The History
Twenty-plus years of bad beats, worse decisions, and friendships that somehow survived all of it.
Exhibit · The Early Years
The Early Years
In the beginning, the tournament didn’t have a home. It moved from house to house — whoever was hosting opened their door for the night, and usually took care of the food.
This wasn’t just poker. It was a party.
Pots of homemade chili. Crockpots full of meatballs. Pizza on the way. Chili cheese dip, chips, and snacks covering every inch of counter space. People came for the cards — but they stayed for the company.
Some of the homes that helped build the league:
- Mick & Kimmie
- Billy & Bev
- Jason & Sheilia
Eventually the league found a permanent home. For many years now, Chris “Bish” has been the host — keeping the tradition alive and making sure the cards keep flying every other week.
One Table, Twenty Years
How it started
A few guys, a folding table, and the deeply mistaken belief that everyone was good at this. Two decades later the belief is exactly as mistaken as it ever was — and the chase for Chief Donkey is exactly as fierce.
The originals
Only a handful of the original crew are still in it. Chief among them is James “JD” DeBeck, who decamped to Las Vegas and “retired” — which mostly means he shows up when he can and reminds everyone he was here first. His wife Crystal used to play too.
The greatest fold in league history
February 8, 2008. Mid-tournament, Crystal’s water broke at the table. She and JD racked up and walked out to deliver their daughter Maisie — later a 4.95 GPA valedictorian. The only correct laydown anyone here has ever made.
Milestones
20+ seasons and counting. Countless emergency Clam Replenishment, at least one legendary bad beat per season, and zero lessons learned. Got a night that belongs here? Tell the league — this archive grows.
Chief Donkey Champions
Twenty-plus years of questionable decisions, miraculous rivers, bad beats, and eternal bragging rights.
Seasons from 2023 on are sourced automatically from the league standings workbook (champion = that season’s points leader). Earlier years come from the official trophy banner.
The Reign, Year by Year
- 2006Chris BishopDynasty
- 2007Unknown / Records Needed
- 2008Chris BishopDynasty
- 2009Bill Pearson
- 2010Chris LeCompte
- 2011Chance Mavis
- 2012Jay Sarno
- 2013Chris BishopDynasty
- 2014Chris BishopDynasty
- 2015Chris BishopDynasty
- 2016Mark Carter
- 2017Jim DeBeckJD takes the title
- 2018Terry Lewis
- 2019Javier Rodriguez
- 2020COVID — Season Not Played
- 2021COVID — Season Not Played
- 2022Chris BishopThe league returns
The Record Book
- Bill Pearson 2009
- Chris LeCompte 2010
- Chance Mavis 2011
- Jay Sarno 2012
- Mark Carter 2016
- Jim DeBeck 2017
- Terry Lewis 2018
- Javier Rodriguez 2019