From Vergas to Vegas—Massmann wins the big one in Texas Hold ‘Em
by Karin L. Nauber
At 78 years old, Marion Massmann of Eagle Bend achieved something most poker players only dream of—she won the $25,000 grand prize at a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament hosted by the Free Poker Network (FPN) in Las Vegas.
The tournament, which began at 11 a.m. on Sunday, January 12, at the Golden Nugget, saw 404 players compete for over 16 grueling hours. By the time the final game ended at 3:30 a.m. on Monday, January 13, Marion emerged victorious, holding her winning hand—a King 5.
“I thought, ‘How am I ever going to win this? I’ll never win this,’” Marion confessed. But she proved everyone, including herself, wrong.
The Road to Vegas
Marion’s poker journey started more than 20 years ago, and she’s been a dedicated player ever since. Currently, she plays three times a week, including weekly games at Billy’s Corner Bar and Grill in Vergas, Minnesota, a one-hour drive each way. She and fellow poker player Sharon Quale make the trip together, sharing both the commute and the camaraderie of the game....