Emerald Greene Parsons
emerald@greenepublishing.com
A large crowd turned out for the third Madison County Chamber of Commerce Texas Hold'Em Poker Tournament on Saturday, July 24.
The tournament, which was held at the Madison Golf and RV Resort, started promptly at 6 p.m., with approximately 36 poker players seated anxiously vying for one of the top eight winning spots. For an entrance fee of $50, players were given $4,250 worth of chips to begin their night, with an option to purchase a $1,000 chip for an additional $20. Anyone who busted-out before 7 p.m. had the option to rebuy back into the game, for another $50.
As the participants began their night of poker playing, bystanders enjoyed standing by and watching the fun. There was a table of heavy hors d’oevres for the players and non-players to enjoy throughout the night, as well as a cash bar.
Approximately three hours later, the final nine players gathered around the final table to vie for the championship title, which then dwindled down to the top eight still fighting it out to the end.
When the smoke cleared and the night ended, Pond Wright was the grand overall Madison County Texas Hold’Em Poker Champion. He walked away with the grand prize package which, among other things, consisted of a two-night stay at the Golden Nugget in Biloxi, Miss. The other seven prize winners were: Kevin Killian (second place), Johnny Stephens (third place), Todd Richardson (fourth place), Dennis DeHart (fifth place), Mary Sneed (sixth place), John Todd (seventh place) and Marie Magner (eighth place).
The Madison County Chamber of Commerce would like to thank all the local businesses who donated prizes: The Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino (Biloxi, Miss); a 50” 4K LED SmartCast VIZO TV (donated by AOK Electric); four rounds of golf (donated by Madison RV & Golf Resort); $50 gift card (donated by The Country Store); two $25 gift cards (donated by C&D Bistro); lottery ticket bouquet (donated by We Pack and Mail); swig cup (donated by Daisy & Dukes); eight 3-month subscriptions (donated by Greene Publishing Inc.); eight gift basket of Tommy Greene’s books and drawings (donated by Emerald Greene Parsons); several assortments of goat milk soaps (donated by Serenity Acres Farm); assorted merchandise (donated by Georgia Pacific); $50 gift card (donated by The Madison Bookstore); a free standard deer Processing Certificate (donated by L&W Venison); $50 gift card to Busy Bee (donated by Lake Park of Madison); a $20 and $10 gift card (donated by Grumpy’s Diner on Main); several assortments of retail beauty products (donated by The Mane Attraction); one-month free membership (donated by Robinson Gunworks & Indoor Gun Range); $25 gift card and t-shirt (donated by Norris Café; two $25 gift cards (donated by Buckeye Federal Credit Union); a tumbler (donated by Southern Blooms by Kim); two $20 gift cards (donated by Ace Hardware of Madison); $20 gift card (donated by Grace & Cloth); 30 oz Tumbler and straw and three portable wireless speakers (donated by Farmers Cooperative); Swig Slim Can Cooler (donated by Daisy & Dukes); $25 gift card (donated by Mimosa Fashion/Man Cave) and a free combination dinner (donated by Rancho Grande)
A special thanks also goes out to the Chamber’s platinum and gold sponsors: BlueTriton, Madison County Tourist Development Council, Duke Energy, Trulieve, Madison County Board of Commissioners and the City of Madison.