Lion Jack Conway presented the Lion's club with the idea to run their own Texas Hold em poker tournament at a meeting late last year. Conway did all the leg work that resulted in the first Lions Poker Tournament held this past Saturday at the Knights. Conway was hoping for 80 players but by the end of the day the Lions had about fifty players total, 33 playing in the big 100.00 per hand game and another twenty or so who tried their luck in the 25.00 feeder game.

 

These two newbies were a little confused about how to play Texas HOld EM. They heard about the blind and double blind betting rule but didn't ask any questions. They didn't make it through the first round.

Some players became distraught after losing the last of their savings hoping for a big win. Great service from Domestic and staff at the Knights of Columbus.

Both young and old came out to support the Rockland Lions Club. Notice Bulldog Hockey legend Brian Geary left of center and Eagles Smoke off mastermind, Rocklandnews.com poster Rocklandmomof2 to the far right.

Kevin Papa Smurf Quill, Bill Bubba Minahan and Steve OB Obrien Jr kept their game faces on all day. Minahan vowed to donate his winnings back to the club but was unable to hang on to win.

Plenty of serious competition was going on as the player pool got smaller and smaller.

Brenda Kelly of the Banner Irish Pub.

 

 

Lion Jay and Son.

Bill Bubba Minahan.

Lion Frank and Lion Steve Obrien

 

 

We never did get the name of this ESPN ringer who charmed her way to the final five.

Fleet Center go-to guy Ryan Mitchell soon succumbed to this lovely land shark from parts unknown. It took the old Bear himself, Jimmy Kaznick to put a stop to her winning ways while Lion Jack Conway sends signals to his kid on the other side of the table.

Oooka Chiocca past fan club president, Pat Foley, presented a fantastic complimentary cold platter and fresh baked cookies for the poker players.

The competition was fierce and the talent was vast. Hold em players came from all over to take part in this first of it's kind for the Rockland Lions. When all totaled the lions gave out nearly two thousand in prizes and raised about a thousand dollars for Lion's Charities.

Prizes were given for first second and third place finishes

 

First second and third

 

First and second

 

Your first place winner! The names have been withheld to protect the guilty.

 

Congratulations to Lion Jimmie Kaznick. Kaznick beat out all but one player and made the Rockland Lions very Proud.

A great time was had by all and the Lions are already planning their next tournament.

 Special Thanks to John Ellard for his patience and instruction during the first game where he was the only one at our table who knew how to play the game. He could have easily run the table but ended up sacrificing his 25.00 entry while explaining the game to the easy prey.