🏆 New Champion Crowned – Season 17 Wrap-Up - TOURNAMENTS

 

🏆 New Champion Crowned – Season 17 Wrap-Up

Season 17 of the league is officially in the books, and we’ve got a new king of the felt. Foster put together a dominant run across the entire season, finishing with a triumphant points total that secured him the championship title. Consistency was the name of the game, and Foster delivered week in and week out when it mattered most.

As the season closes, the focus now shifts to a massive summer ahead. League players are gearing up to hit Las Vegas for the WSOP, along with several major local events. This group has been grinding all season, and now they’ll be representing the league on bigger stages with real stakes and even bigger opportunities.

🎯 Final Night Recap

The last game of the season didn’t disappoint. Keane made a statement, showing up when it counted most and taking down the final game of the series, earning the $500 bonus in the process. To cap off a heater of a night, he also snagged the lottery bonus, making it one of the most profitable finishes of the season.

🎟️ What’s Next

In total, 12 players have locked up tournament packages, giving them shots to compete in upcoming events throughout the year. From Vegas to local circuits, this league will have a strong presence across the poker scene.

We’ll be tracking results, deep runs, and final tables as the year unfolds — so stay tuned for updates on who’s playing where and how they perform.

The grind never stops… it just gets bigger from here. ♠️🔥

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📅 Looking Ahead

We’ll be hosting a Summer Charity Tournament on July 25th, bringing everyone back together for a great cause and another competitive night at the tables.

Then, the action resets as Season 18 officially launches in September, with a fresh leaderboard, new storylines, and another shot at league glory.

Foster — $3000

Cicali — $1700

Samero — $1500

Ray C — $1000

Matt L — $1000

Shinn — $1000

Dan — $1080

Pierre — $560

Ed — $560

Brian — $560

Butter — $330

Roger — $330

🎟️ Unused Entries from Past Seasons:

9th Horn – $560 (24-25 Season) 

12th Mike Lopresti – $330 (24-25 Season)

Neamand (22–23 Season) – $330

s 17 G8 Deepstack Night

 

Deepstack Night 

Before a single chip was in play, Game 8 already had a headline moment. A big congratulations goes out to Foster, who officially locked up first place for the season and secured the league’s gold bracelet. A well-earned accomplishment, and now the only question is… will he actually hold onto it? We’ve seen how that story plays out before with Butter and Naylor, and let’s just say history isn’t exactly on their side.

The Race for the Top 6 Heats Up

Hoagie has officially locked up a spot in the Top 6, but that’s about where the certainty ends. Seeding is still completely up in the air, and with several players still within striking distance, the pressure is only building. One good run or one bad beat can still swing everything heading into the championship.

It wasn’t just a big night at the table  it was a good night for Philly sports too, with the Flyers locking up their playoff spot while the cards were flying. 

Bad beat stories were being passed around all night, but none stood out more than Rick the Grinder, who continues to grind… just unfortunately toward the bottom of the standings this season. It’s been a rough run, but if there’s one thing about Rick, he’s not quitting the grind.

House Notes & Night Details

There were a few important notes heading into the final stretch of the season. First and foremost, a reminder that there will be NO SUBS except for emergency clauses stated in the contract allowed in the final game , everyone has to earn their spot at the table when it matters most. On top of that, there’s an added incentive with a $500 bonus in cash up for grabs for the winner of the final night, raising the stakes even higher.

As for the night itself, pizza from Mangia Pizza in Delran kept everyone fueled. We did have one sub for the night, as Cody stepped in for the always mysterious Neamand and made the most of it. Cody not only held his own, but went on to win the lottery bonus at the final table, cashing in on the extra prize.

Ohh and Pete has a Shed guy if anyone needs it... 

Final Table Results

When the tournament reached its final stages, it was a battle between some familiar names. Matt Lopresti came out on top, taking down the victory as he closed it out against Magic Ed, who put together a strong run to finish second, while Dan rounded out the podium with a third-place finish.

That result didn’t just end the night it completely shook up the standings. All three players are now firmly in the hunt for those final Top 6 Vegas spots, setting up a dramatic finish heading into the last game.

What’s Next

Now it all comes down to one final showdown. The Season 17 Championship Game is set for Sunday at 1 PM, May 3rd and it will be a deepstack finale with everything on the line. All league money is due in cash for final game. 

No subs, no second chances, and no room for error.

One last game to decide who’s heading to Vegas  and who’s going home thinking about what could have been.

s17 G7 Poker League – Game 7 Recap (Crunch Time is HERE!) ♠️

 This past Monday marked Game 7 of 9 in the Hoagie's Monday Night Poker League, and with just two games remaining, the season has officially reached crunch time. The format for the night featured a $10K starting stack with 30-minute levels, giving players plenty of room to maneuver, but also raising the stakes for those fighting to stay in contention.

At the top of the leaderboard, Foster continues to put together one of the most consistent seasons we’ve seen, extending his lead yet again. Incredibly, he has now made the final table in all 7 games so far, a streak that’s becoming the defining story of the season. 

While the top spot is starting to take shape, the middle of the standings is where the real drama is unfolding. From 6th through 12th place, there is only a 16-point difference, making it anyone’s game heading into the final stretch. One deep run or one early exit could completely reshape the leaderboard in a single night.

As a reminder to all players, no substitutes will be allowed for the final game of the season, so everyone will need to be in their seat and ready to play when it matters most.

The action on the felt didn’t disappoint. At the end of the night, Pierre captured his first victory of the year, taking down Ray heads-up to seal the win. Elsewhere, Pete L attempted to make a savvy move by bringing in his trusted sub, Vinny, but the plan quickly unraveled when Vinny ran into a monster and was eliminated. Ed also had a substitute step in, but that run ended early as well.

There were plenty of big hands throughout the night, including a wild stretch involving multiple quad sightings. Matt Lopresti hit quads and looked poised for a deep run, only to be eliminated just levels later in a turn of events. Not long after, Rick Waldman delivered an even bigger blow by hitting quad Kings, which now stands as the high hand of the year so far.

Off the table, Joe Samero took down the lottery bonus.

In addition to league points, players also competed for seats into this weekend’s charity event, with several players securing their spots for a great cause. For those interested in attending or supporting, you can read more here:
https://nerdthusiast.blogspot.com/2026/04/all-in-for-cure-charity-poker.html

With only two games remaining, every decision, every hand, and every point matters more than ever. The next stop is Game 8 on Monday, April 13th at 7:15 PM, featuring a 15K stack night

s17 G6: Turbo Night Survives the Blizzard

 Mother Nature tried her best to cancel poker night… But Pete L said no way!

This month was Turbo Night, which meant faster blind levels, shorter stacks, and zero time for Rick to “wait for aces.”  A full-blown South Jersey blizzard rolled in and Roads were messy, driveways were buried, and shovels got more action than chip stacks. As a result we had one of the biggest substitute lineups we’ve ever seen. Shout out to Butters for Shoveling the driveway!!!

The Sub Squad Steps Up

Because of the storm we rolled deep with alternates:

• Chuck subbing for Roger

• Donnie subbing for Samero

• Otto subbing for Butters

• Vinny subbing for Keane

• Johnny subbing for Foster

And honestly… the subs didn’t just survive , they almost stole the entire night.

Nearly all of them made the final table. Chuck and Donnie in particular came through huge, earning Roger and Samero some desperately needed league points. 

The Walking Dead (Literally)

Shinn showed up looking like he had just finished a 72-hour survival challenge. He powered through the game anyway a true grinder move.

Meanwhile Neamand was a no-call/no-show… which immediately triggered concern. Thankfully he wasn’t frozen in a snowbank. I ran into him at the gym the next day and he said after shoveling the blizzard he sat down for a minute… and fell asleep for the entire night. Honestly, very unbelievable.

The Results

• Hoagie navigated the madness and took down 1st place

• Matt L hit the Lottery Bonus

• The subs stacked valuable points for their players

Despite the win, the standings barely moved at the top. Foster still holds a commanding 25-point lead in the race for first place heading into the stretch run.

Looking Ahead

Next month we slow things back down

Next Game: March 30
Time: 7:15 PM
Structure: 30-minute levels
Starting Stack: 10,000 chips
Location: Hoagie House

s17 G5: January Showdown

 It was another cold, wintry Monday night  as the Monday Night Poker League fired up in true January fashion 

In the picture above you can see Scott showing up later and a rare view of Samero right before busting ./ The big storyline of the night belonged to Foster, who was sitting pretty after securing Vinny the Sub for the evening. That move paid off in a massive way, pushing Foster past the 100-point mark and giving him a commanding lead in the standings. At this point, the league is officially his to lose.

Meanwhile, Rick Waldman tried to spark some magic by bringing in Mikey Mush as his sub…Mikey took an early L, and Waldman’s point chase took a hit.

Your boy Hoagie stayed lucky in the side action, snagging the lottery ticket bonus in the nightly draw.

But when the cards finally settled, the real drama was at the top of the leaderboard.

In a relationship showdown for the ages, Dan and Tina went heads-up for the title. With pride, bragging rights, and league momentum on the line, Tina came out on top, taking the win for the night and proving that love and poker can definitely collide.

⏩ Up Next: Turbo Night

Things are about to get wild.

The next league battle is Turbo Night —
📅 Monday, February 23
⏰ 7:15 PM
📍 Hoagie’s House 

s17 G4: Ugly Sweater Christmas Holiday Poker Party

 

Ugly Sweaters, Big Hands, and a Night to Remember

Annual Christmas Ugly Sweater Poker Game Recap

Our annual Christmas Ugly Sweater Poker Night once again delivered everything we’ve come to expect from this tradition: questionable fashion choices, big hands, and plenty of league action.Everyone showed up dressed in their absolute worst holiday attire — the uglier, the better — setting the perfect festive (and slightly embarrassing) tone for the night.

Subs & a Monster Hand

Matt Lopresti, who had been subbed out for a few months, made a return appearance. Not only did Matt show up, he made it count, smashing the high hand of the night with quad 9s, ace kicker. Vinny subbed in for Ray C and made the most of his opportunity, putting together a deep run and finishing third place on the night. Vinny thanks for the lottery ticket gift! Another strong showing from a sub that definitely shook up the points conversation.

The lottery winner for the night was Brian Horn, adding a little extra holiday cheer to an already fun evening.

Foster Takes Control of the League

When the cards finally settled, it was Foster standing tall. He battled Samero heads-up and secured his second nightly win of the season, a victory that now gives him a commanding lead in league points. With only so many games left, the rest of the league now has a clear target on Foster’s back.

Ugly Sweaters on Full Display

If you missed the fashion disasters (or just want to relive them), the video of the ugly sweaters can be seen below. 

Remembering Pierre Avedissian

The night also carried a somber note. Former league member Pierre Avedissian has passed away. Pierre will always be remembered for his incredible sense of humor and the unforgettable stories he shared from growing up in Occupied France to moments at the poker table.

Pierre also still holds the league record for most wins in a single season with three, a mark that remains untouched to this day. He will always be part of this league’s history and will be deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure of playing alongside him.

NEXT GAME: MONDAY JAN 19 - 715PM - Hoagies House

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

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