Harry Gann is $1,450 richer after winning Friday’s charity Texas Hold’em tournament held at Boulder Pointe to raise funds for Oxford Township’s proposed SplashPad.
The 38-year-old Armada resident beat out 57 other players to win the top cash prize.
‘It was a good tournament,? Gann said. ‘I had fun.?
The event raised more than $6,000 to help build a SplashPad for kids at Seymour Lake Park. Oxford Township Parks and Rec. has partnered with the Rotary, Lions and Kiwanis clubs to raise money for the estimated $390,000 project.
Gann, who works as the general manager for the Warren-based Crystal Machine and Tool, said he’s been playing Texas Hold’em for about three or four years now and has previously won a couple tournaments.
‘I play pretty aggressive,? he said. ‘I like to play a lot of hands.?
Versatility is one of the keys to Gann’s winning strategy.
‘You’ve just got to be able to play different cards and mix it up a little bit ? change gears when you need to,? he said.
When it got down to the last nine players at the final table, Gann said ‘you could see the difference? in terms of everyone’s style of play.
Earlier in the evening ‘everybody was playing kind of loose out there,? according to Gann. ‘I think everyone tightened right up at the final table,? he said. ‘I think everybody figured out how to play cards.?
Ultimately, Gann won the final hand with a pair of Jacks, a pair of twos and a ‘king kicker.? The best five out of seven cards wins in Texas Hold’em.
Oxford resident Tom Carter, director of operations for Crossroads for Youth, finished second in the tournament, winning $870.
Steve Wittebort secured third place and walked away with $290. Finishing fourth through seventh in the tournament were Mike Anderson, Bruce Sanderson, Mike Gauthier and Greg Price. Each won $100.