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It's a full house at local poker events these days

By Eric Gaertner

They watch it on TV. They play it at home online, in friends' houses and at Great Lakes Downs.

They know the names of professional players -- Chris Moneymaker, Johnny Chan and Phil Ivey -- like sports fans know the names of their favorite football team's players. They also speak the lingo, using terms such as "all-in," "the flop" and "the river."

Although an exact number of local residents who regularly play Texas Hold 'Em is undetermined, the growth in attendance at the popular charity events at Great Lakes Downs is a sign it is enjoying a boom in the Muskegon area.

"Muskegon's got the lake, we've got golf and all these other activities, yet we're still here playing Texas Hold 'Em," said Mike Fessenden, 57, between games at Great Lakes Downs. "It's a phenomenon. It's growing faster and faster and faster."

"It's pretty big when you know there's a game somewhere every day of the week," said Ben Reid, 25, of Muskegon.

The rise in interest in Texas Hold 'Em also propelled some players on to local celebrity status in poker circles.

Dan Barnett, 23, of Newaygo learned about those local poker celebrities during his first time playing at Great Lakes Downs. Barnett's friend pointed out the local players in the room who continually fare well and win money.

"We walk in and he tells me, 'You have to watch out for him, him, him,' " Barnett said. "He was giving me the rundown, so there's definitely some local names that have reached celebrity status at the hometown level."

Ron Bielski, who won the area's first circuit championship, and Reid, who says he makes a living by winning money at poker, are among those who have reached local celebrity status. The circuit event was a series of charity poker events where players could earn points based on their finish at each event.

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It's a full house at local poker events these days By Eric Gaertner They watch it on TV. They play it at home online, in friends' houses and at Great Lakes Downs. They know the names of professional players -- Chris Moneymaker, Johnny Chan and Phil Ivey -- like sports fans know the names of their favorite football team's players. They also speak the lingo, using terms such as "all-in," "the flop" and "the river." Although an exact number of local residents who regularly play Texas Hold 'Em is undetermined, the growth in attendance at the popular charity events at Great Lakes Downs is a sign it is enjoying a boom in the Muskegon area. "Muskegon's got the lake, we've got golf and all these other activities, yet we're still here playing Texas Hold 'Em," said Mike Fessenden, 57, between games at Great Lakes Downs. "It's a phenomenon. It's growing faster and faster and faster." "It's pretty big when you know there's a game somewhere every day of the week," said Ben Reid, 25, of Muskegon. The rise in interest in Texas Hold 'Em also propelled some players on to local celebrity status in poker circles. Dan Barnett, 23, of Newaygo learned about those local poker celebrities during his first time playing at Great Lakes Downs. Barnett's friend pointed out the local players in the room who continually fare well and win money. "We walk in and he tells me, 'You have to watch out for him, him, him,' " Barnett said. "He was giving me the rundown, so there's definitely some local names that have reached celebrity status at the hometown level." Ron Bielski, who won the area's first circuit championship, and Reid, who says he makes a living by winning money at poker, are among those who have reached local celebrity status. The circuit event was a series of charity poker events where players could earn points based on their finish at each event.