Summer is over, the pencils are sharpened, and on Friday, September 11th, 32 players returned to the classroom for the WGA Poker Group’s Back-to-School Tournament. No homework required. No dress code enforced. Just no-limit Texas Hold’em, a table full of overachievers, and one very coveted championship mug waiting at the head of the class. 🏆

As any seasoned student knows, showing up is only half the battle. Let’s see who did their homework and who showed up to the first day of school still wearing their summer vacation. 📚

Just like book reports in school, you can either read the full text for all the details or just watch the movie adaptation below. I promise not to tell your teachers.  

Andrew Hill Newman vs. Brandon DeLany – The Reigning Champ Makes His Presence Known
At blinds of 8k-16k, Andrew Hill Newman found himself automatically all-in from the small blind for his last 7k. In other words, the poker equivalent of showing up to class five minutes late and hoping the teacher doesn’t notice. Reigning WGA Poker Group Champion Brandon DeLany cleared the field with a raise to 32k from middle position, tabling K♣️️J♣️️. Andrew flipped over K♦️️Q♥️️ for a dominating lead.

The flop: 7♥️️2♥️️5♣️️. Andrew was still ahead. The turn: J♥️️! Brandon paired his jack to take the lead, putting Andrew on track to flunk out just as the school year began. A heart or a queen would keep him enrolled. The river: 4♣️️. Andrew Hill Newman, a longtime student of the game, was sent home in 9th place. Class dismissed. 👋 WATCH🎦

Maggie Friedman vs. Chip Chinery – High Cards are for Losers
At blinds of 10k-20k, Maggie Friedman shoved her last 25k from the hijack with 9♦️️8♦️️. It’s a connected hand with potential, like every freshman on orientation day. Chip called from the big blind with T♦️️5♥️️, the kind of hand a sophomore throws together the night before it’s due.

The board ran J♣️️4♥️️3♣️️K♦️️J♦️️. Neither player connected with much of anything, but Chip’s ten-high outranked Maggie’s nine-high in the most ridiculous result of the evening. Whether you studied all week or just marked “C” down the entire scantron, all that matters is the result. And thus, Maggie was sent back to the dorms in 8th place. WATCH🎦

Zach Robbins vs. Clay Lapari – Dominated on Day One
At blinds of 10k-20k, Zach Robbins shoved all-in from the button for 80k with A♣️️4♥️️ — a classic “I need to make a move” play that every tournament player knows well. Newcomer Clay Lapari looked down at A♥️️K♦️️ in the big blind and made the easy call. Zach was dominated from the jump, like a transfer student who showed up to the wrong campus.

The board ran 6♣️️6♥️️2♦️️T♥️️A♠️️. An ace on the river gave both players a pair, but Clay’s king kicker won the battle decisively. Zach Robbins was eliminated in 7th place. Better luck next semester, big guy. WATCH🎦

Mike Carreon vs. Brandon DeLany – He Could Go All.. The… Way!
This one had all the drama of an NCAA championship game. At blinds of 10k-20k, Clay raised to 60k from the hijack, and Brandon called from the small blind. Mike Carreon shoved all-in from the big blind, Clay called, and then Brandon re-raised all-in for over 200k total… a three-bet shove so large it sent Clay sprinting off the field. Smart fold, as it turns out.

Brandon tabled A♠️️A♥️️. Mike tabled A♣️️9♣️️. The flop: Q♥️️J♣️️3♣️️, giving Mike a flush draw to keep things interesting. The turn: 5♠️️. The river: 6♦️️. No flush. No miracle. Mike Carreon, one of the most beloved athletes in the division, was sent to the locker room in 6th place. No Heisman Trophy for you. WATCH🎦

Kornelia Takacs vs. Clay Lapari – So Close to Graduation
At blinds of 15k-30k, action folded to Clay, who limped from the small blind, followed by a check from Kornelia Takacs in the big blind. The flop: 7♠️️9♠️️5♦️️. Clay open-shoved for Kornelia’s remaining 37k. Kornelia called, tabling 5♣️️4♥️️ for bottom pair. Clay held K♣️️7♦️️ for middle pair and the lead.

The turn: 3♥️️. A gutshot straight draw for Kornelia! The student section was on their feet. 📣The river: 3♣️️. Paired the board, helped nobody, and sent Kornelia home in 5th place just one card shy of pulling off the upset of the night. She walked out with her head held high and her diploma just out of reach. WATCH🎦

Grant Taylor vs. Chip Chinery – The Cruelest Prank in School History
Two-time WGA Poker Group Champion Grant Taylor arrived at this hand as one of the most decorated alumni this poker group has ever produced. The man has a championship banner in the rafters. Two of them, in fact. 📣 At blinds of 15k-30k, Grant shoved his last 100k from first position. Chip moved all-in over the top from the small blind to isolate. Grant tabled A♣️️2♦️️. Chip showed 4♥️️4♠️️.

The flop: 3♣️️6♦️️J♣️️. Backdoor outs for Chip. The turn: A♥️️. Grant hit top pair and leapt to a massive lead! 🙌 The homecoming crowd went wild. All he needed was to fade two outs, and the legend would live on.

The river: 4♦️️!!! 😱

Oof… the only card in the deck that could send the two-time champion packing, and it showed up like a rival school crashing your victory party. Chip made a miracle set of fours, and Grant Taylor was retired in 4th place. A river four to decide fourth place. How fitting. 💔 WATCH🎦

Chip Chinery vs. Clay Lapari – The Transfer of Power
Riding the high of his miracle river card, Chip came out swinging at blinds of 15k-30k. He min-raised on the button and Clay called from the big blind. The flop: 4♥️️6♦️️3♣️️. Clay open-shoved his mountain of 243k into the middle — a bold play from a player who had the confidence of a freshman who just hooked up with his hot professor and suddenly thinks he runs the school. 😏

Chip snap-called, putting himself at risk, tabling the best hand in poker: A♥️️A♦️️. Clay showed J♣️️4♠️️ for middle pair and immediately realized he was the one about to get schooled. The turn: 9♦️️. The river: 2♥️️. Aces held for a giant double-up. A massive transfer of wealth left Clay on academic probation while Chip assumed the chip lead. Can he stay atop the dean’s list? WATCH🎦

Clay Lapari vs. Brandon DeLany – Finals Week
After that cooler, Clay found himself automatically all-in in the big blind for his last 15k. Chip folded on the button, leaving Brandon in the small blind to call. Clay revealed J♠️️2♥️️. Brandon held A♦️️5♥️️. Live cards for Clay, at least. It’s the kind of long shot every super senior roots for. 🤞

The flop: 2♠️️T♦️️9♦️️. Clay paired his deuce and took the lead! The turn: 6♠️️. Still ahead! The comeback was alive. Time to finally unwrap your cap and gown… The river: 5♣️️!!! Oh no, Brandon paired his five to overtake Clay’s pair of deuces. 😩 And just like that, Clay Lapari’s diploma was revoked in 3rd place. Time to switch majors… WATCH🎦

Chip Chinery vs. Brandon DeLany – Graduation Day
Two players. One mug. The main event.🏆

On one side: Chip Chinery, who had just pulled off one of the most dramatic river cards in recent memory and was playing with the energy of a senior on the last day of school. On the other: reigning champion Brandon DeLany, composed and calculating, the kind of player who doesn’t panic when the game is on the line because he’s been here before and he knows exactly what it takes to win.

At blinds of 30k-60k, Chip limped from the button. Brandon shoved from the big blind for an additional 135k. Chip called. Brandon tabled Q♣️️4♦️️. Chip flipped over K♦️️J♣️️ — a clear advantage as the cards hit the felt.

The flop came J♠️️A♦️️7♠️️. Chip improved to a pair of jacks. Brandon was now in desperate need of a date to the school dance in the form of a queen or his college days were over. The turn: 6♦️️. Nope, not that time. One more shot… The river: 4♠️️. Rejected again! Brandon paired his four, but it wasn’t enough. The defending champion would have to settle for 2nd place.

I guess the yearbook was right to predict him “Most Likely To Succeed” because Chip Chinery is your newest WGA Poker Group Champion! 🏆🎓

Chip played a flawless tournament from start to finish by surviving tough spots, making the right calls, landing miracles when needed, and closing out heads-up like a graduate drowning in student loans with no back-up plan. Failure was not an option. Congratulations, Chip. The mug is yours, and it was very well earned. 🍺 WATCH🎦

Here is a summary of the tournament results. Congrats to all our finalists! 🎉

1st – Chip Chinery 👑
2nd – Brandon “2nd Place” DeLany
3rd – Clay Lapari
4th – Grant “Gugliacci” Taylor
5th – Kornelia “Korne3lia” Takacs
6th – Mike “Nacho Plissken” Carreon
7th – Zach “Big Boy Popcorn Face” Robbins
8th – Maggie “Magoo” Friedman
9th – Andrew Hill Newman

Special thanks to Alasdair Thornton for all his help running the tournament — a true dean of operations. Thank you as well to Jay Moriarty and the Burbank Moose Lodge for once again opening their doors and keeping this institution running. And as always, a standing ovation for our incredible dealers — Jeff Meyers, Miller Tai, Tyler Wong, and Henry Harper — the faculty that keeps this classroom from descending into total chaos. We couldn’t do it without you. 🙏

Please stay tuned for updates via Facebook and the e-newsletter, and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Our next tournament is set for Friday, November 13th (Ooh, Friday the 13th… spooooooky! 👻). Keep an eye out for the official invite. Until then, enjoy the photos below and start prepping for the next school reunion!

P.S. The survey revealed that on the Friday night before finals week:
– 1 person would be “Going to sleep early, I’ve got this already.” 😴
– 1 person would “Break into the dining hall at 4 am and chug the froyo from the machine.” 🍦😂
– 4 people would “Hit up a party and practice their keg stands.” 🍻🤮
– 6 people would “Study like your future depends on it, because it might.” 📖😰
– 6 people would “Get HIGH on life and discuss philosophy with other like-minded souls.” 🌿🤔
– 17 people would “Play poker, of course. Tuition ain’t cheap.” ♦️️♣️️❤️♠️️

Honestly, I’m not surprised by these results. Such degens, all of you!  

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On Friday, July 24th, 33 players dove headfirst into the deep end for our Shark Week Poker Tournament. 🦈 The waters were warm, the chip stacks were deep, and somewhere at every table, a card shark was sizing up their next meal. Discovery Channel spends a whole week reminding you that the ocean is a brutal and unforgiving place. Consider this your reminder that our poker tournament is no different.

For hours, the feeding frenzy raged — stacks were devoured, bad beats were delivered, and one by one, the fish were picked off until only the apex predators remained. Let’s dive in.🤿

Watch the full recap video below or continue reading to learn how this epic shark tale unfolded.  

Nancy Sexton vs. Mike Schaub vs. Stephen Belden – Three-Way Feeding Frenzy
The first blood of the final table was drawn in spectacular fashion. At blinds of 15k-30k, Mike “Boston Mike” Schaub shoved all-in from the lojack with 7♠️️7♣️️. Nancy Sexton re-shoved for less from the button with A♦️️8♦️️ and then Stephen “Stevie” Belden — apparently unbothered by the chaos unfolding around him — moved all-in from the big blind with K♥️️9♣️️. Three sharks in the water. Who will survive?

The flop: J♣️️4♣️️6♦️️. Nothing dramatic yet. The turn: K♣️️. Stevie paired his king and surged into the lead. The river: K♦️️. Trip kings for Stevie, who had been quietly lurking below the surface while everyone else was busy splashing around. Stevie scooped the pot, took a massive bite out of Mike’s stack, and sent Nancy Sexton to Davy Jones’ locker in 9th place. The ocean just got a little smaller. WATCH🎦

Chip Chinery vs. Mike Schaub – The Best Hand in the Sea
Still at blinds of 15k-30k, Mike open-shoved all-in from under the gun. Chip Chinery looked down at A♣️️Q♣️️ on the button and made the call. A strong hand. A reasonable call. Unfortunately for Chip, Mike tabled A♥️️A♦️️ — the great white shark of starting hands. 🦈

The board ran 3♦️️7♦️️6♣️️5♦️️7♠️️ — a dramatic runout that gave Chip chop outs on the turn, but ultimately delivered nothing. Alas, Chip Chinery was eliminated in 8th place, the victim of a sea monster of a hand at the worst possible moment. Sometimes you sink. Sometimes you swim. This time it was the former. 🫧 WATCH🎦

Brett Maier vs. Stephen Belden – Calling Blind into the Abyss
At blinds of 20k-40k, Stevie moved all-in from under the gun with 7♦️️7♠️️. Brett Maier, already pot-committed in the small blind with the majority of his chips in the middle, called all-in without looking at his cards. Miller folded in the big blind and Brett finally peeked at his hand: 7♥️️9♣️️.

The bad news: Brett was drawing to a nine as his only live card. The worse news: Stevie flopped trip sevens when the board came A♦️️8♦️️7♣️️. The turn and river of 3♦️️2♦️️ completed a backdoor flush for Stevie — turning an already dominant hand into an absolute monster, leaving Brett Maier to fade into the dark abyss in 7th place. Respect for the courage, Brett. Unfortunately, the ocean respects nothing. WATCH🎦

Dave Malkoff vs. Jay Moriarty – A Quick and Painless Execution
At blinds of 30k-60k, Dave Malkoff found himself automatically all-in in the big blind, his stack no match for the rising tide of the blinds. The table folded around to Jay “Moose” Moriarty in the small blind, who auto-called and tabled A♥️️2♦️️ against Dave’s 7♥️️3♣️️.

The board ran 6♠️️8♠️️2♠️️K♣️️Q♦️️, sweeping Dave away by the current in 6th place before he ever had a chance to swim. 🌊 WATCH🎦

Mike Schaub vs. Brandon Delany – A Birthday Bite
At blinds of 30k-60k, Mike shoved his last 46k from the small blind with K♦️️2♦️️ — a desperate lunge for survival after treading water since that initial three-way skirmish. In the big blind sat Brandon Delany, who called with A♥️️2♥️️ and the easy confidence of someone celebrating his birthday at the poker table. Because he was! 🎂

The board ran 5♠️️J♣️️8♠️️J♠️️5♦️️ — a complete blank that changed nothing and helped no one, leaving Brandon’s ace kicker to do the work it was born to do. Once the shark, Mike Schaub was officially hunted down in 5th place as Brandon stacked up his chips. Looks like some birthday wishes do come true…🎁🎈 WATCH🎦

Miller Tai vs. Jay Moriarty – So Close to Shore
At blinds of 30k-60k, Jay shoved from first position with A♣️️Q♠️️ and Miller Tai — short-stacked in the big blind with T♥️️9♠️️ — had no choice but to call off his remaining chips. Drawing live but behind, Miller needed some help from the board.

The flop: 8♠️️3♣️️4♦️️. No help, but still afloat. The turn: 7♥️️. Miller now had an open-ended straight draw. With 14 outs, we all wondered… is it Miller time or closing time? The river… 8♣️️! Ooh, so close. Just as Miller saw the shore, the sharks dragged him under in 4th place. WATCH🎦

Brandon Delany vs. Stephen Belden – A Turning of the Tides
At blinds of 50k-100k, Brandon shoved from the button with A♣️️2♣️️. Stephen looked down at 5♣️️5♥️️ in the big blind and made the call. With the odds against him, Brandon’s tournament life was on the fishing line.

Then the flop arrived: 5♦️️4♣️️3♥️️. Stephen flopped a set of fives! But wait, what’s this? Brandon had flopped a straight – the steel wheel! Incredible! Suddenly, it was Stephen who needed help.

The turn: 7♣️️. Now a six on the river would give both players a straight and chop the pot — one of the crueler ways the deck can twist the knife.

Now the river… T♥️️. Brandon’s straight held strong as he doubled up in dramatic fashion, escaping the JAWS of elimination. 🦈 WATCH🎦

Stephen Belden vs. Jay Moriarty – Hook, Line, and Sinker
Still at blinds of 50k-100k, Stevie shoved from the small blind with J♠️️5♥️️. Fearless as always, Jay called from the big blind with just 7♠️️8♣️️.

The flop: Q♥️️6♦️️7♣️️. Jay paired his seven and took the lead. The turn: 2♥️️. No help for Stevie. The river: 6♣️️. Stephen Belden, who had been one of the most dangerous sharks in these waters from the very first hand, was caught hook, line, and sinker in 3rd place. 🎣 WATCH🎦

Brandon Delany vs. Jay Moriarty – The Birthday Boy’s Big Splash
Down to two. Jay Moriarty had been relentless all night — patient, precise, and absolutely merciless when it counted. Brandon Delany, celebrating his birthday at the felt, had matched him hand for hand.

At blinds of 50k-100k, Jay shoved from the small blind with K♥️️5♥️️. Sensing blood in the water, Brandon called from the big blind with 6♥️️6♦️️. As the theme to “Jaws” played in all our heads, we watched the dealer unveil the board.

The flop: 2♥️️7♣️️4♦️️. Brandon remained firmly in the lead. The turn: 7♦️️. Jay was down to a king and king only to survive. The river… Q♦️️! Brandon’s pocket sixes held strong, earning him the title of our newest WGA Poker Group Champion! 🎉

Brandon didn’t just survive the feeding frenzy. He was the feeding frenzy. Happy birthday, champ. The mug is yours. 🎂🏆 WATCH🎦

Here is a summary of the tournament results. Congrats to all our finalists! 🎉

1st – Brandon DeLany 👑
2nd – Jay “Moose” Moriarty
3rd – Stephen “Stevie” Belden
4th – Miller Tai
5th – Mike “Boston Mike” Schaub
6th – Dave Malkoff
7th – Brett Maier
8th – Chip Chinery
9th – Nancy Sexton

Special thanks to Alasdair Thornton for all his help in running the tournament, as well as to Jay Moriarty and the Burbank Moose Lodge for their continued support and hospitality. As always, thank you to our incredible dedicated dealers for keeping the game moving – Randi Barnes, Miller Tai, Henry Harper, and Joe Boothe.

Please stay tuned for updates via Facebook and the e-newsletter, and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Our next tournament is set for Friday, September 11^th (Don’t worry, that won’t be the theme). Keep an eye out for the official invite. Until then, please enjoy these photos from the night and always remember… in a world of fish, be a shark! 🐟🦈🐟

P.S. In the survey, 65.5% of you identified as “left sharks” while the other 34.5% identified as “right sharks.” In other words… GTO poker means nothing here. Embrace the chaos.  

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On Friday, May 29th, 46 rebels reported for duty and marched bravely into battle for our May The Flop Be With You Tournament. The Empire was strong. The alliance was stronger. And in the corner, someone was definitely using the Force to see their opponents’ hole cards. We saw nothing. We said nothing. 👀

For hours, Jedi masters and Sith lords dueled until only eight remained. Who would be the one to bring balance to the force? Let’s find out!

Watch the full recap video below or continue reading to learn how the entire saga unfolded.  

Mike Carreon vs. Dylan Brody – “I have a bad feeling about this…”
The opening skirmish didn’t waste any time. Dylan opened from under the gun, followed by Mike shoving all-in from the hijack position. The remaining players folded, and Dylan called. Mike tabled  A♥️️T♦️️. Mike was a considerable favorite versus Dylan’s T♣️️9♣️️and poised for a double-up. Dylan, on the other hand, found my lack of faith disturbing.

The flop: 9♦️️5♠️️T♠️️. Top two-pair for Dylan! Looks like the force is strong with this one. The turn 5♦️️and river 8♥️️ would give both players two-pair, but Dylan’s tens and nines remained ahead. Mike “Nacho Plissken” Carreon, one of the most beloved figures in this galaxy, was eliminated in 8th place. The Rebellion pressed on. 🫡 WATCH🎦

Erwin Fraterman vs. Dylan Brody – “It’s a traaaaaap!”
At blinds of 15k-30k, Dylan raised to 90k from under the gun. Erwin, sitting directly behind him and staring at K♥️️K♠️️, did what any self-respecting Jedi would do: he shoved all-in. The rest of the table scattered like Jawas, and Dylan snap-called. Then Dylan revealed his cards… A♠️️A♥️️

Erwin could not believe his eyes. Pocket kings… against pocket aces. It’s like Luke learning the girl of his dreams was his sister all over again. What a bummer.

The board ran 3♣️️7♦️️9♣️️4♣️️J♥️️ — clean as a Stormtrooper’s aim is not — and Erwin “Dutchy” Fraterman was sent to the dark side in 7th place. WATCH🎦

Adam Saunders vs. Nick Stanton vs. Andrew Hill Newman – Can The Reigning Champ Defend His Title?
At blinds of 15k-30k, our March 2026 champion, Adam Saunders, found himself automatically all-in from the small blind for his remaining 7k with Q♠️️6♠️️. Nick Stanton limped the button with J♥️️9♠️️, Andrew Hill Newman checked his option in the big blind, and the two of them silently agreed to check it down and see what happened.

What happened was a board of 8♦️️6♦️️4♦️️4♠️️9♣️️ — a dangerous, diamond-heavy runway that ultimately paired Nick’s nine to give him a higher two pair, nines and fours, just edging out Adam’s sixes and fours. There would be no return for this Jedi. Adam “KGB” Saunders, our freshly-crowned champion, was dethroned in 6th place. WATCH🎦

Nick Stanton vs. Dylan Brody – These Are Not the Outs You’re Looking For
At blinds of 20k-40k, Nick Stanton moved all-in from the under the gun with A♥️️J♣️️ — a perfectly respectable hand, right up until Dylan looked down at A♣️️K♦️️ in the big blind and called faster than the Millennium Falcon doing the Kessel Run.

Unfortunately for Nick, the board ran 7♠️️6♠️️2♣️️Q♣️️9♦️️ — five cards that would stall anyone’s hyper drive from a miraculous escape. And thus, Nick was eliminated in 5th place, frozen in carbonite, and shipped to Jabba to repay his debts. WATCH🎦

Aelred Boyle vs. Andrew Hill Newman – “It’s over, Aelred. I have the high ground.”
At blinds of 30k-60k, Aelred shoved her last 75k from the cutoff with J♥️️8♥️️. Dylan and Eric folded faster than the Galactic Senate under Palpatine, leaving Andrew in the big blind to make an easy call with A♠️️J♠️️.

The flop of 9♠️️A♦️️3♦️️ put Andrew lightyears ahead with top pair. The turn of 8♦️️gave Aelred a glimmer of “A New Hope,” but the 7♥️️ on the river cemented her fate, eliminating her in 4^th place. Not bad for a new recruit! Thanks for playing and we look forward to seeing you at the next battle! WATCH🎦

Eric Champnella vs. Andrew Hill Newman – The River Strikes Back
Three-handed now, and Eric Champnella came out firing from the button at 30k-60k, moving all-in with K♠️️T♦️️. Andrew called from the big blind with J♣️️T♣️️ — dominated, sure, but to quote Han Solo, “Never tell me the odds!”

The flop: 9♣️️Q♥️️4♠️️. Open-ended straight draw for Andrew! Suddenly, it was anyone’s game.

The turn: 5♥️️. No change. Only an eight or king could eliminate Eric. But what’s this? Andrew called in reinforcements!

The river… 8♥️️! Andrew’s straight was a direct hit to Eric’s chip stack, blowing it to pieces like the Death Star.. or the second Death Star… or Starkiller Base (can we get a new plot around here?!). Eric exits in 3^rd place. WATCH🎦

Dylan Brody vs. Andrew Hill Newman – The Rematch of the Galaxy
Not so long ago, in a tournament not so far away… These two played heads-up for the championship. That was September 2025. Dylan won. Andrew plotted his revenge.

Would history repeat itself? Or could Andrew redeem himself? The galaxy waited. 🌌

At blinds of 30k-60k, they got it all-in preflop with Andrew at risk. Andrew tabled A♣️️6♥️️. Dylan flipped over A♥️️9♣️️. With Dylan leading, will this story be the same as before or finally have a new ending?

The flop: T♠️️A♦️️K♥️️. A pair of aces for both players, but Dylan’s nine still had Andrew’s six outkicked. The turn: 5♣️️. No help. Andrew needed a six to win outright, or a king, queen, jack, ten, or five to chop. Andrew summoned all his force powers and called upon every Jedi that came before him. “Help me Obi-wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.”

Obi-wan appeared as a force ghost, gazed at Andrew with reassurance, then declared… “You are NOT the chosen one.” The river: 8♣️️.

And just like that, Dylan Brody, the winningest player in WGA Poker Group history, broke his own record to become a 4x WGA Poker Group champion! 🏆🏆🏆🏆 Ewoks and droids alike danced the “Yub Nub” as Dylan raised the championship mug in victory once again! Win or win not, there is no try. WATCH🎦

Here is a summary of the tournament results. Congrats to all our finalists! 🎉

1st – Dylan “Tweed” Brody 👑
2nd – Andrew “Fell Off A” Hill Newman
3rd – Eric Champnella
4th – Aelred Boyle
5th – Nick Stanton
6th – Adam “KGB” Saunders
7th – Erwin “Dutchy” Fraterman
8th – Mike “Nacho Plissken” Carreon
9th – Herbert “Herb” Moran
10th – Cheryl “Chery” Guerriero
11th – Mike “Boston Mike” Schaub

A massive thank you to my wife, Nichole, for helping run the tournament at 35 weeks pregnant. If that’s not Jedi-level dedication, nothing is. You are a superstar. 🙏⭐

Also, thank you to Jay Moriarty and the Burbank Moose Lodge for their continued support and hospitality, and to our incredible dealers who kept the galaxy running smoothly all night: Grant Taylor, Andrew Hill Newman, Miller Tai, Ross Lazar, and Adam Cole. This is the way. 🤠

Please stay tuned for updates via Facebook and the e-newsletter, and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

The next WGA Poker Group saga is set for Friday, July 24th. Until then, enjoy these photos and may the force be with you!

P.S. The bonus question from the RSVP form that asked ‘Would you rather make out with Jabba the Hutt? Or spend a long and cold night inside the rotting corpse of a tauntaun for shelter?’ was overwhelmingly in favor of tauntaun – 25 votes to 11. Poor Jabba, I guess he’ll never find love…

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On Friday, March 27th, 42 players stepped up to the plate for our MLB Opening Day Poker Tournament, also marking the WGA Poker Group’s official two-year anniversary! ⚾🎂🍻

The smell of hot dogs filled the air as everyone came out swinging for the fences. But as anyone who’s ever watched a nine-inning poker tournament knows, it’s not about who hits the hardest. It’s about who’s still standing when the final out is recorded.

After several grueling innings, our starting lineup of 42 was whittled down to a final table of ten. Let’s go to the tape. 📼

Watch the full recap video below or continue reading for the detailed play-by-play! 

Aaron Ho vs. Adam Saunders – Play Ball!
With blinds at 8k-16k, Adam “KGB” Saunders called with 8♠️️9♠️️. Aaron “Triple A” Ho, short-stacked, sitting with 4♥️️4♦️️, and absolutely not in the mood for limpers, shoved all-in for 39k. Adam called, and it was off to the races. Or as the real Teddy KGB would say, “Mr. Son of a bitch, let’s play some cards!” 🍪

The fix was in like the 1919 World Series as the board ran out 6♠️️8♥️️A♥️️3♠️️J♦️️, giving Adam a superior pair of eights. And thus, Aaron was sent to the rail in 10th place to sulk in sorrow like Mike McD at the beginning of Rounders. So much for that alligator blood. 🐊 WATCH 🎦

Lisa Dickey vs Jamie Rhonheimer – Seven From Heaven
At blinds of 10k-20k, Lisa “Tricky!” Dickey came out of the bullpen with K♠️️9♠️️, shoving all-in for 22k from under the gun. Jamie “Cashew Lover” Rhonheimer brought the heat right back, moving all-in over the top for 37k with 7♠️️8♠️️. The rest of the table cleared out faster than a team’s dugout after a walk-off homer. We have ourselves a genuine pitcher’s duel on our hands.

The flop: 8♦️️A♦️️Q♠️️. Jamie paired his eight and stepped into the lead. The 9♣️️ turn gave Lisa a pair of nines to keep herself in the ballgame. The river… 7♦️️!

Jamie miraculously scooped with two pair, forcing Lisa to retire from the mound in 9th place. WATCH 🎦

Adam Saunders vs Vince Pavia vs Grant Taylor – Can Adam Turn Two?
🚨🚨🚨 WILD PITCH ALERT! 🚨🚨🚨

At 15k-30k, Grant “Gugliacci” Taylor was down to his last 8k and called all-in with K♦️️4♦️️. Brewers fanatic, Vince “VP” Pavia, completed from the small blind with 8♦️️7♠️️ and Adam checked his big blind option with 8♥️️6♠️️. Adam had them all covered. Could he make the double play?

Flop: 9♥️️4♠️️7♦️️. Vince flopped middle pair. Grant flopped bottom pair. Adam flopped an open-ended straight draw. Vince shoved his remaining 50k into the side pot, but Adam was undeterred. He called, knowing the dealer had some curveballs waiting. The turn: A♦️️. A flush draw now for Grant. Could he find the diamond? The river… T♦️️!

Grant collected the main pot with a flush, tripling his stack. The river also made Adam a straight — good enough for the side pot and sending Vince home in 8th place. That’s going to be a long bus ride back to Milwaukee… 🚌🍻 WATCH 🎦

Joyce Lee vs. Jamie Rhonheimer – “There’s No Crying in Baseball!”
With blinds still at 15k-30k, Jamie hurled a blistering fastball with A♣️️K♣️️, shoving all-in from the small blind. Joyce “JoJo” Lee, pot-committed in the big blind and staring at 3♣️️2♦️️, had no choice but to call, close her eyes, and hope for a free base. 🤞

Flop: 4♦️️9♠️️5♥️️. Joyce found a sliver of hope with an open-ended straight draw. The crowd leaned forward. The 8♣️️ on the turn helped no one. The stadium held its breath as the river card landed. The 7♦️️. As the umpire called “strike three,” Joyce was left staring at home plate in 7th place. Another great finish for this all-star player, proving once again, she’s in a league of their own. WATCH 🎦

Grant Taylor vs. Jamie Rhonheimer – Hey Batter, Batter, Swing!
On the very next hand, Jamie returned to the mound, firing all his chips from the button with A♥️️J♣️️. Grant dug in from the big blind with K♦️️3♥️️, calling off his 70k stack. A solid swing. But is it on target?

The board ran 2♠️️Q♥️️2♥️️4♦️️7♦️️, a complete whiff for everyone, leaving Jamie’s ace-high intact. Grant, a 2x WGA Poker Group champion, gave everything he had to this game. Double-up after double-up, he had been our feel-good story of the night, surviving on fumes and sheer stubbornness. But all winning streaks must come to an end. And thus, he walked off the field in 6^th place, tipping his cap to thunderous applause. WATCH 🎦

Jeff Meyers vs. Jamie Rhonheimer – Race Around the Bases
Blinds at 20k-40k, Jeff sent his pocket tens T♣️️T♦️️ to pitch one final inning — just 4k on top to make it official. The night’s MVP, Jamie, stepped up to the plate in the big blind with K♣️️Q♣️️ and called his shot like Babe Ruth about to blast one over the fences.

The flop: 8♥️️9♥️️A♥️️. Jeff remained in the lead, keeping his playoff hopes alive. Now for the turn… the Q♠️️! Oh no, turns out Jamie is the Shohei Ohtani of poker, able to dominate from the mound and the batter’s box!  The K♦️️ on the river was just overkill, giving Jamie two pair to cement the win. Where’s a mercy rule when you need one?! And thus, Jeff Meyers finished in 5th place. Next time, try wearing a rally cap. 🧢 WATCH 🎦

Andrew Hill Newman vs. Jamie Rhonheimer – Eight Nothing To It, Baby!
Andrew “Fell Off The” Hill Newman was running on empty, just 5k behind him and the outfield wall directly ahead of him, when Jamie raised to 90k on the button with A♣️️8♥️️. From the small blind, Andrew called off his remaining chips with 8♣️️2♣️️. It was suited, which is the poker equivalent of showing up to tryouts in nice cleats. Appreciated, but means little.

The board ran 6♣️️5♦️️6♦️️5♥️️T,♦️️sending Andrew back to the minor leagues in 4th place. Don’t worry, I get a feeling he’ll be called up again soon. WATCH 🎦

Cheryl Guerriero vs. Adam Saunders – No Repeat for the Champ
Three-handed at blinds 30k-60k, Adam raised the button to 120k, Jamie got out of the way, and Cheryl “Uncle Cher” Guerriero called from the big blind. The flop: 6♠️️J♥️️J♠️️. Cheryl had missed completely, holding Q♥️️9♥️️ for nothing but queen-high. However, the reigning WGA Poker Group champion doesn’t know the meaning of surrender, pushing all-in for 142k.

But before she could even stare down her opponent, Adam snap-called, tabling Q♣️️J♦️️ for trip jacks! Cheryl would need a miracle to keep her title defense alive. The 4♣️️ and K♣️️ fell on the turn and river, changing nothing. And just like that, our defending champion was eliminated in 3rd place. Her second title will have to wait. 🤷 WATCH 🎦

Jamie Rhonheimer vs. Adam Saunders – Game Seven, Bottom of the Ninth, Two Outs…
The stadium lights were humming. Two players. One mug. Every chip on the table.

Jamie had been the star of this lineup all night — pitching, hitting, fielding, what can’t he do?! Adam, meanwhile, had been doing that infuriating thing great closers do where they make it look effortless while everyone around them quietly unravels.

At blinds of 30k-60k, Adam just limped from the small blind. What could it mean? You’d think the scouting report would have circulated by now.

In the big blind, Jamie looked down at 2♥️️2♦️️ and threw his best slider by shoving his entire 300k stack. Unfortunately, this breaking ball didn’t want to break. As it slowly hovered over the plate, Adam snap-called, flipping over K♥️️K♦️️. CRACK! The ball rockets deep into left field. But who knows, if the dealer drops a deuce (tehehe), maybe the ball will go foul and Jamie can continue. 💩

The flop: A♥️️4♠️️8♠️️. Sensing the end, the fans pound the last of their beers. The turn: 8♣️️. The fans start exiting the stadium. That parking lot can be a bitch. The river… 4♣️️. Adam’s pocket kings stood untouched as the ball sailed over the outfield wall, closing out an epic game. Jamie, who had fought relentlessly all night long was retired in 2nd place while Adam rounded the bases as our newest WGA Poker Group Champion! 🏆⭐⚾ WATCH 🎦

Here is a summary of the tournament results. Congrats to all our finalists!

1st – Adam “KGB” Saunders
2nd – Jamie “Cashew Lover” Rhonheimer
3rd – Cheryl “Uncle Cher” Guerriero
4th – Andrew “Fell Off The” Hill Newman
5th – Jeff Meyers
6th – Grant “Gugliacci” Taylor
7th – Joyce “JoJo” Lee
8th – Vince “VP” Pavia
9th – Lisa “Tricky!” Dickey
10th – Aaron “Triple A” Ho
11th – Mike “Nacho Plissken” Carreon

Special thanks to my wife, Nichole, and our dear friend and fellow scribe, Alasdair Thornton, for helping run the tournament. I’d also like to thank Jay Moriarty and the Burbank Moose Lodge for their support and hospitality. Finally, I’d like to thank our amazing dedicated dealers — Jeff Meyers, Matty Tauber, Ross Lazar, Adam Cole, and Cat Galutera. 

From the first pitch to the final out, this Opening Day tournament delivered everything a baseball fan could want: grand slams, improbable comebacks, and enough hot dogs to last a lifetime. Thank you to every player who showed up, suited up, and brought their W-G-A-game to the field. ⚾🌭

Stay tuned for updates via facebook or the e-newsletter. Also, please subscribe to our YouTube channel.

The next game is on deck for Friday, May 29th. Official invite coming soon. Until then, enjoy these photos from the tournament and GO DODGERS!!! 💙🤍💙🤍

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