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

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.