Recap: Winter League 2025
The Te Kauwhata Poker Club’s Winter League lit up the tables with drama, upsets, and some sizzling showdowns. Over ten heated weeks from July through September, the chips clattered and the egos soared, as regulars and newcomers alike battled for bragging rights.
John Sets the Early Pace
Right from the opening week on 8 July, John came out firing, bagging back-to-back first-place finishes in the first two events. His consistency (13 and 13 points) sent a clear message—he wasn’t just here to play, he was here to dominate. While his knockout counts weren’t the highest, John’s knack for staying deep into games made him the man to beat.
The Rise of Trent – From Grinder to Heavyweight
Trent’s campaign was a slow burn that turned into fireworks. A string of strong finishes in late July and August—including a huge 17-point haul on 19 August—vaulted him up the standings. Known for his patient style, Trent proved he could mix it up when it mattered most, collecting knockout points and a league-defining win on 26 August.
Josh’s Mid-Season Surge
Josh had a rollercoaster Winter League but when he was hot, he was scorching. His highlight came across back-to-back weeks in August, where he posted 14 and 16 points (5 Aug and 12 Aug) with a flurry of knockouts. Add in a tidy runner-up finish on 9 September, and Josh cemented himself as one of the most dangerous players when the cards fell his way.
Sean: King of the Knockouts
If there was one player who struck fear into opponents, it was Sean. He piled up knockouts across the season, with a monster 6 KOs on 2 September leading to a 17-point victory. Sean also opened his season with a win on 22 July, showing that when he was locked in, the chips tended to follow him. He may not have always converted deep runs into wins, but his aggressive style defined the season.
Dark Horses and Breakouts
Dean B announced himself with a second-place masterclass in mid-July (18 points), then capped it off with a win on 9 September—proving he’s a name to circle for future seasons.
Ethan quietly pieced together a consistent stretch, grabbing a runner-up finish and regularly featuring in the final tables.
Riaan found form late July with a victory on 29 July, backed by steady points hauls and a powerful showing on 19 August (second place with 13 points).
Raewyn had moments of brilliance, none brighter than her Quad Tens on 2 September—a hand that will be talked about at the Tavern for months.
Stories from the River
The Winter League wouldn’t be complete without a nod to the River Rats—the fearless few who somehow snatched pots when all looked lost. This season, Ethan and Josh were repeat offenders, turning unlikely rivers into game-changers. And who could forget Raewyn’s miracle Quad Tens, a reminder that in poker, luck sometimes sits on your shoulder at just the right time. But it was Jay who led the pack, finishing the season with the most River Rat points—a true master of late magic on the felt.
Best Hands of the Winter League
If knockouts are the heavy punches, then the Best Hands are the highlight-reel moments—the ones that keep the table buzzing long after the chips are pushed across.
Raewyn’s Quad Tens (2 September) stole the show as the hand of the season. Landing quads that late in a game is rare enough, but doing it with style secured her a memorable place in club lore.
Todd’s Quad Jacks (9 September) was another jaw-dropper, turning what looked like a routine showdown into a thunderous statement hand that left his opponents shaking their heads.
League Standings
When the dust settled, here’s how the leaderboard shaped up across all ten weeks:
1st - Josh (80 points)
2nd - Trent (73 points)
3rd - John (68 points)
Josh’s consistency and knockout power sealed him the Winter League crown, while Trent’s late surge pushed him into second. John’s fiery start kept him on the podium, and Sean’s aggressive style saw him tie with Riaan in a battle that went right down to the wire.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Winter League had everything: dominant runs, surprise wins, and enough knockouts to make any fight promoter jealous. As the chips are packed away and the Tavern readies itself for the next showdown, one thing’s for sure—this field is only getting tougher.