Tournament Poker Club crowns Player of the Year from top 23
On Feb. 28, the 2025 final table winners of the Tournament Poker Club competed for Player of the Year honors.
Every year the club has a special invitation-only tournament for those players who won a final table during the previous year. There were 23 final table winners in 2025 who were invited to the special tournament. These members were: Debbie Barner, Guta Basner, Barry Brideau, Tony Canfora, Brent Covington (seventh), Steve Edrich (fourth), Erika Greenwood, Glen Ison (first place), Scott Johnson, Marvin Rolnick, Joe Guglielmo (second), Bob Konier, Glenn Evenson (sixth), Nancy Jordan (fifth), Jeff Rolnick (eighth), Namil Shin, Robert Stefun, Linda Stone, Lonnie Ton, Bill Zurn, Tom Pappas (third), Richard Jones, and Katie Hamilton (ninth).
After players were eliminated from the game, nine of the best were left at the final table. Play continued with the final nine until there were only two players left: Glen Ison and Joe Guglielmo.
Heads up, play began again. In the final hand of the match, Ison was holding A-5, and Guglielmo had Q-3. Guglielmo went all-in before the flop and was called by Ison. The flop came 5-6-9, giving Ison a pair of 5s; Guglielmo still had a live hand as they waited for the turn, which was a 3, giving Guglielmo a pair of 3s. With both players paired up, the river card was a 10—no help to either player and gave Ison the win with a pair of 5s to Guglielmo’s pair of 3s.
Ison has lived in Leisure World and been a member of the club for two years. This was his third final table win. Ison shoots pool, plays table tennis and has been known to swing a golf club here in Leisure World.
The club congratulates Ison and all the members who played in this special tournament. It’s always a real treat for the club to be able to acknowledge faithful members and great players.
Those who want to play a fun and friendly game of Texas Hold ‘Em for a $5 buy-in can make plans to play on Saturday, March 14. Regular tournaments are held on the first three Saturdays of every month and start at 10 a.m. with registration. Cards are in the air at 10:30. Note that the club has always had a no late seating policy for tournament play and is now at seating capacity. Those who arrive late have a good chance of not getting to play, so players should plan accordingly.
Poker lessons will begin again with an April class. For more information, contact Debbie Barner at 325-721-0687.
—Debbie Barner
