s17 G3: Mystery Bounty at Ricks

 

🦃 Thanksgiving Week Poker Recap – Mystery Bounty Madness at Rick’s House!

Thanksgiving week kicked off with another stop at Rick’s house. It was Mystery Bounty Night, meaning every knockout earned players a sealed envelope with a surprise bounty ranging anywhere from $1 to $200. Big shoutout to Rick for hosting and for letting the chaos unfold in his basement once again!

This week also marked the return of a familiar face: Mikey Mush. Matt Lopresti called in his brother as a sub, and Mike showed the league he still has plenty of game left, navigating his stack all the way deep into the final table. Great run from the Mush.

The lottery win of the night went to Dan, but the real heater continues to be Foster, who’s been absolutely on fire this season. Foster made yet another deep run and found himself tangled in a monster hand at the final table: his QQ vs. Samero’s AK. The flop brought an Ace, and Foster thought he was toast until the board rolled out perfectly, giving him Broadway. The exact moment Samero realized he sucked out was caught in the photo below… a true league classic.

Despite the magic, Foster couldn’t quite close it out this time. He finished runner-up after a heads-up battle with Hoagie, who sealed the deal for the win. Foster still sits firmly in first place overall and remains King of the Castle… for now.

One more highlight: after knocking out Samero, Hoagie pulled a $200 mystery bounty the biggest envelope of the night. ( he did not pick his own bounty chip )

Next up: 

After-Christmas Game – Ugly Sweater Edition!

🎄 December 29th at 7:15 PM
📍 Hoagie’s House

S17 G2: Halloween Poker Game

 It was the annual Halloween poker game, and this year everyone dressed up, well everyone except Ray, who showed up costume-less and paid the price with a 5,000-chip penalty. Despite starting short, he still managed to grind his way to an impressive third-place finish.

👻 Costume Highlights:

• Scotty stole the show as Donald Trump, complete with the hand gestures and catchphrases.

• Tina and Dan pulled off a perfect Bonnie and Clyde duo look.

• Hoagie went full wizard mode as Harry Potter, wand and all.

• Keane and Shinn as team Hulk

• Vinny, subbing in for Matt L, showed up as Jack Torrance from The Shining — “Here’s Vinny!” — but unfortunately had an early exit, earning Matt minimal points this week.

• 📺 Watch the full Halloween Poker Game video recap below and relive the night’s best hands, laughs, and costume chaos!

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🏠 Back at Waldman’s Lounge:
This game marked the first official return to Waldman’s Poker Lounge since February 2020, and it did not disappoint. The cleaned basement setup lookedlike days of old, chips stacked, lighting perfect, and action flowing all night. Waldman officially gets the nod to host again next Month after rave reviews from the players.

🃏 Tournament Results:
1️⃣ Foster – Captured his first-ever league win! After years of grinding, he finally sealed the deal.
2️⃣ Ed P – Dressed as a bear hunter made a deep run with strong, consistent play.
3️⃣ Ray – From costume penalty to podium finish — an impressive comeback story.

Samero took down Lottery 

🗓️ Next Game:
November 25th, 7:15 PM at Waldman’s Lounge
Get ready for the Mystery Bounty Game! Who will claim the secret envelope prizes and shake up the leaderboard?

Season 17: G1 The League is Back – New Faces, Old Legends, and a Return to Rick’s Basement

The wait is over—our poker league is officially back in action! This season brings an exciting mix of returning alumni and fresh competition.

We’re thrilled to welcome back some familiar faces:

• Matt Neamand, ready to make his mark once again.

• Scotty Helms, returning to the felt with his signature loud style.

• Ed Pietrzak, one of the OGs from the early days of the league.

Alongside them, we’re introducing a new player: Dan Walters. He wasted no time showing what he’s made of, winning the very first night! Was it beginner’s luck, or are we seeing the rise of a new contender? Either way, Dan has taken an early lead in the season standings.

Adding to the excitement, the next two months’ games will be hosted at Rick’s house. That’s right—it’s the return to Rick’s Basement, a legendary spot for league history.

And don’t forget: our next game will be the Halloween game, and players who come dressed in costume will earn extra chips at the table.

Next Game: October 27th, 7:15 PM – Halloween Game! 🎃🃏

 

Tournaments and Payouts from last Season

 Dates for 2025-2026 

Sept 8

Oct 27 

Nov 24

Dec 29 

Jan 26

Feb 23

Mar 30

Apr 13

Sunday May 3 Championship

🥇 Hoagie – $3,000 ( played venetian, Wsop and online satte 7/2025 No Cash)

🥈 Keane – $1,500 ( played Monster Stack 6/25 and online No Cash )

🥉 Matt L – $1,500 -(Monster Stack - $3018 1090/9920) 

4th Pierre – $1,000 (Seniors Event 6/25 Wsop no Cash) 

5th Jacob – $1,000 ($600 Deepstack $2060 313/7,057)

6th 🧈 Butter – $1,000 ( Mini main Wsop 2025 No Cash) 

7th  Ray C – $1,080 ( vegas wsop 2205 NO Cash)

8th Pete L – $560 ( 6/.2025 Senior MGM Grand No Cash )

9th Horn – $560

10th Waldman – $560 ( 1st place chop Borgata 7/29/25 $5390)

11th Tina – $330 (ladies event borgata no cash)

12th Mike Lopresti – $330 

🎟️ Unused Entries from Past Seasons:

• Neamand (22–23 Season) – $330

• TJ (23–24 Season) – $330 ( Chicago WSOP C - Sept 2025 No Cash ) 

"May the Flop Be With You" – Hoagie Poker League Season 16

 

May 2025

The galaxy aligned for an epic conclusion to Season 16 of the Hoagie Poker League, as Game 9 unfolded on May the 4th with lightsabers, chips, and baby news in the air.

Earlier that day, Hoagie revealed some out-of-this-world news with a Star Wars-themed gender reveal—and by evening, he carried that energy straight to the felt.  

🌌 A Tight Table Until the End

As the final cards hit the table, tension was thick. The competition for the top 6 spots—each carrying travel funds for Vegas—came down to the wire. It was a night full of dramatic swings, and in true Skywalker fashion, Mike Lopresti went full Jedi Master on the table, even announcing he would win lotto.

Lopresti crushed the final night by taking home:

• The lottery bonus

• The first-place cash prize for Game 9

• A tournament seat by climbing to 12th place overall—the last eligible spot.

🏆 Passing of the Bracelet

Last year’s champ Shinn handed the bracelet to a winner Hoagie. After grinding all season and surviving the turbo nights, mystery bounty madness, and deepstack marathons, Hoagie secured the #1 spot.

🎲 Final Season 16 Standings & Payouts

The top 6 players earned Vegas travel money and a chance to represent the league on the national felt.

🥇 Hoagie – $3,000 

🥈 Keane – $1,500

🥉 Matt L – $1,500

4th Pierre – $1,000 

5th Jacob – $1,000

6th 🧈 Butter – $1,000

7th  Ray C – $1,080

8th Pete L – $560

9th Horn – $560

10th Waldman – $560

11th Tina – $330

12th Mike Lopresti – $330 

🎟️ Unused Entries from Past Seasons:

• Neamand (22–23 Season) – $330

• TJ (23–24 Season) – $330

---

🛸 Looking Ahead to Season 17

The cards will be back in the air when Season 17 kicks off in September 2025. 

Until then, may the run-good be with you.

Season 16 – Game 8: Deepstack Duel of the Basement Dwellers

 

Season 16 – Game 8: Deepstack Duel of the Basement Dwellers

Deepstack Night:

Two subs were called into action. Jacob, celebrating his birthday in Hawaii, sent in Vinny Subz as his stand-in. The aloha vibes must’ve been strong—Vinny not only held his own at the table but hit big on his first-ever lottery pull, winning $100 on a scratch-off.  

Meanwhile, Brian Horn brought in former champion, Chuck Aquino, who pulled double duty. Not only did Chuck bring his poker chops, but he also catered the event. If you liked what Chuck was cooking, you can check out his full weekly menu at The Grub at The Club, located at the AC Club in Beverly. Menu & Updates Here » 

The night took an unexpected turn when the bottom-of-the-board battlers made serious runs. Samero, Roger, and Jeff—long dubbed basement dwellers—flipped the script and fought their way deep into the tournament. Samero was on fire all night, making gutsy calls and finding the right spots, earning him a spot heads-up against Jeff.

In the end, it was Jeff who sealed the win, scoring his first victory of the season and proving that no one is truly out until the last chip falls.

As we head into the championship finale, Hoagie still holds the overall lead. Brian and Matt L are tied for second place, setting up a tight race for the top. With six Vegas seats up for grabs, it’s still anyone’s game—Pete L, Rick, Brian, Jacob, Butter, and Ray C are all on the bubble and ready to pounce in the final match.

Mark your calendars for the Season 16 finale on Sunday, May 4—a Star Wars-themed doubleheader that promises to be unforgettable. Hoagie will be hosting a Star Wars gender reveal party at noon, followed by the 2 PM Championship Deepstack Game.

Bonus Alert: Any player who brings or wears a Star Wars item will receive a 500 chip bonus. So grab your lightsaber, put on that Chewbacca hoodie, and May the 4th Be With You at the final table.  

Season 16, Game 7: The Final Stretch Begins!

 

Season 16, Game 7: The Stretch Run Begins!

With only two games left in the season, the battle for points is heating up as the league inches closer to its final showdown. Game 7 featured 30-minute rounds, giving players more time to make moves—but for some, it still wasn’t enough to survive the growing pressure of the standings race.

Rick “The Grinder” seemed out of sorts on the night, possibly feeling the effects of one too many gummies. His usual steady play was off-kilter. Meanwhile, the lottery draw saw a split pot between Keane and Butter, unfortunately both pulling duds. Get Better.

This month, the newcomers made a statement with deep runs, showing that fresh blood can shake things up late in the season. Brian Horn has been on fire, making his fourth final table appearance of the season, but once again fell just short—this time finishing in second place. However, the night belonged to Tina, who secured her first-ever league victory, putting herself right in the mix as the standings tighten up.

With the top six players winning seats to Vegas and the top 12 earning a tournament prize, every chip counts from here on out. Tina and Brian are now battling in the middle of the pack, looking to climb into the top tier as we head into the final two games. 

Next Up: Deepstack Night - April 14th - 715 Pm

Season 16, G 6, Turbo Poker Night : Egg Video Goes Viral

 Hoagie Home Game: Season 16, Game 6 - Turbo Night Turns Viral!

The Hoagie Home Game crew has been known to crack a few jokes, but this time, we cracked something even bigger—viral success! For weeks, league members saved up empty egg cartons, and before the cards hit the felt on Turbo Night, we scrambled together a short poker-themed clip featuring eggs as our currency. What started as a yolk turned into an internet sensation, with our video hatching a whopping 15 million views worldwide after Draftkings shared the video! Talk about an eggs-traordinary result! full video here

Turbo Night Takes Off

With the blinds moving at lightning speed, Turbo Night put everyone in the hot seat from the jump. Rick decided to use a sub for the night, with Tim stepping in—but his tournament life was over-easy as he busted out early. Knowing Rick, he’s probably still steaming over it. Meanwhile, Vince—now officially dubbed "Vinny Subz"—filled in for Jeff and showed once again why he's the go-to replacement at the table.

High Hand Update: Shinn Scrambles the Competition

The season's high hand record got an upgrade when Shinn cooked up quad Kings with a Jack kicker, taking control of the leaderboard. That’s a tough one to beat, but with three games left, anything is possible. Mikey Mush, on the other hand, avoided his usual bad luck and won the lottery for the night. Maybe his luck is finally starting to hatch?

Final Table Fireworks

Newcomer Brian Horn has been heating up, going from a slow start to cracking the top three for the night. It was an eggs-hausting battle at the top, with Ray C and Hoagie going head-to-head for first place. In the end, Hoagie scrambled Ray and secured the win—launching himself into first place overall. With only three games left in the season, the leaderboard is still wide open, and it’s anyone’s ball game.

Special Shoutout

A massive thank you to Faded Spade for sponsoring our Hoagie Home Game and sending us the brand-new Faded Spade FX cards! These high-quality decks have been a game-changer, adding a touch of pro-level flair to our already legendary poker nights.

What’s Next?

Mark your calendars—the next game is 30-Minute Round Night on Monday, March 3rd, at 7:15 PM. 

Season 16, Game 5 Recap: Big Blind Ante

 

Before diving into the action, we have to give a big shoutout to Bella’s Pizza Café in Delran for hooking us up with some delicious, fresh pies for the game. Be sure to check them out at Bella’s Pizza Café Menu for your next pizza night! Thanks for the discount!

This game marked the debut of the Big Blind Ante in our league. The adjustment added a new layer of strategy and pace.

Things got off to a chilly start—literally—as Hoagie’s heat decided to take the night off. But thanks to some space heaters and the intensity of the players, the poker room warmed up quickly. Who needs a furnace when you’ve got the fire of competition?

Butter had a rough night after attempting to slow roll pocket aces against Keane. The poker gods seemed to intervene as Keane’s Jack-King outshined Butter’s aces on a dramatic Q-10-9-X-X board, delivering Keane a straight and a healthy dose of karma.

Keane’s good fortune didn’t stop there. He dominated throughout the night, ultimately facing off against Matt “Mamunez” Lopresti heads-up. In the end, Keane secured the victory, solidifying his place as a force to be reckoned with this season. But Matt L now holds the top place overall in the league. 

Pierre failing to make the final table for the first time in three months.  Pete L making his best season yet. The lottery bonus round was claimed by Tina, while Ray C’s strategic decision to bring in Vince as a sub for the second time this season paid off. Vince’s final table appearance gave Ray C a significant boost in the standings.

Mark your calendars! The next game, Turbo 15k Night, is set for February 17th at 7:15 PM. 

S16 game 4: A Festive First: Ugly Sweater Poker Night! 🎅🃏

This month, we celebrated the holiday season in style with our first-ever Christmas Ugly Sweater Poker Game! The atmosphere was buzzing with festive energy, as the table was surrounded by players donning their most colorful and creative holiday sweaters. The aroma of homemade chili simmering on the stove added to the cozy vibe.

🎄 Check out all the colorful Christmas sweaters from this month’s game in our highlight reel: Ugly Sweater Poker Night Video. 

Only one sub in attendance—Tina’s husband, Dan, unfortunately Dan couldn’t find his footing and made an early exit. In true holiday spirit, Samero played the role of Santa, surprising everyone with lottery tickets as early gifts. 🎁 Joe Shinn stepped up his game after a disappointing Halloween attire showing.

Rick continued his incredible streak, making his fourth consecutive final table this season. Meanwhile, Pierre had his sights set on poker league history, hoping to secure his third win in a row, but the cards didn’t fall in his favor at the final table. Pete L has done a complete 180 this season, but can he hold onto the run and finish strong this year. 

Throughout the night, much of the conversation turned to the ongoing drone situation in New Jersey, adding an unexpected twist to the evening’s chatter.

When the dust settled, it came down to a heated heads-up battle between Hoagie and Matt L. Hoagie emerged victorious, taking home the win and further solidifying his commanding lead in the league standings. Pierre remains a close second, keeping the race exciting as we head into the new year.

The night wasn’t over without some extra luck for Roger, who won the lottery bonus! 🍀 

Don’t Miss the Next Game!
Our next game is on January 6 at 7:15 PM, —our first-ever Big Blind Ante game. 

For anyone looking for the perfect poker-themed Christmas gift for a friend or family member, one of our subs, Frank DiRe one of our league subs, has put together a fantastic list of ideas. Check it out here: The Best Gifts for Poker Players.

Happy Holidays, and see you at the tables in January! 🎅♠️