On September 20th, twenty-nine hopefuls sprang off the bench to see if they could become the next poker MVP and bring home the championship mug.  Reigning champ, Tyler Wong, was back on the field, but could he pass, rush, and tackle his way to a back-to-back victory?! 

After several hours of bad beats, coolers, and bluffs gone wrong – we were down to our final table of nine poker sharks.  It didn’t take long for sparks to fly, when three players moved all-in preflop.  Danny Daneu held Q♥J♥, Courtney Amis held 9♦9♣, and Dave Malkoff was sitting pretty with the almighty powerful pocket rockets – A♥A♠.  Will they get cracked, or would Dave score a double knockout?  The flop brought T♠8♦T♥, changing little.  The 8♥ on the turn now gave Danny nine outs to make a flush on the river.  Alas, the 7♠ on the river changed nothing and Dave’s pocket aces sent Courtney to the rail in 9th place and Danny in 8th place, along with the esteemed title of “Bubble Boy.”

In our next matchup, Brandon Boyce shoved his short stack preflop from the small blind without looking at his cards. His opponent: the one and only Jay “Moose” Moriarty – making his 4th consecutive final table appearance. After a flop of A♠7♦5♥, they revealed their cards. Jay held Queen high with his Q♥9♦. Brandon opened a K♠5♣, taking the lead with a pair of fives. The T♠ on the turn changed nothing, but the Q♣ on the river was just what Jay needed to send Brandon home in 7th place. Tough luck, buddy!

Next up, it would be returning champ, Tyler Wong, finding himself at risk of elimination after moving his short stack all-in preflop without looking. After a flop of A♦3♠9♥, Grant Taylor would lead into the side pot, prompting Jay to fold. Grant turned over A♠5♣ for top pair while Tyler peeled a 5♥T♣. Only running tens could save Tyler, which he got halfway there with a T♦ on the turn. Unfortunately, the 7♠ sealed his fate for a 6th place finish. There would be no repeat for our reigning champ.

In a blind vs blind battle, stacks were shoved in the middle preflop with Dave Malkoff’s K♠9♦ leading against Robert Webb’s J♥2♦. What will the runout bring? When all was said and done, the Q♣8♣4♦A♠T♣ board was of no help to anyone and Robert would become our 5th place finisher.

Normally Q♣T♠ doesn’t match up well against K♣T♣, but that wasn’t the case when the flop of K♠9♦J♥ gave Dave the nut straight and Jay top pair. To keep with the NFL theme this month, Jay decided now was the right time to punt his stack, and boy, did he. After Jay led the flop, Dave min raised, Jay 3bet shoved, and Dave called. With the 4♠ on the turn and J♠ on the river, Dave scooped a gigantic pot and eliminated Jay in 4th place.

And then there were three… In perhaps the most exciting hand of the final table, Dave faced off against Grant with both players showing absolutely no fear. With 75k in the middle, a flop of A♣9♥6♦ hit the felt. Grant moved all-in for his remaining 143k. Dave would make the call, tabling A♥T♣ for top pair. Grant revealed an 8♥7♦ for an open-ended straight draw. Unfortunately, Dave was holding one of Grant’s outs (T♣), so he’d only have seven outs to improve. With the 2♦ on the turn, Grant only had a 16% chance to stay alive. Everyone held their breath as the clouds parted and a miracle T♥ soared down from the heavens, completing Grant’s straight for a huge double up!

A few hands later, Nick Stanton would shove all-in preflop from the small blind with the K♥5♠. Now with a big stack, Grant quickly made the call with A♥6♣ from the big blind as a 2-to-1 favorite. The flop of Q♥7♥7♣ provided little hope for Nick, as did the 6♦ on the turn – now improving Grant to two pair. A king and king only could save Nick from elimination, but it was not meant to be as the 2♦ fell on the river. 3rd place will have to do. Better luck next time, Nick!

Finally, we had reached our heads up match between Grant “Gugliacci” Taylor and the extremely formidable Dave Malkoff. Who will prevail?! It didn’t take long before an absolutely savage hand took place that would completely decimate one of our opponents. Here’s how it went down…

With 240k already in the middle from preflop action, a flop of K♥T♥T♦ would hit the felt. Dave shoved all-in for his remaining 160k. Grant snap called, putting Dave at risk with the shorter stack. Dave tabled K♠J♠ for two pair – kings and tens with a jack kicker. With a knowing grin, Grant turned over his cards to reveal K♦Q♠ for an identical two pair, but with a QUEEN kicker! What a cooler! But it’s not over… The room fell silent as the 9♠ hit the turn. This now meant Dave needed a queen for a straight to win, or a king or ten for a chop. Could he do it?! As we all watched intently, the very handsome and skilled dealer placed the 5♠ on the river, cementing Grant Taylor in WGA Poker Group history as our newest champ!

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

1st – Grant “Gugliacci” Taylor
2nd – Dave Malkoff
3rd – Nick Stanton
4th – Jay “Moose” Moriarty
5th – Robert “Arjay The Writer” Webb
6th – Tyler “Tired” Wong
7th – Brandon Boyce

Special thanks to my wife, Nichole, for helping run the tournament, as well as to Jay “Moose” Moriarty and the Burbank Moose Lodge. I’d also like to thank our dedicated dealers – Tyler Wong, Grant Taylor, and Brent Boyd.

Thank you to all who attended. Stay tuned for updates via facebook or the e-newsletter. I look forward to playing with everyone again soon. Until then, have a Happy Halloween and please enjoy some photos from the tournament below!

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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Sorry Vegas, you may have kicked off the 2024 World Series of Poker last week, but the real action was found at the May WGA Poker Group Tournament!  On Friday, May 31^st, 24 hopefuls slugged it out to see who would become our newest champ.  There were several exciting hands early on, like when three players shoved all-in on an AKT flop only to learn they all were holding different combos of JQ for the identical nut straight!  Soon, players began to bust, including reigning champ, Dylan Brody.  There would be no repeat. 

After combining to two tables, another notable hand unfolded between Patricia “The Rez” Resnick and Danny Jordan.  After Danny opened from under the gun, Patricia raised all-in with A♥J♠ from the big blind.  Danny snap-called to reveal K♣K♠.  Patricia was at risk of busting when the flop of J♣5♦4♠ hit the felt, giving her three additional outs.  She must have prayed to the poker gods, because a miracle J♥ appeared on the turn, giving her the lead with a three-of-a-kind!  With the meaningless 4♥ on the river, Patricia successfully doubled up, proving that you don’t have to work “9 to 5” to make a livin’.😉  Instead, just hustle your friends at poker.  Watch the hand below!

Eventually, we consolidated to our final table of nine with the top six finishers set to bring home some bacon.  Richard Smith finished in 9^th followed by Tyler “Bubbly Boy” Wong in 8^th.  The game then slowed to a crawl as no one wanted to be the last to go home empty-handed.  Ultimately, it was decided that 7^th place would also be awarded to keep things moving.  With that, it was yours truly that was next to bust when my preflop shove with 9♥8♥ couldn’t improve against Elias Madias’ T♠5♣ on a 2♦T♦4♠7♥ 5♥ board. 

Soon after, Jay “Moose” Moriarty shoved with K♠Q♠ from the cutoff, only to be called by Randi “A Little Randi” Barnes holding A♦Q♥ on the button.  To add to the excitement, Patricia already had most of her chips committed in the big blind and decided to gamble with J♦3♠ for a chance to triple up.  The board ran out 5♣Q♦6♦8♦9♣, scoring a DOUBLE knock-out for Randi and catapulting her chip stack into the stratosphere!  Check out the video below!

After Elias and Brandon Boyce hit the rail, we were down to our final two with Lisa “Rat Fink” Dickey and Randi duking it out for the title and championship mug.  Did I mention that they’re married?  That’s right, they say all is fair in love and war.  Let’s test that out.  Who would be our new champ?  And who would be moping on the car ride home?  Randi had a mountain of chips, so Lisa would need to stage an epic comeback to claim victory.  She started strong with a quick double when her A♦Q♠ held up against Randi’s K♠5♥, but moments later, the two found themselves all-in once again.  This time, Randi held J♥J♣ against Lisa’s K♣T♣.   After missing the 8♣5♥4♠ flop, Lisa was in desperate need of help.  The turn brought some hope with the 4♣, giving eight extra outs to a flush draw in addition to the three remaining kings in the deck.  As we all held our breath, the T♦ hit the river.  And just like that, we had a new champion.  Congratulations Randi! 

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

1^st – Randi “A Little Randi” Barnes
2^nd – Lisa “Rat Fink” Dickey
3^rd – Brandon Boyce
4^th – Elias Madias
5^th – Jay “Moose” Moriarty
6^th – Patricia “The Rez” Resnick
7^th – Aaron “Triple A” Ho

Special thanks to my wife, Nichole, for all of her help running the tournament, as well as to Jay “Moose” Moriarty for securing the venue.  I’d also like to thank our dedicated dealers throughout the night – Tyler Wong, Adam Cole, Arthur Tiersky, and Brandon Boyce.  You all rock! 

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

Here’s some photos from the tournament below. Enjoy!