When an 88-year-old casino regular discovered her favorite slot machines had disappeared, she didn’t complain or head home. Instead, she wandered into a poker room—and nearly pulled off one of the most unlikely deep runs of the year.
Linda Hammons, who had never played a poker tournament in her life, entered the $500 Mystery Bounty event at the Beau Rivage Heater on the Gulf Coast Poker Tour in Biloxi, Mississippi. The tournament carried a $1 million guarantee and drew a massive field of 2,628 players.
By the time the dust settled, Hammons—quickly dubbed “Granny” by players and railbirds—had finished an incredible 14th place, earning $10,100, including $1,700 in mystery bounties. Her unexpected success impressed so many in attendance that the story soon caught the attention of local media.
From Slots to Spotlight
Hammons’ journey into tournament poker was entirely unplanned. Speaking afterward with the Biloxi Sun Herald, she explained that she had come to the casino looking for the slot machines she always played—only to find they were gone.
“So I just wandered up here,” Hammons said, casually describing how she ended up registering for a major poker event instead.
What followed was a run few seasoned players could have predicted. As she edged closer to the final table, Hammons attracted a sizeable rail, with spectators cheering on the unlikely contender who had never before navigated a no-limit hold’em tournament field.
A Memorable Exit—and a Standing Ovation
Hammons’ run finally came to an end just shy of the final table. Harold Evans moved all-in from the small blind holding Q♠ Q♣, and Hammons called from the big blind with K♣ 9♣.
“Good luck, granny,” someone at the table said moments before the cards were dealt.
The flop of 5♣ J♠ 2♥ gave her little help, but the turn brought the 10♦, adding a gutshot straight draw and briefly reigniting hope. The river, however, came the 2♦, sealing her fate.
As Hammons exited the tournament area, the crowd rose to give her a warm ovation—a fitting sendoff for one of the event’s most beloved stories. Evans would go on to finish seventh for $16,335.
“I Showed Them”
Despite her lack of experience, Hammons took her result in stride and with a sense of humor.
“I showed them,” she joked, referring to her fellow competitors.
She admitted that she never quite mastered one poker-room ritual. “I can’t shuffle chips,” she said with a laugh. “I think my fingernails get in the way—and I’m not giving up my fingernails.”
Tournament Wrap-Up
The event ultimately ended with Randall Chase Cummins and WSOP bracelet winner Michael Lech agreeing to an even chop, each taking home $115,136. Cummins was officially crowned the champion.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Randall Chase Cummins | $115,136 |
| 2 | Michael Lech | $115,135 |
| 3 | Jonathan Park | $55,480 |
| 4 | Brian Wardrup | $41,616 |
| 5 | James Tian | $29,383 |
| 6 | Charles Leroi | $20,413 |
| 7 | Harold Evans | $16,335 |
| 8 | Ethan Figueroa | $13,074 |
| 9 | Michael Corbin | $10,627 |
While the trophy went elsewhere, the heart of the tournament clearly belonged to Hammons—a reminder that poker’s most unforgettable stories don’t always come from seasoned pros, but sometimes from a spontaneous decision after the slots disappear.
