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 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 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 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. 

Poker League Update: Season 16, Game 3 - Mystery Bounty Night 🎲💰

Mystery Bounty Night Recap
Season 16, Game 3 brought plenty of action, drama, and big wins as players competed for the highly coveted mystery bounties. The top mystery prize of $200 was up for grabs alongside several $50 bounties, keeping everyone on edge. The game came off the heels of a heated presidential election discussion, leading to lively banter around the table.

Tensions reached a boiling point when Jeff and Tina found themselves debating a hand due to how it was shown. Cooler heads ultimately prevailed, and the two moved on in good spirits. The night also saw brotherly heartbreak as Matty couldn’t let go of his pocket aces, leading to an early exit courtesy of his brother, Mikey Mush.

Subs Steal the Spotlight
Both Foster and Butter had subs filling in for them, and remarkably, both substitutes made it to the final table. 

Other Highlights

• Rick made his triumphant return with teeth fully intact. No cracker challenges were attempted this time.
• Pete L. continues his breakout year, finishing in second place and currently sitting in the top 5 for the season. Pete also struck gold by winning the lottery bonus. Can he maintain his momentum and secure one of the top 6 Vegas spots?
• Keane and Mikey Mush were all smiles after the Dolphins’ big win.
  
  
  
  
  

Hoagie’s Bounty Luck Strikes Again
Somehow, Hoagie managed to snag the top two bounty prizes of the night. With Pete L. and Keane officiating the ticket pulls, all was fair—but that didn’t stop some playful grumbling from the group. Hoagie’s streak of bounty luck seems unstoppable.

The Night’s Big Winner: Pierre
The story of the evening, however, was Pierre, who pulled off an impressive back-to-back victory—a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since Season 14. The rookie sensation is now sitting at the top of the leaderboard and proving he’s a force to be reckoned with.

Looking Ahead

The next game, Regular Bounty Night, is on December 9th and will double as our Holiday Party! Dust off your best—or ugliest—Christmas sweater and join us for a festive evening of poker. The game starts at 7:15 PM sharp.

In other news, don’t miss the latest Nerdthusiast Poker Podcast, where Brian and Hoagie sit down with poker legend Jonathan Little for an in-depth interview. Tune in to hear insights from one of the game’s greatest minds and get tips to elevate your poker strategy. Catch the full episode now at NerdthusiastPoker.com

Poker League Season 16 Opener: New Faces, New Drama, and Quad 8's

 Our monthly poker league kicked off its 16th season with a bang, and this one feels different already! We said a bittersweet goodbye to three of our regulars: TJ, Harry, and Scott, who all retired from the table. But their chairs didn’t stay empty long. This season, we welcomed three new first-timers who have already made their mark: Tina "The Cash Queen," Brian "Somehow Samero's Friend," and Pierre "The Diceman."

As usual, subs had to step in for a few players. Ray C, Roger, and Matt L couldn't make it, but their replacements came to play. Sabol, subbing for Roger, stole the spotlight early with an incredible hand of quad 8's, setting the high-hand standard for the season from the jump. And just when we thought nothing could top that, Tim Murphy, who subbed for Matt at the last minute, managed to secure first place for the night after taking out Butter.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing though. Foster, making sure to get his kids in bed early, was the first one out, meanwhile, Jeff Barton had a much deeper run than we’re used to seeing from him. Could this be the start of a new, more serious Jeff? Only time will tell.

Then there’s Mikey Mush. In classic form, he sucked out on a few hands, pulling miracle rivers left and right, and still managed to win the lottery draw for the night. Mush gonna mush.

Keane handed over the league bracelet to last season's champ, Shinn, who made a brief appearance at the table before an early exit. It’s not the way you want to start as defending champ, but it’s only the beginning of what promises to be another wild season.

Our next game is set for Monday, October 14th at 7:15 PM, and it’s one of the most anticipated nights of the year—our annual Halloween game! Don’t forget to come in costume for a chance to earn an extra 5,000 chips.

Season 15: Game 8 deep stacked

Deep Stacked, Monday night poker league, game 8 of 9 unfolded with all the drama and excitement you'd expect from the MNPL. This was a night of early exits for some of our top players, shaking up the leaderboard and setting the stage for a tough finale.

Samero and Matt Lopresti, both contenders for the top spots, were among the casualties of the night. Three substitutes stepped up to the plate. Bickford filled in for Butter, who is currently living it up on the WPT cruise tour . Chuck took over for Ray C, and Chris Cote bravely played for Waldman, who was apparently getting his teeth pulled and decided to share a rather graphic photo with the group. Thanks Rick.

Despite Waldman's dental woes, his substitute managed to snag a much-needed second place, and to top it off, he won the lottery for the night. We were all hoping his luck would rub off on us when the ticket was drawn, but alas, it was not to be. Scott and Harry, however, continue to hold down the bottom spots, while Keane and Jacob are locked in a fierce battle to break into the top 5 and secure their spot in the Vegas package. At the end of the night, Roger took down first place, even after almost mucking earlier in the night, in the highly debated "Im Out" situation w/ Samero.

Dr. Shinn hobbled over Hoagie with hsi broken foot and now holds the lead going into the last month. However, there's a twist in the tale. Due to a kids' soccer game, Shinn may not even make it to the final showdown. Oh, the suspense!

As for the reigning champ, Keane, the pressure is on. If he doesn't clinch victory in the final game, he'll have to bid farewell to his cherished bracelet. Mathematically, Keane still has a fighting chance.

Mark your calendars for the championship game at 1 PM on Sunday, May 19th.

Season 15 Game 7: Deep level night

 In what's usually one of the longest nights of the season, our poker night on March 4th ended surprisingly early, wrapping up by 11:30 PM. The 30-minute round levels seemed to speed up the action, with several players busting out faster than normal.

It was a tough night for some of the leaderboard regulars, as Keane, Samero, and Matt L found themselves hitting the rail early. This opened the door for Shinn and Hoagie to make moves up the ranks. Even Pete managed to stick around for the whole game and make it to the final table!

In a hilarious side challenge prop bet, Rick the Grinder attempted the saltine cracker challenge, aiming to eat 6 crackers in 1 minute. Let's just say he won't be entering any eating contests anytime soon!

On the bright side, Harry managed to snag the lottery bonus for the night. Vince, subbing for Butter, made a deep run and showed that his sub services are in high demand. Butter was sick and won't make it next month as well as he won a free cruise to a WPT poker tour event next month. GOOD LUCK

Tim filled in for Mikey Mush, who was off celebrating his birthday in AC. In the end, it was Shinn who faced off against Vince, ultimately securing his second victory of the season. With this win, Shinn is now in second place, right behind Hoagie on the leaderboard.

Mark your calendars for the next game on April 1st at 7:15 PM, Big Stack night!

Also mark your calenders Saturday July 20th Hoagie will be hosting a cash game for the Mike Tyson / Logan Paul Fight. 730PM

Season 15:Game 4 - Bounty Night

Game 4 - Bounty Night Madness!

It's time for another thrilling recap of our poker shenanigans, and Game 4 brough the house down! Literally, because it was the last game at Hoagies house. But fear not, poker league will take place at – Command Center 2.0. starting in 2024.

So, let's dive into the bounty-fueled chaos that was Game 4. Picture this: a poker night without subs. It finally happened, everyone was there even Scott showed up! The action kicked off fast and furious and players were dropping like flies. It was a true bounty night, with everyone's sights set on that sweet cash bounty bonus.

Rick also got an early Christmas gift with his Fold, Check, Raise T Shirt!

In a blink-and-you'll-miss-it turn of events, we found ourselves at the final table in under 2 hours. That's faster than it takes Keane to regret leaving a MNF football game early!

Roger won lottery bonus for the night.

Final Three - Samero, Shinn, and the hot-streak Harry. It was a showdown of epic proportions. Samero went heads up twice in a row, but this time, Shinn swooped in and closed the deal with a victory heads up. Sorry, Harry, your hot streak will have to sizzle for another day. Samero now is king of the stats for the time being, but the RHS class of 2001 is hot in pursuit.

And in a bittersweet twist, this was our last game at Hoagies house. The poker gods have spoken, and they've ordained Command Center 2.0 as the new poker haven. The movers are doing their thing, and we're gearing up for a fresh start in the new year.

Next Game 5 - Monday Jan . 8 - is just around the corner, and it's our charity night! The stakes are high, and the winner gets a golden ticket – a seat to play in event 20, the Charity Series of Poker $225 event at The Borgata in January.