From Alexandria to Bossier City

The first thing you notice about Richard Golmon is his rail. Samuel "Buddy" Whitstein, Randy Browning, and Paul Seeser are seated just a few steps back from Golmon's table, rooting him on as he plays.

According to Golmon, the group has been getting together to play poker for six or seven years, going to Choctaw Pines on Wednesdays and Sundays and any big events in the area. Jonell Whitstein, Buddy's wife, and Shana Browning, Randy's wife, round out the group who traveled from Alexandria to Bossier City for the Southern Poker Open.

"I'll tell you a story," Seeser says, "Richard used to be a runningback for Terry Bradshaw at Louisiana Tech. He's got records in track and field, too. In fact, before Bradshaw, it was Phil Robinson who was the quarterback. But Robinson left to become a duck hunter, so that's how Bradshaw got the job."

Randy, Paul, and Buddy all played in today's flight but have busted. Rather than re-enter Flight B, Randy says, they're rooting on everyone who's left.

"There are plenty more flights," Randy joked.

Jonell came close to bagging in Flight A and is having a tough time of it today, with half of her original starting stack still intact. Randy's wife, Shana, had the most chips as Level 8 began, with 71,200, but Richard just tripled up to take over bragging rights.

Golmon got all his chips in the middle (23,200) preflop with against two opponents. The first tabled while the other held
to have Goldmon dominated.