From Slots to Spades: 88-Year-Old “Granny” Crushes Her First Poker Tournament
What do you do when your favorite slot machines disappear? If you’re 88-year-old Linda Hammons, you don’t go home—you sit down at a poker table and take the room by storm!
A Lucky Change of Plans
Linda Hammons, affectionately known as “Granny,” recently became the talk of the Beau Rivage casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. After finding her usual slot machines removed, she decided to “wander over” to the poker room. Despite never having played poker before, she was out there for fun, so she signed up for the $500 Mystery Bounty event during the Gulf Coast Poker Tour. With this decision, she was already registered for her first poker tournament ever.
Showing the Pros How It’s Done
Facing off against over 2,600 entrants, Linda proved that age is just a number. While most beginners might feel intimidated, Linda jumped right into the action of Texas Hold’em. She even tried her hand at shuffling chips like the pros, though she jokingly admitted it wasn’t easy:
“I think my fingernails get in the way. I’m not giving up my fingernails!”
Her “beginner’s luck” was actually a display of grit and charm. She outlasted hundreds of experienced players, eventually finishing in an incredible 14th place. Now she is ranked on the Hendon Mob, and we’ll watch closely, there might be more results to come in the future.
Key Takeaways from Linda’s Deep Run:
- Total Winnings: Linda walked away with over $10,100 in prize money and bounties.
- A Fan Favorite: She earned a standing ovation from the crowd upon her exit.
- Pure Confidence: When asked about her success against younger opponents, she simply said, “I showed them!”
Even as a new poker player, Linda showed the community that the game is about more than just cards – it’s about having a great spirit.
It doesn’t take much to test your luck and knowledge online, so why not jump into the action with one of our recommended sites? Your first poker tournament win is waiting for you somewhere. Read our in-depth poker site reviews and pick a favourite to register.
