Wife and Husband Win the Fall 2005 Hickory Poker Showdown

After five hours of poker, Andrea Miskell knocked out her husband Morgan
to win the Fall 2005 Hickory Poker Showdown on Saturday, September 17th.

They were the last of twenty-nine benefactors who played No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em
in a charity fundraiser for Junior Achievement. 

For the second tournament in a row, the final table was a family affair:  in the
Spring 2005 Showdown, Bill and Robin Love made the final table, and their son
Taft Love won the tournament. 

The final table consisted of:

Andrea Miskell – Grand Champion

Morgan Miskell – First Runner-Up

Beth Watts – Second Runner-Up

Vince Johnson – Fourth Place

Jim Cannon – Fifth Place

Bill Raker – Sixth Place

Neil Reece – Seventh Place

In addition to the trophies and bragging rights, participants also won prizes donated by
local merchants.  Prizes were awarded in a raffle in compliance with North Carolina’s
gaming laws.

Other notables in the tournament include Mayor Rudy Wright, who played to support

Junior Achievement.

Also winning were students in Catawba County.  Players in the tournament contributed
over $3000 to support Catawba County Junior Achievement.

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

Former Grand Champion Johnny Icard sits to her left.  Robin Love (far right) finished in
sixth place in the Spring 2005 Showdown.

Jim Cannon (center, wearing hat) smiles for the camera before taking all of
these people’s chips.  He made the final table and finished in fifth place.
Richard Wuest (far right) is the dealer.

The toughest starting table at the tournament included Grand Champion Andrea Miskell
(second from left) and runner-up Morgan Miskell (far left).  Bill Love (second from
right) finished in fifth place in the Spring 2005 Showdown.  Kelly Hartman’s (center
right) husband was the runner-up in the Fall 2004 Showdown.  Mayor Rudy Wright
(center left) played well but was eventually knocked out by Mrs. Hartman.

After busting out of the main tournament, several of the players started a side game.

Junior Achievement board member Carrie Regan prepares to make change
with $1000 chips as the minimum bets increase.

Three of the players shown here made the final table:  Neil Reece (front left) finished
in seventh place.  Bill Raker (back left) finished sixth.  Vince Johnson (far right)
finished fourth.

The final table is set:  From left to right are Andrea Miskell, Morgan Miskell,

Vince Johnson, Neil Reece, Jim Cannon, Bill Raker and Beth Watts.
John Lamb (far right) is the dealer.

Tournament Director Andrew Priddy presents Neil Reece with a plaque for making
the final table.  Dr. Reece has made the final table in each Showdown.

Bill Raker survived several all-in hands to finish in sixth place.

Jim Cannon earned fifth-place honors.  He’s shown here accepting his award
from tournament host Mark Griesen.

Vince Johnson finished in fourth place.

Beth Watts played with a short chip stack early in the tournament, but came back to
finish strong and claim the second runner-up’s trophy.

Down to the final two players, Andrea and Morgan Miskell play the hand that
would almost end the tournament.  Morgan went all-in with Ace-five and ran into
his wife’s Ace-seven.

Morgan Miskell eventually surrendered the last of his chips, and is shown here accepting
the Runner-Up trophy from Junior Achievement District Director Allison Tymko.

Andrea Miskell won the Grand Champion’s trophy.

After five hours of poker, the Miskells claimed the top two spots and the
Grand Champion and Runner-Up trophies.