At today’s Gorilla Poker Tournament, the winning player actually gets to take home some cash — unlike many other local Texas Hold ’Em Tourneys, which hand out prize baskets and gift certificates to the victors. At March’s outing of the monthly gathering, 200 people competed for a $1,500 prize.
The tournament has been a regular get-together at the Sandusky National Guard Armory for more than 30 years. On the third Saturday of every month, serious poker fans gather for some heated card action. Founder Gino Pearson can’t recall how many times he’s seen players walk into the hall with high hopes and leave with empty pockets. “There is no trick to winning,” he says. “If you play cards, you put a max on what you spend. The surefire tip is ‘Don’t get in too deep.’ You gotta know when to get up and leave.”
Third Saturday of every month, 11 a.m., 2007
This article appears in Apr 18-24, 2007.