Johnny Icard Wins Fall 2004 Hickory Poker Showdown

With a queen-high straight, Johnny Icard knocked out David Hartman

to win the Fall 2004 Hickory Poker Showdown on Friday, September 10^th.

They were the last of twenty-one participants who played No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em

in a charity fundraiser for Junior Achievement.  In the final hand, both Mr. Icard and

Mr. Hartman had a straight, but Mr. Icard’s was higher.

Mr. Icard’s daughter encouraged him to enter the tournament after she saw a notice near

her father’s picture in the Hickory Daily Record’s Grandfather of the Year contest.

The final table consisted of:

Johnny Icard – Grand Champion

David Hartman – First Runner-Up

Neil Reece – Second Runner-Up

Jason Winfield – Fourth Place

Sam Gray – Fifth Place

Bill Geideman – Sixth Place

Ryan Huffman – Seventh Place

Also winning were students in Catawba County.  Players in the tournament

contributed over $2000 to support Catawba County Junior Achievement.

Carrie Regan (center) was the dealer for this table at the start of the tournament.

Clockwise from Carrie are Tim Weaver, Neil Reece, David Hartman,

David Balke and Lou Wetmore.

Greg Diamonti (left) kept his poker face on for the picture.
Jason Winfield (center) did not.  Marsa Diamonti (right) was the dealer.

Johnny Icard (center) made his table laugh but eventually took everyone’s chips.

This man wouldn’t bluff you, would he?

Mayor Rudy Wright (right, in black hat) was the early chip leader but eventually

surrendered his chips to the man on his right, Sam Gray.

The final table is set:  Clockwise from dealer Dawn Griesen are
Johnny Icard, Sam Gray, Neil Reece, David Hartman, and Jason Winfield. 
Bill Geideman (standing, back left) and Ryan Huffman (not pictured) also qualified.

Neil Reece bets, much to the dislike of David Hartman and Jason Winfield.

Dr. Sam Gray (right) thinks that he has Johnny Icard cornered…

…until Johnny flips over his pair of tens.

Jason Winfield (left) finished in fourth place and receives congratulations

and an award from tournament director Andrew Priddy.

Neil Reece was our first runner-up.

Down to just two, David Hartman contemplates a raise from Johnny Icard

with the Grand Champion’s trophy on the table.

David Hartman (right) made his straight on the final hand, but lost to

Johnny Icard’s higher straight.  Here, David accepts the Runner-Up Award

from tournament host Mark Griesen.

Johnny Icard’s queen-high straight won him the Grand Champion Award

and the congratulations of all.