Biggest Upset Since Tyson/Douglas

February 11, 1990 - The 42-1 underdog Buster Douglas with his 29-4-1 with 19 KOs record squares off in the far east (Tokyo) against 37-0 (33 KOs) World Champ Mike Tyson for a title bout. Douglas floors Tyson in the 10th round to take become the undisputed heavyweight champ.

Nearly two decades later (Jan. 24, 2009) - in the nearer east town of Independence, Minnesota - the West Side Poker League (WSPL) came of age in defeating their sensei league, the CPL. Gene "Ninja" Milne gathered his forces for the showdown between these two behemoths. The inter-league competition, comprised of a No Limit Hold 'em match and a HORSE match, would consist of 200 pts (100 pts for each match) with progressively more pts awarded for the higher up a player finished (30 pts to the team who won a match). The league with the most points would be crowned champion.

The WSPL - or, more specifically, JP "The Eliminator" - struck early and often taking out 3 of the 5 CPL players in Hold 'em. This meant that the CPL's two remaining players (Voni and Steve) would need to finish 1st and 3rd to even have a chance at calling this half of the match "a draw". Though Steve busted out in third, the draw didn't materialize as Voni went out in 6th. "The Eliminator", somewhat slowed by Jill "JJ Gold" (who managed to eliminate three of the 10 players), was able to score his 5th elimination when he took out Jill to win the match. This gave the WSPL a 76-24 edge (The WSPL took the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th place positions).

At the HORSE table, about this time, Brad had taken a hit for the WSPL in 8th while CPL Co-Director Mark "Verbal" Cardenas fell in 7th. The CPL held an early 2.5 to 0 pt lead. And, while the math hadn't yet been done - the match was over. When the CPL's Mike "Blind Me Down" Behr busted in 6th everyone knew that all was lost. Pam "Black Widow" Muldoon and Karaoke Phil, though, battled on valiantly and eventually Phil scored his third elimination when he took down "Ninja" Milne for the HORSE victory (and a 50pt to 50 pt HORSE table tie).

In the end, the WSPL gave the CPL its comeuppance with a 126-74 win. If we're physically able there may be some additional posts (with, perhaps a picture or two). For now, just be sure to listen to this week's upcoming podcast.