Tournament Poker Club to play Saturday in CH 6

Those who would like to play a fun and friendly game of Texas Hold ‘Em for a $5 buy-in should make plans to play with the Tournament Poker Club on Saturday, Jan. 17.

Regular tournaments are held on the first three Saturdays of every month and start at 10 a.m. with registration and cards in the air at 10:30. There is a no late seating policy for tournament play, as events are at seating capacity. Those who arrive late have a chance of not being able to play.

Poker lessons have been suspended for the time being.

After a holiday break, the club started the new year on Jan. 3 with its first regular tournament of 2026. Even with questionable weather, more than 60 players came out for the game. High hand winners were Scott Johnson (J-J-J-J-K), Frank DePalma (A-A-A-10-10) and Nancy Floyd (Q-Q-Q-7-7). Lem Hall won a prize for playing and winning with the promo hand of 10-3.

As the winners of their original table, the final table players were: Joe Wierzbicki, first place; Lonnie Ton, second; Donna Hernandez, third; Tony Canfora, fourth; Frank De-Palma, fifth; Jeff Rolnick, sixth; Bruce Bowles, seventh; Eric Holdaway, eighth; and Young Cho, ninth. Play continued at the final table until Wierzbicki and Ton were heads up. In the final hand of the match, Wierzbicki was holding AS-5S and Ton had 8H-9H. The flop came 10D-10H-9D giving Wierzbicki a pair of 10s and Ton two pair— 10s and 9s. The turn card was 9H, with both players having two pair. Wierzbicki went all in with his high card and was called by Ton. The river was a 2C which left both players with two pair, but Wierzbicki with an ace kicker got the win.

Wierzbicki has lived in Leisure World and been a member of the poker club for four years. This was his second final table win. Wierzbicki also enjoys golf here in Leisure World.

—Deborah Barner

Joe Wierzbicki