A full house is welcome at this tourney

POKER PLAYERS in last year's Hangtown Hold'em Poker Tournament, sponsored by the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, are hoping for the winning hand. Democrat file photo by Pat Dollins

What: Seventh annual Hangtown Hold’em Poker Tournament

Who: El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce

Where: El Dorado County Fairgrounds, Marshall Building, 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville

When: Saturday, Jan. 26. Check in 3 p.m. and gaming goes from 4 to 9 p.m.

Registration: $50 per player, $25 re-buys and $25 add-ons

Information: El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce at 530-621-5885 or visit eldoradocounty.org

The art of playing a bluff or just being lucky can come in handy when playing in the seventh annual Hangtown Hold’em Poker Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 26 at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, Marshall Building, 100 Placerville Drive in Placerville.

The tournament, sponsored by the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, is open to all skill levels and is a win win for all. It is a fundraiser to support training for Hangtown Hank, the Placerville Police Department’s bloodhound.

Registration for the night of gambling starts at 3 p.m. and the gaming starts at 4 p.m.

Participants need to ante up $50 per player initially. There are $25 re-buys and $25 add-ons.

Bill Beverly, 58, one of last year’s winners, offered a few secrets to increase the odds of winning. The tips helped him win the grand prize — a $500 gift card, a poker table and trophy.

“I think it’s about patience,” said Beverly, who has been playing poker for 33 years and playing in the tournament for the last five years.”That’s the biggest thing for me. It’s not always about the cards.”

Besides patience Beverly has few more pointers.

“It’s about reading people. That certainly helped me. I’m not one of the best players around — that’s for sure,” he said.

He then added two more factors.

“You have to have some skills to play the game and you have to have some luck,” he said.

He admitted that luck was the reason he won last year.

Patience, making a read, being lucky and honing his card skills keep Beverly playing on a regular basis.

“I play on Friday nights with a group of guys I’ve been playing with for many years,” said Beverly, who said one or two of the guys he plays with are considering playing in this year’s tournament.

Other players like the tournament because it is a fun way to support the chamber and to help the community.

Mark Scott, 58, owner of Carbon Copy in Placerville, and his wife, Janis, have been playing in the tournament since it started. Janis won the inaugural tournament in 2007.

“This is a charitable event and it’s a fun event,” Mark said.

The big prize for this year’s tournament is a weekend getaway to Reno, Nev. that includes an overnight stay, a trophy and a poker table.

Other prizes for the top finishers are a wine gift basket, spa treatments and gift certificates to local restaurants and businesses.

Sean’s Custom Catering in Placerville will provide food during this year’s tourney. There will be a no-host bar and prizes.

Laurel Brent-Bumb, chief executive officer for the chamber, thanked the many donors and volunteers that make the event successful.

For more information or to register for the poker tournament call the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce at 530-621-5885 or visit eldoradocounty.org.

Contact Mike Bush at 530-344-5079 or mbush@mtdemocrat.net. Follow @MBushMtDemo on Twitter. 

Mike Bush

Mike Bush has been working at the Mountain Democrat since August 2011. Mike is the Sports Writer and Features Writer.

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