, from his head to his tush, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. A bundle of jewelry he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack. His eyes-how they twinkled!  His presents never miss He had cards in his hand, red Aces for Chris! They sat down at the table and I dealt the cards out, Jack/Ten suited for Jim, still many an out. The flop was all diamonds - Queen, Ten and a Jack, Two pair now for Jim.  There's no turning back. The turn - Jack of Hearts - Jim says "That's mah boat" Chris is ready to go and grabs his coat. Jim’s droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, As he whispered “All in, it’s time for me to go.” Chris insta-calls and flips over his draw Jim stands up and sees his potential flaw. A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon let Chris know he had nothing to dread. Jim turns over his boat, but still one card to go The River Runs Through It – King of Diamonds - A ROYAL FLUSH, don’t ya know! He spoke not a word, but went right back to work, He finished the website, then turned with a jerk. Laying his finger aside of his nose, He gave a nod, and up the chimney he rose! He sprang to his sleigh, to his dealers gave a whistle, And away they all drove like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight, "Merry Christmas from BSPL, and to all a good-night!"