The 2024 WSOP might be over but the WGA Poker Group is just getting started!  On Friday, July 26^th, our third official tournament drew 24 players to the felt to see who would take home the coveted champion’s mug.  Our returning champ, Randi Barnes, was once again putting on a poker clinic, but would it be enough to defend her title?! 

The prize pool swelled with some early rebuys, most notably from Jay “Moose” Moriarty who found himself all-in time and time again versus the formidable Zach Robbins.  Sometimes he was ahead, other times… not so much. 

But you know what they say – “the fourth rebuy’s a charm” when Jay’s set of fours smashed Tristan Thai’s top pair-top kicker, setting Jay on path to make the final table for the third straight tournament in a row. 

Meanwhile, his early nemesis’ stack began to dwindle after some coolers, like when his boat of tens full of sixes was smashed by Tyler Wong’s boat of queens full of sixes after shoving preflop. 

Excitement was in the air as the final nine gathered at the final table.  The fireworks started when Zach Robbins open shoved with A♥Q♥, followed by an overshove by Catherine Galutera holding 5♣5♠.  With a big stack and with chips already committed in the big blind, Nick Stanton decided to call with his 8♥2♣ for a chance at a double knockout.  Would it work, or would Zach and Catherine live to see another day? 

Soon after, we lost our first player from the final table with Patricia Resnick finishing in 9^th place.  Next, it was William Gonzalez at risk when he called all-in from the big blind with A♦3♦ versus Andrew Newman’s opening raise with K♥K♦.  Will it hold or are we looking at the new bubble boy?! 

Next up, Catherine found herself all in with A♦T♥ against Nick’s A♠J♠ on a flop of J♦8♠7♦.  With the 2♦ on the turn, Catherine had 12 outs to make a flush or straight on the river and double up.  Can she do it?! 

Now down to six players, it was our re-buy radical, Jay Moriarty, at risk of actually going bye-bye when he found himself in a three way all-in preflop with Q♣J♣ against Tyler’s A♠K♠ and Andrew’s 4♥4♠.  (I say “Zach” instead of “Tyler” in the video, but that’s wrong.  I was tired…)  Andrew had both players covered, but could he pull off the double knockout?!

After Jay’s exit, only five remained.  Next up, we have a classic race with Andrew moving all-in with A♣T♥ and receiving a call by Randi with 2♥2♦ out of the big blind.  The saying goes “Deuces never loses,” but is it actually true?!

In arguably the most exciting hand of the tournament, Nick Stanton raised with T♠7♥ in the small blind only to be met with a shove from Zach in the big blind.  After some hemming and hawing, Nick decided to make the call in hopes of having live cards and getting lucky.  Unfortunately, Zach had the goods when he tabled K♦K♥.  It’s always a sweat, as the flop would bring K♣8♣9♠, giving Zach a set and Nick an open ended straight draw.  Could he hit his eight-outer and send Zach packing?! 

Despite doubling through, Zach found himself at risk shortly after with Nick once again.  This time, Zach’s J♦Q♦ would need to improve against Nick’s A♥9♥ if he wanted to stick around.  But what do the Poker Gods have to say about it? 

With three players left, we would soon witness one of the greatest sun runs in tournament history with Tyler doubling up through Nick not once, not twice, but THREE times when his A♦9♦ caught a straight on the river against Nick’s two pair (Q♠T♦) on a Q♥8♥6♥T♣J♣ board.  Brutal! 

While Tyler did most of the dirty work, it was Randi with the chance to land the final blow when she put Nick all in with her Q♦J♣ versus his 9♠2♥.  Sometimes, the most you can ask for is live cards.  But would it be enough?!

Despite making trips on the river, Nick was out in 3^rd place.  Finally, we’ve arrived at our heads up battle.  Who will prevail – reigning champ and chip leader Randi Barnes?  Or self-admitted resident “Bubble Boy” Tyler Wong? 

In their first showdown, Randi was back at it with her pocket deuces against Tyler’s A♠4♦.  Can they outrace her competition once again?!    

In their next duel, it was Tyler at risk of busting once again, but he had Randi dominated with his K♦Q♣ versus her Q♥J♥.  Will Tyler continue his tyranny? 

Down to her final 20k in chips, Randi was forced all-in from the small blind, tabling 7♥6♦.  Tyler flipped over T♥9♠.  Is it finally Tyler’s turn to take home the mug or does Randi still have some fight left?

And just like that, Tyler is our newest WGA Poker Group Champion!  Congratulations!  I couldn’t have written a better comeback story!  And apparently, neither could have him because he’s a film editor.  Wait, who the hell let Tyler into our WGA Poker Tournament?  Oh, right, I did.  Sorry, everyone.    

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

1^st – Tyler “Not Bubble” Wong
2^nd – Randi “One & Done” Barnes
3^rd – Nick “Leech” Stanton
4^th – Zach “Panic Attack” Robbins
5^th – Andrew “Hill” Newman
6^th – Jay “Moose” Moriarty
7^th – Catherine “Cat Attack” Galutera

Once again, special thanks to my wife, Nichole, for all of her help running the tournament, as well as to Jay “Moose” Moriarty and the Burbank Moose Lodge.  I’d also like to thank our dedicated dealers throughout the night – Tyler Wong, Randi Barnes, and Brent Boyd.   

Thank you to everyone who attended!  I look forward to seeing you all again at the next one.  Stay tuned for updates via facebook or the e-newsletter. 

Please enjoy some photos from the tournament below!

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