Costumes, cards, and chaos filled the air last night as AK and KO officially punched their tickets to the Tournament of Champions, hosted at Directa’s Crib. The stakes were high, the side bets plentiful, and the table talk as spicy as ever.

The night’s most dramatic hand came with 16 players remaining. Jiffy, sitting pretty, opened the action with pocket Kings. Weaz made the call with pocket Nines. The flop brought K-T-6, and in an unusual twist, both players checked.

The turn? A Nine. Jiffy bet, Weaz shoved, and the chips hit the felt. But the real thunderclap came on the river—another 9, giving Weaz quads and the high hand of the night, while leaving Jiffy crippled in a pot that will be retold for weeks.  Best hand took down $260.

Side bets were flying all evening, with Russ cashing in big—not only snagging the bounty but also winning the entire tournament heads-up against Madam A, a showdown that, fittingly, had been foretold by the prophets.

With that, the Tournament of Champions field is officially set for next month. Sixteen of the Triangle’s finest poker players will gather to battle for the crown, glory, and enough bragging rights to last a year.

May the cards be kind, the rivers merciful, and the banter brutal.