The Hammadown is a weekly recap of the 13 year long running Eddie Brill poker game. I started this newsletter a couple of years ago in an attempt to capture some of the hilarity that ensues when comedians sit down to play poker. It may not be the highest stake poker game in NY, but I will bet it is the funniest.
The Players Eddie Brill host/founder and books comics for the Late Show with David Letterman
JR Havlan a former standup and has won several Emmy Awards for writing on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Vic Henley is featured in a Comedy Central Presents half hour Hank Gallo former producer for The Daily Show and Lewis Black Joe Mulligan world traveling comedian Cockman related by marriage to Sarah Silverman Jon Kiem bartender at The Blue Note Dave Freed former comic and manager of Caroline's Comedy Club William Stephenson comic/emcee and creator of The Hammadown
Part time players include "Lucky" Louie CK,Don McEnery, Sarah Silverman and Norman Chad. Sam Seder, Brian Regan, Colin Quinn, Robert Schimmel, Greg Fitzsimmons, Kevin Brennan, Ray Ellin and Michael Ian Black have all sat at this table.
In the beginning, the start time was 11pm on Sunday. Now we play most Mondays at 8PM.
Glossary
Hando Danight- best hand of the night
The Letter- Email sent to the player who has worn out his/her welcome. The letter is considered the official disinvitation to the game.
Pulling A Sammy- Doing something incredibly stupid. (Named for Sam Greenfield, a talk radio host and former original player last to get The Letter.
The showdowns- Game ending tradition for the last two hands of the night. The first showdown has each player putting 5 bucks in the pot. 5 cards are dealt face up, best hand wins. The second showdown is the same format with players getting 7 cards for 10 bucks.
The Games
Seven stud hi-lo
Straight seven stud
Lowball
Chicago
Martin& Lewis
Carousel
Biddy Badda Bow
Follow The Queen
Martin Luther King (if you get a black king face up, you're dead)
Mexican (pass Juan card to the left and Juan card to the right)
3-2-1
The following is a compilation of previous Hammadown issues
Freed was frowned upon by the Poker Gods once again. Actually, they locked him up in a Popeyes Chicken with Star Jones-Reynolds-Wrapped-In-Shit. In the first half hour of straight seven, Freed got the low card and had to bet first 5 hands in a row. He lost every hand he was in. He would make a semi-comeback but it was tight for a minute. His deameanor illustrates a point The Hammadown has touched on several times. Getting four good cards and 3 shitty ones is not so unusual that you have to stop the game and show everybody your first four cards. In an evening of poker you will get more shitty cards than good. There will be sessions where you will swim in a New Orleans style sea of shit. It is as much a part of the game as getting that magical pull on seventh street. The wide swing of emotion is one of the reasons we love to play this most exciting game called poker. Just as it is not a good idea to stand up, pump your fist and point to the sky after a win, it is wise to take your losses like a gentleman.
New from Schlanken Pictures
JR Havlan stars as "Herm" in The Really Bad DetectiveHerm: (to young victim) I know you've been through a traumatic experience, but I have to ask you some questions. Relax, everything is going to be all right. Now show me on my cock and balls how he assaulted you.
Continuing to spread the Hamma word around the world, I was in Washington DC this past weekend on the occasion of my grandmothers 104th birthday. The last time I saw her was two years ago and she didn't say boo to me. I'm very happy to report that on this visit she said something to me I will always hold dear.
"You're not as fat as the last time." Another precious moment brought to you by the fine folks at Schlanken Products.
A new character was introduced to the game by the name of Neder Strate Norgae
Jon offered more stories he deemed interesting. (He actually said, "I have an interesting story") One was about golf, so I was able to block it out completely. And then there was the one about the Beatles and a young kid. Sure, it's easy to rank on somebodys storytelling ability. Most of the table tells stories for a living. As a bartender, Jon tells stories too, but the kind you can only listen to when you're sitting at a bar drunk and have no one else to talk to. Been there in swimwear?
|
| 
Facebook 
MySpace 
Twitter 
Email 
