Donald Teuma-Castelletti
QUYON March 3, 2018
Card-playing fish-eaters filled the back portion of the Quyon Legion Saturday afternoon, where bets were raised and bluffs were called at the first fundraising tournament for the association.
Thirty players filled tables at the Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament, where over 20 prizes were up for grabs and bragging rights even more valuable.
“This is the first year and we did it as a fundraiser for the Legion,” said Calvin Johnston, Second Vice-President of the Legion and the event organizer.
Johnston explained that in years past, the Canada Day Committee had organized a fundraising poker tournament, but hadn’t planned one for this year. Since he knew that the game had a lot of fans in the area, he decided that the Legion would put one on instead.

“I know there’s a bunch of people that came last time,” said Johnston.
Having only played in tournaments twice before the weekend games, Johnston did make a splash at the 2017 competition. Last year he lucked out when he was dealt a royal flush, so there was a bit of a reputation to live up to.
“I have to defend my royal flush, but I haven’t got one today,” said Johnston.
While no reports came of a second flush, one player did get crowned first winner of the tournament and returning champ of the regional games. Bob Villon landed in first place when the games wrapped up at 9:49 p.m. that evening, with Carl Cole the runner-up and Terry Hamilton at the rear.
The tournament started at one in the afternoon, with 10 minute breaks every hour and a 45 minute supper break at 4 p.m. Players had the chance to buy back in before four if they were knocked out, but after dinner that option was eliminated.
Funds raised will help the Quyon Legion afford a new fence around the back of their property, plus help offset bills in general.
Johnston said he hopes to make the tournament a regular occurrence for the Legion, with an open invitation to folks joining them.
“If it works out, I’d like to do it every three months,” he said. “Usually if you do it well the first time, people will come back.”