Corky Cup V won by...Corky (again!)

The Corky Cup is named partially after Mike (a.k.a. "Corky") and his "unique" style of play, and in a somewhat politically incorrect inside joke, also for an 80's television character (who shall remain nameless.  OK, that's not hard to figure out for anyone over the age of 30).
Fittingly, Mike has now won this tournament twice after taking home top honors on Friday night over a field of 13 players.

He outlasted D. Cook in a heads-up battle that saw several lead changes.  At least twice in that duel, the chip leader was all in with a superior hand and called, only to get outdrawn on.  (This seemed to be the theme of the night, as there were an unusual high number of bad beats).  Finally, Corky got all his money in preflop with A-8 against Dave's 10-9, and an Ace on the flop left him with only a runner-runner possibility standing between him and the Cup.  An eight on the turn, while strengthening Corky's hand into two pair (Aces and Eights, the "Dead Man's Hand" immortalized by Wild Bill Hickok), it gave Dave eight outs on the river.  No such luck for Dave, as a harmless 4 fell, and the 6 1/2 hour tourney was over.

Eric held the chip lead for a good portion of the final table before succumbing in third place ($130).  Ian, a former Corky Cup winner, took fourth place ($90), and Dave T rounded on the money in fifth place ($60).

A very interesting hand and set of circumstances provided the drama for the hand that broke the money bubble.  With the blinds at 2000/4000, Tom pushed all-in preflop for an (unannounced) amount of 27,500 from early position.  Corky, sitting two seats downwind from Tom, then announced "all-in for 27,500".  After everyone else folded, Tom divulged that they had the exact same chip count, and that the four players who folded were guaranteed to finish in the money unless the hand was chopped.  Mike flipped over A-Q of hearts, while Tom tabled 5-5.  Tom and Mike agreed to $30 "insurance" paid to the loser of the hand, as it was a classic race situation (Tom 52%-48% edge).  The flop of 10h-Ad-2h gave Tom only two outs to stay alive.  The turn card of Jh seemed to end the drama, as Corky's flush had Tom drawing dead, but then a Kh fell on the river to give Corky the 4th ever Royal Flush in Donkeytown history.  (Dave T. had a 5th Royal Flush at Greg's cabin last February. Ironically, Tom has been on the losing end of 3 of the 5.)

Dave and Corky also agreed to chop the money at a point in the heads-up match when they were nearly 50%-50% in chips.  With the two deals that Corky made, Dave C. actually took home the most money on the night ($250), while Corky pocketed $220 but also went home with the Cup.  No confirmation to the rumor that he brought it to bed with him.