I couldn't sleep without bragging a little bit about a poker club that I am proud to be a member of. Some of you might play Keno, maybe bridge, or whatever. I've done it all, but never have I ever been part of a group of people like this. They are called Kontenders Poker Austin and Surrounding Areas, Kontenders League, and even though they have only been around a couple of years, the other area clubs that have been around so much longer don't even compare.

Today this poker club showed up big time to play the game they love and to help support little ole me. I can barely type this as the tears roll down. As if the stress of having cancer wasn't enough, the bills kept rolling in. But KOntenders said no, we got you covered!

The locations that KOntenders play at are not just venues, but partners with us. From the Georgetown Poker Club, to the VFW in Austin. We are family. To get these hospital bills down to a size where I won't spend my days stressing about it, I can't thank enough those that helped to make a way for today's fundraising tournament; from the owner Tom Wiegand, to our area supervisor Pamela Cooksey, and all the tireless workers behind the scenes:
Michele Bryant, Shannon Bryant, John at GPC, Hill Country Card Club, the VFW, The Whiskey Girls Saloon, Hardtails and our other venue the Mill.And to the big hearted players that donated auction items like:
Chris Williams, Benjamin Slaughter, Jeffrey Krenzer, Lisa Krenzer, Nicole A. Graham, Hannah N. Trimarco, Kaylynn P. Wilkins, Stephanie Nicole, Marcus Alan Townsend and George Luceroas well as nonplayers Cassie Miller, Eddie Harp, Donna Sebastian Harp, and of course everyone else that came out to play.

You were all so generous, I am literally blown away. I can't wait to plunk down your donations at the bank to get this hospital balance due lowered significantly!

I don't know who you do life with, but I hope it's with giving people like this! I hope I didn't forget to thank someone, I hear chemo brain is a thing. I am going to sleep much better now

We have been playing poker at Two Rivers Tavern for about a year now, what a great bar and the food is terrific! Clayton and Sarah make everyone feel welcome and we always have a good time. We have become friends with a lot of the players. We keep going back to play because of all the great things mentioned. Everyone needs to come and check it out. The BEST POKER LEAGUE in San Antonio, KONTENDERS.

Seriously! In the 3 months Kontenders has been here in Austin I have earned 4 tokens, played in 3 of the Sunday weekly qualifier tournaments and got "into the money" in 2 of them. I turned one of those into an entry into the $200,000 tournament in Las Vegas and now I'm going to use my second one for another one next year. There is tremendous value in this league. I'm not even the best player in the league and I've managed to do this. Also, a huge bonus is that the $200,000 Bar Poker Open tournament occurs right as the WSOP is going on so you get to experience that as well. This league has already done more for my poker game than 3 years has in other leagues. Just sayin'!

I have to give a shout out to this Poker League and Tom for putting it all together, keeping it all together and doing a ton of work behind the scenes that none of us will ever know. To have the opportunity to play poker whenever I want with an absolutely wonderful group of men and women, is a true blessing. I appreciate the way all of you play against me with kindness an respect and to you I give that respect back to you. ... I love this league so much.

Kontenders brings a diverse experience to poker. It's a unique combination of social fun and competitive games. I have beginner players that want to learn how to play, players that want to hang out with friends while enjoying cards and a beer, and other players that are trying new poker strategies and strengthening their game for trips to casinos. There's a place for everyone at Kontenders.

I have always had a interest in poker and since finding this league I have been having a blast playing. There is a venue for everybody and the tournament directors run a smooth game.

Thanks for having this awesome league, Tom!

I joined the league about two years ago. It has been a blast playing with people from all over the Central Texas area. The venues do a great job of hosting the tournaments and the KOntenders TD's and management team have kept the league growing and fun. The chance to win BPO tokens makes the league the best around. Where else can you play free poker and win a chance to play in either Atlantic City or Vegas for real prize money? Great job KOntenders!